Hello fellow African hunters. I have one of these bushing that I bought a while back but I was trying to find one of these bushings for a friend of mine when I came across this post. I still have not found one to buy, but I have a CNC lathe, so I'll be cranking one out for him. If anyone else...
I have know Craig for some time and he is a close personal friend. We are about the same age and fondness of good hunting rifles. My wife is very found of him as well. Craig is a national treasure and most of us could only hope to half the man he is. While no one is perfect, he ranks very...
He has the highest integrity of any man I know, I may not know every thing about him but I know he is a better man than me. Hornady and others have taken me on a free hunts and I have taken friends and business associates on free hunts. There were never any strings attached. I don't think...
In his new Book "Buffalo II" in the bullet chapter when he talks about some of the best buffalo bullets, he talks about his history with Barnes, Swift and Hornady. I have used all 3 on buffalo myself. But he writes about not being paid to promote any brand. We have talked bullets many...
Wow, I can't believe the bashing from people that don't personally know Craig Boddington. I've personally known him for years, have some of the same friends like Jason Hornady and know many of his other friends. I've been on several hunts with him and have had business dealing with him for...
For sure the 9.3 will handle most game, I own one and I have been in camp with 2 other hunters who took both buffalo and plains game. I think it fine, a bit less powerful the the .375 H&H which I have used extensively on 3 continents. On elephants I opted to use my .500 and on buffalo I shot...
Yes at ZDS no fences there. I seen several shooter Nyala every day but held out for this 30-1/2" one. I passed on 4 or 5 that were in the 29" range. I primarily went to Mozambique to hunt buffalo where I did take 2, but I enjoyed hunting Nyala in the sand Forrest more. I would go back to ZDS...
Actually CZ makes the 550 Magnum in both 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs. the 500 Jeffery far out sells the Gibbs. CZ will produce the 505 Gibbs occasionally but they are very slow sellers. The 500 Jeffery moves on an off the shelves at a much faster rate. Also reloading dies for the 500 Jeffery...
Interesting question. I hunted elephants and buffalo in Zimbabwe with a CZ 550 Mag in .500 Jeffery while my PH was using a well worn Bruno 602 in .458 Lott. He killed a lot of elephants, buffalo and a charging lion with that .458 Lott. I was his first client to use a .500 Jeffery. After he...
Talking from my own experience at age 64 and having hunted over 30 game species in Africa alone including several elephants and buffalo. I own a 9,3x74R double which is basically the ballistic twin. I would not hesitate to use it on any plains game. I have not used it on buffalo, but I was in...
The X doesn't mean anything. All the cabalas guns serial numbers started with "CAB" then at the end of the contract Sabatti with left with several receivers already stamped with CAB so they finished them under a new deal with IFG and these guns say IFG on them. They are all fine. The latest...
Hi, You asked a question that's impossible for anyone to answer but you. I have hunted with my friend Craig Boddington a few time and spent lots of time with. He tends to favor a .300 mag where his wife favors a .270 Winchester. It really depends on what you feel convertible shooting. I...
I passed on dozens of trophy size Nyala on a 10 hunt in Mozambique October 2017 before I finally settle of this 30 1/2" bull. ZDS had tremendous numbers of big bulls. Saw many shooters every day.
The main problem with a double rifle chambered in 416 Rigby is that it is not a standard double gun round like 450/400 NE. And your gun was regulated with Hornady ammo. Hence the problem. Per my personal conversations with management at Hornady , they keep several different sets of load data...
My information about the Hornady ammo is first hand. I'm not repeating anything I read. You can call Hornady and ask for the dates their productions lots, but don't expect them to admit the powder problem, It's bad PR. The problem boxes where there was the original powder and other boxes that...
For my Sabatti 450/400 NE 3" I have loaded it with different bullets but Hornady new Bonded DGX regulate well and had good performance on several buffalo. I know there are better bullets out there and I am a big fan of Swift and Barnes, but in the 450/400 the Bonded DGX is really all you need...
The sabatti rifles were regulated with Hornady ammunition. Unfortunately during powder shortages, Hornady changed the load which effected how the guns regulates. Once Hornady became aware of the issue they stopped product of double rifle ammo until they can acquire the original power that was...
The original Cabalas guns had serial numbers that started with CAB. However when IFG took them over, Sabatti already several receives bodies made with serial numbers starting with CAB. They finished those gun for IFG under their production standards and did not have any of the issues of the...
In my opinion the 9.3 is a bit light for buffalo except in an experts hands like Craig. He certainly made it work with one shot. He used the Hornady Interlock 286 gr bullet. But I have only shot 5 buffalo, 2 with a 375 H&H, one with a 460 Weatherby, one with a 416 Rigby and one with the...
I certainly would not go as far as saying owning a Sabatti is like owning a Mossberg. I own a Benelli and I have shot Mossbergs. I guess you will need to own or shoot a Sabatti to understand them. They look good, they feel good, they hit to point of aim and they are very reliable. I can't...
Yes to my surprise Craig used Hornady DG ammo but in the 9.3 it comes loaded with a Interlock bullet. One shot is all it took and showed me the recovered bullet which appeared to retain about 70% of it's weight. I did not expect it do that well.
I'm sure many have more experience than me with a larger number of different manufacturers. I know the fit and finish on the high end guns can't compare either. But I have shot dozens of Sabatti's and they are fine guns. The people that I know that have new Sabatti's and other makes of...
Yes, the Sabatti Holland & Holland deal was not long lived and I don't believe they produced many guns for for them. But the shotgun I handled was a true side lock. I have a picture I took of it some where but it's a bit blurry because the room was not well lite. All I can state for a fact is...
When I visited the Sabatti factory last year, Mr. Sabatti took me in to their firearm collection room where they had guns they had made over the centuries. He handed me one on the Holland & Holland shotguns they had made that was in his collection. He said the hand engraving work alone was...
The Sabatti rifles have to be the best deal in a double rifle you can get. Ever since IFG took over the importation of them, they have taken off with top quality doubles. Unfortunately IFG has stopped importing the plain big five rifles except for special order. But they are focusing on the...
Yes that is Tony Makris. He has hunted with the same outfit I just wrote about and where Craig shot his 100th buffalo. I don't know Tony Makris personally but I like his show. We do have a mutual acquaintance Bill Jones who lives about an hour from me. He let me handle all of his famous...
Thanks,
Hornady had given me the ammo for the trip and I though they would do some thing with that picture, but this is the first time I have seen it use any where.
The EDL is the upgraded version with engraved side lock plates and ungraded wood. Craig Boddington owns a Left Handed version in 450 NE and loves it. I own 3 Sabtti's 2 are the standard Big Five, one in .500 NE one in 450/400 3"NE and a O/U in 9.3X74R with a spare barrel set in 20 ga. I just...
The new Sabatti's imported by IFG and sold by Wholesale Hunter are the best value double you can fine. I own 3 of them in .500 NE, 450/400 NE and 9.3X74R all regulate invincible well. I was hunting with Craig Boddington in Mozambique where I used my 450/400 3" NE to take a buffalo at 70 yards...
The new Sabatti rifles coming in from IFG are really very good. I have 3 of them in .500 NE, 450/400 3" NE and 9.3X74R. They all regulate very good with the 450/400 and the 9.3 regulating inside of an inch. I just returned for safari in Mozambique with Craig Boddington. I shot 2 buffalo, one...
Yes the camera was making me a bit nervous and Craig behind me watching too was a lot of pressure to make a good shot. I nearly had heat stroke in the swamp and was struggling to my limit. I wanted to use my double on the first buffalo but could not get closer than 80 yards so I opted for an...
Sorry about the typos in the spelling. It was late when I wrote this. I fist met Craig Boddington over 10 years ago. We started doing some work together about 1 1/2 years ago and I got to know him well enough to know he is the real deal. One of the most considerate and modest persons I know...
I forgot to add that Ivan Carter was in camp too. Ivan is the man who taught me how to shoot Elephants several years ago. The trip was also filmed for Petersen's Hunting Adventures. I was filmed too but no telling if they will air that part.
Boddington autographed the rifle for me and send me a letter on his letter head about using that rifle for his 100th buffalo which was extremely kind of him. What a great guy.
I have been on may African hunts but now I am truly spoiled after hunting with Craig Boddington in Mozambique at Zambeze Delta Safaris, Mark Hadane's outfit. This was not my first dangerous game hunt but it certainly was the best. Craig had invited me along so I signed up. Craig shot a...
Hello Edward, very cool story. I have the same rife. I see you have we the same African hunting bug that I have. I ran into the same trouble changing flights in Joberg , the British Air would not allow me to take my guns, had to scrabble and find another flight on SA Air , once I was there...
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