One Of My Final Shikars

I am not sure what point you are trying to make, or the purpose of the smiley faces, but I’ll take a moment to respond.

Astra is/was typical of the Spanish system where makers came and went usually in the lifespan of the the founder. (AYA is an exception to that limited production legacy.) Astra, other than a host of handguns, also seemingly built small quantities of everything from truly junker boxlocks to fairly well made sidelocks. Guns of this period, regardless of maker, ranged from superb to awful - apparently regardless of the range of the product. A fine sidelock, for instance, might have fragile springs or a poorly fitted stock head. I have a very high quality AYA sidelock OU of the period where the engraved “pheasants” look like pterodactyls. Questionable barrel steel or uncertain wall thickness was a routine concern. Nothing ever seems to be quite perfect with any of the Spanish guns of most of the second half of the 20th century. But they were relatively cheap. Much of those production quality assurance issues seem to have been resolved by the surviving major houses over the last 20 years or so.

I would never ever shoot heavy buckshot or slugs of any manufacture through one of these guns regardless of its marks or apparent proof. They were designed to be inexpensive clones of British game guns. British game guns are not designed for such use, and only in an emergency would I even consider using an imitation for such a purpose.

Though Terry Wieland and I do not agree on everything (particularly with respect to the Blaser S2), his book "Spanish Best" is a good place to start a foundation on the Basque guns. https://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Best-Fine-Shotguns-Spain/dp/158667143X Regrettably, I do not believe Astra products, other than handguns, were included.
Thanks , Red Leg .
 
I am not sure what point you are trying to make, or the purpose of the smiley faces, but I’ll take a moment to respond.

Astra is/was typical of the Spanish system where makers came and went usually in the lifespan of the the founder. (AYA is an exception to that limited production legacy.) Astra, other than a host of handguns, also seemingly built small quantities of everything from truly junker boxlocks to fairly well made sidelocks. Guns of this period, regardless of maker, ranged from superb to awful - apparently regardless of the range of the product. A fine sidelock, for instance, might have fragile springs or a poorly fitted stock head. I have a very high quality AYA sidelock OU of the period where the engraved “pheasants” look like pterodactyls. Questionable barrel steel or uncertain wall thickness was a routine concern. Nothing ever seems to be quite perfect with any of the Spanish guns of most of the second half of the 20th century. But they were relatively cheap. Much of those production quality assurance issues seem to have been resolved by the surviving major houses over the last 20 years or so.

I would never ever shoot heavy buckshot or slugs of any manufacture through one of these guns regardless of its marks or apparent proof. They were designed to be inexpensive clones of British game guns. British game guns are not designed for such use, and only in an emergency would I even consider using an imitation for such a purpose.

Though Terry Wieland and I do not agree on everything (particularly with respect to the Blaser S2), his book "Spanish Best" is a good place to start a foundation on the Basque guns. https://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Best-Fine-Shotguns-Spain/dp/158667143X Regrettably, I do not believe Astra products, other than handguns, were included.
Red Leg
I have made one interesting observation. The problem which you described ( with great accuracy ) to Hoss Delgado about Spanish shot-guns ( such as Astra) is quite similar to the over-under shot-guns which are currently imported into Bangladesh from Turkish manufacturers . The Turkish shot-guns are wildly inconsistent in their quality ( such as Khan Arms ). Some can be fairly decent pieces , but others are very poorly made.
 
Red Leg
I have made one interesting observation. The problem which you described ( with great accuracy ) to Hoss Delgado about Spanish shot-guns ( such as Astra) is quite similar to the over-under shot-guns which are currently imported into Bangladesh from Turkish manufacturers . The Turkish shot-guns are wildly inconsistent in their quality ( such as Khan Arms ). Some can be fairly decent pieces , but others are very poorly made.
You are exactly correct!

Several US companies have brought OU and SxS lines in from Turkey over the last couple of decades and most dropped them fairly quickly due to so many returns stemming from basic quality control issues. Some of the better makers are finally getting it sorted out, but were I looking for an economically priced gun of unquestioned quality, I would much rather invest in a basic Beretta new or used.
 
It was a Tuesday morning and we all set off , after our Sambhar deer. Our party consisted of myself , my respected client , Rishi and Gautam ( our coolies ) and Jedediah and Rhidoy ( our loyal Garo trackers ) . Rishi carried my respected client’s magnum .375 bore bolt operation rifle . Gautam carried my client’s double barrel Astra shot-gun. I carried my old Ishapore Arms Factory 12 bore side by side shot-gun , loaded with SG cartridge in each barrel . By this point , my already poor quality gun , was in an even worse state than can be imagined. The stock had broken near the wrist and had to be repaired with a reinforcement made from local brass sheeting. There was also something very wrong with the striking pins of the shot-gun . Once every ten times , the gun would mis-fire due to the striking pins not hitting the primers in the back of the cartridges with enough force. However , Beggars cannot be choosers and that was l l had with me.
Jeddiah managed to find the tracks of a large Sambhar deer near the Pujaree area and our tracking work began.
It took us about five hours , but we finally got a glimpse of the Royal creature. He had a magnificent coat and the finest antlers ever seen. Rishi handed our client , his Model 70 rifle , which was loaded with Winchester silver tip cartridges. The client and l slowly began to creep closer towards the Sambhar deer , as he was unsuspectingly feeding on the vegetation. At a distance of 100 yards , we stopped and my client raised the rifle to his shoulder. After carefully taking aim , he shot at the deer from the side . That single Winchester silver tip bullet did it's work excellently. It pierced two lungs in the deer. He ran a short distance , coughing blood , but then the inevitable and loud Thud was heard , as the noble noble creature fell to the forest ground , lifeless. I praised my client's shooting prowess and got ready to order the coolies to carry the corpse of the Sambhar deer back to Darjeeling Circuit House . I told my client " Shahib , let us head back to the jeep " . However , Jeddiah then said
" Kawshik Bhai , dekhen ! Ekhane toh phota baagh er chinno " ( Brother , Kawshik , look ! There are the tracks of a spotted leopard on the ground . )
I looked down and true enough , old Jeddiah spoke correctly as always. They were the unmistakable tracks of a heavy Central India hunting leopard . A leopard had been nearby the area where we had shot the Sambhar. With five more hours of daylight left , l turned and asked my client " Shahib , how would you like to secure your Sambhar deer and your leopard on the same day ? "
My client smiled in approval.

I will not post a picture of the Sambhar deer yet , dear readers . But rest assured , it will follow in the final part of this account.
Friend Kawshik Rahman
Sambar are truly a beautiful animal, unfortunately I have never taken a decent stag.
My last one had antlers like frozen dog turds and about ten tease old. Despite his age he provided some excellent eating. Young spikers or does are far better eating tho.
Keep safe and well my friend,
20200409_114800.jpg
Bob
My last sambar stag taken with my SMLE NO4 ACTION 444 marlin loaded with 265grain FTX projectiles at 170 yards.
 
I decided that l did not wish to take any risks when hunting an animal as dangerous as a leopard . I did not want to use my Ishapore Arms Factory 12 bore shot-gun , as l knew that a mis-fire at the most unfortunate of moments could possibly lead to my demise , or worse , my client's. Seeing that this client was a great , personal friend of mine , l asked him for something which l dared never ask to any other client , as it would be an act of insolence. " Shahib " l asked " May l use your shot-gun ? My own has been missing fire lately quite a bit " . My client immediately replied " It would be suicide going after dangerous game with a gun that jams . Of course , you may use it ." And thus , l handed my Ishapore Arms Factory 12 bore shot-gun to Rishi and l took my respected client's 12 bore Astra side by side shot-gun , loaded with LG cartridges ( each contained eight pellets ) . I also took four spare Eley Alphamax LG cartridges for added precaution. I kept two cartridges in the breast pocket of my cotton poplin half sleeve shirt and l kept two cartridges between my fingers.
My client had his magnum .375 bore model 70 bolt operation rifle , which was freshly loaded with four Winchester silver tip cartridge .Jeddiah and Rhidoy began to track the spoor of the leopard , as my client and l eagerly followed.
Upwards of one hour had passed , as Rishi finally whispered " Kawshik Bhai , oije ! " ( Brother Kawshik , there ! ) . He had spotted the leopard with a pair of binoculars . I took the binoculars from Rishi and eagerly , had a look . Indeed , it was a very large leopard and clearly a very heavy one. Rishi , my client and l slowly began to creep within one hundred yards of the leopard. When we were within a suitable distance from the leopard and within an acceptable range , l advised my client " Shahib , wait until he has his side fully exposed to you. Then place your aim correctly to pierce his two lungs " . However , my client was a seasoned hunter. He smiled and took aim with his rifle . The leopard was standing perfectly side ways to us. The client fired , and it was a good shot . However , no matter how proficient one is , sometimes , luck does not favour one in the Shikar field the way , we would prefer. In the fraction of a second before the trigger was fully pressed , the leopard moved at an angle and the bullet , while hitting him , did not get placed perfectly. The leopard roared and disappeared into the foliage. I immediately became alert. All of a sudden a perfect and enjoyable Shikar had now become a struggle to track and contend with a wounded leopard in thick foliage. And any professional Shikari will immediately tell you how much they loath having to contend with a wounded leopard in thick vegetation. Make no mistake . A wounded leopard in thick vegetation is almost thrice as dangerous a
unblemished leopard on open area.
My client , being a brave and honorable man , immediately operated the bolt of his magnum .375 bore model 70 to get a fresh cartridge into the breech and said " Let us finish this " . Keeping Rishi behind us , my client and l cautiously ran into the dense bushes. The blood trail was relatively thick . I had already guessed that at least one lung had been pierced . However , a leopard with one pierced lung is still very much dangerous. All of a sudden , we heard a sound behind us which made our blood run cold. As he turned , it was the leopard rushing towards us . I immediately fired the left barrel at him , at a distance of eight feet or so. Those eight .36 caliber round balls of lead certainly hit the beast in the head , and that stopped the charge. Perhaps , it killed the beast too , but l will never know . Because , at very moment , my brave client fired at the head of the leopard at a distance of three feet . The leopard never moved after that.

View attachment 310676
Happy client and l with our Puroshkaar ( trophy )

The epilogue will follow with on more photograph.
Friend Kawshik Rahman
The respect you show your clients in days gone by is truly remarkable compared to the manners shown by a lot of people now days. It would be refreshing to see young people be that polite but alas those times have passed.
My Friend if I had ever hunted with yourself I would have been MY great pleasure to let you use any rifle or shotgun I had with me.
Your humble friend
Bob Nelson
 
Friend Kawshik Rahman
The respect you show your clients in days gone by is truly remarkable compared to the manners shown by a lot of people now days. It would be refreshing to see young people be that polite but alas those times have passed.
My Friend if I had ever hunted with yourself I would have been MY great pleasure to let you use any rifle or shotgun I had with me.
Your humble friend
Bob Nelson

It's been my experience bob that my generation would of benefitted from a little less carrot and a whole lot more stick. It simply amazes me how little respect or even basic curiosity is shown to our elders anymore. Truely saddening.
 
It's been my experience bob that my generation would of benefitted from a little less carrot and a whole lot more stick. It simply amazes me how little respect or even basic curiosity is shown to our elders anymore. Truely saddening.
Skinnersblade
Even in Australia the kids have no respect for the police. At the moment 14 and 15 year olds are out stealing cars in Queensland during the pandemic. The police catch them charge them, they can't lock them up now days. Then release them only to pick them up a few hours later for the same thing.
Oh how I would like to give them a good bitch slapping and kick up the arse. We can't even blame the parents as the government doesn't allow us to discipline them.
Just my thoughts
Cheers mate Bob
 
It looks like your grandfather was the real deal Hoss. Mr. Rahman is offering good advice, he can probably still whip your butt. Don’t mess with the old guys, they don’t fight fair!
WAB
We don't have to be as good as we once were, we only have the be good once.
Cheers mate Bob
 
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It's been my experience bob that my generation would of benefitted from a little less carrot and a whole lot more stick. It simply amazes me how little respect or even basic curiosity is shown to our elders anymore. Truely saddening.
I am from the same generation (at least close, I’m 22) and I agree. Yes please’s and no thank you’s go a long ways. Also a lot of people my age swear loudly in restaurants, I can’t stand it.
 
Father is fond of saying old men got that way by surviving.
Skinnersblade
Mate one of my favorite sayings is
At least I've got to this age do you think you will.
My father used to say don't get your ambition mixed up with your capability.
Cheers mate Bob
 
When I was growing up it was Spare The Rod And Spoil The Child. Not much spoiling in our home and I raised my kids the same way. We need a lot more of that today. Even common courtesy is a rarity and the language would make a sailor blush. Makes one have a great urge to kick some ass right up between the ears.
 
I am from the same generation (at least close, I’m 22) and I agree. Yes please’s and no thank you’s go a long ways. Also a lot of people my age swear loudly in restaurants, I can’t stand it.
Mr Smith
You are one of the few with that type of manner. If my son doesn't say please he don't get it. If no thank you don't ask again it isn't going to happen.
Cheers mate Bob
 

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