Recent content by Slim01

Thank you for your replies and messages. I'll be in contact over the next few days.

I'm researching options for plains game hunting in mid-2028. I've hunted in Namibia and would happily return, but other African countries are also of interest (particularly Botswana or Zambia). Ideally, I'd be looking for a two week trip, with 10 days hunting and some other activities to wind...

You will have a great time. Whereabouts are you stalking? I'll be headied to Mull later in September for the stags.

My 60th birthday is approaching faster than I would like, but I'm planning to soften the blow with another trip to Africa to hunt plains game. A new rifle would also help ease me into my 7th decade; I have a couple of Tikka T3X's which are great but I'd like a classic rifle with blued steel and...

I've found Schmidt and Bender to be good; excellent glass, reliable and capable of standing up to the rigours of hunting.

My Tikka T3X in 6.5x55; it's only been used in the UK so far, but has accounted for plenty of deer.

Moorland heather:

The grouse shooting season in the UK started on Tuesday. I managed to arrange a day's walked-up shooting although it was over 90°f with no shade on the moor. My one and only chance came after 3 hours....which made it all worthwhile.

I recently returned to using a side by side after 20 years of shooting over and unders. It's lighter to carry when hunting, faster handling and I prefer how it looks compared to an OU. I would consider an AYA (either a No.2 sidelock or a No.4 boxlock); they are well made guns and very reliable.

I called the gunsmith I'll be using and he has 1:7.5" and 1:9" twists in stock but no 1:10". He's rebarrelling a lot of rifles to .270win with faster twists due to the proposed ban of lead ammunition.

I'm going to rebarrel my .270win. It currently has a 20" barrel with a 1:10" twist. It will be used with lead and monoliths for plains game and deer out to 300 yards max. What length and twist rate would be best? Thanks.

Richard Prior, a well known British deer stalker, used to advise people 'get as close as you can, and then get 10 yards closer'.

Thank your advice and comments, they're appreciated.

I've read that the .270win is a marginal calibre for larger plains game. Has the development of lead free ammunition made it a more viable option?