Suggestions on things to take for first Cape buffalo hunt- Zimbabwe

In 500 NE, or similar, most any bullet of normal weight will work if shot placement is correct with luck and there is minimal margin for error. But with the Hornady DGX it also depends on if old or new DGX version. The new, bonded DGX is a big improvement over the old, non-bonded version. But it is not the best bullet for the job by a wide margin, not even in the top tier of choices, IMO. No matter, for the life of me, why anyone insists on using a convenient, easily available or low cost bullet for hunting big game, especially DG, when the bullet is the only thing that interacts with the animal. The hat or sunglasses you’re wearing don’t, the pants or shirt or boots don’t, the rifle doesn’t, the scope doesn’t, the price/class of the plane ticket to get there doesn’t, the class or cost of the hotels used during the trip doesn’t, the cost of the luggage doesn’t… it is the bullet!

fourfive8 said:

In 500 NE, or similar, most any bullet of normal weight will work if shot placement is correct with luck and there is minimal margin for error. But with the Hornady DGX it also depends on if old or new DGX version. The new, bonded DGX is a big improvement over the old, non-bonded version. But it is not the best bullet for the job by a wide margin, not even in the top tier of choices, IMO. No matter, for the life of me, why anyone insists on using a convenient, easily available or low cost bullet for hunting big game, especially DG, when the bullet is the only thing that interacts with the animal. The hat or sunglasses you’re wearing don’t, the pants or shirt or boots don’t, the rifle doesn’t, the scope doesn’t, the price/class of the plane ticket to get there doesn’t, the class or cost of the hotels used during the trip doesn’t, the cost of the luggage doesn’t… it is the bullet!

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The watch.

You forgot about the watch

It’s a wonder you ain’t been killed.

Your going to have such a great hunt and can’t wait to see some pics from it.

You won’t go wrong with Jim Greens I love my barefoot African ranger’s.

For the non cammo Cabela’s does have the red head like it’s not bad, also tag safaris has some more affordable solid color clothing in canvas that won’t get shredded from the throne and brush as well.

Here is a generic packing list I live by when prepping for any hunts then plus and minus a few items. You’ve already got some great help in the post above.

1. light Jacket for morning and evenings
2. Three pairs of hunting clothes shirts and pants
3. Sunblock
4. Bug Spray
5. Sunglasses
6. Low top boot/running shoes. I use Jim Green boots or Palladium Pampa Hi shoes for wet conditions hunts.
7. Bore snake to clean barrel at end of hunt
8. Oil wipes to wipe bolt and action
9. Ear plugs
10. Baseball cap
11. Neck gaiter/buff
12. Gun sock/ soft case for when traveling long distances in the truck or on charter plane
13. Battery pack to charge with
14. Flashlight
15. Camera
16. Pelican case for camera in truck
17. SD cards
18. Spare Flash flight and camera batteries
19. Book to read on flights
20. Power inverters for(destination)
21. Truck treat’s (gum, candy, etc.) for everyone on the truck and camp
22. Gloves for thorn brush (leather is best)
23. Camp shoes I use sneaker or crocs
24. Camp/travel clothes, typically pair of shorts or hunting pants, along with tee shirt that can be used to hunt in for back up I wear solid color hunting clothing, so it works to travel in.


25. In reach/sat phone for staying connected to home and work. What’s App is a great app for when you have WIFI as well.




26. ammo pouch or belt to keep ammo on you and not rattling in pockets Leather or a canves elastic material


27. trophy shipping tags from your taxidermist with your info their info and broker info on them. Take 4 tags per animal you plan on hunting and I would take a couple extra.




28. Binoculars 10x42 with range works great in 99% of Africa safari areas in heavy thick brush areas maybe a 8x32 would be better but 10x42 is a great go to with ranging capabilities.

fourfive8 said:

IMO. No matter, for the life of me, why anyone insists on using a convenient, easily available or low cost bullet for hunting big game, especially DG, when the bullet is the only thing that interacts with the animal. The hat or sunglasses you’re wearing don’t, the pants or shirt or boots don’t, the rifle doesn’t, the scope doesn’t, the price/class of the plane ticket to get there doesn’t, the class or cost of the hotels used during the trip doesn’t, the cost of the luggage doesn’t… it is the bullet!

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You are right, it is the bullet. DGX examples:

Other side of entry, PH's (6'1") hand for scale.

Lungs


Another buffalo lung





When something works great, I am not going to change. I did develop a load for Cutting Edge solids for elephants, because I wasn't happy with its metlat angle. To be honest, I might have developed a raptor load, but I wanted to keep the bullet weight at 570 grains.

I'll be at Namibia this coming September with my new Rigby for buffalo and Zebra. I will use DGX for the .500 for buffalo and ye,s the DGX for the .450/400 for the Zebra.

An important part of any hunt, especially a dangerous game one, is mental preparation. The attached article is from when I used to write for Sports Afield. After it was published, I had an interesting experience. I was at the Safari Press booth at the DSC show signing copies of my Perfect Shot book. A very fit-looking military-type fellow came up to me and asked me if I had written this article. I told him I had. He introduced himself and said he was a navy seal and that he had been a member of the team that accounted for Bin Laden. He said that what I had written was an important and essential part of their training for that mission!