Video of My Experience in Africa

LeftySixgun said:
Cliff, what specific bullet did you use for your 6.5 rifle?
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I shot a lot of different bullets that I had reloaded. a lot of the 153grn sierra tmk to the other end of the spectrum with 150grn barnes tsx. we did quite a bit of culling that wasn't covered in the video where I took a bunch of notes. lots of expected bullet-construction specific outcomes... The tsx and a couple other coppers I tried were king for penetration but they do kill slower, I truly believe that. The kudu in the video was shot with the tsx. you can see blood coming out of both sides of the diaphragm when he got up. anecdotal there but I saw that as a general outcome across many other animals. The 153 tmk killed things great, horrible wound channels and more meat waste, but even on quartering too shots had plenty of penetration - shoulder and both lungs, no exits typically or just a little jacket. BC wise way more forgiving in winds. on the flip side, that zebra in the video, followup was a TMK and I wished it was a copper. It's total speculation but I believe the tsx would have broke his hip and kept him there.
I don't want the video about the trip to turn in a circular argument on bullet construction and caliber. But I did learn a lot on that front while there.
 
Cliff Gray said:
I shot a lot of different bullets that I had reloaded. a lot of the 153grn sierra tmk to the other end of the spectrum with 150grn barnes tsx. we did quite a bit of culling that wasn't covered in the video where I took a bunch of notes. lots of expected bullet-construction specific outcomes... The tsx and a couple other coppers I tried were king for penetration but they do kill slower, I truly believe that. The kudu in the video was shot with the tsx. you can see blood coming out of both sides of the diaphragm when he got up. anecdotal there but I saw that as a general outcome across many other animals. The 153 tmk killed things great, horrible wound channels and more meat waste, but even on quartering too shots had plenty of penetration - shoulder and both lungs, no exits typically or just a little jacket. BC wise way more forgiving in winds. on the flip side, that zebra in the video, followup was a TMK and I wished it was a copper. It's total speculation but I believe the tsx would have broke his hip and kept him there.
I don't want the video about the trip to turn in a circular argument on bullet construction and caliber. But I did learn a lot on that front while there.
Click to expand...
No argument from me. I asked so I can go prepared. I also want to try a couple different bullets but I’m already taking 3 rifle and a handgun (my daughters and mine combined) so not much room for experimenting. I’ve heard that many PHs like the 300 Sierra Gameking in the 375 H&H, for example.
I want to see what Hornady Interlocks, Speer HotCores, Speer Deep Curls do in the 7mm-08 and 7x57.
I’ll be taking my 375 H&H as back up, but still want to see what old classic Hornady soft points do aswell. All 3 rifles will have A-Frames as a fail safe, just in case.
 
LeftySixgun said:
No argument from me. I asked so I can go prepared. I also want to try a couple different bullets but I’m already taking 3 rifle and a handgun (my daughters and mine combined) so not much room for experimenting. I’ve heard that many PHs like the 300 Sierra Gameking in the 375 H&H, for example.
I want to see what Hornady Interlocks, Speer HotCores, Speer Deep Curls do in the 7mm-08 and 7x57.
I’ll be taking my 375 H&H as back up, but still want to see what old classic Hornady soft points do aswell. All 3 rifles will have A-Frames as a fail safe, just in case.
Click to expand...

heck yeah man. sounds like some fun bullet testing
 
Kinda nice to see a guy who can keep the muzzle of his rifle in a safe direction. Some safari vids show people with no muzzle control.

I really enjoyed the video. Tim Sundels looks like he’d be a hoot to be around.
 
Great video and thanks for sharing. Your opening summed up my feelings perfectly. I was completely unprepared for how much my “once in a lifetime” hunt would change me. You t certainly elevated me as a hunter and opened my eyes to things I was just unaware.
 
Cliff, who made the hat you wear at home ?
IMG_3997.jpeg
 
Welcome to AH.
 
I really enjoyed the video. I was fortunate to take my wife and son (then 10 yrs.old) to Namibia in 2007 to hunt PG plus leopard, and now much later in life get to return to finish my dream and hunt Cape Buffalo in the Limpopo in June 2027. I appreciated you sharing the reasons and importance of the culling hunt and it's role in being good stewards to the land and the animals to be supported. Thanks for sharing!
 
Altitude sickness said:
Cliff, who made the hat you wear at home ? View attachment 784837
Click to expand...
That hat was given to me by one of my long term favorite clients as a tip. We had a lot of great adventures together, including a couple I still can’t believe we all survived. Anyways, great guy. Brings back great memories.

It was from a Kemo Sabe western wear store. They’ve got them in Aspen and Vail. I had no idea what those hats cost when it was given to me. There’s probably similar hats you could get other places, similar styles. Its a silver belly Gus. A gal actually trimmed the brim a little bit in store. And then the headband was taken off an old riding headstall from a horse that had a little story behind it
 
I have a similar one being made at Rands now. Should be receiving it when I get back from Colorado. They call it their Tom Horn. Similar to the Gus crease. I splurged and got the 100% beaver
 
Hi Cliff, glad to see you here. I posted your podcast with Ed Ashby revealing cape buffalo culls with a 22 hornet. I thought it would get more of a response then it did.

AckleyHunter

Thread 'All you need is a 22 hornet'

The answer to the evergreen question, what rifle do I need for dangerous game, has a new contender proffered by Dr. Ed Ashby.

He had great success killing all plains game with a 22 hornet and a barnes x bullet.

He even mentions culling Cape Buffalo, aka black death, with a 22 hornet shooting a 45 gr fmj. He reports it would pass completely through the buffs when shot through the lungs and they would run off and bleed out.

If the hornet works for buff, nobody needs that cannon, the 243 win.

  • Haha
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Cliff Gray said:
Not sure if it's appropriate for me to post my own videos here, but figured this crowd might enjoy seeing my first take on Africa, my experiences and thoughts. It was life changing... and yes I know there is so much more to Africa. The idea of walking this earth being bored is unimaginable to me. I wish I had another lifetime to live there.

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I know what you are feeling. My wife and I took a Bucket List Safari in Namibia August 2025. We harvested 5 animals in 5 days with 5 shots. I am 74 years old and I only hope I live to do it again. I can only wish you can do it many more times in your life time. Good Luck
 
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