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The Tsetses had a major impact on the history of Africa. When I was much younger I was amazed about the agricultural potential of Central Africa after my first flight over Zambia with a Cessna. I asked my father (who has a major interest in history) why our ancestors stopped trekking at the...

I would need to find a bloody big pot..

That is indeed one of those places where the environment allows Kudu to grow out really really big...

Hi Kevin The South African university qualifications are 3x years for your Bachelors, 1x year for your Honours and then min 2x years for your Masters degree. At Masters level you are expected to do research and publish under guidance from a promotor, while a you need to be able to do independent...

Wrong again. If we saw any spectacular trophies on the unfenced part we would get the helicopter, dart it, and then put it in the game camp where we could breed it... (The kudu was well beyond breeding age) Great genetics is worth a lot of money you know. Farmers are businessmen, and they look...

The 50 000 ha farm is in the Namibian Kalahari. There are very few properties like that in SA. I've lived the majority of my adult life in Botswana... ;)

"I believe free range cattle ranch kudu hold better genetics than most high fence farms" The sheer arrogance of a foreigner that has visit SA what, half a dozen times, to tell a person with post grad qualifications in animal breeding, and who spent most of his life ON cattle farms about where...

Err, no That is not how genes get transferred. By the time a bull is trophy size (+55") he has spent several years spreading his seed. Or how game farms are managed. Game Farmers are very careful to look after the young bulls with the deep curls to go out past their ears. Horn size is not a...

Note how his hooves grew out in the Sand, it was his last winter

You have two options - Identify a region with really good genetics + nutrition. Those areas produce better-quality bulls. If I must give you a tip, then I would look at those areas where guys can farm cattle with very minimal nutritional supplementation throughout the year. We call it...

Please explain your rational behind a completely non-rational statement such a "Generally free range bulls have better genetics than most game farms for kudu." I'm really trying to understand what you are saying here but everything I learnt up to Masters level in Animal Breeding is railing to...

A few years ago a Gunshop owner in Gaborone (Botswana) called me over to fondle a lovely pair - new 275 and 416 Rigbys that a retired school teacher ordered from the maker. I don't what the teacher taught, but I will surely remember those two fine guns, their balance and how they felt in my...

That's true, but what about the pleasures of building another rifle just for that purpose? When I take my big stick out for a walk I do it with the express purpose of hunting something large and dangerous to be shot at short range. When I'm out hunting for a Kudu I carry something appropriate...

I prefer a red dot, I dont see the need to put a scope on a rifle that is designed to shoot at distances less than 50 meters. With my Aimpoint I can shoot accurately up to 100m.

Thanks Guys I will do all of the above - Clean it like nothing has ever been cleaned this side of the Limopopo before, speak to the local gunsmith, the barrel maker in Oz, as well as the people who re-sleaved John's gun. I bought this gun to give me pleasure restoring it, and it certain is...

Ok, myself and the previous owner tried our best to clean it. Copper brushes and JB bore scrubber. Please suggest a program and I'll follow it closely.

I bought a Teslong Borescope to get a closer look at the barrel. I have no experience, so I would really appreciate guidance from the experienced forum members. The barrel looks really bad on the inside, with the grooves seemingly getting shallower towards the crown. So, I have a few questions...

I received a nice surprise from the people from Timberluxe: a handwritten note from Mr. Brian Board, stating that he noticed the parcel was going to Africa, thanking me for the business and a few extra goodies for free! Thanks, @rookhawk, for the reference!

I'm reading up on a fascinating time in my people's history - when some Boer families settled in Southern Angola from 1880 - 1928, with a few diehards holding on until 1975. Elephant hunting and ivory trading made up a large part of their livelihood. The Monkey Tail rifle was a favourite amongst...

I would be richer than Musk himself if I had the capability to answer that. An old man told me many years ago. Some questions don't have answer. Actually, come to think of it, there is no question. I was in a meeting with a minister and a couple of PS's yesterday. They are quite happy the way...

Democracy is only something that works in specific cultures. It does not work over here. The mindless pursuit of democracy on a continent where the people are not wired to operate in a democratic environment is most probably one of the main drivers of my continents failures.

Namibia

Physics dictates that a 416 is a better DG calibre than a 375, and 458 is a better DG calibre than a 416, with the proviso that you are able to shoot all equally well. I own all three, and have hunted DG with all of them. I'm not the biggest fan of a 375 as a DG rifle, simply because I can shoot...

I have a R93 with multiple barrels in Botswana. I really love that gun. It makes shooting easy. Super well balanced with a incredible trigger.

It is not difficult to import a firearm into Zambia. The PH must contact one of the gunshop owners, and they will assist. It's a small community. You will need a invoice for the rifle as the tax man will need his due. The last time I spoke to one of the gunshop owners he told me it would cost...

I think I'll order a borescope and get a better look. From the naked eye it seems if the rifling are OK on the chamber side, but on the muzzle end it seems be be worn smooth? Could this be?

New Scope, new mounts, new bases.. I suspect I need a large bucket of luck here.

Good Day All I took the lady to the range with some disappointing results. She groups approximately 5" at 25 meters with both 250-grain and 300-grain ammunition. I want to narrow down possible causes by starting to look at the rifle. Once I have eliminated rifle related issues, I will look at...

I saw a set advertised on Safari and Outdoors website yesterday

Eland tastes just like beef, few people can discern the difference. Springbuck haunch is better than mutton IMO. In the wetter hunting areas bushbuck and reedbuck is best. My wife doew not like venison (blesbuck will do that to you), but does not mind me filling the fridge with headshot bushbuck...

Very plausible theory. Who wants to been seen as a political anyway?

I find it hard to understand how such a great nation fails to produce great leaders. There must be a structural issue that prevents younger, dynamic men to take charge.

Are nobody worried by the fact that the American candidates are all really old? My father is 84, and I know what he enjoys to do in the afternoon, take a nap! None of our octogenarian African leader are particularly lively...

Ok, after a lot of web browsing, I ordered a jar of Timberluxe as per Rookhawks suggestion from the US. I also ordered some rottenstone powder. The delivered cost for these two items will be more than what my domestic worker (who earns more than min wage) earns in a month. Living in a failed...

As one of my Oxford educated Waterberg cattle farming friends described it - it was without a doubt the biggest bubble in history, even larger than the Dutch tulips. As LOT of people lost a LOT of money when than bubble burst. However, I don't care for the lawyers from the city who lost a lot of...

When I was in school these projects started to take off. What has perhaps not been focused on in the preceding discussion is the role that enterprising game farmers had in the grand scheme of things and the prevailing sentiment at the time. One of our neighbours was one of these so called...

Your dislike for RSA combined with your ignorance makes for interesting comments. It's a bit boring though.

I fitted a adjustable trigger by Thor engineering over the weekend. They also manufacture a Winchester type safety that I might do after I get her shooting. The only reason why the gun was not stolen was because Ammo is not available here. I'll have to import. It is another project I'm working on.

Correct, no safety. I'll consider spending money on something once I get her shooting straight. I was raised (yes, yes I know it's bad) not to trust a safety and simply walk about with the Mauser bolt handle lifted. I've got more brains now, but old habits die hard.

Thanks John, I remember the article, but could not find it. Do you perhaps have a Index for all of the Magnum issues?

I bow to your obviously very superior experience. I might have judged the rifle worth less than it truly was. Question - where can I find rotten stone? In my minds eye I see the type that my father uses to expertly sharpen his knives?

I'm amazed at the depth of knowledge of the forum members. I appreciate your interest! Unfortunately, the rifle was in a terrible state after potentially several decades in a police station in humid central Africa. The rifle has no value, and I would not get a single offer if I had tried to sell...

I took @rookhawk advice and decided I might as well try to wash the oil finish off while I wait for the Birchwood Casey kit I ordered online from the US. This being Africa North of Limpopo and quality workmanship not being one of the things we excel in, I was not surprised when I washed a thin...

Minute-of-Sable! [emoji1787] I'll share my progress, I've ordered some stuff from Ebay, it usually takes about 3 sometimes 4 weeks to get to this side of the world

Lots of discussion here, but in my mind only the outcome matter. 1. Is Punky today able to function and work 100% the same way he could before? 2. If he can't, did he receive compensation that would cover his loss in income potential 3. Was his medical expenses and loss of income covered by CB...

I'm don't agree with him blaming our geography. Our lack of development is due to shear ineptitude, not because of a few mountains and rivers! I do agree with him on the future of SA, Kenia / Uganda though. Very clever guy

Thanks, Gents It's possible to order items from the US using a forwarding mailbox. I will do as suggested. Will first try to just colour the lighter part and see the results, and then do the rest of the stock.

Thank you @Woodcarver Can you suggest where I can source alkanet root and walnut base? Do you think I should try to colour the light part more, to cover the lighter part, or should my goal be to cover the entire stock?

I recently took over possession of a .333 Jeffery by Charles Osborne. The rifle was found at a police station where it was abandoned decades ago. The rifle was in a poor but working state. The barrel is frosted and very dark. I took the rifle to a local gunsmith who re-blued the barrel and...

Botswana. I'm a local. Real old school resident hunt. I don't think it is possible with a professional outfit, although I'm certain you will get it if you asked?