Chasing the Black Death

[franzfmdavis]

Congratulations on a great hunt.

Just clarifying Von Gruff is in New Zealand I’m in Australia

I do like the covered sheath option. I considered the Tahr Hunter model with that.

You're right - apologies!

 

[franzfmdavis]

Did you recover any of the bullets?

I didn't - I thought about it a few days too late.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Franz, I am so so proud of you. Heartiest congratulations, my young friend. A magnificent Cape buffalo you bagged. And such level headed shooting.

Next hunt, hippopotamus on land !

Thank you! I would love to! I was speaking with Mr. Sullivan a few weeks back and he mentioned that he has one of the best areas to hunt Hippo on land. The name of the area escapes me, but I believe it is in Tanzania?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Thank you! I would love to! I was speaking with Mr. Sullivan a few weeks back and he mentioned that he has one of the best areas to hunt Hippo on land. The name of the area escapes me, but I believe it is in Tanzania?

Right you are ! Southern Sealous.

 

[Brian]

I put together a short video of my first Cape Buffalo:

I hope ya'll enjoy it!

Date: March 10, 2026
Country: Republic of South Africa
Outfitter: Nahla Safaris
PH: Marco Smit
Tracker: Collin
Hunter: Franz Davis
Cameraman: Nathan Moritz
Quarry: Cape Buffalo
Size: 141" SCI Score, 42" Spread, 18" Boss
Rifle: Heym 88B Safari Double Rifle
Caliber: 470 Nitro Express
Projectiles: Swift A-Frame 500g (hand-loaded)

Wonderful Buffalo. Your first shot was perfect. Good choice of bullets, those A-frames really work, don't they.

 

[ftothfadd]

Well done Franz!
Congratulations!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well done and great shooting!

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice shooting! Congratulations my friend.

 

[franzfmdavis]

If anyone has any tips on anything I could have done differently or better, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it. This was my first buffalo hunt so I know I have a lot to learn.

One thing I noticed, was that it took me about ~10 seconds to finish reloading the double. While trying to reload, I was running from my initial position to the back of the bush where we thought the bull was coming around. It took longer than it should because that is not something I had practiced. I had been able to do it in about 4-5 seconds when practicing standing stationary at home before the trip, but I need to practice reloading while moving.

Anyway, any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rare Breed]

You’re very wise to practice reloading fast either stationary or moving. If not for my ph due to my not practicing those things my lion almost got me

 

[Qc_BearHunter]

Nice hunt!!!

 

[Pdelk]

Solid hunt! Nice work brother. Great shot placement, and that big boy has some impressive bosses.

 

[Buhog]

That’s a beautiful one, congrats! Looks like everything came together and you had a great hunt.

 

[mitch4570]

Great shooting! What system do you use for running shot practice?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If anyone has any tips on anything I could have done differently or better, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it. This was my first buffalo hunt so I know I have a lot to learn.

One thing I noticed, was that it took me about ~10 seconds to finish reloading the double. While trying to reload, I was running from my initial position to the back of the bush where we thought the bull was coming around. It took longer than it should because that is not something I had practiced. I had been able to do it in about 4-5 seconds when practicing standing stationary at home before the trip, but I need to practice reloading while moving.

Anyway, any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Be careful where your muzzle is pointed. At one point you were sighting over your double with PH standing right in front of you. Not sure what was going on there as he was momentarily obscured from camera view. Surely he didn't ask you to do it. And the second time the cameraman told you not to shoot when PH was still ahead. Off to the side but maybe he might move at the moment shot was taken. Also, you'd blow his ears out.

Odd that you shot the bull through both shoulders but he apparently was able to continue running unhindered. I too would like to have seen what the bullets looked like.

The other suggestion is on the stalk minimize your movement as much as possible. I'm always glued to PH's tail (literally) and keep his body between me and the quarry at all times. One silhouette moving is certainly less detectable than two or three. I noticed at one point you were ducking and dodging several times around your PH trying to see what he was looking at. Wait till he motions for you to step up and look. One set of eyes during final stalk is sufficient. Or two if the tracker is scouting.

You have pointed to the obvious issue with double rifles, i.e. reloading. You put two well placed shots in that bull and he kept going. Good thing he didn't go for you in those ten seconds it took to reload. Imagine if the terrain had been more irregular or heavy brush. You could easily trip and fall over while trying to reload a broke open rifle on the run.

Very unusual that a "very old" Cape buffalo bull would have horns that are not even in the least bit broomed on tips. Obviously not seen much if any combat. I wonder if he was a naturally sterile "oxen"? Or maybe gay? Presumably homosexual gene mutations are not limited to human species.

 

[SStomcat]

Congratulation, how many yards approx. did you take your first shot?

 

[MacJenkins]

Congrats! Ignore the Canadian comment above.

For loading quickly. Once my load development is done almost every practice shot I do is a sting of 6 shots. I take one shot off the sticks, immediately come off the sticks and shoot the second shot barrel offhand. Then move/run 5-10 yards while loading two more from my ammo belt. Then move again loading from an ammo belt.

I think that is the key to getting quick at loading. Make sure it from the belt you are hunting with and don’t pick up or try and catch your cases. Eject them all.

I set up multiple targets and of if the terrain allows put some clay targets on a backstop.

 

[Brian]

I put together a short video of my first Cape Buffalo:

I hope ya'll enjoy it!

Date: March 10, 2026
Country: Republic of South Africa
Outfitter: Nahla Safaris
PH: Marco Smit
Tracker: Collin
Hunter: Franz Davis
Cameraman: Nathan Moritz
Quarry: Cape Buffalo
Size: 141" SCI Score, 42" Spread, 18" Boss
Rifle: Heym 88B Safari Double Rifle
Caliber: 470 Nitro Express
Projectiles: Swift A-Frame 500g (hand-loaded)

Franz, Congratulations! Very good job. I have to say that as far as I can see you did everything right. Focused and steady in every moment, aware of all things and alert to where you put your feet, following the PH instructions to the letter, good/quick shooting and most of all you loving every second of it. I have hunted a lot of cape buffalo and when at my very best I hope I am similar to you. You were "picture-perfect" in every way. Like I say, "Very good job!". Brian

 

[Rare Breed]

Great buff, great hunter and great video!!!

 

[Mark458]

Beautiful buffalo and great job. I hope I can do as good as you did when I go next month.

Congratulations