First, and definitely not my last, African hunt

[R eight]

It was a pleasure having you in camp Rod. You have a passion for hunting and a sense of humor to match. Every day was full of laughter and excitement; we are honored to have shared this great experience with you.
Really looking forward to seeing you in Africa again.

Mate, what a week… thanks for making it so. I’ll be back.

Rod

 

[R eight]

Congrats looks like a great hunt! Hunting with Valie in less than 60 days for my first elephant as well. This count down is going to be a long one. Looking forward to reading the rest of the report!

You’re in for a great time. Best of luck with your hunt.

 

[R eight]

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa "Open Zone" Bull Elephant Hunt - May 2026'

May 30, 2026

Usually my overseas hunts are planned well in advance. Often in excess of 12 months. But, not this one. This hunt came about rather suddenly. As a matter of fact everything fell into place around the same time that everything was rapidly unravelling in the straight of Hormuz.

I’d seen a hunt advertised on the "Africa Hunting” forum. The hunt was for a non-exportable bull elephant in South Africa. That got my attention….a bull elephant had long been number 1 on my bucket list. The more I read, the better this offer sounded. Hunting was to take place in the “open zone” of South Africa for...

• R eight
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

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[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’m sitting at gate lounge in Johannesburg Airport waiting for my flight home. So not too much time before I board. But enough for a very brief post.

Well, what a week it’s been. The hunting has been sensational and I couldn’t have asked for a better PH than Valie of “ That's Africa Safaris”. As I said first trip to Africa. So I went big. Came for a bull elephant hunt and what a hunt it was.

View attachment 766426
The Rigby SSB in 416 Rigby didn’t disappoint. Classic frontal brain shot at 12 meters for an instant drop.

View attachment 766427
The 400 grain Wooodleigh’s also performed as expected. The second shot was to the chest as an insurance shot.

And to kill some time we chased a zebra.

View attachment 766429

400 grain Woodleigh RNSN did the trick. Shot was about 75 metres in thick scrub. The 416 Rigby worked well.

I’m out of time. They’re boarding cattle class. 14 hours of torture and then another wait before the final flight.

Man did I have a great time.

@R eight
Congratulations and welcome to the hunt club
I've only done plains game but had a ball.
Now it's in your system you will be hooked for life.
Bob

 

[Beck]

Congrats, welcome to the club

 

[Beck]

I’m sitting at gate lounge in Johannesburg Airport waiting for my flight home. So not too much time before I board. But enough for a very brief post.

Well, what a week it’s been. The hunting has been sensational and I couldn’t have asked for a better PH than Valie of “ That's Africa Safaris”. As I said first trip to Africa. So I went big. Came for a bull elephant hunt and what a hunt it was.

View attachment 766426
The Rigby SSB in 416 Rigby didn’t disappoint. Classic frontal brain shot at 12 meters for an instant drop.

View attachment 766427
The 400 grain Wooodleigh’s also performed as expected. The second shot was to the chest as an insurance shot.

And to kill some time we chased a zebra.

View attachment 766429

400 grain Woodleigh RNSN did the trick. Shot was about 75 metres in thick scrub. The 416 Rigby worked well.

I’m out of time. They’re boarding cattle class. 14 hours of torture and then another wait before the final flight.

Man did I have a great time.

Are those the hydrostatic solids?

 

[Datchew]

You swung for the fence and hit it!
Congratulations.

 

[R eight]

Are those the hydrostatic solids?

Yes, Woodleighs.

 

[Beck]

Yes, Woodleighs.

Interesting - any chance you can take some more photos? Weigh them up as well?

 

[R eight]

Interesting - any chance you can take some more photos? Weigh them up as well?

Will do.

 

[R eight]

Interesting - any chance you can take some more photos? Weigh them up as well?

Immediate above and below photos are of the same 400 grain RNSN Woodleigh used on the zebra. Muzzle velocity 2365 fps. Shot was about 75 yards.

Above photo is of the 400 Woodleigh hydro used for the brain shot. Velocity 2420 fps. Distance about 12 meters.

This one was used for the body shot coup de grace.

 

[458JCE]

Great consistency. Have you weighed an unfired Hydro Rod? I'm surprised that they lost any weight?

 

[R eight]

Great consistency. Have you weighed an unfired Hydro Rod? I'm surprised that they lost any weight?

No mate, but I will. I too was surprised to find any weight loss….but then I reckon that green cap had to weigh something? Maybe even 5.9 grains?

 

[458JCE]

Of course! Forgot about the feed-assist cap!

 

[Beck]

View attachment 768229

Immediate above and below photos are of the same 400 grain RNSN Woodleigh used on the zebra. Muzzle velocity 2365 fps. Shot was about 75 yards.
View attachment 768230


View attachment 768233
Above photo is of the 400 Woodleigh hydro used for the brain shot. Velocity 2420 fps. Distance about 12 meters.
View attachment 768234
This one was used for the body shot coup de grace.

Thank you! Looks pretty darn good to me

 

[Beck]

Also never mind plains game or Buffalo. Right to Elephant for you. Looks like it was an amazing hunt.

 

[THAT'S AFRICA SAFARI]

Congrats looks like a great hunt! Hunting with Valie in less than 60 days for my first elephant as well. This count down is going to be a long one. Looking forward to reading the rest of the report!

Looking forward to our hunt