by: C.T. Boddington
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Book Description:
Book Description -- A modern day classic that covers the entire subject of what guns to take on todays safari. Covers types of actions, caliber's, premium bullets, and sighting equipment.
Informative and entertaining -- This is a terrific book. Early on I arrived at the conclusion the 1992 publication date did not pose an obsolescence problem, and the selections offered by the author were all still completely valid. There have been few significant firearms developments that would apply to safari hunting, and the new products released during the past couple of years have probably not produced enough empirical data to recommend their use over more mature selections for use on dangerous game. Unlike many safari books, this is not a collection of hunting stories with vague references to firearms and cartridges, it is a detailed guide to the selection of firearms that would be appropriate for a safari, a description of the type of game that would be taken with each gun and the underlying reason for the selections. Supporting that information are: collections of pictures and tables, firearm and cartridge use surveys of professional hunters, professional hunters' firearm and cartridge recommendations to clients, ballistic tables for all cartridges noted, and sources for large bore double and bolt action rifles. There is even a section on preparation and transportation of firearms and the design and customization considerations that should be made for heavy recoil rifles. The book is well organized with sections divided into: Big Game Cartridges, Safari Rifles, Guns for Game, and a concluding chapter to summarize one, two and three gun battery selections from the perpective of the professional hunters. I'm very happy I purchased this book. It's enjoyable, interesting, factual and useful.
The definitive modern book on the subject -- This is the complete work on the hunting rifle in Africa, period. This and Boddington's "American Hunting Rifles" make a two volume masterwork that completely covers the modern hunting rifle in all its forms. This book is unique in that it includes a fascinating poll of modern African professional hunters, what they use, what they want their clients to use, etc. etc. Fascinating statistics. Essential reading for Africa. Also essential in its own way is John Taylor's "African Rifles and Cartridges", and you need to read both.
Reviews:
Magnum -- The best look at modern rifles and today's African scene there is. I could not put it down, and read it cover to cover in one night. After that it became a reference. The endless detail on calibers, cartridges and loads may put off some but it helped me choose a gun, gave me cartridge selection ideas and got me involved in a South African safari. It is a reference book that reads like a novel.
Great book -- I am a fan of Craig Boddington's writing. I think he is an honest gun and hunting writer (and I don't have a lot of respect for most gunrag writers). I appreciate his insights on "Safari" rifles and found the book a great read and helpful for subsequent reference. I very much appreciated the time and trouble it took to obtain surveys of what guns Professional Hunters reccommend for a Safari. I also purchased "Make it Accurate", "American Hunting Rifles", "Shots at Big Game" and "Where Lions Roar: Ten More Years of African Hunting". I really have enjoyed them all. I wish Mr. Boddington would publish a compilation of all of his hunting and rifle articles in one book or perhaps a CD. That would be some great reading!
Our finest gun writer -- Boddington's experience and skill with guns and a pen have fired my imagination for the sport since I first read him several years ago. Above all his enthusiasm for Africa was infectious. I read this book many times as I prepared for my first hunt on the dark continent. His recommendations on caliber and bullets were proven out by me in the field. They were also agreed upon by the PHs that I encountered as the discussion always arises around the night's fire. The book is also very helpful in it's mention of African animal behavior. Easy reading, fun, valuable and important. I hope to cross his track one day to thank him myself.
The most important rifle reference on the market -- This is a superb book on the subject of rifles, and supplants John Taylors works as the definitive work on African rifles. It is usefull, not only for those who wish to Safari in Africa but for the hunter in any of the rest of the continents. I have had my copy for three years and it is coming apart at the the seams. I have probably read, reread, and cross-referenced more with this book than with any other. Boddington covers all calibers, not just the huge African ones, from .22LR to the .600NE. He also covers rifle actions, what caliber is suitable to hunt certain types of game, rifles and calibers for differing terrain, what hunters used in the Golden Days and what Pro's use now, and what professionals suggest clients bring for their modern safari. The focus is on Africa but Boddington gives applications for other species of game that are more familiar to the North American hunter. The book is readable and rereadable. The effort put into this is amazing. He has pulled together a hunting career spanning decades, dozens of his safaris, letters from men in the field, 48 different rifle and hunting references, and loading data and offers it up in a clear, detailed, and entertaining manner. It would take someone a huge effort to learn all that the has organized. This is a book that is neccessary for anyone who hunts, likes rifles, or is an Armchair Bwana.
Excellent reference book -- This is the very best book on rifles for African game I have read yet. The author has a great deal of experience with African game, and it shows in his writing. I can not disagree with the conclusions reached in this book, because the author has used his experiences to illustrate the reasons for his conclusions. Comprehensive and informative. I consider this to be a "must read" text on hunting rifles. I have read many books on rifles and shooting and this ranks high in my estimation.