That sounds terrible, the only thing I like about our summer weather is the very low humidity year round really. It is great for guns you do not have to worry about rust very much.

Milton I have been very fortunate to have hunted both Alaska and Africa multiple times and either place is a life changeing event.

A Zebra hunt is a challenge, those that don't know better downplay it as shooting a horse. they are smart and tough animals and a worthy trophy. I used a custom built rifle on a Ruger tang safty action in 416 Taylor using a Swift 400gr A-Frame and wasn't overgunned.

When increasing your Parker collection buy the highest condition gun you can, you'll pay more now but in he long run it will appreciate more. I like the small bores myself but hey I'm an old fart:rotf:

I bought a new/old double two months ago and it got pretty hot around here. I've been ordered to lay off the shotgun buying. To keep from having to dig a foxhole in my living room that is what I have done.

I enjoy my gun collection which numbers well over 200 guns of all kinds. While it might be strange to some to call guns charming, I find them somehow alluring. I think it is their history that drives and the knowledge that someone in the past, some times in the distant past, held and used that gun too.

I too have been to Africa. Zebra are not treated as pets. They are not a horse and no one walks up to one to stroke it's nose. One morning I watched a few kick a wandering jackal to death. It tried to join them at the rim of a watering hole. The Zebra took an exception, and kicked it to bits. If a zebra bites it'll take out a chunk of flesh the size of an over ripe apple, or it'll eviscerate you with their sharp hooves. Best to give them room. They look wonderful! They herd and do indeed dazzle you with their stripes and at a distance the black and white strips blend and they look sort of grayish.

i too agree there is something about an old shotgun or reifle that is very appealing to me.i can admire them for long periods of time..aiming and pointing at imaginary targets..wondering who had this gun before me what type of game had been taken with her...yep i think all of us who like guns are really dreamers to some extent... charlie

Thanks for the story ! Are you a member on the accurate reloading forum ?
Its mostly about big bores and hunting African game . Its where I met my gunsmith

Don't think so. I'll have to check it out. My big bores are limited to 45/70s, 577 Snider, and 450/577 Martini Henry. I've got about half a dozen 45/70's new and old. Reloaded some hot loads for my Ruger No 1. A sporting rifle. It is light. With the 405 half jacketed Remington bullet in front of something like 40 grns (forgot) of 3031, it'll take your head off, and that's just the shooter!

I think one can load one to about 450/400 numbers.

I'll check the reloading site. Thanks for the heads up.

Ive also pondered getting a 45/70 but it would have to be a sharps or something like that . With my 585 I plan on shooting a 650gr brass solid @ 2700 fps . should be plenty of oomph lol . I also wanted a 577 snider before but wasn't into the look of the rifle . you could always ream that #1 to 45-120 and load it smokeless !

40 grs of 3031 is a pretty light load in a 45/70. You wont gain much by rechambering to 45/120 with smokeless powder. My 400/450 uses 60grs of 3031 with a 400gr jacked bullet. Mine is a double so it probable weighs a little more than a Ruger no 1.

At one time I had a Marlin in 45/70. If memory serves me I used 50-52 gr of 3031 and a 350gr JHP. I had a 2.5x scope on a pivot mount and for a woods deer rifle it was awesome. I sold it off when I got the 416 Taylor.