Round-Nosed Reverence

Today’s advancements in bullet technology provide sleek, sexy, needle-nosed projectiles with ballistic coefficients north of .500, intended for ranges farther than most of us can see without optical assistance. Yet, they provide miraculous expansion and tremendous wound channels. What more could you want, or need?

Traditional Is Cool Too!

Then there’s the old school, mild-mannered, round-nosed bullet. With a ballistic coefficient of a brick, this Cinderella slug is pleasing to the eye and like grandma’s chicken soup, soothing to the soul. Sometimes we need to scratch the nostalgic itch to experience what those before us did.

Historically …

When thinking of great turn-of-the-Century African hunters like Taylor, Selous, Bell, Hunter and Roosevelt, visions of long, round-nosed bullets pop into our minds. Made with a simple copper-jacket surrounding a lead core with an exposed nose, these bullets lack the sleekness of today’s bullets but still have wonderful sectional density.

In other words, they are heavy for caliber, making them torpedoes capable of penetrating deeply through tough African game. Driven at moderate velocity, these rambling rockets kill animals by using momentum to reach the vitals on raking shots. Dependable expansion, combined with deep penetration is a simple formula that still works. Hunters appreciate quick expiration and recovery of game and round-nosed bullets fill the bill when properly placed.

Kudu Deflection?

The Kudu bull required two shots. The first at 220 meters dropped him with his left femur shattered by the bullet! How I managed to be 6 feet off-target, I don’t know. I’m calling deflection from a thorny acacia bush. A second double-lung shot finished the majestic bull.

Gemsbok

While driving one evening with Richard we came across a majestic gemsbok. While snapping pictures, Richard asked, “Would you like to shoot him, Tank?” I respond, “Yes, I have several pictures of him, Richard.” “No, with the gun, TANK!”

Lickity-split, I swap my camera for the Sako rifle and steady the crosshairs tight behind the shoulder for an easy 100-meter shot. Just as the trigger breaks, the bull whirls. My shot drops him. Cycling another round, he gets up and takes off. Damn!

Barrond again shows his skill. The old bull, very sick from the shot that caught his rear ham and angled up to his chest, only went 70 yards. A follow-up shot through the lungs ended things quickly.

Zebra

After a 2-1/2 hour track, we spot a lone zebra stallion in an acacia thicket. The 200-meter shot is tough, and I’m having a helluva time steadying the crosshairs from the shooting sticks. Normal maximum heart rate is 210 minus your age but I’m sure mine was around 260. Walking in sand is tough when following a 120-lb. bushman/Hottentot because my feet sink deeper than Barrond’s.

My first shot strikes too low and forward. A second angles through the ribs as he runs. A half-hour later, and roughly seven miles total, he is down. Who said safari hunting is easy?

Placement Perfection?

We all strive for perfect shot placement. In the real world, real things happen, whether hunting, or defending yourself. Bullets miss, deflect, hit low, or high. The thing to remember is never give up and shoot until your quarry is down for keeps.

And lastly, the wonderful RN still has a place in the vast array of wonderful bullet choices.

Kudu Safaris
Ph: (702) 637-9836
[email protected]

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