Innholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2022 i On Target Africa

For some time now, there have been attempts by various organisations to formalise hunting rifle shooting competitions limited to the 222/223 class cartridge. Now, the South African Hunting Rifle Shooting Association (SAHRSA) has nailed it all down, with the 222/223 class established and experiencing tremendous growth. I think it is because the class is doing away to a large extent with the equipment race, placing competitors on a more or less equal footing so that, in the end, it is pure shooting skills that count. It also helps a lot that shooting the 22 centrefire calibres is a lot cheaper than the more traditional veldskiet calibres such as the 6XC or similar fast flat shooters. The shoots are limited to equipment falling into a fairly restricted class and are meant…

It is about a 200 km, nearly three-hour journey from Alberton in Johannesburg to Bothaville in the Free State. This maize farming town near the Vaal River was established in 1891 by Voortrekker JP van Wyk on a farm known as Gladdedrift. One of the richest agricultural communities in South Africa, Bothaville is not only the star of the Free State Maize Route, but its main claim to fame is that NAMPO Park is on its outskirts, home to the largest agricultural expo in Africa. You do not see anything of Bothaville itself, just seemingly endless mielie fields on either side of the road. The next surprise as you turn into the main entrance down a rutted dirt road is that a large space has been cleared for an impressive…

As a member of SA Sport and Hunting Federation (SASHF) Limpopo, about two months ago I was invited to enter a veldskiet competition at the scenic farm of Mark Ivy in the bushveld area of Munnik about 40 km east of Polokwane (Pietersburg). Wildman Hunting and Outdoor Polokwane hosted the shoot with the assistance of SASHF Limpopo on 14 May. The event required entries by four member teams. The course of fire was prepared over five ranges, with six 20 cm round metal plates or gongs, engaged by each team member. This meant 24 rounds fired at each range by each team for a total score of 120 points. Gongs were placed not further than 450 m and not closer than 100 m. Only one shot per gong was permitted.…

Brutal onslaughts are inflicted on unsuspecting South Africans daily: Crime, murder, robberies, assault, hijacking, rape, etc. With defensive handgun training, I am guided by a well-known quote by Sun Tzu from ‘The Art of War’: “If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.” It is imperative that self-defence firearm owners make a definite effort to invest in further training and development. There are so many other dimensions that come into play with facing life-threatening situations. Our training is designed with a person’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual ability in mind. If you are unprepared, no skill will save you. You must be aware, prepared, and well trained and equipped to deal with any onslaught against your own life. Here follows…

Modelled on the late Victorian Farquharson rifles, London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. has just launched its first ten new limited edition Rigby Falling Block rifles. After three years in the making, the rifle is built around a true Farquharson action, identical to the original patented John Farquharson design of 1875 and a strong match to the historic Rigby-made Farquharson rifles. Chambered in .416 Rigby No. 2, the rifle features a single trigger and top safety, with a 25-inch lightweight barrel – as per Rigby pre-war standards – with an integral rib and traditional London Best black finish. The rifle benefits from a standard front foresight with protective hood and rear sights regulated at 65 yd, with two folding leaf sights regulated at 150 yd and 250 yd. Bespoke to…

IPSC Shotgun is about the most fun you can have on the range. A friend and I often joke that the rest of the sport only exists so that we can have the Shotgun Division. However, a common entry barrier into this division that can challenge some potential competitors is simply that it can be an expensive exercise to get set up. So, when I got a call asking me if I wanted to have a gander at Huglu’s new Veyron Sport, I was intrigued. My experience with a lot of the more budget-focused brands historically has not been anything to write home about. However, I have also been keeping an eye on some of the guns from Turkey, which seems to have made great strides in that each new…

This sport originated in Bloemfontein during the early 1990s. The unique concept of shooting competitions in field conditions soon attracted interest from all over the country and saw it develop into a fully fledged national sport. There are thousands of active and aspiring hunters in the country who already own hunting rifles. Most other shooting sports are under pressure due to less support from government structures, and some specialist target equipment may be required. Participation in Hunting Rifle Shooting requires only a hunting rifle in any centrefire calibre. It offers an excellent opportunity to hone natural practical shooting skills since natural conditions are simulated, thereby contributing to creating top marksmen and increasing the natural capabilities of the hunting rifle owner. Distances are unknown and targets are life-size pictures of popular…