The Heart of a Hunter

April 10, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris Leave a Comment

Hunters are adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and lovers of nature.

Their heart is to conserve nature and enjoy the outdoors.

They study the animal and its behavior that they are planning to hunt.

And on a hunt the means are always greater than the end.

For a hunter, hunting is a way to be intimate with nature.

It is not all about the kill as is so often perceived. Hunters love to be in the outdoors, spending quality time with friends and loved ones while on a hunt. A quote by Charles Fergus sums it up so well: ‘Hunting has opened the earth to me and let me sense the rhythms and hierarchies of nature.’

Hunting – a great adventure if not the greatest that the world can offer.

A Hunter’s Heart…

‘Despite our ever-changing, ever-indignant world with its growing ignorance of and indifference to the ways of the wild, I remain a predator, pitying those who revel in artificiality and synthetic success while regarding me and my kind as relics of a time and place no longer valued or understood. I stalk a real world of dark wood and tall grass stirred by restless wind blowing across sunlit water and beneath star stream sky. And on those occasions when I chose to kill, to claim some small part of nature’s bounty for my own, I do so by choice, quickly with the learned efficiency of a skilled hunter. Further in my heart and mind I know the truth and make no apologies for my actions or my place in time…Others around me my opt to eat only plants, nuts and fruits; still others my employ faceless strangers to procure their meats, their leather, their feathers and all those niceties and necessities of life – such is their right, off course, and I wish them well. All I ask in return is no one begrudge me and all of us who may answer the primordial stirrings within our hunters’ souls – my right to do some of these things myself.’ M.R.James

Any man is a better man for being a hunter. Hunting is a sport that requires alertness and develops a ruggedness of character.

(Taken from quote by: Archibald Rutledge)

The Scout Rifle Safari Highlights

February 21, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

A man’s vision about a rifle!

The Man: Jeff Cooper – Gunsite Academy Founder

The Rifle: The Scout Rifle

His vision: A rifle in the hunting field as well as one to be used in a military scouting situation.

‘Jeff Cooper defied a scout rifle as a bolt-action carbine chambered for the .308 Win., no longer than 39 inches, no heavier than 7.7 pounds and outfitted with a low power extended eye relief scope. It also had to have back up ghost rings sights, be capable of two MOA or better accuracy and have a Ching, CW, or similarly styled shooting sling.’ Richard Mann Richard Mann’s Remington Custom Shop M7 Scout.

It was assembled by the Remington Arms Company Custom Shop to Richard’s specifications as follow:

Model 7, Chromoly action. In house tapered Recoil lug. Larger rear tang screw. Douglas Barrels Inc. #3 Remington contoured air gauged 1-10 twist Chromoly barrel. Threaded muzzle w/thread cap installed. Fluted barrel. Plated Magazine Box. Polished follower. Model 7 aluminum hinged floor plate (Remington). Manners Composite Stocks Elite EH-8 stock. Painted in house, custom camo 4 color. 4 flush cup sling attachment points installed. Fully bedded using Marine-tex and 1/2” aluminum pillars. Recoil pad. Custom in house made picaitiny scout scope rail. XS Sights front and rear sights. Timney Triggers trigger. M-16 extractor. Dual ejectors. Fluted bolt. Timed for Primary extraction bolt handle. Triple taper pinned bolt handle. PTG Speed Lock Aluminum firing pin. Aluminum bolt shroud. It will put five shots into about an inch with most loads, is less than a meter in long, and weighs less than 7.5 pounds with a Burris Optics Company 2-7X Scout Scope, Galco Gunleather RilfeMann Sling (attached in the three-point configuration) and with a magazine full of ammunition.

One of the most important rifles on The Scout Rifle Safari in Africa – Gunsite Scout #2.

On safari in Africa

The first Scout Rifle Safari to Africa was orchestrated by the developer of the Scout Rifle himself, Jeff Cooper and took place in 1998. The second Scout Rifle Safari to Africa took place in 2017 at Fort Richmond. It was an event that will be remembered not only for its historical value but also for the fun, fellowship and adventure shared by all the participants.

After the successful completion of his vision – the Steyr Scout Rifle – Jeff Cooper started planning a safari to Africa. It happened in 1998 and Cooper used it to validate the concept of the Scout Rifle. Cooper’s safari had more participants than he envisioned. “Now our 1998 trekfest is mounting up for departure. We have far too many people aboard, but I could not find it in my heart to turn anybody down.” Jeff Cooper

History was made during June 2017 when the second Scout Rifle Safari to Africa took place at Fort Richmond Safaris. It was the brainchild of the author of the book, The Scout Rifle Study, Richard Mann. As with Cooper’s safari, the hunters used new ammunition – Hornady Precision Hunter ammo. It was a great opportunity to test various Scout Rifles in Africa as well as the new ammunition. Shooting Gallery host Michael Bane was one of the participants and filmed portions of the adventure for his show on the Outdoor Channel. And as in 1998, there were also more participants than orginally planned.

Ten hunters took part in The Scout Rifle Safari and the following Scout Rifles were used:

Original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2 used by James Jeansonne. Read more about James’ safari here: Father and Son on The Scout Rifle Safari.
Remington Arms Company Custom Shop M7 Scout used by Richard Mann.
Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle used by James Jeansonne Jnr., Bill and Carrie Mazelin and Michael Bane. Listen to Michael Bane’s video podcast: Bane’s masterpiece of a Scout Rifle on Down Range TV and read more about Bill and Carrie Mazelin’s safari here: Husband and wife on the Scout Rifle Safari.
Brockman Packer Scout used by Nick Rukavina. Read more about Nick’s safari here: The Scout Rifle Safari-Day 10, 2nd Group of Hunters.
Steyr Arms, Inc. Scout Rifle used by John Carter and Robert Parker.

The Scout Rifle Safari 2017

Images from The Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris

The Scout Rifle: The One Rifle to have if you could only have one.

More images on The Scout Rifle Safari: See here

Hunting Buffalo in Southern Africa

January 24, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

“Hunting buffalo with your son is an incredible experience.” Richard Mann

“We hunted hard, made several stalks and walked for 7 miles on our Buffalo hunt. Finally, we got the wind right. At 100 yards, Geoffrey told me it was time to take the shot. I collapsed into a seated position and shouldered the rifle. Then the training that I received from my dad (Richard Mann) and at Gunsite academy took over. I cycled the action instantly, and then I fired again. I’ve scored go-ahead goals in soccer, I’ve hit buzzer-beaters in basketball but none of the above compares to hunting a Cape Buffalo in Africa.The 100-yard walk to the Buffalo felt like another mile.

He was massive. Beautiful! He was a gift, from my father and from my friend.

He was a gift from Africa. Africa is a special place. It’s where you become a Buffalo Hunter. And it’s a fine place to grow up.” Bat Man

A Boy and a Buffalo

South African Buffalo Hunt by Empty Cases

Trophy Hunting Buffalo

The term Big Five game was coined by big-game hunters of old and it refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.

Cape Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer) is the most popular to hunt from the Big Five and will give a hunter a challenging and dangerous hunting experience. It is also referred to often as the most dangerous of all the Big Five to hunt. Although it appeared docile when grazing in a herd this animal can be extremely aggressive when agitated or wounded.

Buffalo are heavily built & bulls are black while cows have a reddish brown tint with the black. Bulls have heavy horns with well developed Boss. Cows’ horns are much lighter – they have broad muscle and large ears situated behind the eyes.

Size: Mass 750-800kg. Shoulder height: 140cm. Habits: Buffalo move around in large family units. The old bulls group together in bachelor groups and in the dryer season they tend to graze near water. They reached puberty at three years of age. Gestation takes 330-346 days i.e. +/- 11 months.

The Buffalo is a non-selective grazer who drinks every day. It occasionally will browse. Buffalo will lick termite mounds and will also lick the mud stuck to their coats from wallowing in mud pools, off each other in order to get the nutrients lacking from their diet.

The horns of a bull can be quite spectacular in spread with a deep curl and a solid boss which covers the forehead.

Buffalo are found in southern Africa in herds which varies in size.

As with all hunting, shot placement is paramount when hunting the Cape Buffalo – a rifle of .375 caliber is adequate. To succeed a hunter needs to have put in the necessary preparation to be comfortable with his rifle as well as practicing on the shooting range. Trust the judgment of your Professional Hunter with shot placement and the selection of rifles and bullets when hunting the Buffalo.

Buffalo and you by Peter Flack (African Outfitter Magazine)

Buffalo may be done with you but you are never done with them, not even if you have never hunted them. They loom so large in the hunter’s lexicon, they can simply never be ignored. Even if you are a committed plains-game hunter, you know they are out there waiting for you. They are the buffalo in the room, even when never mentioned in polite hunting company. You know that some day, if and when you can afford it, you are going to want to measure yourself against this ultimate game animal.

Why is it that your first Buffalo, for those of us that have been lucky enough to experience this right of passage, this double-edged opportunity to measure ourselves against this ultimate hunting challenge, is the one we all remember with the utmost clarity? We can remember that we saw, heard, smelt everything with our senses on such high alert they were almost supernatural. It was almost as if we were in our innermost beings and at the same time to the tip of our fingers and the nails of our toes. Certainly, up until then, we had never experienced anything similar.

And it is this two-stage reaction to the number one of Africa’s Big Five, which is primarily responsible, I believe, for the whole variety of differing results from a fair-chase hunt for this incredible animal that some people still argue is no different to cattle, on the one hand, and Africa’s most dangerous, four-legged beast, on the other hand.

To some, the experience is just too much. I remember a Zimbabwean PH telling of a wealthy Arab hunter haring off through and over the bushes in his white, flowing Arab robes when he came face to face with his first buffalo at 40 paces. A good friend and one of the most highly experienced buffalo PHs in Africa today, nearly came to a premature end when his American lawyer client wounded a big bull at a range so close that it is just about impossible to imagine how he could have placed the bullet where he did – centre Mrs Venter! I can go on and on, including the case of the very nice man who accompanied Derek and me to Mozambique for his first buffalo hunt, and who wounded two, one after the other, never to find either one no matter how long and hard he looked.

I suppose these and other similar stories ( and you can read about any number of them in my book, Hunting the African Buffalo by Peter Flack) serve to keep the buffalo legend alive and well in Africa. They also confirm the challenge that these magnificent beasts have always offered and always will.

Basic Lessons learned on a Buffalo Hunt by Derek Carstens:

Clarify at the beginning of the hunt with your PH precisely what you expect of him, come the time to shoot. Once on the shot, it is no time to enter into protracted negotiations, clarifications or discussions.
If you are close, comfortable and confident on the animal of your choice, take the darned shot. Just let your PH know which animal you are drawing a bead on.
Don’t hamstring yourself in search of the perfect shot. Optimize.
Know your ballistics. This was a big lesson for me as I do a lot of hunting back home with a flat-shooting 25-06 and seldom have to compensate for bullet drop. In this sense the .375 is not in my muscle memory and the 300 gr solid would have dropped by at least 3” to 4”.
Improve your knowledge of the animal’s anatomy that you are hunting to ensure a well-executed, imperfect strategy.
And then critically remember it is all about the last hundred yards. All the sweat and toil in the tracking kilometers leading up to that point count for naught if things fall apart in the home straight. So be close to your PH at all time, and be ready when the action comes, as it tends to be faster than you may be used to.

Many stories are told by hunters – men and women who glorified the African Safari. The one aspect they all have in common is that these hunters and conservationists all loved to hunt buffalo and wrote books and stories about the Buffalo safaris they enjoyed so much. As said before it is the Cape BUFFALO that is hunted the most of the Big Five, the most sought after trophy on safari.

The Scout Rifle Safari – Day 10, 2nd Group of Hunters

December 8, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

Nick Rukavina from Ohio arrived on the tenth day of The Scout Rifle Safari for his Scout Rifle Safari in South Africa. He brought two Scout Rifles for his safari, a Brockman Packer Scout and a Steyr Scout.

Nick Rukavina arrived for The Scout Rifle Safari very confident and with great expectation…

Nick wrote the following:

My Scout Rifle Safari with Fort Richmond Safaris

South Africa is an almost mystical country after leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and its airport. It’s a place that seems almost timeless and gives us a close look at nature in the raw.

Even now, six months after my hunt with Fort Richmond, so many days and experiences are still very vivid in my memories – a few do stand out. I am sharing my most memorable hunt, which took place on the first day.

First of all, is the typical day, if there really is one. After a light breakfast, just the freedom of driving through the countryside with Leon, my PH, was an education in itself. He introduced me to so much more than I had encountered on my previous visit to South Africa in 2005.

The afternoon of the first day’s hunt was challenging but worth it. We followed a few herds of Blesbok. The animals were extremely spooky and a wind of 20 mph with higher gusts made it even more difficult.

Finally, Leon stopped a long way from the herd that we were following. I would have guessed the range at 500 plus yards, but my rangefinder showed that it was “only” 337. My excellent PH pointed out, by counting the number of animals from the right, a very respectable white Blesbok. Leon positioned himself behind a pair of binoculars. With the scope on my custom .308 Brockman Packer Scout set on 4x, I settled in to get control of my breathing, racing heart and trembling trigger finger. The herd was partially obscured by brush and I could barely make out “my” white Blesbok among the other white and common Blesbok, which are brown in color. I held a foot high and a body length to windward to compensate, I hoped, for the wind and distance. When the shot rang out, I lost view of the animal, but Leon was very excited. I just prayed that I hit the right animal in that wind!

After what seemed like an interminable time wandering the area, we found “my” Blesbok – the right color and everything. The bullet hole was not evident until Leon turned it over, showing a perfect shot just above the heart. I was elated.

I don’t think that I have ever experienced a more dramatic moment of both relief and triumph in my life.

It was the first day of my Safari, and while many more great days followed, it will always stand out as extraordinary among my hunting memories. Nick checking zero and shooting eight-inch steel plates at 350 yards very successfully, in preparation for hunting. The Brockman Packer Scout got the attention of everyone at the range.

“After over 8000 miles of travel, the Leupold on my Brockman Packer Scout held its zero.” Nick Rukavina.

T H E E X C I T E M E N T
T H E H A R D W O R KT H E E X H A U S T I O N
Red Hartebeest taken by Nick with his Brockman Packer Scout. A Warthog taken on The Scout Rifle Safari.

“Thank you for a wonderful week! I will be back soon.” Nick Rukavina

Nick is returning for another safari with us and bringing his wife along as well, next year.

Photo Credit: Bat Mann

Father and Son on The Scout Rifle Safari

November 21, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

The two Father and Son teams who did the Scout Rifle Safari were: Richard Mann (the author of The Scout Rifle Study and whose brainchild the Scout Rifle Safari was) and his son Bat Mann, who was the photographer on the Scout Rifle Safari and Jim Jeansonne and his son James Jeansonne.

This blog is about Jim Jeansonne and his son James’ Scout Rifle Safari.

From the start of the safari it was evident that this father and son have a good relationship and were here to have a great time. And as always when you arrive with an expectant heart and a positive attitude, you will have the best time. They worked incredibly hard for their animals and at first took some time to get into the hunt, but had great fellowship and fun all the way.

‘Africa is amazing and inspirational.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

“What an awesome adventure, especially when a father and son can share the hunting experience of a lifetime in beautiful Africa!” Jim Jeansonne (father)Jim’s rifle was one of the most important rifles of the Scout Rifle Safari – an original Gunsite Scout #2. It was an honor to have an original Gunsite Scout Rifle as part of the Scout Rifle Safari. Thank you, Jim! Jim and his Gunsite Scout #2. Jim’s Rifle – 1985 vintage Gunsite Scout from the Gunsite gun smithy. Scout Rifles in Africa – Jim Jeansonne with his original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2. Michael Bane with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. James Jeansonne with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. Jim Jeansonne and his son, James with their first take of the safari, a nice Black Wildebeest taken after a mile and a half stalk, shot taken at 326 yards, single shot with Hornady 178. James Jeansonne with his hard won Gemsbok. Warthogs – a favorite of those who participated in the Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris.

‘What an adventure! Both boots blown out on Kudu Mountain, brush scratches everywhere, but an absolutely beautiful country shared with 8 Gunsite graduates.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

‘Great week! Many thanks to all involved… It was the trip of a lifetime.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

Jim Jeansonne wrote the following: “We were hosted in grand style by Geoffrey, Victoria and Annamarie Wayland in a fashion that bespoke of how family would be treated. The PH, tracker, accommodations, food, camaraderie and, in general, the atmosphere that they provided were some of the high points of our trip. The hunting was everything we expected and challenged us both mentally and physically. In short, we can’t express enough, our admiration and appreciation to this wonderful group. We WILL be back next year! THANKS!”

“Africa is amazing and inspirational!” Jim Jeansonne. Jim hunted on Fort Richmond Safaris during…

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The Scout Rifle Safari 2

October 22, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

T H E S C O U T R I F L E S A F A R I – T H E H U M A N S I D E

Many emotions are experienced during a hunt – even more so when it takes place on the African continent. When the hunt is coupled with a book, makes history and almost all the hunters are Gunsite graduates, the excitement, joy, exhaustion and more reach new heights. Enjoy the pictures as they capture these emotions.

‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’

Great images convey meaning and essence always more effectively than a description does. Well done, Bat Mann – photographer of the Scout Rifle Safari in South Africa.

T H E E X P E C T A T I O N

T H E I N T E R A C T I O N

T H E E X C I T E M E N T

T H E F U N

T H E C O N C E N T R A T I O N

T H E M E D I T A T I O N

T H E J O Y

T H E L A U G H T E R

T H E C A M A R A D E R I E

T H E F E L L O W S H I P (Father & Son)

T H E E N J O Y M E N T of the S C O U T R I F L E

T H E E X H A U S T I O N

A T T E N T I V E

T H E F O C U S

T H E R O M A N C E

T H E A P P R E C I A T I O N

T H E D E L I G H T

T H E H A P P I N E S S

T H E G L A D N E S S

A N D M O R E were experienced by the participants on The Scout Rifle Safari that took place at Fort Richmond Safaris earlier this year. An event that will be remembered not only for its historical value but also for the fun, fellowship and adventure shared by all the participants.

To read more about it follow these links:

The Scout Rifle Safari – Scout Rifles in Africa

The 2017 Scout Rifle Safari

The Scout Rifle Study

The Mindset of a Hunter

October 9, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

The best and most essential piece of equipment in any hunter’s arsenal is rarely mentioned or known. It is the hunter’s mindset.

A lot of preparation goes into doing a hunt in a foreign country. It is often a once in a lifetime event for many hunters and every detail is given priority prior to departure to make sure he/she will have the ultimate experience. As an outfitter, we help and one of the many pieces of information we share is a packing list. The last information that is shared on this list is: Most of all come with an open mind ready to have the time of your life.

Go afield with a good attitude

‘Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.’ Fred Bear

Go afield with a good attitude – your mindset is your mental attitude; your state of mind.

You must be positive in spirit, mind and your whole being when you go out to encounter African game. This is true for all hunting no matter where you are, but even more so when you endeavor to hunt on the vast terrain of the African plains. Like in everything you attempt to do, a positive mindset is paramount and will take you to great heights or trophies in this case. A positive attitude will and can make a hunt. On the contrary wrong expectations, poor preparation [fitness and practice-shot placement] as well as an entitlement attitude can ruin a hunt.

Choose to take responsive actions

Reactive actions are taken after a happening in this case a shot taken versus responsive actions are positive approaches to the situation (the hunt) instead of just acting in what comes natural to you. You will often encounter the unexpected and/or challenging on a hunt and your attitude will determine the success or failure of the outcome.

Confidence and Patience are required

Being positive must be practiced by a hunter until he succeeds. Be positive while you visualize the shot before it is taken. Proper preparation i.e. having a reasonable level of fitness and having practiced your shooting is essential but your attitude still determines the implementation of what you know out in the field. Combined with patience in the field and being confident in your approach and your success is guaranteed. This confidence is the result of the right mindset. Difficult and trying conditions whilst hunting can easily break your confidence. That is why a hunter needs to be mentally tough. You need to acquire it at all cost and you do not acquire it from a book or talking to your hunting buddies. It is an attitude and mindset that you need to develop and as you grow into it you will be more successful in the field. The conclusion is: Mindset is more important than skill when you hunt.

One does not hunt in order to kill; on the contrary, one kills in order to have hunted… If one were to present the sportsman with the death of the animal as a gift he would refuse it. What he is after is having to win it, to conquer the surly brute through his own effort and skill with all the extras that this carries with it: the immersion in the countryside, the healthfulness of the exercise, the distraction from his job. Jose Ortegay Gasset

For a hunter to conquer the surly brute through his own effort and skill he needs the right mindset.

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The Scout Rifle Safari – Scout Rifles in Africa

July 24, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

Versatility is the word that best describes the Scout Rifle. This was the main purpose behind Gunsite academy founder, Jeff Cooper’s idea… a rifle in the hunting field as well as one to be used in a military scouting situation.

A strict criteria was established which included specifications on the following:

the rifle’s length
the rifle’s weight
the sighting arrangement
the accuracy and
the accessories.

What is a Scout Rifle?
‘Jeff Cooper defied a scout rifle as a bolt-action carbine chambered for the .308 Win., no longer than 39 inches, no heavier than 7.7 pounds and outfitted with a low power extended eye relief scope. It also had to have back up ghost rings sights, be capable of two MOA or better accuracy and have a Ching, CW, or similarly styled shooting sling.’ Richard Mann

Remington Arms Company Custom Shop M7 Scout used by Richard Mann during The Scout Rifle Safari. The first animal taken with this Scout Rifle, a fine Springbok at about 230 yards.

‘I relied on them for 30 days in Africa and they never let me down.’ Richard Mann Remington Arms Company Custom Shop M7 Scout and Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X ammo. Knife built by Len Waldron after his first safari as well as my first safari with Fort Richmond Safaris.

Bill Mazelin with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle checking his zero on the range at Fort Richmond Safaris.

One of the most important rifles of The Scout Rifle Safari – an original Gunsite Scout no.2.
Jim Jeansonne and his original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2.

Geoffrey Wayland of Fort Richmond Safaris with the Steyr Arms, Inc. Scout Rifle connecting 8 inch MGM Targets steel plates as far as 350 yards.

Nick Rukavina and Professional Hunter Leon du Plessis holding the Brockman Packer Scout that Nick used on safari. Nick shot the eight inch steel at 350 yards with the Brockman Packer Scout.

Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle and Black Wildebeest.

James Jeansonne with his original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2. Michael Bane with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. James Jeansonne with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. Listen to Michael Bane’s video podcast: Bane’s masterpiece of a Scout Rifle on Down Range TV.

Scout Rifles in Africa!

Scout Rifles in Africa! The Scout Rifle – the one rifle to have if you could only have one.

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Husband and wife on the Scout Rifle Safari

June 30, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

The second Scout Rifle Safari in Africa took place at Fort Richmond Safaris.

The first one was by Col Jeff Cooper in 1998, to conceptualize the Scout Rifle in action.

Seven Gunsite Academy graduates participated in the first week of the Scout Rifle Safari, which included a husband and wife team and two fathers with their sons.

This blog post is about the first 2 hunters – a couple – Bill and Carrie Mazelin from Las Vegas.

‘What a wonderful experience. When Richard first posted the idea of the Scout Rifle Safari on Facebook, and there was room left, I asked Carrie if she’d like to go to Africa on a plains game hunt. She said “yes” and we were off to the races. New rifles, a class at Gunsite, additional practice on our own and constant dreaming about what else we wanted to do and where else we wanted to go whilst in Africa. Then the trip took on a life of its own… Ammunition and the vests from Hornady, the Rifle-Mann Slings from Galco, Michael Bane and his crew filming for the Outdoor Channel. It just kept getting bigger and bigger, and it was great fun to be a part of it.’ Bill Mazelin

A romantic glance while on safari. The only woman on The Scout Rifle Safari on making it count.

‘I just wanted to be able to make my shots count each time and work the skills I learned at Gunsite Academy in February. I had been practicing to about 200 yards, and on most of our past hunts my shots were under 150 yards, but at Gunsite we shot at ranges of 300 and even 400 yards. I expected that I would be shooting at greater distances and that the animals would be very skittish, and all of that was true. I liked getting to the range on the first afternoon, and that the range facility had a variety of distances and targets for us to practice. I felt confident, but reserved because this was different than anything I’d done before. Of course, everyone made me feel very comfortable and I was excited to start hunting.’ Carrie Mazelin

Carrie and her Black Wildebeest. She bagged him at 284 yards with a single shot from her Scout Rifle.

Bill Mazelin, very proud of his wife’s hunting wrote the following: I’ve watched Carrie’s evolution as a hunter since the first time we took to the bush together; it’s been great fun to watch her confidence and skill build season after season. This hunt was no different, her confidence continue to grow with each passing day. One of my favorite memories of the hunt was when she shot her black wildebeest. I was able to call the range (284 yards) and tell her where to hold the cross hairs. Leon (our professional hunter) and I then simply waited a few seconds for the shot to ring out. A perfect hit, and that was the longest shot she’d ever put on an animal. Another one was how over the course of a couple of days, she was able to shoot a warthog on the move, not an easy task and she did great.

Bill Mazelin with the Blesbok he took on the second day of The Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris.

A Black Wildebeest also taken at Fort Richmond.

“All the participants of The Scout Rifle Safari put in a great deal of effort, and we were all handsomely rewarded.” Bill Mazelin

“We will take what Africa gives us.” – Leon du Plessis.

“We all took some great trophies, but the friendship and camaraderie that the hunt camp and the bush offers is always the best trophy.” Bill Mazelin

“Thanks to all of you for a wonderful experience! It truly was the Safari of our dreams. We can’t wait to return for another adventure.” Carrie Mazelin

“It was the trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to go back!” Bill Mazelin

The Scout Rifle Safari in Africa

June 5, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

‘The Scout Rifle Study’ by Richard Mann includes a Scout Rifle Safari taking place in Africa, more specific on location at Fort Richmond Safaris, South Africa. Richard Mann we look forward to welcome you back on your 4th trip to Africa with Fort Richmond Safaris. This time for a very exciting 30 days of adventure on the African plains with various Scout Rifles. We are very excited to be the location for the Scout Rifle Safari in Africa and to be a part of this exceptional experience.

“People are finally beginning to realize Cooper was mostly right; the simplest one-rifle solution for the world is a Scout Rifle.” Richard Mann

Richard Mann chose the free-access web format for his book, The Scout Rifle Study which will contain thousand of images and hundreds of videos.

After a review done by Field & Stream editor, David E Petzal, he comments as follows:

“I own two Scout rifles, have been a lifelong Jeff Cooper reader, and thought I had a pretty thorough knowledge of the subject. I don’t. Richard Mann does. Compared to him, I’ve barely scratched the surface.” David E Petzal; Rifle Editor Field & Stream.

Richard is thorough and like Petzal commented there is material in the book he never dreamed existed. In his words: “I have no idea how and where Mann got it.”

We are no doubt going to eat, sleep and spend many hours in conversation about the Scout Rifle and the many other things. Knowing Richard as a thorough researchers who does not leave any stone unturned to get to the bottom of it all, we are in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Thank you Richard for the vision. We look forward to make it a marvelous and unforgettable adventure for every hunter with his Scout Rifle.

To read more about ‘The Scout Rifle Safari’: Click here

Richard Mann’s Scout Rifle: ” This is the rifle I will be using during the Scout Rifle Safari. If you are interested in the build information, it was assembled by the Remington Arms Company Custom Shop to my specifications as follows: Model 7, Chromoly action. In house tapered Recoil lug. Larger rear tang screw. Douglas Barrels Inc. #3 Remington contoured air gauged 1-10 twist Chromoly barrel. Threaded muzzle w/thread cap installed. Fluted barrel. Plated Magazine Box. Polished follower. Model 7 aluminum hinged floor plate (Remington). Manners Composite Stocks Elite EH-8 stock. Painted in house, custom camo 4 color. 4 flush cup sling attachment points installed. Fully bedded using Marine-tex and 1/2” aluminum pillars. Recoil pad. Custom in house made picaitiny scout scope rail. XS Sights front and rear sights. Timney Triggers trigger. M-16 extractor. Dual ejectors. Fluted bolt. Timed for Primary extraction bolt handle. Triple taper pinned bolt handle. PTG Speed Lock Aluminum firing pin. Aluminum bolt shroud. It will put five shots into about an inch with most loads, is less than a meter in long, and weighs less than 7.5 pounds with a Burris Optics Company 2-7X Scout Scope, Galco Gunleather RilfeMann Sling (attached in the three-point configuration) and with a magazine full of ammunition.” Richard Mann

Richard is joined by his son, Sabastian Mann and arrives on the location Wednesday, June 7.

The Scout Rifle: The One Rifle To Have If You Could Only Have One