Capstick and shotguns

[Readyrod]

I just finished reading Death in the Long Grass by Peter Capstick. What a great read! He said that he used a 12 gauge for leopards and other thin skinned animals. Is that a common practice? Is it a good idea? I'm wondering what other African game you would hunt with a shotgun. Thanks.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm wondering what other African game you would hunt with a shotgun.

They have game birds and ducks over there. That's about the only thing I'd take a shotgun for, personally.

 

[natman]

I'm going to guess that the leopard with a shotgun reference was about following up a wounded leopard in cover. IIRC, Capstick once wrote about killing a leopard with a shotgun because he was bird hunting at the time and happened to have a shotgun in his hands when the leopard charged.

Both examples are exceptional. Leopards are usually hunted from blinds with rifles.

 

[CajunBass]

Nat's right. I've got Capsticks books, although it's been a while since I read them, but, if I remember correctly he was refering to following up wounded leopards. Shotguns are quick and powerful for close up fast shooting, and in his opinion, and mine also, no gun is quicker on the second shot than a double gun. You'd never have time for a third most likely since the charge would come at a range measured in feet not yards. He also wore a football helmet, heavy leather coat, and a leather neck protector.

Again, IIRC, he prefered what he called SG buckshot, which he said was the British designation for what we call Number 1.

 

[Readyrod]

I guess I need to clarify, he did say that he used the shotgun for going after wounded leopards in thick bush. I'm still wondering if shotguns are still used in the bush in Africa though. I was actually surprised when I read it.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't see why they wouldn't be. Leopards haven't gotten any tougher and shotguns haven't lost anything that made them good for the job when he used them.

 

[GodGuns&Guitars]

When Pedro entered the thick stuff after a wounded leopard, he also wore a football helmet, and good quality leather clothing. I once asked him who's team the helmet was from but never got a straight answer from that question. He was a great friend. Too bad he left us early.

 

[Kingcreek]

I never met him but I've read everything he published. GG&G is right. leather coat was armored with linolium strips riveted on. shotgun was loaded with british military SSG IIRC.

 

[Readyrod]

He sounds like a cool guy. Which of his other books are good? I'm currently reading The Man Eaters of Tsavo and it's good so far.

 

[CajunBass]

Anything he wrote is good. I think I've got four or five of his books.

 

[ASCTLC]

I've read a number of his books too. Heck, I still reread them every so often. While I've heard criticism and claim of his embelishing some stories I couldn't care less, they're very interesting and keep me turning the pages long after I should have gone to bed.

Andy

 

[natman]

He sounds like a cool guy. Which of his other books are good? I'm currently reading The Man Eaters of Tsavo and it's good so far.

Man Eaters is a great book, but it was written by John Henry Patterson. Capstick books published an edition.

 

[Kingcreek]

I like everything Capstick wrote and published but he wrote 1 or 2 books on the African safari, cost, what to expect, where, etc that are just too far outdated to be useful now.
Death in the Long Grass is still my favorite, African Adventurers is a good read, also Maneaters....