Lion Hunters

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:08 pm

I was just watching a History Channel show on man-eating lions and noted that #1 - one fellow used a slightly modified #4 in .303 British to kill a 3 year old man-eater with 2 shots. #2 - somebody used an 1895 Winchester to kill an elephant. Had photos but saw no reference to loads.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:08 pm

I was watching North to Alaska the other day they were bear hunting and one of the guides had what looked to be a sporterized No4 Mk1. The old .303 has been used just about every were to shoot just about every thing. Just goes to show it dont have to be a wizz bang magnum to get the job done

. Isnt there an article on the old site about some one using a Marlin 1895 to shoot lion?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:10 pm

Those old .303's are so tough you can use them for everything from tent pegs to jack handles and still put meat in the pot with them.

Rusty <><

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:41 pm

The 303 British is to the British empire what the 30-06 is to us.

And I have both.

Joe

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:53 pm

I just caught the first half of this show when I was at lunch I am recording the rest of it right now. They did show one ranger carrying a #4 with a cut down fore end. I thought it interesting that they called the one lion Osama. The # of people killed in that area by lions was astonishing

.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:05 pm

I think J. H. Patterson used the .303 to kill the man-eaters of Tsavo.

PaperPatch · Post by **PaperPatch** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:28 pm

I made the journey to the Field Museum this past January...just to see these man-eaters. I had read Patterson's book several years ago, and it sunk the hook in me.

A bit of advice...get to the museum at opening time, and plan on spending the whole day. The African exhibit by itself...is a marvelous display.

Not visible in this photo I took...are the two skulls of these creatures, located in the corner of the display case. One of them has a bullet hole in it.

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:01 pm

PP,

It is a fascinating story! JHP sure had a run of bad luck on the way to dispatching those cats.

PaperPatch · Post by **PaperPatch** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:05 pm

I finally caught the History Channel program that Hobie was referring to...thanks Hobie. That fella that dispatched Osama the lion, proved himself a worthy hunter; learning the habits...then setting himself up as the bait!!!

Back at Tsavo...it is a fitting tribute to Patterson; that his bridge still stands, and is in use today.

Pepe Ray · Post by **Pepe Ray** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:11 pm

Trivia anyone??

As you know, that story was put to film, Ghost in the Darkness.
But, it was also the first 3-D movie. Robert Stack in Bwana Devil.
Pepe Ray

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:37 am

Every time someone mentions a Enfield I can't help but gloat about my "Smelly (SMLE) Nelly" which is of course my No.1 Mk. III rebarreled to 45/70 which I think i'd prefer to a 303 for Lions. I have 8 differents loads waiting for a trip to the Kokohead Firing Range. I also have a super cool Aussie target peep sight mounted courtesy of Bruce Scott (thanks again Tango) which i'm DYING to try out too.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:30 am

GANJIRO wrote:Every time someone mentions a Enfield I can't help but gloat about my "Smelly (SMLE) Nelly" which is of course my No.1 Mk. III rebarreled to 45/70 which I think i'd prefer to a 303 for Lions. I have 8 differents loads waiting for a trip to the Kokohead Firing Range. I also have a super cool Aussie target peep sight mounted courtesy of Bruce Scott (thanks again Tango) which i'm DYING to try out too.

Geez Ji - isn't that a bit too much gun to be hunting house cats with?