Rifles

I always thought I would never need to shoot a gun but one thing about being a safari guide is that you are going to be around dangerous animals and you never know what might happen. So this week was spent learning all about rifles. As a guide in South Africa you need to be able to shoot a .375-caliber rifle, minimum, but the .458 is recommended especially if you are doing walks. We started off watching videos about shot placement and animal behaviour so we know when the situation could deteriorate. Then we learned all about the “bolt action;” practicing loading and unloading the rifle and cocking it. For the beginner rifle handling assessment we need to go from the walking position (carrying it in your left hand) shoulder the rifle, cock it, aim, and fire 3 times all with in 15 seconds. It took me 15 minuets just to shoulder the rifle.

Thursday we went to the rifle range and practiced shooting a .22 and a .303 rifle. The girls were a bit nervous and most of the guys thought that it was cool. The .22 was like a BB gun (so I’m told) but the .303 looked like it would give a lot of kick back. Ruth and I took before pictures of our shoulders thinking we would have some serious bruises. We fired 10 rounds with the .22 and 3 with the .303. The .303 was not as bad as I expected but way louder then I would have liked. I couldn't imagine shooting without ear protection on.

I was not a bad shot but not great either. I need to work on my stance and aim but I hit the paper in all but one shot. Friday we all got to fire one shot on the .375 this gave even more kickback but still no bruises. The rifle is a lot heavier and some of us girls are working on our muscles to we can hold it steady and aim. That seems to be the hardest part.

Next semester will be spent doing more practice rounds with the .375 and the assessment will be in November for the beginner rifle handling. I think it will be OK as long as I can hold the gun steady. If an animal is charging at you your first shot cannot be before it comes 10 meters. Hence you have to be fully prepared. Lets hope I never get into that situation.