Lions1, Hunter 0

[JPope]

You guys who hunt or interested in guns/ammo may find this one interesting

A widlife biologist/professional big game hunter(30 years experience in Africa) who was lion hunting found out that it takes more than one shot to kill a lion, he got mauled, so he is suing Federal and Trophy Bonded Bullets for the mauling. Never hunted lions, but knew they could get even, at least that is what all the books and magazines say.

Maybe we all need to take an attorney hunting



http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3828803.html

 

[esommer2500]

"The lion died basically while chewing on my client. "

Guess he'll know better for next time.



I thought it was interesting that they said that the lion's skin was to thin to provide any stopping power to the bullet, reducing it's efficiency.



Eric

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Where was the man with the backup gun?



It doesn't always come down to being an expert shot. Sometimes the animal has more resolve than a bullet can stop.

 

[JR2]

the bullet -- a . 458 Winchester Magnum, 500 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

Sweet Mother... that is a serious round... should have killed the lion without much problem... I wonder if he missed the important parts when he shot it???

 

[fbaurley]

What is this world coming to? I think I'll sue my bullet manfacturer because the trophy buck that I shot 2 years ago got away. This has to be one of the most frivalous law suits ever. Who is his attorney Hillary Clinton, or Sarah Brady. If you are shooting at something that is charging you dont stop shooting untill it hits the ground. I have hunted all of my life, and the only way you will stop an animal in its tracks is to hit it in the spine and paralyze it. I dont care how big and bad your gun or bullets are shot placement is the key. As long as the ammunitioin fired it did all it was supposed to. I think that if you are within 30 yards of a lion you already screwed up.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Why would an "expert" hunter try out a "new" bullet on a lion, king of the jungle? Especially at 30 yards. Talk about Darwin's waiting room.

 

[Hale on wheels]

I think I'll go buy some more Hydra-Shoks today to help Federal earn some litigation money!!! What an idiot that guy is.

 

[Philip]

a . 458 Winchester Magnum

Over there this caliber is classed a bare minimum for hunting big game. With thirty years experience he should have know better.



I think he was getting tired of a heavy rifle. So he went to something lighter. Now he payed for his mistake and wants Federal to pay for it.

Maybe we all need to take an attorney hunting

Yea have him stand between you and the lion. Let him try to plea bargain that charge.

 

[Okie-Go]

I heard an ole hunter say it is not what you hit them with it is more important where you hit them. Big powerful calibers don't make up for poor shooting or a bad hit.

 

[Mike Ellis]

. 458 Win magnum is plenty to do the job on any beast on the African continent if you put the bullet where it's supposed to go. A Model 70 in that caliber is a great safari gun, but lacks the mystique of a classic double rifle in one of the "clobberin' thunder" calibers.



. 30-06 was used to take a LOT of African game over the years without too much trouble, probably marginal in many cases but still was used quite effectively.



African poachers reqularly take down big game with AK-47 and other military rifles, so it is kind of lame to blame the bullet manufacturer or the "underpowered" . 458 Win Mag for the lion incident.

 

[CFAR]

Hunter:



I shot the lion with my 105mm howitzer, true I hit him in the tail but... .....









Lion:



mmmmm gooood me like stupid hunter, my tail hurt.

 

[MGordon]

Actually, the . 458 is on the upper end of cartridges used for dangerous game in Africa. For many years, the . 375 H&H was the cartridge of choice and has probably “taken” more big game than any other cartridge. Some hunters did feel that it was a tad light for use on the largest game particularly in the brush. The . 375 is the minimum allowed by law in most African countries for big game. Right now, the . 416 type cartridges are becoming the “all round” cartridge for Africa. The . 458 with the bullet described in the article should have been more than capable of taking out a lion, although inside 25 yards, bullet expansion could be problematic.



I think there are some interesting issues here. 1. Had the hunter familiarized himself with that particular cartridge before going into the field? 2. Why didn’t he keep shooting? He apparently shot twice. In a situation like that you have to keep shooting until you are sure the lion is dead and than you nail him again. 3. Maybe he had too much confidence in that cartridge and didn’t “pay the insurance” in time. 4. Why is he suing after 2½ years?



There has to be a lot more to this story.

 

[easleyj1]

No matter how powerful the cartridge is if the projectile totally penetrates the target it does not impart it's full energy load. Expansion is how bullets transfer high energy in a short time. Who knows how much actual energy was transfered to the target in this instance. Think of it as sticking a big knitting needle through the lion, sure it will die just not as swiftly as if major organs had been pulverized by a well placed expanded bullet. Heavy caliber bullets, even the expanding type need a fair amount of resistance to preform properly. This bone head was way over gunned so shame on him.



Jonny Easley