Somchem Propellants
After a long spell of non-availability of Somchem reloading propellants, stock is again available from dealers. This includes Somchem S-365 regarding which serious shortages have been experienced from early 2013.
Somchem Dryfmiddels
Na ‘n geruime tyd wat Somchem herlaai dryfmiddels nie beskikbaar was nie, is dit nou weer by handelaars bekombaar. Dit sluit Somchem S-365 in waarvan ernstige tekorte sedert vroeg 2013 ervaar was.
Marketing tip of the Month {Bulletin – September 2013}
Differentiate or Die, was the name of a book I bought about 10 years ago. It got my attention that’s for sure. Since then there have been several more that all revolve around a central theme: If you cannot distinguish yourself from your competition, you risk dying – or perhaps less dramatic, going out of business.
While the offer of a safari in Africa may seem hard to differentiate, if you stop and think of all the elements of the experience, there are many opportunities to do this, and you need take a good look at your operation, and see exactly where or what they are. If it is your values – are you a serious, quiet type; big party animal; devoted Christian; family man; no-children man; military man? You name it, these are all ways to describe you personally. Your lodge experience: Is it formal, modern, rustic, chic, luxurious, homely, a castle, a mansion, a farm-house, or sharing-your-home-like?
I have been to various photographic lodges and recall some interesting little points. One was of elephant dung that had been crushed and spread down the path between rooms to make the walk between rooms silent. Try walking on a path of dried mopane leaves and see the difference. I’ll never forget it.
From the moment clients arrive in camp, the little touches, the attention to detail with their accommodation or catering, are so important.
I recently worked with an operator who happens to be the longest-running safari operator in his country. Yet, hidden in small text, unlikely to be noticed, was this hugely differentiating fact. There is only one company that can claim this, and if you are it – well then make sure everyone knows it!
More often than not, the hunters say that it’s everything up to and around the actual last pulling of the trigger that they factor into their safari experience and remember you for. The more pointers you can identify and use to differentiate yourself, the better.
So, look for your differences, your ‘unique selling propositions’, as they refer to this in marketingspeak. Then my best suggestion is to tell the world about those differences in order that you stand out.
– Richard Lendrum
Bemarkingswenk vir die Maand
Differentiate or Die, was die naam van ‘n boek wat ek omtrent 10 jaar gelede gekoop het. Dit het my aandag getrek. Sedertdien het talle ander boeke met dieselfde sentrale tema verskyn: As jy jouself nie van jou opponent kan onderskei nie, loop jy die risiko om te sterf – minder dramaties gestel; die risiko van ondergang.
Alhoewel dit moeilik mag klink om ‘n Afrika jagsafari te onderskei, is daar tog baie sulke geleenthede as jy daaroor gaan dink, jou onderneming goed onder die loep neem en presies bepaal wie en wat dit is. Indien dit jou waardes is – is jy die ernstige stil tipe, ‘n feesdier, toegewyde Christen, familieman, geen-kinders man, eks-weermag? Noem dit; daar is altyd ‘n manier om jou te beskryf. You kamp-ervaring: Is dit formeel, modern, landelik, elegant, luuks, huislik, ‘n kasteel, ‘n herehuis, ‘n plaashuis of asof gaste by jou gesin inwoon?
Ek was al by talle fotokampe en dink aan interessante klein goedjies. By een was dit die olifantmis wat verpoeier en oor die paadjies gestrooi was om dit doodstil te hou as mens tussen die hutte rondstap. Probeer maar net op ‘n droeë mopanieblaar paadjie te stap om die verskil te ervaar. Ek sal dit nooit vergeet nie.
Vanaf die kliënte se aankoms in die kamp is die klein dingetjies, die aandag aan die detail van hul akkommodasie en etes, van uiterste belang.
Ek het onlangs met ‘n ondernemer gewerk wat die langste ononderbroke safari onderneming in sy land bedryf. Tog word die ontsettend belangrike onderskeiding in klein skrif weggesteek waar dit nie opgemerk word nie. Daar is net een onderneming wat die aanspraak kan maak en as dit jy is – maak seker almal weet dit!
Byna sonder uitsondering sê jagters dat dit absoluut alles tot en met die finale trek van die sneller is wat hulle as hul safari ondervinding in ag neem en jou voor onthou. Hoe meer aspekte jy kan raaksien om jouself te onderskei, hoe beter.
So, soek na verskille, jou ‘unieke verkoopstellings’ soos wat daarna in bemarkingstaal verwys word. My voorstel is dat jy die wêreld dan inlig oor hierdie onderskeidende elemente waarvoor jy uitstaan.
– Richard Lendrum
New Equipment & Accessories {Bulletin – September 2013}
Bestseller Book: African Dangerous Game Cartridges
The currently definitive book on African rifles and cartridges, African Dangerous Game Cartridges is in its 2nd printing and available again in the USA, Africa, Australia and the UK. The 460-page, full colour, large format hardcover book covers everything the international hunter needs to know about rifles and cartridges for African dangerous game. It contains chapters on bullet performance and selection, terminal ballistics, suitable rifle actions, recoil management, optics, big bore handloading and detailed discussions on the 48 most popular African dangerous game cartridges starting with the 9,3x62mm Mauser and terminating with the mighty .600 NE. Each cartridge is discussed in detail under topics such as history, technical specifications, characteristics, performance and application and handloading. The book contains the most comprehensive handloading data ever published on big bores, with several thousand loads for powders including Accurate, ADI, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Rottweil, Somchem, Tubal-Vectan, Vihtavuori and Winchester are included. The book costs ±US$ 85.00 and can be ordered from:
USA – Outdoor Visions:
www.outdoorvisions.com
Africa – Pathfinder Publications:
www.pathfinder-publications.com
Australia – Bunduki Books:
www.bundukibooks.com
UK – David Grayling Books:
www.davidgraylingbooks.com
Nuwe Toerusting & Bybehore
Topverkoper Boek: African Dangerous Game Cartridges
Die huidiglik mees toonaangewendste boek oor gewere en kalibers vir Afrika, African Dangerous Game Cartridges, is herdruk en nou weer beskikbaar in Suid-Afrika, Australië, Brittanje en die VSA. Hierdie volkleur, 460-blad, grootformaat, hardeband boek dek alles wat die internasionale jagter rakende gewere en patrone vir die jag van Afrika se gevaarlike wild moet weet. Dit bevat hoofstukke oor koeëlgedrag en -keuses, terminale ballistiek, geskikte geweer aksies, terugskophantering, teleskope, grootkaliber herlaai en in diepte besprekings van die 48 gewildste Afrika gevaarlike wild kalibers beginnende by die 9,3×62 tot by die monster .600 NE. Elke patroon word in detail bespreek onder hoofdse soos geskiedenis, tegniese spesifikasies, eienskappe, aanwending en prestasie en ook herlaai. Die boek bevat die volledigste versameling herlaaidata wat nog ooit vir grootkalibers publiseer is en die duisende brokkies data sluit dryfmiddels soos Accurate, ADI, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Rottweil, Somchem, Tubal-Vectan, Vihtavuori en Winchester in. Dit kos ongeveer R 652.00 en kan bestel word van:
VSA – Outdoor Visions:
www.outdoorvisions.com
Afrika – Pathfinder Publications:
www.pathfinder-publications.com
Australië – Bunduki Books:
www.bundukibooks.com
Brittanje – David Grayling Books:
www.davidgraylingbooks.com
Nuwe Peregrine Koeël
Peregrine, vervaardiger van die unieke bi-metaal koeëls wat soveel opspraak verwek, het die week ‘n nuwe toevoeging tot hul reeks gemaak met ‘n 130-grein VRG-3 koeël vir .303 kalibers. Die koeël is spesifiek gerig op bosgebruik in die 7,62x39mm kaliber CZ-527 jaggeweer, maar sal ook vlerke gee aan die .303 British en die 7,65x53mm Belgiese Mauser patrone.
New Peregrine Bullet
Peregrine, manufacturer of the unique bi-metal bullets which have become the talk of the town, have added a new bullet to their range this week with the introduction of the 130-grain VRG-3 bullet for .303 calibers. The bullet is specifically aimed at bush use in the CZ-527 rifle chambered for the 7,62x39mm cartridge, but will give wings to the .303 British and the 7,65x53mm Belgian Mauser.
Rifle of the Month {Bulletin – September 2013}
New Ruger American
Ruger in the USA recently introduced a new budget-class entry-level rifle called the ‘American’ that will retail for under US$ 430 in the USA. In Africa it should be able to compete pricewise with the Howa and the Remington M-710.
The American comes in a Standard and a Compact model. Overall length of the Standard model is 42” (±107 cm) and that of the Compact 36.75” (±93 cm). The respective average weights for the two rifles are 6-lb (2,72 kg) and 6¼-lb (2,83 kg).
The American is a three-lug push feed design with a 70° bolt throw. The stocks are made of a black composite and are equipped with aluminium bedding blocks that Ruger has branded its ‘Power-Bedding-System’. The rifle also comes with an adjustable trigger. In looks, the trigger is reminiscent of the Savage accutrigger. According to Ruger it is adjustable to 5 lb (2,27 kg). The American sports a very convenient tang safety, which last appeared on the very first 1968 Ruger M-77 rifles. Left-handed hunters will like this.
The hammer-forged barrels on the American are 18” (±460 mm) long on the Compact models and 22” (±560 mm) on Standard models. Compact models are chambered for the .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester cartridges. The Standard models come in two action lengths. The Short Action Standard model is chambered for the same cartridges as the Compact model, except that it is also offered in .22-250 Remington. The Long Action Standard model is only chambered for the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield cartridges.
Ruger American rifles are not equipped with iron sights, but are furnished standard with bases for riflescope installation. The bases are in the Warne/Weaver style and should accept a wide range of rings.
Geweer van die Maand
Nuwe Ruger American
Ruger in die VSA het onlangs ‘n bekostigbare nuwe intree-klas geweermodel wat as die ‘American’ bekendstaan vrygstel met ‘n VSA kleinhandel prys van minder as US$ 430. In Afrika behoort dit prysgewys met die Howa en die Remington M-710 te kompeteer.
Die American is in standaard en kompakte modelle beskikbaar. Algehele lengte vir die Standard is 42” (±107 cm) en vir die Compact is dit 36.75” (±93 cm). Die gewere weeg onderskeidelik 6-lb (2,72 kg) en 6¼-lb (2,83 kg).
Die American is ‘n trippelnok stootvoer ontwerp met 70° grendelrotasie. Die kolwe is uit ‘n swart mengsel vervaardig en met aluminium pakblokke toegerus wat Ruger as sy ‘Power-Bedding-System’ beskryf. Die sneller trek op die Savage AccuTrigger en kan tot 5 lb (2,27 kg) verstel word. Die American het ook die baie gerieflike haelgeweer tipe veiligheidsknip op die rompstert wat ons laas op die eerste 1968 Ruger M-77 gewere gesien het. Linkshandiges sal daarvan hou.
Die gehammerde lope op die American is 18” (±460 mm) lank op die Compact model en 22” (±560 mm) op die Standard model. Die Compact model is beskikbaar in .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester kalibers. Die Standard model kom in ‘n Short Action Standard weergawe gekamer vir dieselfde patrone sowel as vir die .22-250 Remington. Die Long Action Standard model is in .270 Winchester en .30-06 Springfield beskikbaar.
Ruger American gewere word nie met oop visiere toegerus nie, maar kom standard met ‘n stel basisse vir teleskoop montering. Die basisse is die Warne/Weaver tipe en behoort versoenbaar te wees met ‘n wye verskeidenheid ringe.