Kilimanjaro

Hey guys, a quick question for ya.. Have any of you guys ever shot or owned a shotgun built by Rizzini in Italy for Abercrombie & Fitch? For those of you who dont know A&F (other than nowadays its a clothing store) is that it was opened back at the turn of the century (LAST century!) by 2 HARDCORE outdoorsmen. They opened a wonderful store in NYC.. They catered to the "who's who" of the hunting world back then.. Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemmingway, Robert Ruark, Jack O' Conner, etc... They were THE premier outfitters of the day for hunters going to Africa, Asia, Alaska, etc. Not only that, they were legendary for the store itself in downtown NYC. There were mounts from every corner of the globe, a legendary gun room selection, a rock climbing wall, a camping section, etc.. Basically, they were the Cabelas of the 40's, 50's and 60's..(And 1000X better) Ask any oldtimer about A&F and you'll see a gleem in his eyes light up! He begin by instantly remembering those wonderful catalouges that were sent out in the mail, and then he'll speak of wonderful quality from every end of the spectrum of the products provided.. Back then they had the hunting and camping world in their pocket. But conflicting personalities between the 2 owners of the company eventually ended the AF era of yesteryear. They sold the company name and we all now know where that took the AF brand nowadays. To think back of those wonderful days of our grandfather's AF is a romantic one.. I wish I coulda seen it! ANYWAYS, back to the point of the topic! I've found 2 A&F shotguns I might end up buying if they look and fit right. One is a 20ga. O/U Rizinni sidelock with IC and C barrels.. The only thing I can see wrong with it is it appears that the buttstock was taken off at some point and then sanded and oiled. Which is a good thing other than it made it a slightly diff color than the fore end now.. Nothing that a bit of sandpaper and oil cant fix.. great looking case coloring on the gun as well as great bluing. The other one is a 20ga. SXS boxlock with a IC and M barrels. It was also made by Rizzini and was made in 1966. Overall a great looking gun other than the usual wear and tear from being lightly used! Great bluing and case coloring as well. So, have any of you guys ever owned or shot an AF shotgun?? If so, let me hear how you felt about the gun you shot. I'd like to get some opinions on the guns from some others before I decide on buying either one or both of them

Nada for me in NM...again!! Well, more time to scrimp and save in Dec instead of ibex hunting.

When the fire was at it's largest, they had box canyon blocked off to traffic.. That is, unless you're in a marked GOV!! I got to go back there and got within 100 yards of the fire as it made it's way northward to Box canyon rd.. It was IMPRESSIVE to be that close to a wildfire.. I was Uin awe watching it eat brush at an amazing rate. Talked to the firefighters backburning the blaze from the road said this fire was 99% great for all of the habitiat. Couldn't have happened at a better time. In a few weeks the rains will start and that place will be coues HEAVEN!!

I had a feeling that was the case, Rio.. It was all the elk hunters getting the CC hits thus far... Best of luck to all of us still in the game!

Any news on the sheep and ibex, guys?? Our CCs were hit from the beginning for these tags and so we don't really have any way of knowing.. And my NM account still says pending!! I'm going nuts!

Looks like thosw 27 bulls are coming right along this season..

They look like great cameras, but I'm afraid that that's my sediments as well on using them here in AZ.. Still might end up picking up a couple for Mexico, though. I think they'd be safe there.

Well guys, here she is.. Finally got her in the mail on Monday. I have to say, the gun is in better condition than I had hoped for.. For being made in 1962, it really is in great condition.. Still plan on stripping the fore end and bringing the wood back to a more neutral color.. Also plan on getting a new recoil pad put on. Can anybody here recomend a local gunsmith in the Tucson area? In addition to the pad, I need him to loosen the screws as well. I am afraid to strip them. Now, all I have to do is wait the 5 LONG months till Mearns season opens!!

I can foresee this being grounds for a potential suit agaist the Dept. Someone will use the red ones, his/her apps will miss the deadline, and the poo slinging will start in ernest, with due cause I dare say. Why would they do this right before the apps are due? Makes ZERO sense to me. Glad mine were green... I wouldn't have paid the slightest bit of attention to that detail had I used the red ones instead.. Whew!

I'll be holding out for a 350 class bull as a minimum on my hunt.. Hoping for a book bull though! Would LOVE to thump a 380+ AZ bull! I drew the 27 rut muzzleloader tag. We'll see how it unfolds!

Looks like you found a great little honey hole!

And that's where I come into this picture as a sworn customer of The Claw!!! I admit it, whan I see or get the opportunity at something (ANY species) of outsized proportions, I get BUCK FEVER.. I hate it, but at the same time, I love it!!

I see that as being a regular occuring problem with the various organizations here in AZ (ADA, ADBSS, AAF, etc).. all are located and have their fundraisers, dinners, meetings, etc in the valley.. and ALOT of folks just flat out refuse to go there. If they would move their get togethers around to diff locales in the state such as Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Sierra Vista etc. I think that alot more folks would become involved in the org. and be willing to show up and help at the functions.. I try to go to the PHX area only when I HAVE to!! Suns and D-backs games on ocassion, the NRA convention this yr, and a couple of flights that I have to catch from there.. other than that, I avoid at all costs!

Mike, thanks for the generous offer, but the muzz I bought is a .50 cal.. I'm not even sure I can use those old school patch bullets in this new fandangled rig I got!! Thanks again for offer, Mike!! I really do appreciate it. I'm gonna see if they have any muzz stuff at the Tucson gun show tomorrow.. Might get started in this whole loose powder shooting!

Those 285 Barnes boattails are the ones giving me fits.. I love Barnes bullets, but I can't for the life of me get them to group, consistantly, better than 2 to 3 inches at 100.. I am getting better groups with the TC shockwaves, but am still leary to use them on a bull elk.. Heard alot of stories where they weren't expanding properly and just going through animals like solids. Might try some Noslers or Hornadys next to see what they'll do. Thanks for all the info guys! Keep it coming if you have am suggestions to add.. And yes, they are FINICKY!!!

Ive been climbing in that area of Cali before.. Beautiful country. Great pics, Christian! Looks like a really fun, relaxing trip.

Agreed, bustinknuckles.. I think that the shot isn't going to get out past 100 yards on the hunt, but I sure want the confidence in knowing that should the situation arise, I can pull off a 200 yard shot with ease.. Guess I'll keep messing around with diff powder loads. Probably gonna try and experiment with diff bullet brands as well. So far, Ive tried the TC shockwaves in 2 diff weights, as well as Barnes boattails. I'll send ya a PM about the hunt. Thanks for the info, guys!

I picked mine up from Jay and Cade this past weekend at the NRA convention.. I have been practicing off of it a couple of times already and i must say that I'll NEVER be in the mountains again without it!! I LOVE it!

What type of front loader are you shooting. TC Triumph.. I like the gun so far.. easy to shoot and clean up, and it handles nicely. I'd just like to get it to group more consisantly than it is.. It seems that it will shoot 1 1/2 to 2" groups IF I clean after every shot.. If I shoot the 2nd and third shots with a dirty barrel, they will almost always be 2" low and an inch or so to the left. I'm going to try a cleaner burning loose powder and see if that will tighten things up a bit. I'd like to get a 2" consistant group at 200 with this gun.

Without a doubt... SHOOT. If not for score, I'd shoot this buck in a heartbeat because of the uniqueness. ESPECIALLY with a muzzleloader!

TAM, no goat tag for me this year.. I drew the muzz hunt in unit 27 for bull elk. As far as goats though, I have taken 2 book goats.. one netted 82 even, and the other would have been in the upper 86 area had he not broke.. Even broke though, he still made it with a score of 83 5/8ths. Good luck with them... There are some monsters out there if you can find 'em! Oh yeah, keep us updated!

Thanks guys for the info.. I think I'm gonna go buy all the loose powder gizmos and give it a go..

If the goat was in NM, TX, MT or elsewhere, I'd shoot him without hesitation.. With an AZ tag in my pocket, I'd still pass him up. With an AZ tag, I'd be holding out for a 84" or better buck.

pass

Cool video.. I like seeing those band tailed pigeons! Ive still never hunted them, but I'd like to!