Good, short article Petzal wrote about a subject that gets a lot of U.S. hunting safety "experts" in a tizzy: The Africa Carry

Good article.

LOL one of the reply's to the article:

"I have mentioned before, when I carry my rile in this fashion and squint at the sun I am sure I look like Stewart Granger. What better reason?"

Interesting, didn't know this.

Maybe they wouldn't damage their firearms so much if they carried them like we do.

JR

I would have a hard time trusting a ph that treated his gun that way and didn't know if it would function. Door bolts and epoxy holding it together and breaking stocks that often. Something's not right. Makes me question the authors judgment and knowledge.

It's a strong tradition.

On dangerous game I can see the utility of it. Not a safe carry method but the thinking is the tradeoff of having the rifle immediately available is worth it.

For plains game hunting there's zero reason to do it. Just use a sling. But again, it's tradition.

Never knew I used the Africa Carry with my heavy rifles. I've taken off on many a mile on foot carrying this way. Didn't know it was tradition for African guides.

I also remember Ronnie Barrett intervieweing an Army Sniper asking him what he liked and disliked about the Barrett M82A1 .50 BMG.

The Sniper replied "add a pad under the stock in front of the mag well. We sit the rifle on our shoulders right there. A pad would be more comfortable."

I actually subscribe to and enjoy Field & Stream magazine, but have always considered David Petzal to be sufficiently arrogant and clownish as to be off-putting. As such, I have difficulty taking any of his writing seriously.

As for so-called 'Africa carry', it probably made perfect sense before they had practical slings.

It's a rare PH I've seen use a sling. And they detest especially after the first shot has been fired, the client slinging his rifle back over his shoulder when he's supposed to be at the ready for a follow up shot.

Petzal may be arrogant, but at least he has writing skills, as opposed to the pitiful, member submitted articles in the association magazines. The first and every other sentence has "I" in it. 'Can't get much more arrogant.

Ive never had a chance to go to Africa so have never seen it used. I would have to see a guide get it from his shoulder to the ready to understand it....

Dont really understand the article's point about how bad the rifles are treated - I guess I think like bo323 and would be concerned about a guide who didnt know if his rifle worked perfectly or not.

One consideration we forget living in our great country is that in other parts of the world, even if you have the funds, getting and especially registering another rifle is a major PITA. A lot of places severely limit the number of firearms you can own, even if you do jump through all their hoops.

Petzal might well be a master wordsmith...or maybe he just enjoy the layers upon layers of editorial staff available to polish his every work product. Either way, he gives the appearance of being a blowhard.

To denigrate the member-generated content within an association publication by comparing it to a glossy commercial publication like Field & Stream is like berating your local high school football team because their performance doesn't compare with that of the NFL. It's apples to oranges, really.

Petzal is alright. At least he says what he thinks. That's more than most of them do.

He does have to dance to the tune like all of them do. Watched him shoot a Custom 48 in .26 Nosler. First three shots were about a 3" group. Funny to watch him stammer around and finally say "This rifle is telling me it may need some hand loads to really shine."

You have a point and...I stand corrected. I enjoy Petzal's sense of humor. I understand it's not for everybody. Different strokes.

I used to nearly memorize Petzal's every word. The more I learn, the more I disagree with many of his stances. His rough, grouchy, crumudgeon style is entertaining none-the-less.

Petzal's a hoot.

The writer's a snob.
But he can write.
And frankly, I don't see any issues with the "Africa carry," as the dude puts it. I myself would find it awkward to transition, and love my rifle slung on my right shoulder, but to each his own, I guess.

Good read. Thanks for sharing.