Just like the R93, barrels are interchangeable. One finds a silky-smooth action when working the straight-pull bolt which can accommodate left or right handed shooters. This is a serious hunting handgun but I wanted to see firsthand just how it would perform. An African safari would be the prime opportunity to give this gun a real workout. The test gun I requested came in .308 Winchester. My wife and I planned our vacation around a seven day buffalo/elephant hunt in Zimbabwe followed by a couple of weeks over in Zambia for a variety of game. This hunt would be taken using three handguns, the new S & W 500, along with a T/C Encore and Blaser both chambered in .308. When we arrived in Zimbabwe one of our bags didn't make the trip. Unfortunately it was the bag with all of our ammo. There are several reasons why I hunt with the ..308 Winchester, obviously not for dangerous game, however ammunition can be found almost anywhere. That includes remote hunting camps in Zimbabwe. Even though the ammo they had was 147-grain FMJ, at least I could shoot something if necessary. Two professional hunters in camp had considerable experience with buffalo and elephant culling operations and the .308 Winchester was the cartridge employed. The ammo they used during these missions was FMJ's and it was a lot cheaper than buying 458 Win Mag ammo. All we could do was keep our fingers crossed and hope the other luggage would arrive soon.

The first day we basically took it easy and looked over the area we would be hunting. My wife and I both needed one easy day just to recover from the long plane ride. Late in the evening we spotted a small herd of buffalo, mainly cows. After glassing carefully we noticed one of the animals had a severe limp. Kirk, our professional hunter, came to the conclusion that it had been the victim of a poacher's snare. The animals back foot had swollen severely leaving a pronounced limp, and obvious discomfort. Kirk had been hunting this concession for thirteen years, had exclusive hunting rights and was responible for the game management. He informed me that buffalo would be taken out of the herd, and relieved of the obvious misery. "Do you want to go for this buffalo or do you want me to?", Kirk asked. By loading the Blaser I guess I answered his question. A thirty minute stalk found us about one hundred yards from the herd. We couldn't get any closer. Kirk placed the shooting sticks and told me to shoot right behind the shoulder as to go through both lungs. I couldn't believe a cape buffalo was about to be my first animal with the Blaser! At the shot, buffalo took off everywhere. Our buffalo didn't go far. The bullet passed through both lungs just like Kirk wanted. When I first saw the foot that had been caught in a snare my emotion was somewhere between angry and sick. Poaching is a terrible problem in Africa. It's an unfortunate fact of life there.

Before we left Zimbabwe the Blaser saw more action. Late in the evening not too far from camp, we spotted a Chobe bushbuck. The lone male was coming out of the thick bush to feed as the sun began to disappear. The shot was approximately fifty yards or so and I was forced to shoot offhand. Since our ammunition had arrived, Winchester's Ballistic Supreme fodder in 150-grain variety claimed victory. The Chobe bushbuck is one of the most beautiful spiral-horned antelope in Africa.

Over in Zambia the Blaser continued to impress everyone. Even the different professional hunters we hunted with were astonished how well this handgun performed. While hunting in the Bangweulu Swamps we encountered large herds of black lechwe (letch way).

Mark poses with his black lechwe and one of several animals he took with the Blaser R93 Handgun Hunting System.

After glassing for hours trying to find the "right one", we finally got the opportunity from one hundred and thirty yards. The extra rounds in the magazine were not necessary as one well-placed shot did the trick. The black lechwe can only be found in this part of the world.

Changing areas we bumped into a nice puku, which is about the size of our whitetail deer. The one hundred yard shot was no problem for the Blaser and Winchester ammo, especially when the shooter does his part. I found the gun not only accurate but extremely easy to shoot. The superb trigger makes this possible. Before the safari was finished we hunted several days for a Crawshay's Defassa waterbuck. Late one evening a herd was spotted as they came out of the thick stuff next to a river.

Built on the same action as the Blaser R93 rifles with free-floated interchangeable barrels, the Blaser HHS is available in ten popular calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., 6mm BR, .270 Win., .308 Win., 7mm-08, 7mm Rem., .300 WSM and .375 H&H.

One good bull was keeping company with a dozen females. Our stalk took us within two hundred yards but we just couldn't get any closer. Once a good solid rest was found I had the confidence necessary to make the shot. Winchester's 150-grain offering struck home and my taxidermy bill just got bigger.

Both professional hunters we were hunting with at that time just had to shoot the Blaser. Over the course of the next few days we managed to take impala, bushbuck, kudu, and waterbuck. Shots ranged from 60 to over 200 yards.

Everyone enjoyed shooting the Blaser. It really is a serious hunting handgun. With interchangeable barrel capability you can have a complete battery at your disposal, all using the same system. It's no wonder they call it the "ultimate handgun hunting system!"

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