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Post by Ken O'Neill on Nov 25, 2022 16:55:37 GMT -5
Holy cow, 45 Man! From time to time, I like to peruse old issues of "The Sixgunner", and today your old article on taking a Bongo in the C.A.R. rose to the surface. I had completely forgotten that you had taken that magnificent animal! You and Mark Hampton are the only two handgunners I am aware of who have done so, and Mark certainly would not have used a Hot Rod .45 Colt.
So ... after 22 or 23 years, a belated congratulations to you!
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 25, 2022 17:07:01 GMT -5
I recall seeing a picture up at this ranch, and thoroughly impressed. Bongo was one of those Unobtainium bucket list animals I’d always thought were awesome even as a grade schooler.
Trapr
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Post by sixshot on Nov 25, 2022 18:32:18 GMT -5
I'm sure I've seen it before in the old Sixgunner but please show it again Rey! Bongo with a six gun, now that's some rare stuff.
Dick
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Post by 45MAN on Nov 26, 2022 7:14:10 GMT -5
WOW, I THINK I AM BLUSHING, GETTING READY TO GO DEER HUNTING, WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW-UP LATER.
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Post by 45MAN on Nov 27, 2022 14:55:52 GMT -5
IT WAS MARCH OF 2000, I WAS PREPARING FOR A JUNE LEOPARD/PLAINSGAME SAFARI TO ZIMBABWE WHEN A FRENCH FRIEND OF MINE, LAURENT DELAGRANGE, CALLED ME. AT THE TIME LAURENT WAS OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE 10,000 ACRE INDIANHEAD RANCH NEAR DEL RIO, TEXAS. LAURENT HAD A GREAT DEAL ON A 3x2 BONGO HUNT IN MAY IN THE CENTAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ("CAR") WITH WELL KNOWN PH ALAIN LEFOL. ONE OF THE 3 HUNTERS HAD CANCELLED AND THERE WAS AN OPENING. NORMAL PRICE WAS MID 20's PER MAN BUT THE DEAL WAS $15,000 PLUS TROPHY FEES AND TIPS. WHAT AN OPPURTUNITY TO CHASE MY SPIRAL HORN DREAMS AT A HUGE DISCOUNT AND GO WITH MY FRENCH SPEAKING FRIEND TO A FRENCH SPEAKING COUNTRY. BUT TIME AND MONEY WERE AN ISSUE.
AS IF THE GOOD LORD WANTED ME TO GO ON THIS HUNT, SIMULTANEOUSLY I GOT WIND OF A LAWSUIT BY A RURAL ADJOINING LANDOWNER TO SOME PROPERTY I OWNED. A PIPELINE COMPANY HAD STARTED TO LAY A PIPELINE ACROSS HIS PROPERTY AND WERE GOING TO CROSS MY PROPERTY TOO BUT HAD NOT CONDEMNED THE PROPERTIES YET. THE LAWYER FOR THE PIPELINE COMPANY WAS A FRIEND OF MINE AND I CALLED HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT UNLESS I HAD A CHECK FOR $15,000 ON MY DESK THAT AFTERNOON I WAS GOING TO JOIN IN ON THE LAWSUIT. I GOT THE CHECK. IN HINDSIGHT I SHOULD HAVE ASKED FOR $25,000 WHICH WOULD HAVE COVERED AIR FARE, TROPHY FEE AND INCIDENTALS, WITH MONEY TO SPARE.
THEN I DID THE UNTHINKABLE, AND A FIRST FOR ME, I ASKED MY WIFE IF I COULD DO IT, AND SHE GAVE ME THE GREEN LIGHT, SO IN MAY I FLEW TO THE CAR via PARIS. WHEN WE LANDED IN THE CAR AND WENT TO GET OUR LUGGAGE MY REVOLVERS HAD ARRIVED BUT MY AMMO HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM MY LUGGAGE, HOLY CACA, WHERE WAS I EVER GOING TO FIND HEAVY LOADED 45 COLT AMMO IN THE CAR? I WAS REALLY FEELING BAD BUT THE LAST GUY OFF THE PLANE WAS CARRYING A SMALL BOX, IT WAS MY AMMO. HEAVY 454 EQUIVALENT 45 COLT LOADS WITH A 305gr COR-BON FP PENETRATOR AND SOME HEAVY 45 COLT LOADS FOR USE IN A REDHAWK CONVERTED TO 45 COLT BY LINEBAUGH. MY PRIMARY HUNTING REVOLVER WAS AN 8 3/8ths MNP STALKER MODEL 83 WITH THE 45 COLT CYLINDER AND WEARING A B&L 2x28 SCOPE IN A T'SOB. THAT 45 COLT LOAD WAS IN THE 1,6XXfps RANGE.
THE CAR IS ON THE EQUATOR AND IT WAS HOT ANT AND HUMID AND WALKING IN THE JUNGLE WAS EXHAUSTING. WE WOULD DRIVE THE ROADS AND CHECK SALT LICKS LOOKING FOR BONGO TRACKS. WHEN WE FOUND SOMETHING WORTH FOLLOWING THE PYGMIE TRACKERS WOULD DO THE TRACKING, AND, IF WE WERE GETTING CLOSE, THEN THEY WOULD RELEASE SOME LITTLE DOGS THAT WOULD BAY THE BONGO. THE JUNGLE IS SO THICK IF THE BONGO DOESN'T STOP YOU WILL NEVER SEE HIM.
AFTER MANY DAYS OF NOTHING I FINALLY GOT MY CHANCE. EVEN AT ALMOST POINT-BLANK RANGE IT WAS HARD TO SEE THE BONGO. I HIT HIM DEAD CENTER IN THE SHOULDER AND DOWN HE WENT, THEN I WENT UP AND PUT A FINISHER IN HIM. A MAGNIFICENT 30 7/8" BONGO. MARK HAMPTON POSTED A PICTURE OF ME AND THE BONGO @ PAGE 184 IN HIS BOOK "HANDGUNS IN WILD PLACES". I WAS TRYING TO GET A PICTURE POSTED HERE BUT AM HAVING TROUBLE DOING SO.
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Post by jfs on Nov 27, 2022 22:00:58 GMT -5
There are not many who come close to "Mr. 45 Colt" and the amount and different species that Rey Garza has taken with his handguns....
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Post by 45MAN on Nov 28, 2022 7:29:27 GMT -5
There are not many who come close to "Mr. 45 Colt" and the amount and different species that Rey Garza has taken with his handguns.... THANK YOU JAMES |
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Post by wheelguns on Nov 28, 2022 8:59:56 GMT -5
  since I have Mark Hampton’s wonderful book, I figured I would try to post the picture. I don’t know why they are sideways. |
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Post by 45MAN on Nov 28, 2022 12:25:06 GMT -5
wheelguns: MANY THANKS
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Post by bearskinner on Nov 28, 2022 17:52:15 GMT -5
Not only a great hand gun hunter, but a wonderful choice in firearms as well.
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Post by sixshot on Nov 29, 2022 3:30:08 GMT -5
Such an amazing hand gun feat Rey, Yikes! Both you and Mark Hampton have set the pace for sure, great job buddy!
Dick
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Post by Big Bore on Nov 29, 2022 6:42:40 GMT -5
Very cool, Rey!
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Post by dobegrant on Nov 29, 2022 8:51:11 GMT -5
really cool story
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Post by reflex264 on Nov 29, 2022 10:36:54 GMT -5
That is an amazing handgun trophy.  |
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Post by rangersedge on Dec 1, 2022 18:35:19 GMT -5
Rey: There is a horrible condition of dying without having ever really lived. I've read enough of your exploits to know you don't have to ever worry about that. You've done things most of us will only fantasize about.
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