Hunting the African Big 5 with Percussion Muzzleloaders (w/ Val Forgett)

Published on June 22, 2026
Duration: 10:38

This video details Val Forgett's pioneering 1973-74 African Big Five hunt using percussion muzzleloaders. He aimed to prove the efficacy of traditional muzzleloaders against modern firearms. Forgett developed a specialized 610-grain flat-nose bullet and utilized 190 grains of Triple F powder in a .58 caliber double-barrel rifle, achieving muzzle energy comparable to a .416 Rigby. The narrative recounts successful hunts of Elephant, Leopard, and Rhino, highlighting the challenges and the effectiveness of his chosen equipment.

Quick Summary

Val Forgett demonstrated the effectiveness of traditional percussion muzzleloaders by hunting Africa's Big Five with a .58 caliber double-barrel rifle. He used a custom 610-grain flat-nose bullet and 190 grains of Triple F powder, achieving muzzle energy comparable to a .416 Rigby, proving these firearms were capable of taking down dangerous game.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction with Val Forgett
  2. 00:19Navy Arms and Val Forgett's Father
  3. 00:33Muzzleloader Enthusiasm and New Markets
  4. 00:51The Concept of Modern Muzzleloaders
  5. 01:04Proving Traditional Muzzleloader Effectiveness
  6. 01:14Hunting the African Big Five
  7. 01:35Ballistics Testing and Custom Bullets
  8. 01:48The .58 Caliber Double Barrel Hunter
  9. 02:06Defining the Big Five Animals
  10. 02:20The Elephant Hunt in Tanzania
  11. 02:47Using Mapani Ash for Wind Direction
  12. 03:05Facing a Charging Elephant
  13. 03:26The Professional Hunter's Calm Demeanor
  14. 03:48The Leopard Hunt Encounter
  15. 04:08Accidental Leopard Discovery
  16. 04:31The Leopard in the Dead Tree
  17. 04:50Val Forgett's Leopard Shot
  18. 05:29The Professional Hunter's Reaction
  19. 05:47The Rhinoceros Hunt with Val's Son
  20. 05:57The "11 Inches" Rule for Rhino Hunting
  21. 06:00Successful Rhino Hunt and Record
  22. 06:11Proving the Muzzleloader Concept
  23. 06:15Conclusion and Memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber muzzleloader did Val Forgett use for his African Big Five hunt?

Val Forgett primarily used a .58 caliber muzzleloader for his African Big Five hunt. He specifically employed a double-barrel rifle in this caliber, which was manufactured by Navy Arms.

What kind of bullet and powder charge did Val Forgett use in his muzzleloader?

Val Forgett developed a custom mold for a 610-grain flat-nose lead bullet. He loaded this with 190 grains of Triple F (FFFg) black powder, achieving significant muzzle energy.

How did Val Forgett prove the effectiveness of traditional muzzleloaders?

Val Forgett proved the effectiveness of traditional muzzleloaders by successfully hunting the African Big Five—Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, and Lion—using percussion muzzleloaders in 1973-74.

What was the muzzle energy of Val Forgett's muzzleloader load compared to modern firearms?

Val Forgett's muzzleloader load, consisting of a 610-grain bullet and 190 grains of Triple F powder in a .58 caliber rifle, achieved muzzle energy equivalent to that of a .416 Rigby, a powerful modern hunting rifle.

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