Gear Test: Kalahari Standouts

posted on July 20, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Top: Leupold’s VX-6HD 3-18X riflescope

Distinguished by high daytime temperatures and rolling dunes of sugar-fine red sand, the southern portion of the Kalahari Desert in South Africa’s Northern Cape is home to a diverse population of African plains game, and offers hunters, and their gear, a unique challenge. I had the opportunity to hunt with Chapungu-Kambako Safaris out of its Kalahari Oryx lodge in order to push the limits of Hornady’s 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge and to help beta test the company’s forthcoming (at writing) Doppler-data-powered 4DOF ballistic app. While those topics will be covered in upcoming feature articles, it’s only right to highlight some of the gear that made the whole trip an overwhelming success.

The Kalahari’s dunes are a double-edged sword in that they easily conceal nearby animals within their folds, but they can also be scaled to serve as observation points over vast expanses of terrain. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor is a cartridge that excels in the wide-open, but a good optic makes all the difference for accurate shooting at extended range. Leupold’s VX-6HD 3-18X 44 mm scope proved to be ideally suited to the task, though, if I’m honest, I can’t think of a situation where this scope would not excel, save close-range encounters with dangerous game ($2,209). Featuring excellent glass, precise adjustments and the rugged construction Leupold is famous for, the VX-6HD also possessed plenty of magnification—game was taken at more than 500 yds., and app testing included the use of a field-expedient 680-yd. range—and the illuminated T-MOA reticle came in handy on dark-colored targets, and for making wind and elevation holds. Make no mistake, the scope not only survived and retained its zero during the trans-Atlantic flight and rough handling en route to the lodge, it remained true throughout a week’s worth of dialing up and zeroing out, shot after shot, not to mention being bucked around in the Land Cruiser’s gun rack for hours each day. I came away truly in awe of this American-made riflescope.

As well as the gun, scope and ammunition performed, the red sand could easy have fouled the works if not for proper care and protection. For some perspective, as I write this I’ve been home for more than a week and I’m still trying to clean the grit out of my sunglasses. Thankfully I came prepared with Sentry’s Armadillo long gun cover ($50). Constructed from stretchable, water-resistant material, and adjustable via an integral bungee cord, the Armadillo covered my scoped rifle from buttstock to muzzle, could be used even when the gun was slung on my shoulder, and successfully repelled the notorious Kalahari red sand, and the far-less-known and, frankly, somewhat baffling Kalahari downpour—unbelievably, we got drenched in the desert on our last hunting day, but the gun and scope remained dry.
Sentry’s Armadillo long gun cover
5.11’s Apex short contributed to the author’s success.
Finally, despite several days with temperatures in excess of 100° F, I remained relatively comfortable and well-equipped thanks to the Apex Shorts from 5.11 Tactical ($70). Light, breathable and durable, the shorts provided a level of on-board organization I was not previously accustomed to. Most useful to me were the zippered cargo pockets, which featured internal pouches that, though sized for AR-15 magazines, perfectly stored and secured my cell phone, Kestrel weather gauge, Leupold rangefinder and a small notebook. Traditional cargo pockets would have made a mess of things, particularly during one memorable running stalk that covered nearly a mile. I was satisfied and impressed after the chase when I realized that all my gear was still in place and had not been banging around, hindering my pursuit.

See more of these products in this NRA Gun Gear of the Week video.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.