All, thanks for the welcome! I have shot off sticks, and took a Bison this winter with them, but plenty more practice is in store. I plan on ordering a set this month and working hard over the next 13 months to get to my expected level of speed and comfort. I am my own harshest critic in terms of shooting, and hold myself to high standards of both speed and accuracy.
Game on the docket: I was intially intending to chase a mix of Cape Buf and PG, but am going to stick with just plains game this trip. I don't want to compromise either hunt, or our follow-on travels in South Africa by rusing any portion of the experience. As for specific animals, here's what I've come up with as my highest interest.
Greater Kudu
Wildebeest (Black)
Gemsbok
Springbok
Impala
I am very open to the "spirit of the hunt" selection however, and intend to work with what the Dark Continent provides and my PH recommends and don't feel at all like I need to check every box to be successful. I am also excited about Blue Wildebeest and Warthog. Quality is everything to me, and taking mature to past-mature animals is the goal. While it would be cool to talk SCI Bronze, that is not what I am about.
Rifles. Standard newby PG dilemna. I have a Sako A7 7mm mag that I shoot exceptionally well and am comfortable with. It shoots 150 TTSX and 160 AccuBonds into under 3/4 minute beyond 600 yards (and yes, I've tested it...) That rifle is definitely going. I'm also, of course, intrigued by a .375 H&H. It would give me quite alot of flexibility and give me an intro into a rifle that I can use for DG if an opportunity comes up, or I change my mind while there. It would allow me to shoot a medium bore to assess whether I feel like I can comfortably handle a .404./.416 down that line... I don't own one, but have looked at quite a few...I am not a fan of the stocks on the CZ 550 series, as they are a bit thick to my hands, and generally, feel that being comfortable with a quality rifle and proficient is more important than buying off on the CRF/PF debate. I have a line on an HS Precision 2000 in .375, but it is substantially pricier than say, a Winchester M70 Alaskan or Safari, or a Sako Kodiak. I would LOVE to hear everyone's thoughts on this.
So excited to be planning this trip, and thrilled to be a part of this community.
