Congratulations ! I booked my first safari about 18 months out, the time really flew by. I will echo what the others said about practicing of sticks and add that in my experience being able to get the shot off quickly was the difference between getting the shot or not. During my practice sessions the goal was to get the shot off within 2 seconds of the rifle settling in the sticks.
Yes, practice, practice, practice!!! I use a bolt action .22 for that. It's cheap to shoot and it doesn't teach me to flinch.
I have a couple bolt .22s and a 17hmr. My son is left handed so won't be quite as effective as practicing with his hunting rifle but will still help getting on the sticks faster
Yes, but if you can afford it, buy him a cheap, used, left-handed model. That way he'll be able to practice another of the important skills - cycling the bolt and getting back on target for a follow up shot.
Congratulations! There is nothing like a FIRST safari. 18 months sounds like a long time but it will fly by.
Wade, check with the outfitter and see how much shooting will be done off of the sticks. On my safari all of my shots except for a couple were from sitting using the sticks as a support. One of my shots, the impala I had to stand just to get above the brush between us and then make your decision on your practice sessions.
Ha! I was 18 months out 10 months ago. Time does not really fly by. Buy some snap caps and do a ton of dry fire practice, off sticks, at home. Great therapy and cheaper than a shrink. (I broke the firing pin on a practice rifle, hence the snap caps).