Tim, I'm glad you are going to make a buff hunt in Zim. It was an awesome experience for me this past May. John is a living legend and I'm sure it will be a great safari. What shooting stick will you be taking? Btw, I sent my 404 off to Leroy Barry at Canyon Creek Custom Stocks for a full on custom stock. He is adding a drop box from Sunny Hill so I can get 4 down and one in the pipe. That will give me some incentive to return to the dark continent (as if I needed any

).
Thanks buddy!
Actually, while John really stresses practicing off sticks (like most every PH), he advises against clients bringing their own sticks.
He wants to use his sticks, that he knows are serviceable and that are like an extension of his and his tracker's hands. That way, no surprises.
I used a Trigger Stick on my PG hunt...but John being decidedly old school, I will have to get a set of sticks (maybe from the good folks at African Sporting Creations) to mimic what I will be using in the bush....so there will be no surprises on my end!!
Those mods on the 404J sound delish! Can't wait to see a pic (in a year or two?).
Tim