ZAMBIA: Hunt Report Takeri Reserve Zambia

[gillettehunter]

I enjoyed hunting there a few yrs ago. You did very well. Congrats

Bruce

 

[Mekaniks]

Excellent! Outstanding animals

 

[Tanks]

Fantastic. Takeri is the bomb.

 

[Doug3006]

Very fine trophies! Your Puku and 46” Sable are outstanding. The bases on the Sable are enormous. Well done, sir!

 

[AZDAVE]

The Puku and Sable are outstanding. Congratulations on a very successful hunt.

 

[towserthemouser]

The Puku and Sable are outstanding. Congratulations on a very successful hunt.

Thank you!

 

[Nyati]

Congrats on a great hunt and outstanding trophies

 

[towserthemouser]

Congrats on a great hunt and outstanding trophies

Thank you sir!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Very nice results, with some wonderful trophies. Can you tell us a bit about that nice looking rifle?

 

[Firebird]

Thank you for the pictures!

 

[towserthemouser]

Very nice results, with some wonderful trophies. Can you tell us a bit about that nice looking rifle?

Thank you @375 Ruger Fan I appreciate the kind words! The rifle is a circa 1997 (I believe) Rigby Big Game "Best Grade" which was built when they were in Paso Robles, CA in 375 H&H on a Johannsen Mauser Magnum DSB action with Recknagel swing mounts and traditional iron sights. The barrel is 24" with a 1:12 twist. I had read Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa in college, and it cranked my tractor..... When I reached the point in life where I could afford something really nice, and after years of delayed gratification, I ordered it and waited two years for it, while dreaming of the safaris it would enable. I wanted the floor plate engraved with the kudu image from my Green Hills book, and they nailed it.

It has now been on 5 safaris, and has taken a lot of plains game, a leopard, and 2 Cape buffalo. And of course the kudu that started it all for me. It shoots straight when I do. The trigger is flawless. It's heavy and has a straight stock. I've gotten used to carrying the weight (it has a very good custom leather sling, perfectly adjusted for me), and I absolutely do not even feel the recoil when hunting, and only mildly off the bench. It has successfully made a laser-measured 340 yard shot on a big bull eland, a running shot on a wildebeest and a warthog, and stopped (with help from the PH of course) a charging buffalo.

After 28 years the wood is still gorgeous, the bore is clean, the balance is perfect, and the bolt slides like it's on lubricated glass rails. I have tremendous confidence in the rifle, and I think that's by far the most important thing with any rifle; I'm sure most of you would agree.

She went on my first safari, in Namibia. One day the PH had some perfect, juicy peaches for lunch, and that was like a miracle in the Kalahari. I ate two, but soon after had to request an emergency stop, grab the toilet paper roll from the Cruiser glove box and go do my duty on the side of the track, stomach growling. Later that day my PH said, "You've been shooting pretty well and I think it's time that rifle had a name; we're going to call her Perska." I said, "What does that mean?" He gave me a chuckle and a sideways look and said, "It's Afrikaans for Peach." Of course the name stuck, and it's a happy memory every time I pick her up.

She's a keeper. Thank you for asking about her.