I'm off to South Africa Aug. 2. There's a large Tom leopard feeding on local meat up near the Limpopo river, and the outfitter asked me if I wanted to take it. I of course said yes.

Now, here's the interesting part - I'm not taking a rifle. My main artillery will be a 6.5 inch bbl Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum with Hornady 500-gr. soft point ammo. Optics will be a red dot.

The PH called me last week, said he can hold the cat for a while, consequently I've been running like crazy to get ready.

Why so fast? Well, this is a chance to hunt with my revolver which I dearly love to do. I plan on taking other animals like bait animals, bushbuck, warthog and possibly a kudu - all with the S&W.

Here's the question ...

What handgun would you take to Africa if you couldn't take a rifle? Bolt action, 16-inch bbl, single-shot, hand-operated rifles don't count. Got to be a handgun caliber. No one-off .600 Nitro single shot either.

What do you think of my choice? I could take a .44, or a .454, or ... Let's say I have lots of choices, but picked the 500.

And, yes, I can shoot it. Minute of orange at 50 yards off sticks.

I'll be back around Aug. 22. The story should appear in "Dangerous Game Hunting Magazine" within 6 months.