Congrats on the .700 NE! And thanks for the shooting report. Every time I have stepped up to a bigger big bore, my first experience shooting it has been very similar to your description of the first shots you fired from your new .700 NE.

Just plain nervous, heart pounding excitement! All while trying to stay calm and focused while you press the trigger.

Then relief, when you realize that touching one off is survivable--at least in my case I can say that's true so far!

But, of course, I can't say that about the .700 NE, because, unlike you, I have never shot one!

My maximum so far has been 600 grains of .510" bullet at 2,450 fps. And that is plenty!

BTW, you are going to take it elephant hunting, aren't you? IIRC, the original owner killed a bull elephant with it in Botswana.