bigmaxx
.375 member
Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
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Just got back from Zimbabwe today, still unpacking stuff. Got him Ripp! Shot a great old daggaboy. He was old and had seen alot of battles. Then we went down to the Zambezi and got a big bull hippo on one of the islands. A very exciting hunt. Crawled to within a few yards through reeds and stood up to see nothing but unhappy hippo! Saw some huge crocs too. I left the valley and went down to Humani to finish up plains game with a nice kudu bull, wildebeast, zebra, warthog, and some impala. I stayed at Turgwi Camp. Nice place! Met the cheeky elephants there. I will be downloading pics and hope to have some posted soon. Thanks again to all you guys for the great info and advice. The knowledge I gained here made a big difference in the quality of my safari. There is no substitute for assistance from those with first hand experience.
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One day at a time...
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AspenHill
Sponsor
Reged: 08/01/03
Posts: 1528
Loc: Vermont, USA
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Welcome back and glad to hear you had a great hunt. Looking forward to details and photos!
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~Ann
Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.
Aspen Hill Adventures
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JPK
.375 member
Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
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BigMaxx!!!
Congrats and welcome back!
Can't wait to here your story and see your photos!!!
JPK
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ozhunter
.400 member
Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Congrats, good to hear all went well mate.
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Ripp
.577 member
Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
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Quote:
Just got back from Zimbabwe today, still unpacking stuff. Got him Ripp!
*** No doubt that you would---you worked very hard in preparing..and it appears it all payed off...I am very happy for you...what a first safari. 
+++++++++++
Met the cheeky elephants there.
*** As to the Cheeky elephants...is that a rush or what??  IMHO, there really is not a whole lot that compares to that...
Again, glad you are back safe and sound...can't wait to see all the pics..the ones I have seen of your buff are awesome...and by the smile on your face..you were definitely having a great time..congrats...
Ripp
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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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bigmaxx
.375 member
Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
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I am about done downloading pics and saving to discs. After I look at all of them I'll post some and fill in some details. I shot the buffalo and hippo with the .458 lott with great results. The buffalo took three shots. First 500 grain A-Frame hit him frontal. The follow up solid went in beside his tail and was recovered from his throat after passing through the vitals. He ran 40-50 yards fell over and bellowed. I paid the insurance and he was mine. Exciting stuff! The hippo was cool too. One frontal shot with a solid and it was like two tons of bricks hitting the ground with fountains of blood. Gave him a side brain shot for insurance. You were quite right about those elephants. I'm really glad I took the .375 as the light rifle. Kudu, zebra, warthog and impalas all were one shot kills. Wildebeast took three. Tough critter! I can't wait to go back!
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One day at a time...
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Ben
.400 member
Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
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Hey, that sounds awesome, BigMaxx! I'm also lookin' forward to the photos.
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Ripp
.577 member
Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
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Quote:
You were quite right about those elephants. I'm really glad I took the .375 as the light rifle. Kudu, zebra, warthog and impalas all were one shot kills. Wildebeast took three. Tough critter! I can't wait to go back!
Wildebeast are incredibly tough animals for their size or otherwise...
As to the .375 as a light rifle--if someone would have told me that 10 years ago I would have thought they were nuts...BUT, and this is a big But..(not the same as in the Rosie O'Donnel case .)...it really depends where you hunt..have gone on hunts were most of the big 5 were not prevalent ...and the .375 might not have been needed...and then there is the Chewore and similar areas...where it is not unusual to run into lion, elephant, buff and leopard sign, all fresh, in the same day..
The good thing about the .375 is that it is flat enough for most shots in Africa..there may be a strong argument for a flatter gun in the deserts for gemsbok and the like ..but all in all, IMHO, the 375 H&H can truly be one of the best for a "one gun safari"...I like bigger for the Big 5...and will usually use bigger if given the chance --usually the .416, 458 or in the case of a double..470..but would not feel undergunned for any of the big guys with the .375..and will NEVER hunt in an area like that will anything smaller...just makes sense..again, IMHO...
You had a great Safari---and should be very proud... 
Ripp
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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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bigmaxx
.375 member
Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
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Agree 100%. I used the .375 ruger and had no problems. I used 300 grain A-Frames and took 10 Hornady solids for insurance in the bottom of the magazine. A couple of the shots were probably around 200 yards. I consider the .375 ruger a reinvented wheel of sorts, but a good one. I was lucky that my bags and rifle case both showed up. Would never find a .375 ruger round anywhere. I was glad I had the .458 for the dangerous game though. Always use enough gun!
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One day at a time...
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Ripp
.577 member
Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
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Quote:
Agree 100%. I consider the .375 ruger a reinvented wheel of sorts, but a good one.
+++
Curious if the 416 Ruger will appear in 2009--betting that it will--no matter if it doesn't--easy enough to build my own which I fully intend to do---again don't need another .416..but then again..NEED has nothing to do with it..
Ripp
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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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bigmaxx
.375 member
Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
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Yes, I would love to have one as well. I had a Reminton 700 in .416 remington maganum and it was a thumper. I hope to see one out soon. I really want to find a double rifle though. Not alot of them in KY! Not in shops I've found anyway. I might better off staying focused on finding a double rifle.
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One day at a time...
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Ripp
.577 member
Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
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let me know what you want and I will keep an eye out for you...heading to SCI in Jan--usually a good selection there...Hey..why don't you come over and join me..
Ripp
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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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