My wife and I returned recently from two weeks in South Africa ,hunt/touring with CT Safaris,Sabina and Chris Troskie.It was our third trip to Africa all with the Troskies,went previously in 2013 and 2016.CT is based out of Lephalale,Limpopo province. We flew UAL from the states,had six different flights,one left on time.Just barely made two connections but bags made it ,many horror stories from others.Overnighted with Africa Sky they also did meet greet and gun permits,great folks.Anyone returning through Newark NJ should have at least two hours,three even better. Tour of Cape Town,wineries,warf, museums took up first four days.Very glad we took the time and enjoyed very much. Hunt started with crocodile that was located in small waterhole not far from Mogol river. The croc moved toward the bank as day warmed and the shot was taken from 75 yds. we had our first animal.Rifle used was a later Win. 70 Classic (crf) that was originally a .338 Win. Mag.,this rifle was a very finicky shooter. The barrel was cut to 24" sent to JES and rebored to .375,it is now an moa rifle if I do my part.Load used was Hornady brass,F215,Barnes 270 gr. TSX and dose of Ramshot Big Game for very consistant 2600fps.Recovered bullets weighed 265 gr. and were classic mushroom. Next was buffalo.We were hunting a mostly solitary old bull that had killed two bulls by fighting,time for him to go!A likely track was found leading from a waterhole,the track was followed up and sure enough found our suspect with other bulls.Got into position on the sticks from about 50 yds,I had a double in .450NE with 480gr. Hornady bonded softs,Chris had his CZ .458 Lott with 550gr. Rinos.The bull finally stood after a couple minutes and offered a quartering too shot with right side exposed.The sight picture looked good at the shot,Chris shot as the bull did not react as wanted.Waited ten minutes, not much blood,followed up and found the bull on his feet in some brush at 100 yds.Shot again bull took off and loosed the dogs as there now was better blood.The dogs chased quickly and had the bull bayed up several hundred yards ahead,the fight was coming.Ran forward and one of trackers yelled there he is and he's coming.Sure enough, the bull broke cover at fifteen yards slightly favoring a foreleg but had plenty of steam left.Both shot immediately to little affect,Chris was working on jacking in another round,but the left barrel of the double put an end to the encounter with a spine shot.The bull skidded,rolled to a stop at eight yards,a couple of insurance shots calmed the beast and he was a beast. Well over 1500 lb. and measured 39.5",I think a dugga boy in most peoples book.The Hornady softs were mangled but retained about 60% weight. Took next day off for jangled nerves,finished with 39.5" sable that turned out to be beautiful but very strong animal.An nyala finsihed the hunt as It turned out to be a very memorable adventure. Very much appreciate the fine efforts from Sabina,Chris,trackers Samson,Josias and Clive.Hope to share another camp with them again!
