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Beautiful pictures. Where were you hunting?

AIU, that is a very nice "bag". You will have to go back for a Nyalla though

Von Gruff.

Looks like one hell of a safari!!!

Congrats!!!

Very nice photography on some great trophies! Congrats!!!

Thanks for the nice comments guys. All are South African.

The gun is a .375 H&H AI.

My PH said all will make SCI minimum for the record book - we'll see after the 60 day drying period.

I get the trophies in ~8 mos.. Most are pedestal or european mounts.

Regards, AIU

Congratulations! Beautiful Trophies. Please elaborate on the bullets used and load.

Great hunt!!....that Eland looks like a high scorer.
Bob

I'm a novice at SCI scoring of African animals, but I believe I had a no bullshit PH, who provided the info. I realize there must be a tendency to exaggerate to generate "happy" hunters, thus I'm interested in how much they shrink following the 60 day drying perioid. I've asked that all be "officially" scored.

Nonetheless, from what I can remember, the Eland was right at 40" with larger "ridges" than expected - he's a young bull and his horns had not yet worn down with age. The Buffalo was measured to be over 115 total points scored with 100 minimum to make the SCI book. I'm told the overall combination of length, bosses, curl, and deep drop were an exceptional combination - essentially no weaknesses. The Impala was considered "huge" for the area, but I don't remember the length and circumference. The Gemsbuck, Sable, Springbuck, and Kudu were each heavy and long (Kudu wide and beautiful as well) again (I'm told) surpassing minimum scores for making the SCI book, as were the two Wildebeests.

I used Failsafe 300 gr. bullets in a .375 H&H AI. 89 grs of N204 with a 26.5" Lilja barrel, Oehler 35P chronographed at 2875 fps. Swarovski 2-12 Z6 scope. Rem 700 action with Sako style extractor.

The Buffalo dropped with one shot thru the brisket, hit while he faced me at ~125 yds. Bullet went right thru the heart and was found in his stomach contents. All other kills were one-shot kills thru the chest (often at angles facing away or toward me), except the Black Wildebeest, which took two shots, the second thru the brain. Only recovered one bullet, that from the Buffalo, looked like a cylinder with 80% weight retention. All other bullets went clear thru, even thru the skin on the far side.

I was extremely lucky to get one of the best and hardest working PHs in South Africa. He was very, very picky about getting trophies. For example, we picked over nearly 20 mature (they all looked BIG to me) Buffalo bulls before he saw one he wanted to shoot. I'v forgotten how many Kudu bulls we saw before he saw one he liked, indeed same picky approach for all the animals except the Impala. When we saw the Impala, he said shoot this one, it doesn't get better in this area. I did what I was told to do and it paid off!

Regards, AIU

What caliber is that?

.375 H&H AI = .375 H&H Ackley Improved, which is essentially identical to the .375 Weatherby. This is enough gun for Africa, and can be used on everything from Steinbuck at 400 yds to Elephants at 10 yds. My PH was impressed with how "hard it hit." He also loves Failsafe bullets, although they are not made anymore. Too bad! They're premium bullets with fairly high BCs. Also, the most accurate bullet in my gun.

Outstanding. What a great bag.

Congratulations on your fine trophies. Who was your outfitter and PH?

I prefer trophy photos in which the background is slightly out of focus, much like portraits; it brings the attention to the subject. Good job, bravo to the photographer.

Beautiful trophies and photos!

Thanks for sharing, awesome!

Who was your PH and where in South Africa did you hunt? Great trophies and pics!

An awesome bag! Great photography of your kills!

WOW!! What a trip. Much congratulations.

I would love to be able to hunt & take any of those!

Was the buffalo a "put & take" situation? Just curious & would like to know.

Congratulations on the great trophies and thanks for sharing.

very nice. i am jealous about the sable.

Superb and well-photographed. What camera equipment do you use?

Regards

Why wait 60 days, none of your trophies are Top 10, only top 10 animals have to go through a drying out period. Let them be measured right now by a Official measurer.

quote:

Originally posted by spear:
Why wait 60 days, none of your trophies are Top 10, only top 10 animals have to go through a drying out period. Let them be measured right now by a Official measurer.

As far as I know, ANY trophy being lodged for recording purposes, top 10 or not, is required to "sit" for 60 days prior to confirming the measurements.
In addition, trophies falling into the Top 10 category can only be certified by a Master Measurer - Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Nice photos-thanks!

Just got the OFFICIAL SCI SCORES for the beasts in the photos - ALL exceded SCI minimums for each species and will be published in the next SCI Record Book - Africa edition. Regards, AIU

Good to see the PH (I presume) can set your trophies up for some good photos.

You have set yourself some goals and this often makes for better hunting.

Congratulations! Nicely done!

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Just got the OFFICIAL SCI SCORES for the beasts in the photos - ALL exceded SCI minimums for each species and will be published in the next SCI Record Book - Africa edition. Regards, AIU

Congratulations!! While the details of the firearm and ammo have been laid out, what about the photography part?

What camera and lens? What settings or EXIF info can you provide? The DOF and exposure was captured perfectly in these photos. Sharpness is very good too!

My guess is Wintershoek with either Wiaan or Johnny Viviers?

If not very close to there. I know those rocks, red sand and grassy plains well enough!

Great trophies Sir

Very nice trophies, congrats!

As stated by spear, the only SCI requirement for a drying period is for a potential Top 10 trophy, and it must be measured by an SCI Master Measurer. All other animals may be field measured by an SCI Official Measurer for record book entry without any drying period.

fujotupu, you are incorrect in your understanding of SCI measuring.

I am both a SCI & Rowland Ward Official Measurer.