It was interesting to see the discussion on the form 4457 because I went to Panama City (FL) to have mine prepared today. The agent advised me exactly what others have pointed out, ie, it is good for life.

The filling out of the 4457 was my Rubicon. I am committed to my 416 Howell and 425 Express for my trip that begins Friday. Sunday will find me in Windhoek, and I will fly north to the Caprivi the 16th for 16 days of elephant hunting.

In some respects, unlike my Tanzanian adventure last year, this was an "on the fly" operation with arrangements for hotels and touring being finalized this last week. I am hunting with Vaughn Fulton as the result of a thread on this board last year. I was impressed and contacted him, and one thing lead to another and I leave Friday. The last installment of my Tanz trip report from last year as presented here last July or August, was published in our local SCI magazine this past week. I re-read my comment therein that if elephant hunting was harder than lion hunting I needed to book one right away. My comment was prophetic because I did!

You would think that after eight trips that I'd have my act together, but the recoil of those 40's must have addled me. I have had a hard time getting my rifles together and set. In fact, last Thursday both rifles were "broken." One was truly broken and the other was not feeding properly. This raises the question of whether larger bore rifles are harder to get to feed than 375's etc.

Savage sent a bolt-head retaining pin (thank you Savage) for my Savage Safari Express, and my gunsmith re-shaped my 98's magazine again and solved its feed problem. I must say that if I had it to do over again, I'd have a 458 Win and a 416 Rem! But then I would not have had all the fun beating my brains out in load development on the 416 Howell and 425 Express, and then getting the solids and soft points to harmonize. Not to mention weight loss from the 100+degree heat at the range.

The regulations on 5Kg or 11 pounds of ammo are a real limitation when there is only one of you, you have two guns and ten cartridges for those rifles weigh a pound! I finally ended up with 75 rounds split between the two rifles. For the iron-sighted 98 (416), I packed 30 rounds of 400gr Partitions and 10 rounds of Dead Tough Solids; and for the 425 Savage I packed 17 old 400 gr Barnes solids and old 18 350 gr Barnes X. With the plastic boxes and the required "locked" box, the total weight was 10 pounds and 12 ounces.

Double packing was necessary to meet the weight limitations inside Namibia which is 40 pounds; therefore, you put your ammo (in small boxes) in the gun box which they allow, and shift 9pounds and 8 ounces, the ammo less the weight of the locked box. What a hodge-podge of regulations!

By the way, I got my first moving violation ticket in about 10 years (68 in a 55) going to Panama City for the Form 4457. (The FHP is a class act. The trooper gave me a ticket, and I still think he's a nice guy. Unfortunately, it adds one more thing to do before I leave!!!) I know that some functions have been moved around in the name of Homeland Security, but what is so "port" related about this form that prevents any Treasury Office or for that matter federal governmental office from executing it? While the young man who prepared mine dutifully looked at the items and check the serial numbers, last year they never left my truck.

Kudos: I had great service from Debbie at Gracy Travel. I am flying Lufthansa to Frankfurt from ATL and then on to Windhoek all booked thru Gracy. Silvi, Vaughn's number 1, was very helpful in answering questions and making arrangements in Windhoek at Safari Court. Handelene at the Hotel Eberwein in Swakopmund was a terrific help in reserving a room there and setting up a coastal tour and two days of fishing. (I did not realize I am arriving during the German holiday season and everything, cars, rooms, etc. is heavily booked.) Last, the staff at the Leon County Health Department who checked my shot records so thoroughly that I ended up having Hep A again in addition to Hep B, plus the polio vacine.

Please hold a good thought for my family and me while I am away, and I'll let you know how things were when I get back in early September. I'll also write up some of the interesting challenges I encountered with the 416 Howell and 425 Express in load development and hopefully let you know how some of these loads performed. Kudude

Have a great trip and a wonderful hunt!

I'm predicting a 66# bull! Will that do?

Have a great trip and good luck on a big bull. I know Vaughan will take care of you.

Remember -- lots of pictures are required!

Wishing you the best Kudude. I hope you have the safari of your dreams!

Have a safe trip, keep your powder dry and take lots of photos.

Regards,

Terry

Kudude; Looking forward to a "personal" debrief as I pass through Tallahassee on my weekend commutes! The very best of luck to you. jorge

Good luck, Godspeed and shoot straight! I hope you get the bull of your dreams.

Wish you Safe and pleasant travels and a most successful hunt possible!

Kudude,

Have a good hunt I am sure it will be exciting. Have a few extra Euros available as I was able to buy a business upgrade from Frankfurt to Windhoek for 350. That was in June but maybe some seats will still be available even in high German tourist season.

Have fun

BigB

At night look up at the southern cross and raise a glass to those of us who have to live vicariously through your trip report.

Shoot straight and enjoy.

TerryR