Customised factory Weatherbury, .460 Weatherbury

Buffalo shot at 60 yards, broadside through the shoulder. Bullet recovered under the skin on opposite shoulder, full weight retention. Buffalo was knocked down and a further 2 shots were taken to finish off with solids that passed though the buffalo broadside.

This was my third hunting trip in three years to Southern Africa and the second one in Zimbabwe with Alan Shearing as the PH. That fact alone should let you know how much I enjoy his personality, skills and trackers. On my first hunt in Chizarira, Alan made my wife and I so much at ease doing something so new and foreign to us- it was a most memorable hunt. Alan earned the nickname "The Machine" as we never saw him drink water, break a sweat or need a break while hunting. I certainly needed a break so often that I am sure that this slowed his team's methodical style- I was most ill prepared for the heat and those hills. We did get the oldest bull around as I had requested. The plains game hunting afterwards was also excellent and we got to meet and know Alan's lovely wife Rosy, who we continue to stay in touch with at least weekly emails- they are a great team as well.
On this hunt in Chirisa, I was better prepared with Alan and his team of trackers, Taka, Baschopi and Wisdom in their usual fine form. I love buffalo hunting and I marvel at the team effort put out by the entire team- they function incredibly well and rarely have to converse in the field. They know each other that well and move as one. This hunt was almost leisurely as it was cooler, I was in better shape and those rocky hills were miles away. The last hour or so of the hunt was incredible! I do and have done many exciting activities but I had never had a "cold sweat" in my life until now. We were in between the main herd and 4-5 bulls that were paralelling the herd, moving only when they did, through some of the thickest "jesse" that I had ever seen. We could hear them but could not see them. I had a 500 gr SP in the chamber and finger on the trigger guard, thumb on the safety for the entire time- cold sweat running down my back and Alan was focused and dry.

Alan led, I followed- I trusted his skills and judgement implicitly. It was as intense a situation that I have been in (until I nearly drowned going down the Zambezi, through Patella's Gap). We made our way through the thorns until we approached the edge of a small clearing just as the bulls appeared, almost perfectly broadside as well. Alan quickly glassed them, set the sticks and told me to take the second one from the left. I placed the crosshairs on his center left shoulder and dropped him at about 40 meters. With two broken shoulders, he got up, pivoted around to face me, dug in his back hooves and tried to charge. I finished him off with a heart shot. It was requested of me to give him a final insurance shot and that was done. That buffalo was spectacular! Alan and his team had delivered another quite memorable buffalo hunt. Now, my record with Alan is 3 buffalo with a total of 5 shots- that is putting you on the game. Well done and I look forward to doing it
again with Alan as my PH and his team.

- John H Hall, Jr. "Jack", July 2006