Welcome aboard gcbailey. Glad you finally decided to "join-up." That is a fine battery of rifles you have planned for your hunt. How about filling in the blanks a little bit by telling us a little more about you as a hunter. Things like what have you hunted in the past, what other firearms you own, do you reload. BTW where will you be hunting, what outfitter have you booked with, how long is your hunt?
That's a fair request Shootist43.Being from Southeast Georgia, I grew up primarily quail, dove, wood duck, and deer hunting. I would turn down most hunting opportunities if it meant going on another quail hunt. There is something about quail hunting with your own dogs that makes everything right in the world. Since joining the military, I have expanded a little into elk, Sand Hill Crane, and antelope hunting. I am looking for an opportunity to take a bison as well.
I own a number of firearms, both tactical and vintage. Tactical rifles don't do much for me. They are accurate and reliable, but lack the soul of a quality hand-built firearm. My dad bought me a Beretta AL390 when I was a teenager and I have been a HUGE Beretta fan ever since. I own quite a few Beretta's to include a Cole Custom 687EELL, DT-10EELL, 427E (sxs), SO5 EELL, and M9 pistol.
In the vintage department, I have a WW1 1911 I got in the CMP lottery, WW2 Luger, 243 Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer, 30-06 Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer, 1898 WJ Jeffery sidelock sidelever 12 gauge (2 1/2 inch), 1924 WJ Jeffery boxlock sidelever 12 gauge (2 1/2 inch), 1900 WJ Jeffery 450/400, and 1927 275 Rigby. I would still love to add a Holland and Holland to my collection some day.
I am a sucker for a good story and have really been fortunate to come across many of the firearms I own. I was TDY to Kansas and went in to a gun store that had a WJ Jeffery sidelock sidelever hanging over the mantle of the fireplace. As soon as I saw it I wanted it and the gun store owner hadn't even thought about selling it as the barrels didn't seem safe (in his opinion). I went out on a limb and bought it, took it to JJ Perodeau who inspected it, freshened it up a little, then it went to Briley to be fitted for a set of 20 gauge tubes. I got it back in time before quail season ended and had a blast seeing such an old gun back on the hunting fields.
I also have a WJ Jeffery boxlock sidelever that was being sold in Ireland. I had never bought overseas and wasn't sure what importation costs would be, but inquired anyway. The gentleman and I talked back and forth a bit, when he abruptly ceased answering emails. I found it a bit rude, but didn't think much else of it. Roughly 4-5 months later, I received an email from his wife, telling me he had died and she was just going through his personal things when she saw my emails. She asked me if I was still interested in the shotgun, as she wanted it to go to someone who would enjoy it. I made her an offer that I felt was fair and reasonable and she accepted. NECG handled the paperwork for me and I received the shotgun in early November 2019. It looked nearly brand new. I don't shoot it as well as my other shotguns, as the stock is a bit short, but I still love it and will take it out on nice days for a little quail hunting as well.
I started reloading WAY too late in life. I had friends who did bulk .223 but I didn't really gain any interest until the double rifle bug hit me. I now reload for most calibers I own- 45 Colt, .223, .308, 450/400, 93x74R, 7mm, and 243.
For the Africa part, I will be hunting June-July with Gunter Bierbaumer, owner and operator of Leadwood African Adventures.
For some that may be interested, I do have a YouTube and Instagram channel where I try and showcase firearms that are somewhat off the beaten path. I have a job that takes up more than all my time, so I am not paid, just something I do for fun.
and Instagram @the_georgia_sportsman.
I just wrapped my 8th PG Hunt in Sept ‘21 & added a Buff Cow to that trip - cool experience!
