http://www.huntingreport.com/trophy_images/large/183.jpg

From the Hunting Report:
Species: Sable
Where Taken: Africa - Zambia
Hunter: Steve Fox
Outfitter: Swanepoel & Scandrol Safaris, PH Doug Scandrol
281-334-7691

53 3/8 x 53 5/8 in length, with 11 1/8 inch bases.

Scored 129 2/8. Expected to rank as the new No. 1 SCI.

That is fantastic! SCI #1 Common Sable is currently 121 3/8 held by Fernando Tovar. Thanks for posting alyeska338, that is a great picture. I hope to take a Sable in the not so distant future. grayghost

What a beautiful trophy!

Looks ALMOST as good as yours, Alyeska! :D

You just have to wonder if some of those huge Zambian Sable are hybrids of the Angolan or Giant Sable. The facial markings show it to be a Common Sable, like the one I took in Zimbabwe, but 53+" on both sides is just incredible. Seems plausible enough to have some of the two interbreed in the western part of Zambia, especially with the fighting in Angola over the past several decades. That could have pushed a few Angolan Sable over to Zambia where they interbred.

That one is just incredible, so long it looks fake.

That fella is going to have a heck of a room to display that monster.

That is something to ponder alyeska338. Cross breeding does occur and in some cases intentional. Hyjinks were the norm in the past on Blesbok/Bontebok crosses. Very likely the top scoring Bontebok in the books are hybreds. Current reg's are strict as they should be but I suspect some of it still goes on. GH, grayghost

Anyone hear any scoop on this Sable at the SCI conventions this year?

I didn't, but wasn't mindful of either. I was concentrating more on the Asian sheep and Mozambique offerings and had forgotten all about this huge sable. Should have remembered.

alyeska, One of my friends Argali horns and cape just arrived at our Taxidermist. It measures just over 55 inches with 12+ inch bases. I haven't seen him to ask him where he hunted. By any chance did you check out the new Ruger Alaskan rifle? It's being offered in their new .375Ruger and I imagine other calibers. From the pics it appears to be a good looking gun. Don't know how accurate the 20" barrel will be, but for close range I guess it should do fine. grayghost

Interesting on the Argali horns. 12" bases sounds thin for some reason, dall sheep horns are typically thicker than 12". Dalls are thinhorn sheep and miniature compared to most of the Asian argalis, especially something with 55" horn length... I would expect at least a couple more inches on the bases for the argali. A nice Dall sheep will have 14" or better bases.

I suspect the Ruger 375 Alaskan rifles are targeted at the guide industry. I don't see the purpose in handicapping that cartridge with a 20" barrel. The rifles have been scarce here. I have seen one of the African models in Anchorage and one box of factory loads. The retailer would only sell the ammunition with the rifle. I suspect Ruger is having a very hard time keeping up with the demand of the African version. Don't know about the short barreled version. I guess it would be a good self defense rifle, but I'd prefer the African version for a hunting rifle myself. Until the supply meets the demand and reloading components are readily available, I'll be a friendly spectator, I suppose. I like the H&H version. I guess I'm a traditionalist.

When the cartridge gets necked down, it might be an interesting round to build a flyweight mountain rifle around, though. Something for those marathon packs into the nastiest "walk-in" only country where bears are thick, but sheep/goats are the hunted.

The Argali horns weren't impressive and I do not know the details as in what locale taken, exact species etc. 'bout made up my mind to buy the .416 Remington and leave it at that. Leaving in late May for Lion and then south to the Eastern Cape for waterfowl, upland birds and PG. PH insists I use his DGR for the Lion. I wanted to use my .300RUM be he says no. Oh well, his .375 will do as I don't plan on buying the .416 until I shoot a few and decide on what brand/model. Good hunting, grayghost