What would you consider the minimum bullet weight and type for effective cape buffalo killing?

I would recommend something adequate rather than the minimum. The 458 lott is a safe bet.

What cartridge?

I'll go with a 458 Lott.I sent a check out today for my first custom rifle and this is the caliber I chose.I was thinking of going with the 458WinMag and then decided to ask the rifle and action maker for their oppinion.It was between the 416Rigby,458WinMag and the Lott and he suggested the Lott instead of the WinMag.It will be used to hunt buffalo or in case I don't go to Africa it will be used to show off to friends and shoot some caribou.I'll be shooting the 500grain bullet for deep penetration.

A 286gr bullet in the 9,3x74R in a double rifle is as small as I would recommend you go.

That combo is very effective, easy to carry, easy to shoot.

Imo, 286grn 9.3mm.
ozhunter

just what 500 grains said, contrary to some opinions chasing a wounded buff in the bush really isn't fun, that's why its called dangerous

Butch,

You are correct sir! Been there, done that! You know where and when.

For two days, while tracking blood spoor, you could not have driven a 10-penny nail up my butt with a 12-pound sledge hammer.

My problem had nothing to do the bullet itself (400-grain Swift A-Frame in .423 caliber, moving at 2380 fps), and everything to do with bullet placement. It was a high lung shot (we found pieces of lung at the point where he was standing).

I have since read the buffalo can survive a high lung shot. That author will get no argument from me!

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
just what 500 grains said, contrary to some opinions chasing a wounded buff in the bush really isn't fun, that's why its called dangerous

I disagree, I think it's the most fun I've ever had with my cloths on!!

I agree with NE 450 No2, the 286 gr 9.3 is minimum, Would I rather have something larger, YES, but the 9.3X62 Mauser in a bolt, or the 9.3X74R in a double wouldn't worry me unduely, with NORTH FORK CUPS!

AIU,

I don't know if I'd recommend it for a first buffalo hunt but I think the 270 TSX in the 375 would work just fine. I wanted to try it on the smaller buffalo in Cameroon in January but I didn't find a good bull.

Mark

In the 416 calibers the 400 gr bullets that are tough built and 500 in the 458s .The 375 with the 300 gr bullets is ok but might not drop him in his tracks unless its a spine or brain shot .Its the dense brush shots that make no gun too large for buffalo.My taxidermist got one with one shot with a 338 win mag with a 210 gr nosler partition and pole axed him with a straight on shot.They usually does not happen that often though.I like Nosler Partitions,Woodleigh bullets and Swift a frames the best.

Sounds like ~300 grs. or more. Correct.

Correct! And the more, the merrier!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
I don't know if I'd recommend it for a first buffalo hunt but I think the 270 TSX in the 375 would work just fine. ...
Mark

So, did anybody actually shoot this combination (.375 H&H, 270 grs TSX) on Cape Buffalo?? And if yes, how did it work??

- mike

mho,

I remember someone posting that they had used it (270gr TSX) but I have no idea what the name of the thread was.

Mark

I used the Barnes 270gr TS in my 375 H&H to take my Zambian buffalo in 05. The first shot at about 70 yd must have broke his shoulder and may have been a bit high. He ran less than 100 yd and could not follow his two buddies into a dry creek bed. He turned to face us at around 50 yd and I place another one into his shoulder. He turned to run and fell down. He still had his head up but was dieing and my PH told me to shoot him again between his shoulders. I would use the 270gr TS again. They shot less than one inch in my 375.

Killed two Cape Buffalo. Used 300 TSX in 375. First, at probably 40 yards, slightly quartering towards me, hit on point of shoulder or a tad behind, bullet exited and Buff ran fifteen yards and croaked. Second Buff, at about 20 yards, facing directly to me. Hit straight on in the brisket, Buff went to his knees, bounced up, ran about 15 yards and spun around to face me. Hit him again and down he went. Had to put a kill shot in him. Recovered two of the 300 TSX in one of the stomachs, buried in green mulch--they looked like advertisements from Barnes. Not much experience, but for what it is worth, there it is.