I am gone try and hunt lion this afternoon and tonight, will be using a 9.3x62 with 286 grain bullets, a friend will use my 338 Win with 225 grain Hornadys, that is all I have available, should I let him try with the hornadys or aint it gone work they ago at about 2800 fps
Posts: 931 | Location: Nambia | Registered: 02 June 2000
Tony I wish I had my reloading dies with me to try those 275 Speers or the 250 Hornadys. But like I said I only have 225 grains. That is why I will be using the 9.3 and he will only be shooting when in need
Posts: 931 | Location: Nambia | Registered: 02 June 2000
You'll be fine. That Hornady is MADE for 2700 fps and below. At that speed, it'll smack the lion pretty good and cats are real succeptible to hydrostasis. jorge
Posts: 7149 | Location: Orange Park, Florida. USA | Registered: 22 March 2001
If I could get a broadside shot and slip the bullet into the heart lungs it should work...I would only use that bullet if that is all I had, which seems to be the case...
My pick for Lions is the 300 gr. Woodleigh RN...
Those who flipently suggest the Hornady is just fine for a big male Lion probably have not looked into Leos big yellow eyes, or have noticed how thick muscled he is in front, or consider the necessity of puting another in his backside as he departs with the first shot...poor advise indeed....many a 375 has come apart on Leos front end...
I would suggest that any good Buffalo bullet is what one should use on Lion...Art Alphin is a prime example of this misconception with his infamous "Lion Load"...and it was tougher than the Hornady, and in bigger calibers, and about as prone to failure as any bullet I know of......
Posts: 42230 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Ray your above post clarifies my earlier question of which soft for Lion. I did not want to use a too hard soft point. I am a believer that too soft a bullet can get you in to more trouble than too hard a bullet, which is why I was asking the AR forum for their opinions. I will forgo the 500 Hornadys in the 450 No2 and use 480 Woodleigh SP. [I'll still take a few 500 Swift for buff No2 ] In the 9.3 I will use a Woodleigh 286 SP in the right bbl and a 286 Nosler Partition in the left. That way I will have 2 "good bullets" one with a little bit better penetration if needed. I will even rethink my position on the Hawks for Leopard.
Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002
Sorry Ray, but I have to disagree on the Lion Load being tougher than a Hornady. My uncle who is in his 80s now hunted lion in Mozambique and and Angola in the 60 with a 270 Winchester and 130gr Silvertips. I can't go toe-to-toe with you on Lion hunting, but if that 225gr Hornady will punch clear through the chest and spine of an Laskna Brownie, it will more than suffice for lion. jorge
Posts: 7149 | Location: Orange Park, Florida. USA | Registered: 22 March 2001
jorge, That is something I will never know, becuz cousin I ain't about to find out!! Like I said if you could slip it in his side it would probably work...but that is for you to find out, I resign.
I have seen 225 gr. Hornadys that came apart on elk on two ocassions and that turns me off...They work well in the 338-06 it seems but at lower velocity, so that might be a clue.
Posts: 42230 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000