I am thinking of going on my first buffalo (and some PG) hunt in the summer of 2008. I will be taking a Blaser R93 Attaché chambered in 375 H&H Magnum. I am thinking of having a soft and solid load for the 375 H&H using 300gr Barnes X and 300gr Barnes Solids. Is this a good combo or should I just use the 300gr Barnes X? This is my first time loading for this gun and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like a very good combination to me provided both loads hit about the same place.

Perfect combo.

Pierce,

The 300gr TSX will pentrate and destroy alot of buff...They will penetrate brain and break any bone it hits...
I used 71grs of RL 15 or RL 19...will have to check but shot at 2600fps and real accurate..

Doesn't hurt to take a few solids either same load....

Mike

The barnes "X" and solids have worked very well for me albeit in 416 Rem Mag. I have seen some buff shot with this bullet in 375 and it worked as well as anything in 375 with complete penetration in all but one case. In fact that's the one thing that you must keep in mind when using the "X" bullets in that they penetrate almost as well as a solid.You must be very careful when using the "X" bullet around herds. I would recommend taking 10 or 12 solids along JIC. You won't need them unless you don't have them.

The only way you'll need that solid, is if you are hunting elephant country

What Karl said. And you might also consider 300gr Swift A Frames or 370gr North Forks. jorge

I was told the reason to take some solids is to use on small plains game.

Say you see a duiker or something about the same size you want to take.

I was told to use a .375 solid and you won't blow it up or cut it in half.

That's true and a good idea. I shot hippo, rhino, crocodile AND red duiker and livingston's suni all with solids from my .375 this past August. The solids are what you want for small game to keep from destroying the capes. In addition, my nyala, black backed jackal and common reedbuck were all shot with TBBC's from the .300 WSM and the .270, and there was a big difference in the shape of the capes of those that were shot with the expanding bullets, vs. the two other small animals that were shot with .375 solids.

My dad and I used only the X bullets on our trip in October for buffalo, impala, zebra, and hartebeest and it worked well on all. It performed like a solid on the smaller animals, and only using one type of bullet there was never any confustion.

I questioned our PH at the SCI show last year before going on what to use, and he strongly suggested to just use the X bullet.

I like Barnes solid best but prefer the Swift A-Frame (300 grain) for the soft. JUst my preferance and have had very good luck and given to reason to change bullets. They have shot a very similar group.

I'd suggest you reconsider taking both the Barnes X in softs and solids and in turn just use the Barnes TSX. They will do the trick.

At the advice of my PH, I'll be shooting TBBC's followed by a Sledgehammer...Seems whether you go with the Barnes X, the Swift (A Frame) or the TBBC results seem to be fine...Find a load/bullet that shoots great and you got yourself a load...

Thanks guys for all the advice. This has been a big help.

Personally I wouldn't take the solids. You won't need them on Buffalo. I've done it in the past and twice I ended up shooting the wrong bullet. Once was because I was super rushed putting bullets into the gun and once because hours had past since my last shot and I had forgotten what bullet was next in the magazine. The X will do it all up to buffalo.

Nothing wrong with the 300 but I use the 270. My longest shot and the biggest buffalo was at 225 yards, 3 broadside pass thrus. This was on an aussie water buff which was noticably larger than a cape buff. I've taken 4 buffalo, both water and cape, and only recovered 1 bullet. That was straight head on between the eyes. Recovered the bullet, all petals gone, in the vertebrae directly behind the skull.

The 2 smallest animals I took were an impala and dingo, very little damage to either. I don't think they present enough impact force to really open up and do a lot of damage.

With my Blaser ATTACHE 9.3X62 I use 300grn SWIFT A FRAME softs and WOODLEIGH solids, as does a friend with his Blaser 375H&H.
As the soft Bullet is often used when you do NOT want a "pass through" to minimize the chance of hitting other game. This is why I would not recommend a X bullet as your main soft.
PS, the 270grn X bullet is ideal for using on lone Dugger Boy, But in hunting areas that are full of shitty Ele it is a good idea to have a magazine full of solids..
ozhunter

My Winchester M 70 .375 H&H will shoot 300 gn Barnes TS & barnes solids to exact same point. Will have to go look up load for you.

I shot a buff with a straight frontal chest shot with the X and it was devastating.

Always carried solids for back up shots as recommended by PH and to have for ele.

I considered taking only X's on my trip but my PH talked me out of it. After being there and discussing it further, I see his points clearly.

Premium controlled expansion bullets regardless of the brand is the key to any of our modern rifles. I am no African expert, having just got back from my one and only shooting safari but, I used Swift A Frames, new Remington .375 H&H brass, Federal Gold Medal 215 Magnum Rifle primers, the 300 gr. A Frame, sitting on top of 76.5 grains of IMR 4350. This is about 94% load density. It worked extremely well on plains game as well as my Cape buffalo. I bought and used one round of A Square 300 grain Monolithic Solids. They are an incredible bullet. I did not need it, and with 19 rounds left in the box, I figure it will last a lifetime. If I were (will?) going after elephant then I might have use for the rest of the solids, but then again I might opt for a .458 Lott.

Maybe I should make you a heck of a deal on the solids.

Currently I'm selling some old 375 350 gr. Barnes bullets on Ebay. I tried posting a link in a new thread here on this forum, but II'm guessing in some anti-capitalist scheme my shameless posting of a link to my auction was deemed inappropriate.

Anyway, would anyone have any load data that I can send along with these bullets?

By all means go with the advice given and what suits your rifle. However, an interesting development in South African .375 circles is the move to the 350 and even 380gr bullets. Those that use them swear by them. (Dangerous game, not needed for non-dangerous.)
My observation with softs damaging capes is that it is due to velocity and not size. That is, a .243 will do more damage to a small cape than a .375.

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Originally posted by Karoo:
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My observation with softs damaging capes is that it is due to velocity and not size. That is, a .243 will do more damage to a small cape than a .375.

I wholeheartedly agree. I spined an Impala ram with a .375 H&H 300 gr Barnes Banded Solid and it left a whole you'd have to force the tip of your little finger into.
Dave

In my limited African experience, I've used the 300gr Swift A Frame and 350gr Woodleigh FMJ in my 375 (at moderate velocities) with great results.

I would try working up a load for the 300 grain Northfork.......................................

quote:

Originally posted by Blair D Calvin:
I would try working up a load for the 300 grain Northfork.......................................

Better not let Mr. MacDonald hear you say that!