Now that I've had my first taste of Africa I want to go again and this time for Cape Buffalo as a prinary target. This time It was Kudu as the primary target and I was fully willing to go home without one rather than take a mediocre one. My PH came thru for me.....

Now the question is about expectations.....do I have the right to expect a Cape Buffalo that's bosses are totally grown together. Spread isn't that important to me, I just like the massive bosses that seem to be one.

Maybe the better question is: Is it realistic to have that expectation?

I'm not sure where you intend to hunt, but if you go primarily to hunt buffalo you should have no problem. Too many of us get sidetracked with the kid in the candy store disease because most hunting areas are loaded with so many species of game. Stick to your plan and enjoy the Buff. hunt. It will likely be the thrill of your life

Hi,
Hey vapodog, where are you planning on hunting? Different areas present different trophy characteristics...

I think it's very realistic to expect a hard headed bull. I agree with Bryan, if you are just hunting buffalo in an area where the numbers are good you'll have an excellent chance at an old bull. One thing to remember is the bosses never grow all the way together, it may look like it but there is always a little skin in between the horns. You will see this when the skull is boiled and cleaned.

You SHOULD expect a hard bossed bull. If you are hunting buffalo in a good area with a knowledgeable PH, the bosses are the first thing he will evaluate to determine if the bull is a shooter. Extra spread and/or drop are a bonus.

I've seen so many with a full 1/2" gap between the bosses and while I like the trophies, it's just not the bull I'd like to put next to my other African trophies.

What country would be best for this hunt?

I'd agree with JH, but it really all depends on what you want. For example, you can go to a good concession in RSA and (assuming you stipulate this to your outfitter) you can be pretty sure of getting a great trophy, but it will be shot in a fenced area and cost a great deal of money. The reason you can be sure of trophy quality is that the landowner will usually know most his animals individually.

Or you can go to a true wilderness area and hunt truly wild Buffalo where you will have to search for a good Buff. Tanzania for example has some great Buffalo that have all the characteristics that add up to a wonderful trophy. Look for width, bosses, drop and curl.

You might like to take a look at "The Safari Experience" by Craig Boddington..... as usual, he hits the nail right on the head.

You might also like to take a look at my website where I have some great Buffalo deals...... plug plug!!!!

Wherever you go, have a great hunt!

vapodog......even if your bull looks like he is "all boss" he will still have space between the horns when cleaned....anyone you may have seen without the space has been "worked on" by someone.

heck of a learning experience here....I'll ask another question...Is the .375 H&H enough gun for Cape Buffalo?

Frankly it's about all the gun I want to shoot....when I sit at the bench with it I put a sandbag between my shoulder and the gun!!

The 375 with proper bullets is plenty of gun for Cape Buffalo...

Use a good Bridger Flat nose solids, Speer Tungston FN solids, along with 300 or 350 gr. Woodleighs, 270 gr. Northforks, 300 Gr. Noslers, Swifts or Failsafes and you will do fine...

Be sure your solid and your soft shoot to the same or nearly the same POI....If you 375 won't shoot a solid and a soft to the same POI, then I believe I would just use a 300 gr. Failsafe. It will give a good solid a run for the money yet still expands pretty good.

vapodog.....get Kevin Robertson's book The Perfect Shot" as it is without a doubt the best book I've ever read on shooting African game....both what to use and where to place the shot. He likes the 375 H&H for clients because it has enough oomph to do the job and the recoil isn't so bad they have trouble shooting it accurately....he does say that keep the muzzle velocity down in the 2400 to 2450 fps range as it definetly improves penetration and provides a significant reduction in recoil over the 300gr loads doing 2500+ fps.

I think if you read this book and take what he says to heart it will allay your concerns.

DB Bill,
That's absolutely correct. The 300gr loaded to 2400fps are very tolerable. Also a good "decelerator" type recoil pad works wonders. Lastly, vapodog, get off the bench. None of these DG rifles are fun to shoot from a benchrest and we all need practice from hunting positions anyway.
Good luck!
Blacktailer
18 days left!

I agree with Blacktailer. Once you are shooting well off the bench, get off of it and spend time shooting at 50-75 yards from every position. Also, "The Perfect Shot" is a great resource it sure helped me visualize the vital area of the African game I was hunting.