What do you believe is the minimum muzzle energy needed for effective killing of cape buffalo? - also, energy needed at 100 yds.

Energy is not a relevant measure for cartridges to be used for cape buffalo hunting.

AIU,

I could not agree more with Dan on this one. A small caliber rifle shooting a bullet at mega velocity will generate high energy but that does not equal deep penetration and large wound channels that do equal dead buffalo.

Mark

I agree that more factors than energy alone are implicated in any answer to your question.

Also, there is quite often a difference between the legal minimum and what an experienced and able hunter might prefer.

Legal minimums, depending on the African country in question, are:

9.3mm caliber w/ 286 grain bullet @ 2,350 fps = 3500 ft.-lbs. muzzle energy, more or less; or

.375 caliber w/ 270 or 300 grain bullet @ 2,500-2,600 fps = 4000 ft.-lbs muzzle energy, more or less.

The above will do the job, but my preferred minimum is:

.458 caliber w/ 450-500 grain bullet @ 2,150-2,400 fps = 5000-5,800 ft.-lbs. energy, more or less.

So there are legal minimum energy requirements, and for a .375 caliber gun its 4000 ft.#. How did "they" arive at this value?

Enough with the minimum thing now. The answer is there is a legal minimum in almost every country/province...and the rest is acadmic

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
So there are legal minimum energy requirements, and for a .375 caliber gun its 4000 ft.#. How did "they" arive at this value?

Not necessarily. You are misinterpreting what I have said. Some jurisdictions do establish the legal minimum with reference to minimum muzzle energy, but for reasons noted above by Mark, that is a mistake.

Others merely specify bullet diameter, such as .375, but that is also a mistake, given that there are so many cartridges of varying power available in that caliber.

Best, IMO, is to establish a minimum with reference to a specific caliber, based on the historical effectiveness of that caliber on the game in question. An example would be to specify the .375 H&H Magnum in particular.

Alternatively, a minimum bullet diameter AND muzzle energy might be used to qualify newer calibers that have no historical record. I am thinking, for example, of the .375 Ruger, which although new and untried in the field, should be at least the equal of the .375 H&H Magnum.

Of course, the regulations leave it to the discretion of the hunter to choose a proper bullet, and as we all know, that does not always happen. Poor bullet choice can undermine all of the good intended by requiring the use of nothing less than a legal minimum caliber. Some jurisdictions, I believe, do require the use of solids on large, thick-skinned dangerous game, such as elephant, although I may be wrong about that.

But as a rule, dangerous game hunters do not intentionally handicap themselves by choosing underweight or poorly constructed bullets, and although mistakes have been made in that regard, permitting discretion in bullet choice has, in the long run, led hunters to choose bullets that will get the job done.

The above replies to your question are all 100% on the mark. Far more important than any energy calculation is the proven track record of a caliber on dangerous game over the century plus that smokeless powder cartridges have been in use. Reinventing the wheel is unnecessary and definitely lacking in good sense. If you don't have a copy of the AR Africa Book then you can find my chapter on "How Much Gun is Enough?" in the archives here or posted on the Internet Gun Club. All the cartridges discussed have been used by many hunters and their worth is documented. Personally, I like the same thing mrlexma does, a Class III cartridge in .458 or .505. As Craig Boddington puts it "These things numb buffalo" and that is the desired effect. On an undisturbed herd a smaller caliber, say a Class I, is perfectly effective, but when the black bulls get upset you will want all the horsepower you can stand. I know. Been there, done that, got my a$$ pulled out of a sling by a good PH. Carry nothing less than a .375 and only shoot when conditions are perfect. Do not start playing numbers games; they will get you hurt.