I just watched a DVD where a Buff was shot 5 times with a 500 Jeffery with 535gr solids.
The first shot was broad side behind the shoulder, there was no reaction the buff just stood there and the hunter took his time and put a secound round in the shoulder. after the second shot the buff ran off giving the hunter a Texas Heart shot, the buff jst ran off the hunter shot him twice more as he ran away, all without noticable effect.
Is this a normal responce by a Buff that has been shot with a 50 cal DGR. I belive a 500 jeff is the rough equvilant of a 500NE. I was verey suprised to see so little response, I mean he didn't even run at the first shot.
DrB

I'm guessing the first shot was not well placed. No matter what caliber you use, if the first shot is not well placed, you have a buffalo that is high on adrenaline and will be "bullet-proof" for some time thereafter.

You say the shot was a "broad side behind the shoulder", that is your first clue. A true broad-side shot should be placed in line with the the front leg and into the shoulder (about 1/3 the way up the body). The heart of a buffalo (on a broad-side shot) is covered by the shoulder. A shot just behind the shoulder will only catch the lungs, if you are lucky.

Miss that shot and then spend two days in the jesse looking for him. That tends to piss off the PH.



Regards,

Terry

P.S.
When watching these shows, concentrate on the shooter. I have seen guys shooting big bores who would jerk their head up just before the shot, or who would have the rifle jump out of their hand. Too many bwanas shooting cannons in my opinion.

Whether one wants to admit to it, it takes a lot of practice and skill to develop a high level of proficiency with a large caliber rifle. I'd rather hunt with a Daniel Boone-type who is carrying a .375 than some Ruark wanna be who is using "enough gun". The rifle does not make the rifleman.

DrB,

Solids will punch holes thru and thru..If he had hit bone you would have seen a ton of reaction...But I believe the new generation of flat nose bullets are the way to go...

Mike

Premium soft bullets are better than solids...at least in waterbuffs.

I have seen a 416 solid going through a 1 ton plus bull like if it was butter with not much killing.

L

DR B,

I have seen that piece of footage as well, if it is the one on that Sullivan film.

And to answer your question yes that is exactly how a buffalo reacts to having solids pumped through the lungs with out hitting bone. Especially after they've been wounded and are adrenalized.

If that shooter would have just moved his aim 12" further forward you'd have seen a violent reaction as the bull would have collapsed in a heap.

BTW, The .500 Jeffery is actually a bit more gun than a .500 NE. It's all about shot placement. However proper bullet construction and horsepower are also part of the formula when applied correctly. I've also had poor results using standard old round nosed solids on buff with body shots. They slip right through with out showing much immediate effect.

It’s all a matter of knowing where to shoot, knowing how to shoot your chosen weapon and holding it all together when the time comes.

It's easy to hit a buff too far back, and M.S. might encourage it, or he may have a client base who are not great field marksmen. And round nose solids do not create a large wound channel.

Have seen a buff go for 12 hrs with a high lung shot too far back (a.375 solid).

Hit correctly a .500 Jeffery is fantastic to watch- the buff rears up - blood pouring out of it nostrils in great gushes and it is all over in a very few yards. Reason why Doctari uses a .505 gibbs.... Big bullet + some hydrostatic shock. Also gave up using solids on buff in 1985.

I agree Ganyana. I have not shot one with my 500 but the film of Nickudu shooting 2 buff with his is VERY impressive.

MLindsay
Where can I get a copy of Nickudu shooting his Buff with the Jeff
Thanks
Dr B

Dr. B it was not with a Jeff, I believe it was a 505 but I could be wrong. All I know it was the most impressive kill with a shoulder shot I have ever seen. They both were INSTANTLY very sick!! He will chime in soon and let you know.

I used a 500 Jeffrey as a back up rifle last season and did not find it that impressive. I just used it with 535 grain Woodleigh solids. It did not penetrate on fleeing buffalo as well as the 450 Ackley or even the 9.3x74R. Didn't get up into the chest cavity on shots from the rear. But then this is not the first shot from the side.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Addenda;

Ganyana mentions the shot where the blood immediately gushes out the nose. That's the best possible sign you can see, better than hearing a death bellow. It means the buff is for sure cooked.

But you can sometimes get that reaction with a 375H&H with solids. You don't need a 500 Jeffrey to get the bunny hop and the gush.

Its from shot placement but I am not quite sure where the bullet is hitting. I have looked and certainly center of the lugs is much of it but there may be more to it such as top of heart or catching the big vein along the underside of the spine. Not sure.

VBR,

Ted Gorsline

That's interesting Ted, were you using homeloads or factory loads?

I've used one for about the last 4 or 5 years and love it to bits. I've used a selection of bullets including the Stewart Lion Load, Woodleigh SP & PSP and various mono solids and they've all done pretty well.

I took an offcentre texas heart shot at a running (wounded) Buff with a Woodleigh PSP and it penetrated to the front of the chest cavity. Shot two more (mono solids) through saplings and into the Buff and both went over as if struck by lightning....

All were home loads using South African powder.

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:

Have seen a buff go for 12 hrs with a high lung shot too far back (a.375 solid).

Also gave up using solids on buff in 1985.

It seems more and more hunters are coming over to this way of thinking - the use of controlled expansion bullets do provide bigger wound channels and they severe the surrounding tissue/arteries better as oppossed to a RN smooth solid bullet that just glides through.

Chris

Dear Shakiri,

I was using Wolfgang Rommey factory loads. Its not that the 500 Jeffrey is not a good calibre. It is.

But I prefer straight line penetration above anything else because most of the buffalo I shoot are fleeing.

What struck me was me shooting at a fleeing buff with the 500 Jeffrey and a client shooting the same buffalo with the 9.3x74R and 300 grain Barnes solids.

It was about 100 yards going straight away fast. I hit the left ham and he hit the right and both hits were at about the same place.

My solid did not reach the chest cavity. It swerved and went up into the back. His solid went through to the front of the chest and killed the buff.

Soft nosed bullet are really only designed to make a big hole in the lungs. That is where they offer an advantage. But for any odd angle shot a solid is better.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Ted,

Interesting...... I note it was a Woodleigh solid which is FMJ.....do you know if there was any distortion? - When I use solids, (which is most of the time nowadays) I make it a rule to use mono solids.

I also don't know what load WR use.

either way, I've never had cause to be disappointed in my .500.

I've just got some FN mono solids from GS custom and am looking forward to trying them out........

Dear Shakiri,

It was a Woodleigh 535 grain solid and it did not distort. The boys cut it out and I looked at it. It may have veered upwards into the back and got stopped by the rubbery skin.

Joe O'Bannon, who hunts for Miombo, has a constant problem with Woodleigh solids veering off course in his 470s. I think it must be the shape of the nose. But on the whole I like them.

I will probably use the 500 Jeffrey again this year. One season is not enough of a test. I tried the 460 Weatherby out two years ago also for fun and it seemed to penetrate very well.

Mostly I have used a 450 Ackley under all conditions and I like it alot but even it doesn't always get into the chest from the rear.

I see these neat little diagrams about hitting them above the tail but find it seldom happens.

The 375 H&H with solids might be the ideal rifle for buffalo running away but they don't always run away and when they come, as I keep repeating, I like a bullet that will keep penetrating (not deform)and still hit the spine if you miss the brain.

I had this happen on a charging buff. I hit him on top of the nose but the bullet went under the brain. But down he went anyway.

I have never had an A-Square monolithic solid deform in the 450 Ackley and I have used more than 1,000 of them.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Ted,

It's always interesting to hear about other people's experiences - thanks.

Maybe you should try some of the Stewart, Sabi or GS Custon mono solids to compare with the Woodleigh. All are different profiles but all have worked well for me.

Let me know if you need any help in getting them to you - I'd be happy to help if I can.....might even be able to meet up with you in TZ and give them to you over a beer......

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

I've just got some FN mono solids from GS custom and am looking forward to trying them out........

You will find that was the best decision you have ever made concerning your .500 Jeffery.

I've gotta say they look really nice - I was a bit concerned when I first saw them that they might not feed very well but I loaded a few up and they go through the rifle like butter.....

You will find that was the best decision you have ever made concerning your .500 Jeffery.

Maybe, other than buying such a fine weapon in the first place.

Dear Shakiri,

Are you based in Arusha or Dar es Salaam? A beer is always a good idea.

VBR,

Ted Gorsline

Ted,

I actually live in RSA - but pass through both Dar & Arusha from time to time.

If you did want some bullets you could have them sent here and I could then bring them out to Tz for you - might save them getting "lost" en route......