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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Do I need a solid load for a Buff hunt with my 375 H&H?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I'm getting ready to book a Buff hunt for next year and wonder if I need a solid load? My gun loves the 300 grain TSX and will put three of them into a quarter at 100 yards. So far with four different 300 grain solids I cannot get a load that will shoot near point of impact of my TSX load. (Nor group as well.) Should I try the 270 grain Barnes solids or just shoot the 300 grain TSX for everything? Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | ||
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I'm going to use the 300 grain TSX on buffalo with my PH's blessing. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Frank Not sure of what you tried but i had great success with the TSX and Barnes banded solids. both in 300 grains. In my gun they would print within 1/2" out to a 100 yards. | |||
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Yes, you can do with the TSX. Almost any premium bonded bullet will work on Buff. The only issue is a going away follow-up shot where the bullet needs to penetrate the Buff lengthwise, passing through the rumen. Mike ______________ DSC DRSS (again) SCI Life NRA Life Sables Life Mzuri IPHA "To be a Marine is enough." | |||
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I have not yet gotten a solid for my 375 either but Larry over at Superior says the TSX and Barnes solid works well. Thats where I will start when I have him make me a batch. | |||
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I would ask your PH even if you have to go through the office staff of the safari company you are going to hunt with. My PH insisted on solids even though my help from the booking agent/ safari company said I wouldn't need solids. Check with the company you intend to hunt with, not necessarily who you book with. The only easy day is yesterday! | |||
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Frank, a TSX is the next best thing to a solid anyway, but it would probably be a good idea to use a solid on secondary shots. Just remember, your first shot is your precise, aimed shot. The rest are shots usually offhand at a running Buff anyway, so whether is shoots a 1/2" off the bench or 3", it won't matter as much...you're just trying to create additional damage. | |||
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This is what Ganyana says about softs for Buffalo. http://forums.accuratereloadin...=283107635#283107635 Here is another thread. http://forums.accuratereloadin...=644104068#644104068 I read another one where he talks about a solid through the heart of a Buffalo & how the wound closed up with each heart beat! That buffalo lived for more than 30 minutes after the heart shot!! I think he wrote an article about it in Rifle magazine as well IIRC. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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I'd certainly think a solid load would be appropriate to have along for other game than buffalo. I blew up a klipspringer quite badly with an expanding bullet. The next trip and the next time I had an opportunity to take one I used a solid and he just tipped over with no ill effects. | |||
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I would load 1 TSX followed by all solids. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Kinda depends on where you will be hunting Buff and the conditions you can expect to encounter. Buff in the delta areas of Mozambique are found in large herds and solids were not allowed by the PH's there. This would also apply on follow up shots where other animals were in close quarters of the primary. A single or small bachelor groups of dugga boys would be fine with the solid factor I would expect. I have found the Barnes 300gr TSX and the Barnes 300 gr. banded solid will print very close POI with most rifles. My 375 and 9.3 X 62 both print these two combinations within a one inch difference at a 100 yds. Give these two a try for yourself. Larry Sellers SCI Life Member | |||
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Heeeeck yes! Especially if you are going into elephant territory! | |||
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Performance wise a TSX has very little in common with the cup and core "softs" that have been traditionally backed by a magazine full of solids for use on buffalo. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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I would have at least 10 Solids. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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There may not be enough data for it to matter much, but I understand Northfork bullets asks its purchasers to respond with field results. Maybe they have some stats on the Cup Point Solids which would seem to be the closest to an "expanding" solid. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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Have at least 10 solids as the man says. On my last buffalo hunt we split a herd of about 150. Sixteen including the bull we wanted moved left. The rest of the herd went right. We moved in slowly to drive a wedge between the two groups. The sixteen kept trying to move back towards the main body. The PH whispered that he wanted me ready to pull the trigger when the bull stepped into a small opening in the brush. He said he would whistle in an attempt to stop him. He set the sticks and I got on them. The buffalo fed through the brush as if on queue. As the bull got within about fifty yards of the opening, the PH leaned-in and asked what I had in the chamber. I whispered back, "a softpoint, with solids down". He whispered back to slide the bolt back slowly, he wanted a solid due to a thin brush screen blocking some of the opening we expected the bull to step into, and because the sixteen had gotten strung-out, with the bull moving alone. I worked the bolt back quietly and he picked the softpoint off the top. I racked a solid down the pipe. The bull eventually moved into the opening, the PH whistled, the bull stopped and stared at us, the solid hit him right behind the shoulder, he spun left and started gaining steam. I spined him on the run with another solid and the ball game was over. How smart would you have felt if your PH whispered that to you, and you had to tell him, "sorry, my solids are in Bakersfield, California? | |||
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Yes. Soft first, then solids for buff. Solids for the smaller stuff too, as mentioned by others. And as Wemmer says, solids in ele territory. Easy to eject the soft if needed. JPK  Free 500grains | |||
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With the same powder charge as my TSX load the 300 grain Barnes banded solids land in a 2+ inch group 4" low and 3" right of the TSX group. I'm going to have to play with different powders, etc. to see if I can get the solids close. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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Agree with JPK. Solids are great for running away or quartering shots, but your PH will ultimately make the decision and most would want you to put a soft through the lungs on a Buffalo as your first shot. I once shot a bull through the lungs with a solid and the bullet hit another (hidden behind) in the leg. This one charged whilst following up the first in thick mopani. I did not realise what I had done at that point and fortunately for me the second animal ran straight into a fallen tree, one of my shots went straight through the tree and hit the Buffalo in the chest. Bad shooting on my part but illustrates how important solids can be. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Have you tried dropping down a grain or two of the same powder? I've had to do that on a three rifles to get the TSX and Banded Solids to line up. Since "in the heat of battle" most folks tend to shoot high, the solids shooting a bit low hasn't bothered me much. "There always seems to be a big market for making the clear, complex." | |||
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Fjold, Didn't anyone tell you this was normal for left handers to have this difference between softs and solids? Just another way for right handers to get back at us...like the difference with scissors.  .395 Family Member DRSS, po' boy member Political correctness is nothing but liberal enforced censorship | |||
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Try the Barnes banded solids. I had good luck with them. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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That's also my experience. And they don't come out at the same velocity, but if they line up, who cares? _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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If you believe the posters in the big game forum, the Barnes solid copper bullets pencil through their game animals just like solids. | |||
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If I had to use a .375 for buffalo, I would have no problem using TSX bullets for all my shooting. They do more damage than solids and penetrate nearly as well - plenty enough for buffalo in any case. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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You are then supposed to say something to the effect of...........
 I always take solids, and it is comforting to have one next in line when in elephant country. But every hunt is somewhat different, and one can go around in circles on this and maybe still have the wrong one in the chamber when the time comes! IF the .375 were my primary carry gun AND I was in ele cow country, AND I was not hunting buffalo in the herds, I would lead w/the TSX and follow with solids. IF the .375 was my 2nd rifle (as it will be on my upcoming hunt), I would carry solids but KISS and load all TSX's, and adjust if/as the situation dictates (such as thick brush and lone bulls...and of course the PH will advise). I feel the TSX provides a bit more latitude/flexibility here than typical “softs”. In the past on a couple of buffalo, with the adrenalin flowing, I rushed the 2nd shot. While one needs to shoot quickly, I found that when I hurry I tend to shoot center-of-mass. On my last ele hunt, a bull did not drop at my frontal brain shot (gasp, the nerve!) but I held the 2nd shot just long enough so I could put it in his front shoulder, which dropped him. So the note is, shoot fast and put another hole in the buff if that will be your only opportunity, but play it over in your mind BEFORE taking the initial shot and anticipate if the situation might allow you to take an extra moment and place your follow-up(s). | |||
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Bill, What I did not say was that this Buffalo was a young bull. Not quite a calf but not far off. I was also young but a good lesson learnt. When guiding clients I only carry solids unless of course we are playing with pussy cats. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Fairgame, I've always felt I'm a little too slow and a little too dense to be able to remember........hmmm. where are my solids and where are my softs whislt in a firefight. Piss on it ALL SOFT. Last Buff disection. .500NE w 570 woodl. softs up the tail, bullets penetrate through the bible into the lungs. If a rodeo starts, that why your around my friend. Nganga Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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When are we going Nganga Formerly "Nganga" | |||
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Nganga, Note Fjold is shooting a .375, a medium bore, and your cannon is no comparison. As you have pointed out that with well constructed bullets so called softs are just as deadly, but can they break bones? ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Frank, I have used the Barnes X bullets on buffalo for so many years, without any requirements for any solids. In fact, I have shot some bulls up the rear end as they were running away, and they always dropped. The only time I will use a solid is on elephant. | |||
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No...I use a 9,3x62 and with decent softs there is no need at all to have solids when hunting buff...even when backing up clients on buff  | |||
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Ganyana what make of bullet do you prefer? ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Given a choice, and with the large selection of bullets currently available, here is my choice in order of preference. 1. Bullet that are made of copper, and have a hollow point, like the barnes X etc. 2. Bullets that have a solid copper shank, and lead in the front half, like the Bear Claws etc. 3. Bullets that have a pertition, like the Noslers and Swifts. 4. Premium softs like the Woodleighs. Normal soft points are to be used as a last resort, when there is no other option. | |||
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On the advice of the folks here, (and very few of us have he experience of Saeed and Ganyana) and Randy Brooks at Barnes, I brought only 350 gr TSX for my 416RM. When I arrived in Zim, my PH wanted to know about my solids. I told him all I had was the TSX, and I beleive he was a bit concerned at that point. When I shot the buff and it tipped on its nose, death bellowed almost instintly after recieving the shot, his thoughts changed alittle. Based on all the info I have gleaned from the people here and other places, the solids just take too long to take effect. they don't do the level of damage as softs and a TSX penetrates nearly as far as a solid anyway. I have had way too much success with the TSX bullets to go some other route because of a PH's personal preference without very good reason...and possibly data. BigBullet "Half the FUN of the travel is the esthetic of LOSTNESS" Ray Bradbury https://www.facebook.com/Natal...443607135825/?ref=hl | |||
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Fairgame- I use Stuart softs- he makes them for me with a flat meplat and 2mm thick steel jacket with bonded core. (ie much much tougher than woodleighs) I don't use the Barnes TSX in the 9,3 because, with South African Powders I cannot get the velocity...and I like my various softs and solids to all shoot to approx same point of aim. Cannot be re-zeroing rifle becuase today I am hunting buff so need one sight setting, tomorrow lion so need another....I like the TSX - they are great bullets. I like the new 286grn Swift A frame- they are certainly as good a bullet as Ken makes for me... | |||
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Ganyana, We are talking Buffalo but are they good enough for hippo? And how do you contact this Stuart fellow? ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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My (limited) experience with buff and the 375 H&H. Premium softs do damage, solids whistle right through. Last hunt PH had me load soft in chamber and 2 softs in mag on top of 2 solids. Solids were obviously only last resort. Frank, I have some 270gr Barnes solids if you want to try them. Russ Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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I did not even have the chance (as pegleg refers to) to go through "staff" of the outfitters before my first trip for buff because I didn't even deal with the outfitter when I booked through Cabela's which refused to identify the outfitter - I found out about 5 days before departure when the outfitter sent me an express mail US Special Delivery advising me about a last minute change in Zimbabwe customs regulations about guns and ammo. In my ignorance about hunting Zim in May I sighted in with SPs. While having a casual drink with the real ourfitter in Harare before flying off to the "bush",he asked what I had sighted in with. On being told he said "Oh, Chris will make you sight in for solids" -of which I had some 20 roundsout of 100. Sure enough, Chris made me sight in (resting on the hood of the Toyota LandCruiser -or what you English types call a "bonnet")  Yes, (for you PHs) I was well aware that Chris was also watching to see if I was afraid of my rifle. For the record - a 300 gr. solid broke the point of the shoulder of what became "my" buff and I saw (when he was really cut up in the butchery what damage the solid did by spraying bone fragments into the lungs. As another side point - I had asked my PH before we were in the field about aiming points - He gave a terse reply -"Break bones". I am a "veteran" of having dropped all of one buff - but I think that the solid is what breaks bones based on my single experience. (BTW, I had found that my Ruger only varied about an inch and a half in points of impact at 50 yards between solids and SPs. Do what your PH wants! | |||
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Gerry, You and me can start up a fan club? What about Solids R us? Pity Ganyana cannot join us but by all acounts he has gone a bit soft in his old age. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Do I need a solid load for a Buff hunt with my 375 H&H?
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