I have a buffalo/leopard hunt in August, and I’m trying to make a decision on the bullet to bring for buffalo. I’ll be shooting a 416 Remington.
On my the past buffalo hunts, I’ve used Barnes TSX but I have had some big problems with Barnes ammo over the past couple years, so I’m switching to Federal.
I have never hunted with A-Frames or Bear Claws. The accuracy is pretty much the same between the two.
I had a friend recently tell me that bear claws can be a bit soft. I find that hard to believe given how bear claws are constructed, but again I’ve never shot anything with a bear claw.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!!
Go Duke!!
Posts: 1336 | Location: Texas | Registered: 25 January 2009
I have used both in a .416 on buffalo. (A frame in the Remington, Bearclaw in a Rigby)
Honestly, they both work fine. Both pretty much the same in end effect.
If you have some reason to prefer one, go with it. There is no wrong answer here. While I usually use the TSX, and found it has a bit more penentration- more than is really needed- I get exits on almost every angle shot.
I usually use the TSX. Generally its more easily available and a bit less expensive. What was the problem with the Barnes?
Posts: 11836 | Location: Minnesota USA | Registered: 15 June 2007
I too have hunted Buffalo in Africa with both bullets, and have observed also that it’s pretty much a toss up. Both are great bullets. I seem to have settled on SAFs for no particular reason. I would simply choose whichever one is the most accurate in your rifle.
Posts: 2703 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 26 May 2010
I would strongly suggest the Swift A-Frames. I have used them extensively in 375 H&H (300 grain) and 416 Rigby (400 grain). They work and you will not find the complaints about them while you occasionally do with Bear claws, especially the non-original ones you get now. The 400 grain 416 works on everything I have shot at: Buffalo, eland, Tommies, Lesser K, bushbuck, etc. The A-frame works great and I have never heard them not working, which I have heard with new model bear claws and Barnes for that matter.
Either is fine, as others have mentioned. I personally prefer the Bearclaws and have had excellent performance on a handful of buffalo I’ve shot with them with my 416 Hoffman. The problem with Bearclaws now is that Federal is discontinuing them so they’re hard to find and expensive. Fortunately, I have a small stockpile that should be enough for me in both 416 and 375.
I’ll be hunting buffalo together with a long time friend in a month. We’ll be on Hammond with Alan Vincent. I’m bringing rifles for both of us and my buddy will be using my 375. I’m bringing Swift A Frames for him and Bearclaws for me. Plenty of TSX’s for each of us. Fortunately, both of my rifles group all 3 bullets well within ‘Minute of Buffalo’.
Posts: 4057 | Location: California | Registered: 01 January 2009
I went through just what you did preparing for an African hunt and shot all the bullets mentioned here. The most accurate bullet I tried was the Northforks. My .416 Rem placed the 370 grain softs and 370 grain flat nosed solids within half inch of each other at 2400 fps. My .358 STA placed the 270 grain bullets in a ragged hole with three shots when I did my part. I took My Bull with a soft that still had 91% of it's weight followed up with the solid and he did not leave his tracks. My .358 STA did the same good performance on all the plains game with over 90 % weight retention. The other bullets were good also but did not compare with the Northforks for accuracy. Your rifle will tell you what it likes. I shoot a Model 70 Winchester African in the .416 and a Custom Model 70 Winchester from the Winchester Custom shop with the .358 STA. The Northforks also have solid shanks and cost a little more but what is your hunt worth. This is my experience for what it is worth. Good Shooting.
phurley
Posts: 2387 | Location: KY | Registered: 22 September 2004
Originally posted by phurley5: I went through just what you did preparing for an African hunt and shot all the bullets mentioned here. The most accurate bullet I tried was the Northforks. My .416 Rem placed the 370 grain softs and 370 grain flat nosed solids within half inch of each other at 2400 fps. My .358 STA placed the 270 grain bullets in a ragged hole with three shots when I did my part. I took My Bull with a soft that still had 91% of it's weight followed up with the solid and he did not leave his tracks. My .358 STA did the same good performance on all the plains game with over 90 % weight retention. The other bullets were good also but did not compare with the Northforks for accuracy. Your rifle will tell you what it likes. I shoot a Model 70 Winchester African in the .416 and a Custom Model 70 Winchester from the Winchester Custom shop with the .358 STA. The Northforks also have solid shanks and cost a little more but what is your hunt worth. This is my experience for what it is worth. Good Shooting.
i was to say the same for my 416 i used ttbc and a frame before not being able to find them anymore i used the north fork recently on bison and it worked well. just sold the rifle so not anymore owning that caliber but find the bullets you can use and works in your rifle.
I've shot a few buffalo with a .416 Rem. using Swift A frames, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, and Nosler Partitions. All worked, but I don't like Nosler's on frontal shots. I wouldn't use a Barnes. Had one divert major league on a whitetail, with my .416.
The TBBC worked fine on buffalo, but I've used Swift A Frames after the TBBC's became hard to find and I'll not look back. The Swift A Frames have worked great. I wouldn't use a Barnes.
That said, I generally don't like a pass through on buffalo, but got one in 2023 with a Swift A Frame.
I like Northforks. With that said, I have also used TSX, Aframe, and DGX/DGS for dangerous game. Everything was down quickly, except for one buff that had an appetite for lead and copper. Took a solid in his neck vertebrae.
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan
"Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians."
Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness.
WOODLEIGH's when they become available again. Federal will be loading them again. They are headed to Ammo makers now. Clearly, Larry's experience speaks volumes!! Why mess with SUCCESS??
470EDDY
Posts: 2799 | Location: The Other Washington | Registered: 24 March 2003
In my son's hands my 7mm WSM has accounted for 4 big red deer and 2 fallow deer with Federal factory ammo and their 140gr Trophy Bonded Tipped bullets (MV3230fps), all one shot DRT. One bullet recovered from shoulder shot red stag, perfect performance.
Posts: 4074 | Location: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Zealand | Registered: 03 August 2009
Originally posted by WVFred: I've been using Barnes TSX in my 416 Rem what is the problem you guys are having with them?
Some people have experienced them not opening properly and going through like a solid. I personally experienced this once on a Blacktail deer I shot with a TSX in my .338. Tiny hole in & out.
This problem has been fixed with the TTSX, but they don’t offer it in all bullet weights & calibers.
But, a lot of PH’s think they’re one of the very best bullets of all for heavy dangerous game, including Alan Vincent and Mike Fell.
Posts: 4057 | Location: California | Registered: 01 January 2009
Put the bullet where it's supposed to go. That's MUCH more important than agonizing over "Which one of the premium bullets is going to kill my buff all by itself, better than another one?".
Posts: 1255 | Location: East Africa | Registered: 14 November 2006
Where we seem to have a disagreement among the forum is on mono metal bullets. Clearly it all starts with hitting the animal in the right place, but if the bullet deviates, that's a problem.
I've experienced that with One Barnes Bullet. Now that was only one, but convinced me to go back to bonded bullets like Swift A Frames and Trophy Bonded.
Others on this forum, including our host, love the mono metal bullets and each to his own. I've had very good results with A Frames and will continue to use them. Although given recent ammunition shortages, I have quite a bit of Barnes ammunition and would use it in a pinch.
I'm a bit late to the party, but agree both work well. I have come to the conclusion that for Buff the A-Frames work a bit better for my like. All have been recovered on the off side shoulder just under the hide after penetrating both shoulders perfect expansion, while the TBBC's all seem to land mid opposite side with also perfect expansion. I like the combo of the TBBC's for plains game or softer skinned game, and the A-Frame's for buff..
MM
Posts: 1116 | Location: Southern California USA | Registered: 21 December 2006
