Would the Hornady, 0.458" 500gr Interlock suffice as an acceptable soft point bullet for buffalo? Shooting it out of a 458 Win mag at ~ 2100 fps.

Thanks

Scott,

I have used .458 Lott 500 gr Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bearclaws with devastating results on Buff.

Jeff

I think there are better bullets out there and if I were you I'd strive for something more than "acceptable." Will they work? probably, but if you are going to spend the big bucks on a dream hunt, don't roll the dice with "acceptable" and go with a better bullet. jorge

Scott,

North Forks or Barnes TSX in the 450 gr class will give you what you want and I have shot them both...The hornady's are ok for smaller animals or bears but not strong enough for penetration on raking shots...

Mike

The North Fork cup point is an ideal buffalo bullet.

i've had good luck with barnes x swift a frames etc. but i think the hornady is going to come apart on you if you hit a bone & there's lots of bone in a buff

ScottS,

You have seen the good advice on expanding-type .458 bullets to use on buffalo. Please remember that after the first shot, the remaining cartridges in your magazine must be solids, either steel jacketed or monometal, for follow-up shots.
Good Hunting!
Richard Harland.

I agree that the bullet you use should be a better choice than the Hornady. The North Fork CPS is a perfect buffalo bullet, in the .458. It is a solid copper bullet that hase a cup in the meplat that allows it to expand to the depth od the cup, giveing you the best of both worlds, a solid that expands slightly! Of course you could load a North Fork sofet point on top, and all NF CPS s behind, and cover all sittuations! I carry the NF CPS exclusivly in my doubles for everything!

quote:

I carry the NF CPS exclusivly in my doubles for everything!

Just want to reiterate that they are NOT intended for elephant.

For elephant you would want the North Fork flat point solid.

JPK

In big bore soft points, Hornady plays the role of practice and plinking bullets at a reasonable price. I'm glad they do because most of us are not shooting any appreciable amounts of DG at the range! I wish Hornady would make both the old style sp and a totally reliable DG soft like the Swift or TB so they could get all of my business, I shoot more Hornady's in practice than any other brand and have had great results over the years using Interlocks on deer/Elk sized game. They have their place, but on DG, they will not cut the mustard.

On a similar note, has anyone used Hornady 175 grain round nosed bullets on plains game? My Ruger No. 1 7x57 shoots them well. Biggest thing I will be shooting with it is likely zebra. I figure on shooting them at around 2450fps.

Scotts,

It probarbly would work and has be done before I'm sure. But like everyone said for the money youre spending why waste the savings on a buff trophy.

390ish,

The bullet shoudl work for normal plainsgame up to and including kudu. I Have shot most of my plainsgame with my .303 174gr Hornday interlock roundnose. But I would be weary for wildebeest and zebra tough animals. It will all come down to shot placement and where raking shots are needed you will be handicapped.

From my experience if you keep the speed below 2500 fps for the intelocks they usually do their job.

I used the Interlocks in win mag and lott loadings for bear up here but went to premium bullets for Africa dangerous game. I happen to like Barnes but your mileage will vary.

I had a 300gr. Hornaday 375 totally disintegrate and fail to exit on a Cheetah. I consider that poor as cheetahs a comparatively frail. Glad it wasn't a lion.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:

quote:

I carry the NF CPS exclusivly in my doubles for everything!

Just want to reiterate that they are NOT intended for elephant.

For elephant you would want the North Fork flat point solid.

JPK

I believe the origenal question was in regard to Buffalo, as indicated below by ScottS

quote:

Originally posted by ScottS:
Would the Hornady, 0.458" 500gr Interlock suffice as an acceptable soft point bullet for buffalo? Shooting it out of a 458 Win mag at ~ 2100 fps.

Thanks

JPK is correct, the CPS is not intended for elephant, but I don't hunt elephant, and simply carry the CPS for everything I DO hunt! I thought since we were discussing buffalo hunting, it would simply follow, that the CPS buffalo bullet would also work on the smaller animals, in your bag as well! IOW, no need for a true soft point!

I also agree that the NF FPS would be my choice for ele if I did hunt them! Sorry about the confusion.

+1 on the NF Cups. Took my buff with 500 grainers from my 470...and am loading NF's for my next buff hunt...in a 404 Jeff. Probably the best buff bullet made in my opinion...but I don't claim to be an expert...just a satified user!

Gary

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