Has any one used the Barnes X 270gr 375 cal bullet on buff and with what results? Is this enough bullet for first and follow up shots. If not would the 300gr X or SAF be better?

IMHO, it would be enough bullet for a FIRST SHOT ONLY, especially in herd situations, NOT for follow-up shots.

HOWEVER, you'd be much better off with the 300gr. TSX or SAF or TBBC for your first shot.

Any subsequent shots are typically solids, BUT Craig Boddington told me that he now recommends using super premium softs (like X's, TBBCs, SAF) for follow-ups and considers hunters use solids for follow-up only on strong recommendation of their PH.

Most posters here would absolutely agree with me, and I am sure many will share their knowledge with you.

Cheers,
CL

I've shot a couple of eland with the barnes 270 in a 375 dakota with excellent results, recovered bullets were picturebook. I also shot buff with a 416 and 400 gr barnes both solids and x bullets. I had just as good a penetration with the x as I did with the solids. The x bullets definately did alot more damage than did the solids.

I can not speak to buff, but last fall I took my Gariaffi with 338 barnes X 225 gr. - one shot heart/lung and he walked about 100 yds and down and out. The x was used up ie basically only the 95% of the shank remained. They do the job.

A 375 loaded with 270gr X bullets is serious buffalo medicine and good for any shot, from the first to the last. My hunting partner has used that load to kill several buffalo, various angles into and through the chest and one right in the center of the head as that one was facing him from 25yds. That one made a 1" exit hole.

Before I begin with my experience, I believe it is important to remember for that 100 years the "standard" for a DG bullet was a sectional density of .300. That, of course, was before "premium" bullets that retain practically all of their weight. Since most "old" softs lost 20% or more of their weight, shedding lead while doing their business, a "premium" bullet that has a sectional density of around .274 (the SD or the subject inquiry), probably would equal or surpass the penetration of conventional "soft" bullets with a SD of .300... if that makes any sense.. In other words, a Barnes X of 270 grains should equal or out penetrate most any "soft" 300 grain .375 caliber bullets of yore... at least, IMHO.


In 2003, I took two buffalo with my .375 H&H using 270 grain Barnes X's. I couldn't have been happier with the results. I'll warn you though, don't expect them to always remain within the the animal.

The first shot on the first buffalo (through the lungs and out the far shoulder) was a shoot-through. I followed up with Speer titanium solids while the bullalo stumbled away for a few yards until I broke his spine.

The second buffalo, also, was a shoot through, breaking the near shoulder and exiting behind the far one. After a 40 yard sprint, the buff was four-feet-off-the-ground dead in a few seconds. Upon reaching the buffalo, (just in case) I shot it between the shoulders with another X and the bullet penetrated the spine and was found in the sternum with all four petals intact.

Here's the recovered bullet:



I chose to use 270 grain bullets because they grouped in the same 1.5" circle with the solids and the 300 grain bullets weren't anywhere in the same ballpark.

If I ever go buffalo hunting again with one of my .375's (egads, despite my former successes, I know I was lucky to kill a buffalo without a double rifle), I'll shoot whichever (270 or 300 grains) that works best with solids. Both weights will shoot flat enough to kill anything within 200 yards.

Thanks guys for the great report's on 270gr X bullet. I will buy the new triple shocks in 270gr and see how they shoot. I plan to shoot 270gr Hornady for practice. My friend is loaning me a used Ruger SM he just picked up. I'm buying him QD scope mounts, dies and working up loads for him in exchange for the use of the rifle. I have yet to shoot any DG rifle including the 375 H&H. I figured a 270gr bullet would kick a little less than the 300gr bullet. I want to get away from using a soft solid combo if I can and the Barnes bullet seems the way to go. I've used 200gr Barnes X bullets in my 338/06 to take ten of the large African antelope and they worked great. I will be hunting buff in Zambia with Petr Chipman in Sept.

quote:

I figured a 270gr bullet would kick a little less than the 300gr bullet.

I have learned this is not a truism with the .375 H&H. I've been shooting some handloaded 235 Speers @ approx. 2850 fps as practice - also thinking "lighter bullet - less recoil". Then I opened up the box of Federal Premium 300 Noslers and discovered they were noticably less violent in the recoil department. I haven't quite figured this one out yet - but probably if I was shooting the 235 gr. at the same velocity THEN I have lighter recoil.

So, if you want a little flatter trajectory and one bullet for everything use the 270 gr. If you are not going to shoot past 250 yards - use the 300 gr.