What would folks that have hunted buffalo rate as the top three cartridges (in order of preference) based on effective killing power in a rifle that most experienced shooters can shoot well? In other words, I am sure that a .600 NE would be a pretty effective killer, but it probably takes someone other than the average shooter to deliver the round accurately on a consistent basis.

Just a wild-ass guess mind you, but I'd say .458 Win. Mag., .470 Nitro Express, and .416 Remington.

I myself have only use the .375H&H and .470 Capstick rounds to take Cape buffalo.

George

My choice would be 404J, 416R and 458L mv between 2150fps and 2300fps with a detachable 1.4X4 S&B scope.
Have used the 9.3x62 and 470NE with good results
Adam C.

Nice buffalo. How many have you taken?

375 H&H, 458 Win Mag, 470 Nitro Express

Again, just a SWAG...

To carry this buffalo discussion a bit further, how many of you guys have actually experienced a charge?

I'm going with the 416 rem for sure, I know they kill buffalo. and the 458 Win Mag, and to round off my choice, .470 Nitro

This must be a "trick" question.

375, 416, 458 caliber.

Fill in cartridge of your choice, but only 3 calibers!

Andy

I'm with Andy. These have all worked for me and I beleive maybe more popular in general than what the AR members might recommend.

Mark

I have shot 10 water buffalo with a 470 and wouldnt even bother with a 375 ! to me its 500 and up!!! then 577!!! then 600!! if you want a gun that really does the job on them !or if you just want to keep filling them full of lead until gravity takes over !

My experience is with the 470 NE and 416 Rem Mag. I am sure that the 375 is also more than adequate for the job.

I have never faced a charge but have had two jump into a clearing at 30 feet in the long grass, each received a barrel from the 470 to end the day.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
What would folks that have hunted buffalo rate as the top three cartridges based on effective killing power in a rifle that most experienced shooters can shoot well?

Most experienced shooters can't handle the 458 Lott. So I would say anything in the .416 class.

.375 H&H, .458 Lott and .470 NE

FWIW,

375H&H, 450/400, 416Rem/Rigby.

458wm certainly does the trick but I'm not so sure that many can shoot it well. Its my choice but any big bore will take an effort for the typical deer rifle experienced shooter to become accustomed to. It did for me, and if I lay off for awhile I need to work into the recoil again.

JPK

The caliber I would chose depends upon the type of cover I will be hunting. For open bushveld such as northern Tanzania I would select my scoped 375 or scoped 458 Lott. The added range of a scoped rifle would help to pick out one of those monster bulls from the other side of a herd. In close bush or jess hunting in some place like the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe I would select one of my open sighted doubles, currently a 465 H&H or 470 Nitro.

465H&H

If you're up close, what's wrong with the .404 Jeffery? Probably penetrates as much as several of the much touted double rifle calibers. I think the .416's are great options in bolt actions. My third choice is the .375 in a heavy bullet like a 350 grain. This is all theoretical of course as I have never shot a buffalo, but then how many of us have shot a buffalo with three different calibers?

My choices would be:

416 Rigby or Remington
458 Lott
470 Nitro Express

As you can see, I like the "big stick" theory for buffalo!

1. .458 Lott
2. .375 trimed to 2.80 & loaded to .458 Lott
specs.
3. .458 WM lengthened to 2.80 & loaded to
.458 Lott specs.

Bull1

I agree with 416,458 and 470. the only reason to use a 375 is that it is the max. caliber you can handle effectively. I have shot buff with 375,458 and 470 and there is a world of difference when you hit the buff with the larger calibers.

If it is just for Buffalo and not a dual purpose PG/DG rifle, I have used and prefer either a 458 Lott or 470 NE. My third choice would be a 416 Remington or Rigby but a 404, 450/400 NE, etc would work just as well.

If PG is part of the hunt then a 458 Lott or 470 NE and a 375 H&H.

We have proberby had in the region of 70+ cape buff taken over the past half dozen or so seasons in Zambia and essentially the MAIN calibers used have been in order of priority

1) .375
2) .416
3) .470 NE

Cheers, Peter

470, 470, & 470

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Hunter:
To carry this buffalo discussion a bit further, how many of you guys have actually experienced a charge?

By Cape Buffalo,one unprovoked charge in over 20 yrs!

No charges but if Sadie had not seen the saplings moving as the buffalo's tail hit them we might have gotten hammered. The mortally wounded buffalo had doubled back on its track to wait for us in very thick cover. Everybody except Sadie was watching the ground for blood and had all passed the little opening were she noticed the trees moving. She got a big kiss from me and some hearty hand shakes from the crew after the buff was dispatched.

Mark

What a great story! Thanks for sharing.

I'm an exp. shooter but a novice buffalo hunter, total one. I think the average shooter can handle a .375h&h well but it leaves a bit on the table as to power. The .458Lott is a beast, but on both ends. The various .40 give you a bit more smash at the buffalo & are still managable by most seasoned shooters. My choice. .404j, .450/.400 & .470 (if th4e rifle is heavy enough).

Gotta vote for:
.375 H&H (due to popularity and ease of use)
.458 Lott (for "most sensible in a modern rifle for a shooter who's willing to spend some time getting good)and
.470 NE (for most sensible in a double rifle)

Not a single Weatherby. Hmmm. Is there an Anti-Weatherby bias on this site? Any reason W'by isn't included in anyone's list?

My choices; 470NE, 458WM & 416W'by

S.

quote:

Originally posted by Seq:
Not a single Weatherby. Hmmm. Is there an Anti-Weatherby bias on this site? Any reason W'by isn't included in anyone's list?

My choices; 470NE, 458WM & 416W'by

S.

460 & 378 weatherby user here!

I've shot buffalo with three calibers. The .375 H&H, the .375 AI, and the .375 Ultra Mag. I rate the Ultra Mag as the quickest killer.

375HH and 416 Remington at the top followed by a tie among 458Win and 404J. Kudude

Nothing to big for buffalo if you can handle the recoil. I like the 500 nitro @ 12 lbs.
470 nitro
416 rigby

Seq

Not so quick about the Weatherby's

1st. Choice .378 Weatherby 300 grain bullets

2nd. Choice .458 Lott 450-500 grain bullets

3rd. Choice .416 Rem Mag 400 grain bullets.

It has and will always come down to bullet placement.

Steve

1.45-70
2.45-70
3.45-70
Or is that only an internet urban legend?

Actually Andy hit it right on the nose.

.375, .416, .458

Are the most often used diameters on buffalo.

In the double gun world the most common is the .470NE.

I can't catch up with you guys. I don't hunt hunt Africa but do find it very interesting. I do find that you're cartridge picks range from popular as cartridge ligitamacy to a true "stopper" as you're qualification for Cape buff.. why is that?

416 weatherby for a distance shot.SEARCY 500 NITRO DOUBLE up close. Great medicine for hunting cape buffalo in my opinion.....

Have shot only One Buffalo. It was a shoulder shot at about 30 meters. Rared up on hind legs and went over backwards and did not move. Not Impressed with Buffalo hunting at all. The gun was a Mdl 70 the cartridge 375 H&H with 300gr Woodleigh solid. They can only get so dead.

do you guys use cartridges like the big ultra mags. in controlled feed winchesters and such. 338 ultra mag is fairly well the 300H&H equal I think. What's the criterea? some of you may find me a pest. and your information won't ever help me harvest an African critter. but I'm a bllodhound for good information and hunting hangs right there with drift boat fishing for slamon and steelhead for my interests. thanks.

I see the .375 H&H as a fine Buffalo gun and after that the 416 and the 404 Jeffery.

.375 H@H
.416 Rem.
..416 Rigby