Next month I'm planning to hunt buffalo and hippo with a bow. Not saying it'll all work out that way of course, but that's the plan. I just got some test arrows / heads from Grizzly Stik, with a total weight of 1,100 grains (315 grain heads). They sent me 2 different broad heads to try, and now I've got two different bows to try out as well. My Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo, and a couple of new PSE Full Throttles that I just got as well. Guess I'll be spending some time at the bow shop tomorrow.

Good luck and have fun with that.
They look pretty equal. Those stiff spines will be interesting to see which may fly better with the increased poundage and arrow weight.
I once used the larger diameter target shafts to handle the extra weight. I rigged it for Rhino which is the same issue.
It's a lot of force and resistance against a stiff carbon spine
I found it worked perfect out to 40 yds easily though.

Good luck, Aaron. I've killed a few buffalo with the older Grizzlystiks, and am looking forward to trying the new ones.

Aaron,

I think you will love the 315 grain Ashby Head. The one in the top of the pic. Fellow AR member Joe Democko and I bow hunted Australian water buff. Used that head and I used Easton Dangerous game shafts. i couldn't get the Grizzly sticks to tune out of my Hoyt. Joe used the Grizzly sticks. Total weight of Arrow and Head were about 950 grains. I used my 80lb Hoyt Vectrix and was shooting about 215 fps. Joe about the same out of his 80lb bow tech. We shot 3 bulls and 1 cow with bow. All complete pass through. My went through my buff and buried an inch in a tree 5 yards passed the buff. That head is simply wickid.

Good luck with your quest, sure sounds exciting!
Were and with whom are you hunting?

That sounds like an absolutely awesome hunt! Keep us posted on your equipment choice and the hunt as things come together.

JCHB

Good luck on your hunt. I'm a long time bow hunter so I can't wait to hear your report when you get back.

Thanks guys, will keep you posted!

Never had an urge to try it, but a PH I once hunted with said you needed to put the arrow into the white spot (i.e. equivalent of an armpit) of the buff when he/she steps forward with the near front leg.

Let us know how it turns out.

BH63

very interested by your results.

Good Luck Aaron! Where are you hunting?

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Good Luck Aaron! Where are you hunting?

The Limpopo province in SA - 60,000 acre reserve.

Thanks Buzz, hope you are doing well bud?

I shot a cape buffalo, a blesbuck and black wildebeest with Grizzly sticks and the Ashby 315 grain single bevel, with total arrow weight just under 1000 grains.
My bow was 72#.

The smaller two animals came to the waterhole while we were waiting for buffalo and were on my list. The wildebeest was facing me at
25 yards, down on his knees drinking. The PH said take him between the shoulders. I did and got about 15-20" penetration. He ran 100 yards, bedded and died in less than two minutes. The blesbuck was broadside at 20 yards. I spined him and dropped him on the spot. The ashby head sheared off at the arrow shaft and the tip 1/4" broke off.
On the buffalo, I shot it more than once and frankly was un impressed with penetration and the ashby sheared off at the arrow shaft. My buddy was shooting same set up and had one ashby shear off as well.
I wish you luck on the hunt. I have an ashby and a couple of the other head you are trying. If you want them PM me your address and I'll send them to you, for a report on your hunt.

Hey Aaron,
I wonder how this trip went or did I miss the report? Some experience on the Hippo would be interesting.

Best Regards,

Dennis

Traditional bow is the only bow hunting
Rest is technology

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
Hey Aaron,
I wonder how this trip went or did I miss the report? Some experience on the Hippo would be interesting.

Best Regards,

Dennis

Damn doctors made me cancel the trip - this heart attack last year is a real pain in the ass!

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Traditional bow is the only bow hunting
Rest is technology

Milan - come on man, there's a bit more to it than that bro!

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
Hey Aaron,
I wonder how this trip went or did I miss the report? Some experience on the Hippo would be interesting.

Best Regards,

Dennis

Damn doctors made me cancel the trip - this heart attack last year is a real pain in the ass!

Pain in the chest. The discomfort in your bottom can be put down to a number of ailments.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
Hey Aaron,
I wonder how this trip went or did I miss the report? Some experience on the Hippo would be interesting.

Best Regards,

Dennis

Damn doctors made me cancel the trip - this heart attack last year is a real pain in the ass!

Pain in the chest. The discomfort in your bottom can be put down to a number of ailments.

True that my friend!

Yes and no Aaron
I just don't like all that technology
It takes away from hunting
Same thing with all the long range shooting
In the end , it is in the eye of the beholder, nothing personal, just an opinion

Sorry to hear that Aaron. Wish you a quick recovery!

i just saw this thread and got all excited to see the outcome. sorry to see that you had to cancel. cape buff with a bow is my absolute all time dream hunt. i was just about to have enough cash to go and i had to go and get married...no more cash.

for anyone else looking at the setup, also check out a newer broadhead company bishop archery. they use s7 tool steel and single bevel heads that are looking like an unbelievably tough head.
http://bishoparchery.com/175-6...n-scientific-method/
(i have no affiliation with them whatsoever)

Pity you had to cancel Aaron.

If this hunt is still on the cards for the future then a couple things I've learn't on Buffalo hunting with a bow & arrow, that might help you;

Choose a head that is razor sharp and will remain razor sharp after impact (extremely important!!!!) I watched a gentlemen hit a huge old Dagga boy with a relatively well placed arrow and we eventually found the wounded bull 16 hours later (feeding apparently pain free!!), with the arrowhead lodged in the top lobe of his right lung! The Magnus head was as blunt as a butter knife after passing through a rib. The outcome of that hunt would have been much different had the head maintained a razor sharp edge. I believe 180gr German Kinetics are brilliant.

Understanding the anatomy of a Buff is of paramount importance - not just the location of the heart/lungs but also where the heavy bones are situated. Never ever take an angled shot on a Buffalo, it must be broadside as I believe that if you can see an angle on a buff then in reality the angle is double what you think it is. Arrows don't do well on angled overlapping ribs unless you get lucky.

Good luck when you get to go.

Plus one on German Kinetics. Do the I/2" plywood test on several heads, Ashby included. Not all that different in density to a buff rib.