I'm sorry. I just can't resist another comment on this "African speed" issue from the "Real African Gun Hand". To suggest that a bullet traveling between 2100 and 2400 fps will penetrate brush and "twigs" better than one traveling at 2900 and is therefore better suited for Africa is hogwash. Old wives tales here in the US stated that calibers such as the 30/30 Win were good "brush busting" calibers in that the bullets were capable of shooting through brush. More recent studies have shown that any bullet (shape or weight) is just as likely to deflect off of a blade of grass or twig, as any other, regardless of velocity.

Shooting through brush will most likely result in a miss or wounding, and that will occur at 2100 fps just as likely as at 2900 fps. There is NOTHING special about Africa concerning how ammunition works. The laws of physics apply there just as they do everywhere else.

For some reason, it is often assumed that if one is not an African PH, or US Guide, that one doesn't know about hunting or shooting. That isn't correct. I've been hunting seriously for the last 42 years and would be willing to bet that my days in the field and range will match up favorably with many of the guys who hunt professionally. Some will have more experience, some less but most of us here are not neophytes so don't tell us old wives tales and expect us to believe it. We may not have the depth of experience with specific animals that are only found in a certain locale, but we know how things work in the field. A Weatherby in the hands of someone who can shoot it is just as appropriate for Africa, or any other place hunting is allowed, as is a 7X57 or the like. Neither is capable of shooting through brush with satisfactory results on game animals.

Todd,

And to follow my previous sarcastic response I will shoot what I feel is the best bullet in regards to terminal performance. It is my job to get the bullet where it needs to be. I want the most devasting result once it arrive. Round nose softs designed 75 years ago will work, but they are far from the best.

Kiwiwildcat,

One suggestion if I may. May be reading between the lines but I would only bring one load for each rifle to Africa. I have shot plains game with a 416 with 400 grain TSXs with good success. Having a buffalo load and a plainsgame load for the same rifle on the same hunt is far too complicated for me.

I would be willing to bet that 330 grain GS will be great on buffalo and work extremely well on PG. The guys at GS can give you good advice.

Oh dear life must have been a real dull boring bitch back in the old days of African hunting. I can just hear those hunters of old
"well what shall I load up in my 500NE today? Maybe I will try Kynoch, then again maybe I should try some arrrrr, Kynochs, hang on a mo just found a few Kynochs they'll do today. Tomorrow? well had a real hunt around and came up with one or two RWS, they'll be fun for a change. Now what's my tally so far? Just turned over 900 elephant, coming up to 468 buff, 340 rhino, damn lost count of all the other species I've knocked over. Shit it's so boring I wish someone would make some other bullet I really want to hit that 1000 ele mark soon. Ah well I suppose I must get back to business, come on gun bearer fetch that 500 there's animals a waiting."

Silly young kiwi hunter up close and personal with those big old Aussie buffs while the "guide' stays back out of harms way, a hand full of 404 RWS reloads, a packet or two of old Kynoch soft nose and the remains of a packet of Parker Hale solids. Maybe the Oz buffs are a bit thick and don't realise they don't have to fall over just because they got hit by an ancient old round nose doodling along at 2200 fps.

Then again guys these forums are great and I do enjoy every post, lots of interesting stuff. I just get the odd touch of cynicism every now and again, but like malaria you do get over it, a good shot of forum browsing and a stroll in the bush with the 404 in hand is like a good antibiotic and cures the illness.