How do members feel about black powder rifles for buffalo?

I'm considering something like a .500/450 BPE hammer rifle, or maybe a .450/400.

Nitro for black loads are now available.

would you consider these rifles to have sufficient knowk-down power despite their not being anything like as powerful as their nirto-express equivalents.

This is not a blackpowder forum, but which buffalo are you referring to?

Cape buffalo? Water buffalo? Bison? Wisent?

George

Thanks for replying - should I post this elsewhere? I'm considering a large bore double hammer rifle in one of the old black-powder express cartridge chamberings for a trip to Tanzania, where I hope hunt a cape buffalo.

I do all my shooting with Victorian guns but am a novice where dangerous game are concerned. I'd like to use something old but don't want to put myself or others in unnecessary danger.

The .450 BPE manages around 1700 MV and bullet weight is 365 grains.The 500 BPE manages a 480 grain solid at around the same MV.

What do you think?

Obviously, that would be like hunting with a 45-70 Govt. lever action.
It can be done, but is a stunt, not best for safety, and does put a premium on the PH backing you up.

How about a 577 BPE if you insist on antiques?
A .775 Rigby Nitro Express (10-bore) is too small for bore-rifle. Go 8-bore or larger.

I'd go for the biggest bore you can find with a .500 being a minimum. Not much margin for error but most black powder shooter are good shots and bullet placement is everything. I'd shoot HARD CAST bullets and try and get 1800fps or better with at least 500 gr bullet. Buff usually just run off and die after a well placed shot, yours may take longer to die but the end result is the same. I'd probably opt to follow-up with a Lott if necessary.-Rob

The 500 Express would do it with a little room to spare if you used hardened bullets. A 577 Express would be ok and was condsidered a medium bore for Africa in its day with buff a reasonable reach with hardened bullets. The eight bore was considered by many to bee good buff medecine, again with hardened bullets. I think a 10 bore would be fine too, but most considered it light.

Samuel Baker gave a good account of suitable Express cartridges and black powder bore rifles in one of his books. Any black powder load can be duplicated with smokeless. No flying with black powder.

JPK

The.450 BPE was to the black powder era what the 7x57 is today. A really great small bore round, that a few experienced hunters used sucessfully on big game.

The .577Bp was about the minimum that was considered suitable for Buff by any of the old time hunters- and generally recomendations started at 10 bore - even from noted small bore fans like Selous.

I have guided a couple of clients onto cape buff using muzzle loaders or BP cartridge guns. Like Rip stated, it can be done, and if conditions are right, I will not have to back you, but it does tend to limit ones trophy selection to the bull that presents the right shot, rather than the biggest bull (who always presents the worst possible angle/ range/keeps brush in the way etc)

See report on .577BPE - full story published in AH mag.:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=384105107#384105107