I am within 80 days of leaving for Africa on my first Cape Buffalo hunt. Four months ago I thought I new everything about going to Africa and Dangerous Game rifles. I was sadly mistaken.

With that being said would somebody please confirm or chastise my choice of loads for my 416 Remington. Originally I planned to use the Norma PH ammo but frankly feel it is underpowered (2049 FPS MV).

My current choice is a 400 grain TSX loaded with 78 Grains of Reloder 15 (I am estimating about 2390 FPS MV). For my solids I am planning on the Barnes 400 Grain Banded Solid loaded to match the same POI as the TSX.

Are these good choices or would I be better served with a Swift A-Frame and some other (please suggest) solid?

My time is limited. I would like to have the load finalized in the next two weeks and fire about another 150 to 200 rounds of practice.

Thanks for the help.

Take a look at the next few threads.what you have is the equivalent of a 450-400 or a 404J&they do quite nicely.As a former World Champion pigeon shooter told my son agonizing over what load to use in Mexico City"its not the package,its the address"

Can't go wrong with A Frames, if they shoot well in your rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by KimR:
Take a look at the next few threads.what you have is the equivalent of a 450-400 or a 404J&they do quite nicely.As a former World Champion pigeon shooter told my son agonizing over what load to use in Mexico City"its not the package,its the address"

I searched back through some threads and found some information. The last thing I want is doubt in my mind about my loads. That is why I am not shooting the Norma Ammo.

I am hoping for specifics on what worked on DG in Africa for other people.

I take jetdrvr's advice from another thread seriously:
"You are about to undertake an experience where it is unlikely, but definitely possible that you and/or someone with you can get killed or seriously injured. This ain't no Capstick story. This shit is for real, and you are going to have to get it right the first time."

I have shot 4 buffalo in Africa and do not claim to be an expert. My PH's all wanted me to lesd the first shot with a penetrating, expanding bullet. I used Nosler's in my .375 in every case and Barnes solids. They worked well. I did two expanding and two follow up solids. The reasoning behind this is after the first shot or two you will be faced in a head on, or away shot. I never saw it extacly that way however. Two I killed were head on, just below the chin. One had the top of his heart completely gone and ran about 300 yards. One was behind the shoulder with a follow up to the spine in the "arse"; total collapse on the second shot.

Bullets are important; shooting well under stress, off hand is much more important. Others will have their opinions, but this is my experience.

quote:

My current choice is a 400 grain TSX loaded with 78 Grains of Reloder 15 (I am estimating about 2390 FPS MV). For my solids I am planning on the Barnes 400 Grain Banded Solid loaded to match the same POI as the TSX.

You're fine. You can fret after your hunt. Just shoot it right behind the front leg, just below half way up, on a broadside shot and they're dead.

I had very good results with the Barnes 400 Gr. Banded Solid on Elephant. I shoot a 416 Rigby and the penetration was excellent. The PH was very impressed with the straight line penetration. Accuracy was quite good as well. I roll my own and chronographed velocity was 2,400 FPS.

I'd run some of the Norma ammo through a chronograph before you give up on it. I've had the Oryx ammo recommended to me by very experienced hunters. Can't believe you would have any trouble with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
I'd run some of the Norma ammo through a chronograph before you give up on it. I've had the Oryx ammo recommended to me by very experienced hunters. Can't believe you would have any trouble with it.

The ammo I was using is the Norma PH series. I did run solids and softs through the chonograph. They were 100 FPS slower than the advertised 2150. I felt the 2150 was on the low end to start with and that 2050 is too little. I know many animals have been killed with similar loads, it just is not quite enough for me.

The Barnes will get it done, just like the A Frame or Woodleigh.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/156102288

Why not try a box Remington factory ammo?

They load 400 gr. A-frames and claim 2400 fps.

I have some A Frame and some Barnes for my 416.

My big bullet load for my Mod. 70 is 80 grs. Rel. 15 under the 400 Hor. IB. Does 2440 fps and kills rocks and stumps dead.

Agree, if the Rem Safari grade ammo (400g Swift A-Frames) groups well in your 416 Rem, it would be hard to justify paying more for factory soft point ammo.

Chuck

The Remington factory ammo shoots fine. I even found some old Remington ammo in the the green and yellow box and it definitely had some giddy up.

Problem is at nearly $150.00 per box it was getting expensive to practice. I started reloading the TSX and it will definitely kill paper. The next issue was a good solid and keeping the same POI.

I think my plan forward will be handloaded 400 grain banded solids from Barnes and it is still a tossup between the A-Frames and TSX for my first shot.