Very accurate load but only pushing 2140 at the muzzle. Is that fast enough for cape buf under 100 yards? I’m concerned

A very mild load for sure.

But like many it is all about shot placement.

More then speed.

Considering that most reloading sites say that you should be able to get 2,600 fps with a 350 grain bullet, that's an anemic load. Your load is 300 fps slower than most minimum load velocities. My 375 H&H will get 2,300 fps with a 350 grain bullet.

At 100 yards, I'd give up an inch of group size to get better velocities.

IDK -- it's above the barnes expansion velocity, but below what i'd like to see for that combo -- i bet it's a MILD recoil--

speaking of barnes, as they were once owned by remington, does anyone know who is now the owner?

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
speaking of barnes, as they were once owned by remington, does anyone know who is now the owner?

From one source:
Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets, now owned by Bullseye Acquisitions, LLC, an affiliate of JDH Capital Company, the owner of Savage Arms and Pure Archery, has appointed Jim Bruno as CEO, effective July 8. Clarus Corporation, the parent of Black Diamond, previously owned the two ammunition brands. JDH Capital Company acquired the brands in December 2023.

quote:

i bet it's a MILD recoil

When I was working up loads for my 416T.

I had some loads in that range very nice shooting.

For under two hundred yards a very handy load.

Well, given that the well thought of 450-400 is in the same ballpark albeit with a 400 grain bullet, I am sure it will work. Lots of DG rifles have a MV around that.

The thing is that monometal bullets tend to work better with more velocity. Your bullet might be a bit less expanding because of this.

Of course, your longer range trajectories will look poor comparatively, but for DG hunting that's not an issue anyhow, as no PH will have you shooting at game much over 100 yards.

Hunting is much more about placement than it is about power. Yes, a faster velocity and heavier bullet give more impact energy and penetration, but after a certain point that is meaningless. If this load allow you to hit where you are supposed to, your PH will be a happy man.

My daughter’s preferred bullet in her 416 Rem is the 300 gr TSX. She has used it on most Alaskan game from distant Dall sheep to up close and personal, charging brown bears. As well as Cape buffalo in Zimbabwe.

I think I'm getting over 2400 fps with 400 grain bullets out of my .416 Rem. They work great and I wouldn't mess with that either with lower weight bullets or lower velocity.

quote:

My daughter’s preferred bullet in her 416 Rem is the 300 gr TSX

I sold some 325gr TSX to an Alaskan he swore by them for big critters

Homogeneous bullets like the various versions of the Barnes X or those from other manufacturers do offer different/better? performance than lead based bullets.

With a lighter weight homogeneous bullet You can get the same expansion and penetration in game as a lead based bullet with the additional benefits of flatter trajectory and “shock” due to their additional velocity.

This guy is loading them to a lower velocity.

While I think it will work, it isn’t the same as a higher velocity lighter bullet monometal load.

I do think he will get adequate penetration, and it will work, but it won’t be as dramatic as the same bullet going 2700 FPS.

I used 450 gr Woodleigh's PP 7 RN at 2250 FPS on buffalo, in my 416 Rem., testing for Geogh and loved them. They fed better than TSX,s in my gun.

Loved the Woodleeighs.

My son shoots the 350gr TSX out of his 416 Rem Mag (M70 Safari Express), at 2500fps with 79.5gr of Varget. This is a very mild lower-pressure load that hits hard. He had a complete pass-through on his Buffalo in 2022. Speed aids performance and penetration with the TSX, so I'd go with at least 2500fps with the 350gr bullets.

I'm old school and don't like the TSX for dangerous game. Definitely wouldn't reduce weight or velocity. But then I wasn't a fan of synthetic stocks or variable scopes when they came out and now all my working rifles have synthetic stocks and variable scopes

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I think I'm getting over 2400 fps with 400 grain bullets out of my .416 Rem. They work great and I wouldn't mess with that either with lower weight bullets or lower velocity.

Agreed. I get about the same from my 416 Hoffman, though I’ve pushed it as high as 2,510 with 81 grains of Reloader 15. I like it better with 79.0 grains and I’m getting about 2,400 as I recall. I prefer Bearclaws and it’s a great buffalo killing load.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I'm old school and don't like the TSX for dangerous game. Definitely wouldn't reduce weight or velocity. But then I wasn't a fan of synthetic stocks or variable scopes when they came out and now all my working rifles have synthetic stocks and variable scopes

I had the same affliction as you
But with experience have learned to overcome it

It must go bang and Im happy!

I’m like Goldilocks.

I don’t want bullets that are either too much lighter or too much heavier than the time-honored optimal weight for caliber.

I want bullets that are within a tight range around that optimal weight, because all things considered, they’re just right.

I agree with Phil on this one. I've shot numerous buffalo, a brown bear, and a lion with the 350 gr TSX in my 416 Rigby at 2,750 fps. It's the fricking Hammer of Thor!!!

That's one of the great features of the TSX in that you can drop weight to the one just below typical for that caliber, get the same or better penetration as a lead based bullet that sheds weight on impact, while enjoying a flatter trajectory.

As to not shooting the TSX on dangerous game ... DG and the TSX are the perfect match IMO. YMMV however.

It can happen with any bullet, but I had a serious deviation with a TSX 400 grain in my .416 on a mere whitetail, albeit a very large bodied whitetail. I'll never use a TSX on large game.

I prefer a 400 gr. bullet at 2400 fps on DG, both softs and solids, but not agaist a 350 gr monolithic on buffalo, all but elephant..

As I read your question you are asking is it enough, not if other things are better as so many of the replies seem to answer.

FWIW, years ago I chronoed several boxes of kynoch pre-war 450/400 3" 60 grain loads through a 26" rifle from ~1920. Factory spec was 2150 fps from a 28" barrel. They ran 1975-2000 fps and SHOT RIGHT TO THE SIGHTS. I did the same with admittedly far fewer shots with a 3 1/4" gun with the same results. This leads me to believe that the guns weren't actually making that 2150 back in the day, and that the caliber's excellent reputation was actually established with 400 grain cup and core bullets and thick jacketed round nose "solids" that still sometimes squirted out their core at around 2000 fps.

Today we have vastly better bullets that are both much more reliable and also "punch above their weight." I think a 350@2140 will do just fine. Just my 2 cents.

First off it is not mild and will kill a buffalo without any trouble.

Most commercial 458 Winchester ammo don’t come anywhere near that.

I prefer a 400 grain bullet in 416 rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Homogeneous bullets like the various versions of the Barnes X or those from other manufacturers do offer different/better? performance than lead based bullets.

With a lighter weight homogeneous bullet You can get the same expansion and penetration in game as a lead based bullet with the additional benefits of flatter trajectory and “shock” due to their additional velocity.

My experience as well….
Right on Phil!

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
My daughter’s preferred bullet in her 416 Rem is the 300 gr TSX. She has used it on most Alaskan game from distant Dall sheep to up close and personal, charging brown bears. As well as Cape buffalo in Zimbabwe.

Me too….

quote:

First off it is not mild and will kill a buffalo without any trouble

Compared to the same bullet going 300fps or faster it is mild.

But at that speed it well kill lots of game.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

First off it is not mild and will kill a buffalo without any trouble

Compared to the same bullet going 300fps or faster it is mild.

But at that speed it well kill lots of game.

End result will be the same.

I personally prefer higher velocity.

But his load WILL kill a buffalo.

No questions about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

First off it is not mild and will kill a buffalo without any trouble

Compared to the same bullet going 300fps or faster it is mild.

But at that speed it well kill lots of game.

End result will be the same.

I personally prefer higher velocity.

But his load WILL kill a buffalo.

No questions about it.

For sure

A .303 FMJ will kill a buffalo if you shoot them in the right place, but it wouldn't be my first choice.