When I first got into cape buffalo I thought it would be a one time experience. and I used my 375 HH. A couple years later I hunted another cape buffalo bull with the .375 and I was addicted. With that experience and fortunately through the generous tutelage of some of you experienced buffalo hunters and especially Michael and Sam at B&M Rifles and Cartridges, I learned at least three important facts.

1. The 375 HH is truly the minimum cartridge for cape buffalo.
2. There is a big difference between a pretty good buffalo bullet and an excellent buffalo bullet.
3.Hunting cape buffalo is expensive.

That was 9 years and 11 buffalo ago, and I was soon hunting affordable cape buffalo with a .577NE loaded the best bullets available.

I am very grateful for all the help I was given along the way.

Today, I am hoping to hear from other big bore aficionados who hunt dangerous game with a single shot. I am finding out that there are not many of us, at least not ones that are willing or alive to talk about it.
If you are out there, please leave a post and tell me about you experience.

Thanks, Brian

Considering one needs to hunt with a PH that is properly armed.

I've used a Ruger No 1 on Cape buffalo, and would do so again. It was a 375. In the future I'd use my 450/400 No 1.

My wife has got a Ruger No1 in 416 Rigby and a custom No 1 in 500NE.
With them she has hunted buffalo, lion and backed me up on a couple of elephant.
She also has No1s in 22-250, 7mm RM and 338WinMag.
The rifles work perfectly for her as the short length keeps the weight closer to her body for offhand shooting and carrying.

Hunting dangerous game with a single shot in my book is completely acceptable and safe with proper practice and the right mindset.
Be proficient with the rifle and choose your shots wisely.

My next ellie I would like to shoot with her 500NE.

It adds an extra dimension to dangerous game hunting for me and ego needs to be kept firmly in check.
We have never had a negative comment from the PHs that we have hunted with and they all seemed to enjoy the experience, especially with the 500NE, probably because it is a unique combination of shooter, calibre and beauty, and hearkens back to a bygone age.

Each to his own.

A proper buffalo rifle is one YOU shoot accurately, using a properly constructed bullet and has little to do with caliber within reason the 9.3x62 and 375 being acceptable mediums IMO. and the 40 calibers being ideal if you can handle the recoil. but many elephant and buffalo have been killed with lesser calibers, among them the 30-06, 308, 303, and the 7x57..Not to mention Muzzle loaders and I agree single shots are acceptable, but I would rather have a bolt action or double in about any caliber, than a single shot 577 or 600NE in a charge situation or any situation for that matter.

I don't own any rifles, but I've taken 3 elephants( one charging at 12 yds.), a 475# lion charging at 25 yards, 2 Cape buffs with my Thompson Encore handgun in .416 Taylor Lion & buffs one shot each. Ele took 2 shots.
Took a hippo with one shot with my .375/.284 XP-100 handgun. Leopard with same gun-1 shot.
Also, croc with one shot with .325 WSM XP-100 handgun.
Only non single shot handgun I used was on my rhino- .475 Linebaugh, Freedom Arms.
I think I have this handgun thing figured out. Don't see a need for rifles.

Larry,
That is outstanding!
I would agree, you have the handgun thing under control. You sure have got with the program on DG in Africa.

Your 416 Talor is a great cartridge. Please tell me what your favourite .416 bullet is for cape buffalo.

That charging lion must focused your mind!!

I still have a TC Encore in rifle configuration and my latest barrel is 50-110, custom chambered to true .500 cal bullet in 23 inch barrel. My favourite bullet in .500 is the 410 grain CEB Raptor bullet. I have a .500S&W, 22" barrel also that i have not shot yet. ( It's getting kind of hard to move around here in Canada with a handgun. Complete bullshit.)

Thanks again for your interesting post. You are definitely out my league. You have my admiration! Brian

Brian you will find that Guides do not carry single-shot rifles and most prefer a bolt action that will hold 4 cartridges. I have had a couple of misfires and was glad for a full magazine. I have hunted some who carried single-shot Rugers and they handled them very well and were extremely accurate.

Yes, I agree with you. For me it is just a personal preference. Also, it was a way for me to get into a 577NE for $2000.
Thanks for the post, brian

Brian, Horn. 400 gr. DGX worked fine in the Taylor. I did a cow Cape buff with my .475 Linebaugh revolver and a 275X. She ran a little & died. The .416 buffs dropped.

Had a Ruger N01 in 585 Hubel and shot two water Buffalo with it [one shot facing at an angle entered on the inside of the leg and exited at the pelvis ,750gr soft point] 577 Velocities which imo is enough ,both one shot kills ,recoil can be a bit savage ,would like to try it on a Cape Buffalo ! Jack Lott said his 577 gave tremendous results on C.B

I've shot a large number of Cape Buffalo over the last 40 years, had 2.5 charges and a Hippo and made me a believer in the drop box big bore 404 or 458 even the 375, recoil recovery can be a killer in the short rows. But to each his own..Good shooting is the main factor..

I don't know whether this is a universal practice, but my grandad taught us when hunting DG to wait a few minutes after the shot (he said smoke two cigarettes) before starting to follow-up.

With a good first shot this practice should reduce charges significantly.

I have only shot 5 buffs, and all with a bolt-action, but if I ever get the chance to do it again I would love to use a single.

Good advise on man or beast, let them bleed out, can save your ass or give you a short tracking job..