Any suggestions for good hunting rounds? It would be on buffalo/one of the other guys might shoot a lion or an elephant.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Any suggestions for good hunting rounds? It would be on buffalo/one of the other guys might shoot a lion or an elephant.

I'm sure somebody will say I'm an idjit for it but I like Barnes Banded Solids of the 450 grain persuasion except on the lion concept. A-Square or A-Frame for the big kittycat.

I would use A-Square Monolithic Solids

North Fork softs and solids, Cup Points if you prefer (I have not tried the Cup Points).

I have not tried the Swift A-Frame softs but they get excellent reviews here.

Does you PH recommend softs or solids for buffalo?

Used Woodleigh solids and softs (480 grains) with good success on elephant, leopard, zebra, et al. this year. Load was 66 grains of RL7, with a Federal 215M primer, for about 2200 fps, in my rifles. As customary, start low and work up watching for signs of pressure.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Used Woodleigh solids and softs (480 grains) with good success on elephant, leopard, zebra, et al. this year. Load was 66 grains of RL7, with a Federal 215M primer, for about 2200 fps, in my rifles. As customary, start low and work up watching for signs of pressure.

Aglifter,
Mike's loads are good.

Just to clarify : Only use solids for elephant. Use a soft nose for first shot on a buff, and then solids in the mag for follow-up shots. Softs for lions.

If you can load up the 500gr bullet to a genuine 2150-2180 fps then this is perfect. I do it with South African powders and there are no signs of excess pressure.

Good Hunting!
Richard.

Author of: The Hunting Imperative; African Epic; Ndlovu - The Art of Hunting the African Elephant (Available from Rowland Ward Publications and Safari Press)

I have found that the 450gr flat nose North Fork solid outpenetrates the 500gr Woodleigh solid on elephants either in the head or in the body. No observable loss of impact effect. I would choose the North Fork flat nose solids for elephants.

To keep things simple, I would choose the North Fork 450gr cup point for buff, in lieu of the flat point and the soft point for first buff shot and all other game.

Nothing wrong with the 500 grainers at 2135fps + though.

JPK