You folks have me concerned reading the discussions below that state the buffalo can take several .375's before going down. I'm going in seven days with a .338 Win Mag using 250 gr Nosler Partions. I thought that the .338 would be enough, now I'm not so sure.

Buffalo cows and immature bulls are easier to put down. If a 9.3x74R can do it with 286 gr Woodleigh PPs then a .338 should also be able to.

Mature bulls are much larger. You will need to shoot well and accurately.

They are big beasts and the first shot may kill the buff but not necessarily put it down immediately eg heart shot. If you brain it, or spine it in the neck (I don't reccommend this shot as if you miss the spine the beast may escape), one shot would suffice.

Put the first slightly behind the front shoulder angling slightly forward into the heart/lungs. One third to one half of body width from the bottom if standing broadside.

If you have a larger rifle and can shoot it, why not use it?

What does your guide recommend?

Guide says I can use the .338. That is the largest caliber I have. Guide says I can use his .375 but it is not the same to me to hunt with someone else's gun

Which outfitter are you hunting with ??

The outfitter i'm hunting said he had a client use 338 with barnesX no problems.

I'm hunting with Brenton Hurt.
Good luck to you on your hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
Put the first slightly behind the front shoulder angling slightly forward into the heart/lungs. One third to one half of body width from the bottom if standing broadside.

Ditto !!!
Put a 250 grain candy of one of those premium bullets in the boiler room and your buff will not go very far.
L

Your 338 will do fine. I am personally a .375 Man but there is not much between the two. I am sure that if it was legal to use .338 on African buff hundreds would have been killed by this caliber anually due to its popularity.

I'd rather hunt with a confident .338 shooter than a flinching .600 nitro shooter!

I just got back from a hunt the first of July with Brenton. You will see lots and I mean lots of buffalo. I used a 375 with 300 grain tsx.

Brenton told me he use to carry a 338 as a back up but now carries a 416 Remington.

You will have a great hunt.

Tell Brenton and Dave hello from Chris and Coby.

cfore:
Thanks for the info. I will tell them hello for you!
How big was your beast?
Insects a major problem?
I've known Brenton for several years now. He used to stay with a friend of mine when he came over to do the SCI convention. He went javelina hunting with us in AZ a few years ago.

Goodness me, I'm slightly aghast. No mention of the veritable "good for everything" 30.06. Intelliget views on this subject have been a pleasure to read.

a 338 is ample, shot placement, shot placement ,shot placement...need i say more
daniel

The 338 is a good calibre, the 250 Nosler Partition a good bullet. Make your first shot count... AND keep shooting as long as the animal is moving.

"Moving" includes flopping or scrabbling around on the ground. Bullets are cheap, keep shooting.

Good luck on your hunt.

Thanks. Brenton said he had been hunting in Arizona.

The insects were not a problem while I was there but he said it was the coldest month of the year. 65 in the mornings 85 in the afternoons.

Here is a link to another topic with a picture of my buffalo.

Buffalo Picture