My father is hunting in NZ in 2007 for stag, chamois, and thar. He was also thinking about flying over and hunting in Australia, since he would already be close. From what I heard he's considering he would like to get a water buffalo.

What calibers would you suggest on water buffalo. I don't think a .300 Win Mag would do it, so do you think a .375 H& H would, or should you go bigger. What about grain bullets and the softs vs. solids. Thanks for the input.

300WINMAG would be a good choice for N.Z animals,375H&H would not really be ideal for Tahr,chamois,most guides here would have a spare rifle for N.Z animals. 375 is what i plan to use on Buffalo in Oz later this year.

A .375 H&H will be fine on water buffalo. If he has something bigger, sure he could bring it.

300 gr for .375. 400 gr for .416. 500 gr for .458 etc.

I would use softs such as the Woodleigh Weldcore, or other premium softpoints for buffalo. Have some FMJs along as well if needed.

For the NZ game bring a medium calibre as well like the .300 you mention.

He could use a 300winny with the right bullet. Not ideal however and not what I would choose. The choises Nitro stated are fine. Also the 338/9.3 would get the job done. Bring lots of rounds because he will proberly take a few pigs and donkeys after (or before) he takes his buff.

On another note, when are you comming over TP?

Bakes,i'll be up in July and will be hunting Scruffy that posts here.We will have to catch up for a beer

I hope so mate. The dry is a busy time for us (exercises and such) but we'll see what we can do.

quote:

Originally posted by TOP_PREDATOR:
... and will be hunting Scruffy that posts here.

Poor Scruffy. I hope he can run fast.

That should read..hunting with Scruffy...

quote:

Poor Scruffy. I hope he can run fast.

as long as he isnt wearing wool he should be ok ...?( sorry - just had to say that before one of you aussies did - not that I know Top Predators personal preferance..)

Thanks for the insight on the calibers. I greatly appreciate it.

SB45/PM:

Post:

Been e/mailing a fellow from Wangaratta/VIC about three years.
Claims for Sambar, .300's and up are good. He uses a .338 a lot, but, not all the time. They hunt year around, no limits, no seasons, but, their seasons are opposite what ours are. Winter/summer etc. About 19 hours ahead of Colorado time.

They shoot lots of red fox, domestic cats/feral. and hare's by the thousands. Knowing that, I'd sure take a .223 along also. It's a common caliber so lots of ammo handy. There's a ten pound limit from what I've read on ammo.

Better check. There's site's you can contact about going over. Will see if I can locate it. Been a couple yrs and I've moved out then back in. No promise what I can find as much of it was lost.

George

.223 is pretty abundant here I would not worry about bringing ammo unless you want to try some hand loads

Steve