If you had one, what bullet would you load for buffalo?

How would it compare to a .45-70 loaded for buffalo?

I have no experience with either, just have an old Winchester .30-30.

Thanks in advance.

I don't have a 500SW rifle, but I do have a revolver with 6.5 inch barrel. For large game I use the 325 grain Barnes copper bullet at 1900fps.
I have a 50 Alaskan and 50-110 Winchester, similar but .510 diameter instead of .500 and a larger case. I shoot the 535 grain Woodleigh from 1850 to 2100fps in these.
The frontal area gives alot more of a blow than a .458 bullet of the same weight. Penetration will be all the way through in most cases.

quote:

If you had one, what bullet would you load for buffalo?

I don't own one but have shot several 500 revolvers I would think a 400gr hard cast or so.

Driven at any velocity over 1500fps well work just fine.

The 500 SWM case volume is ≈12-13% LESS at ≈68 gr H2O than the ≈78 gr 45-70, but the .500 bullet is ≈8.4% larger. I have a T/C 20" 500 SWM and have NO trouble hitting 4000 #ft and more with several bullets in 300 to 500 gr weights...with the attendant merciless recoil...you DON'T want to hang a heavy scope on the T/C...recoil will SHEAR OFF the 4 small screws and send the scope flying.

Comparisons are, again, in the "many cats" category...WAY to many variables to say one way or the other. Like comparing my 30" 45-70-120's to a 6" 500 SWM...NO comparison at all, I can stomp the cagatha outta the 45 with some configurations of barrel length and loads...go the other way and guess who wins.

They BOTH will do good jobs when matched to the target. I LIKE ALL my toys if I do MY JOB.

I would pick a ≈425-450 gr 45 cal bullet for my LONG barreled shooters and 300 to 350 gr for the shorter barreled ones...to get the velo/energy up. I shoot several brands and my own cast lead GC's in those ranges...they all seem to optimize for the highest velo and max energy without going too far in either direction. I like the 375 to 450 gr range for my MUCH lighter 20" T/C...recoil seems out of proportion for this toy compared to my many other large cal shooters...it's more like a mean hard slap than a push/shoved...impetus forces are faster I suppose.

They BOTH will turn hollow point bullets into half-dollar size flat discs against steel targets, and do a good job on hard cast lead slugs against steel the same way. Not much difference against/into my sand bank either.


Good Hunting

Thank you all. I’ve heard a few Australians are having good results with Woodleigh Hydros in .45-70. Just wondering if there is a similar non-expanding monometal out there for the .500S&W, perhaps something from CEB?

Specific info on a particular brand or maker can best be found on their sites.

You can also check-out local CNC machinists if you want a specific bullet designed and made...possibly...my local machinist's want runs of at least 1000 because they are so busy and would cost in the neighborhood of 3-$5.00 apiece...WAY to rich for the girls I dance with...but maybe your particulars are different or have a way to sell/trade to balance the cost.

Haven't tried Hydro's...probably will react similar to cup point mono's or FMJ's...straight through or maybe just a good sales pitch...maybe do a search on one of the African/DG forums for more/better info.

Good Hunting

I have a BHA with the 22" barrel,,400gr Woodleigh's and 400 Hornady both drive deep and expand a bunch in a testing box. The 500gr Hornady is the best and 350 Hornady don't hold together well. Mine is primarily a yard gun and the 2 brown bears it was used on didn't give much bullet testing as I brained both at about 20' and no recovery of bullets. They have very nice sights and recoil isn't a bother,,wonderful plinking on the lake and boat rifle while trout fishing.

Cheers, Waterrat! Sounds like fun!

I shot a buffalo at two feet out a kitchen window with a .500J, but have never seen a bear! Can you tell more of the story?

We live in brown bear country and they can reek havoc if left unchecked. Both bears were trying to break-in (chickyard & smokehouse},they came into sight and I yelled go,,they just turned towards me and I let fly. We can take 2 on a remote permit here so we skin hometan and usually give the skulls to summer people.

If buffalo were in my plans I'd stoke the 500 Hornady up to near max and not look back.

Thank you! Quite an adventure! It’s nice living amongst big and wild creatures, just need to be aware.

Mike McCourey killed a couple of giraffe with the 500 grain Hornady. It’s a pretty tough bullet especially in the 500. The 400 grain Hornady went right shoulder to left hip just under the skin a weighed 395 grains. It’s a pretty good bullet also, we’ve shot lots of bison with a 450 Keith gas check wheelweights water quenched. Never recovered one

Waterrat

I am think about buying a BHA 500S&W.

Can you tell me how well your BHA shoots at 50yds and 100yds and with what bullets? I need it to shoot as well as my Marlin 1895g.


Thanks
Mark

I hung a freshly painted gong at about 75yds today,,I'll give it a shoot and report back. We collect every glass jug of whiskey from the lodges and give them an orange glow, needless to say ther'ye all exploded,, 100 - 150yds no problem.