Best bullet for Cape Buffalo

Interested in all of your opinions in regards to the best bullet for Cape Buffalo, likes and dislikes. I've never gone, but hope to someday soon.

That is one for great debate.


I shy from the word "best". Invites a pissing contest.


I think Mike just did a very good+++ post on penetration and performance of two bullets.
You should have a look at that one.
At least it is an opinion backed with research.

I haven't hunted Buff but I have read enough standard internet drivel to pass along the common responses.

The first answer that comes to mind is "Ask your PH". From what I've seen, each PH seems to have their own favorite. The second question might be "what conditions are we talking about". Your PH might want solids for back up shots...or mono-metals all the way around.

In general though the answer seems to be a controlled expansion bullet like an A-Frame or TSX. The TSX seems to get the nod more times from what I've seen.

In my case, when I do get out to hunt Cape Buff I'll be packing my .375 H&H with 300gr. TSX's. Or maybe a 9.3x74r DR should I manage to lose the 15# of weight I'm after and win a bet with my wife!

I've always had good results with Swift A Frames followed by Woodleigh fmj Bullets but I do think the NORTH FORK soft and Cup nose bullets would also be a great Buffalo bullet option.

Bullet choice is certainly very important but it's not the only important factor.

Shot placement, accuracy and calibre are also important. For example, no matter how good the bullet, a frontal chest shot (on a buff) from a .375 that's even an inch or two off of dead centre can often result in the bullet losing significant momentum on impact when it hits that big dewlap and then running around the outside of the ribs and this can VERY easily result in the loss of the buffalo.

I would have to say the North Fork soft and hard bullets. Followed by the TSX and Barnes solid combination.

BRAND; Cutting Edge Bullets.
BULLET TYPE; Non-convention
DESIGNATION; BBW #13
COMPOSITION; Brass
CONFIGURATION; Banded, flat base, "hex-head" hollow point.

Cheers,

Paul.

For the .375 HH, Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 300 grs.

Shot placement being, of course, the most important !

The best bullet? It is the one that kills your buffalo stone dead with one shot!!

Seriously it depends on caliber and velocity.

I have used North Fork bonded bullets in my 375 H&H. Shot two buffalo with that combination. One we tracked for an hour or so and finished him with my 470. Shot placement was off slightly. The other ran maybe 100 yards and died. Good shot placement and I was able to place a Cutting Edge solid in him as he ran off. IMO North Fork makes the best bonded bullet with only Swift being an equal. Any bullets recovered always looked good. They also perform well in tests. I also feel the Partition is a marginally adequate bullet in the 375 H&H. My wife did kill a buffalo cow using a Partition in my 375. I slowed it down considerably (around 2200FPS). The bullet worked fine in that case. The Woodleigh softs are good bullets when driven in their recommended velocity. North Fork will perform better in higher velocity rifles like the RUMs.

I am not a fan of the steel jacket on the Hornady DGX. IMO they are like the Partition, an OK bullet but there are better. Any bonded bullet that sheds as much weight as the NP and DGX are more prone to fail on a buffalo. I know plenty of animals have been killed with them but there are also stories of failures.

I have also shot two buffalo with a 416 Remington Magnum using 400 grain TSX bullets. Both died very quickly and the bullets performed as advertised.

In my 470 Nitro I have killed several buffalo with North Fork Cup Point solids and one with Cutting Edge Non Cons. I have enjoyed a couple of DRT with these bullets.

My favorite? In the 470/458 caliber the North Fork Cup Point Solid or maybe the CEBs. In a 375 or a 416 the North Fork bonded bullet.

Are they the best? Who knows, but I do like them.