Hunting Australian Buffalo

Dr Ray

AH legend
Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Messages
4,298
Reaction score
6,527
Location
Cairns, Australia
Media
53
Articles
5
Hunting reports
Australia/NZ
7
Member of
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia + CRM Gunsports (Cairns)
I read an article in a gun magazine about hunting Australian buffalo using 308s.
The buff charged the hunters and lucky for them they managed to drop the bull at a very close range to them.
They were nowhere near a car to escape.
I call this foolhardy!!
It was their first buff hunt and from my perspective it could have been their last!!!
 
I think there are plenty of people who have hunted them with .308, thousands have been culled with a .308.

I haven't seen hunted them but I would not set out to hunt them on foot with just a .308.
 
Its all goes fine, right up until it doesn't.
 
I think there are plenty of people who have hunted them with .308, thousands have been culled with a .308.

I haven't seen hunted them but I would not set out to hunt them on foot with just a .308.

Me neither
I carry my 416
 
I wouldn’t bet my tree climbing skills (none) on it! LOL

Must tell you a story

Michael (Katherine country in NT) and friends went out to get a meat buff shot one and walked up. What could possibly go wrong w a shot buff with a 308???
Buff stood up that’s what.
Michael and co climbed trees like monkeys.
Problem list fight if the buff. Not a good idea I might add.
Only climbed down after hearing a big thump on the ground!!
He will be taking me for a buff hunt but I will use my 416 with 400 grain swifts a d Woodleigh hydros.
No wimpy 308 for walking up on buff for me![emoji4][emoji56]
 
Not really a smart move to start a hunt for Buffalo with only a 308Win but it will work with nice Brain shots & good bullets.

I was a commercial Buff shooter for a Portable Abattoir in my youth & we (the Boss) worked our way down from 338Win with 300gr soft nose to 30/06 Ball down to 308 Win Ball, terrible bullets to, as I remember 144gr Boat Tail .

P.S Oh we mainly shot from cut down 4X4's - mainly Toyota Landcruisers .
 
Must tell you a story

Michael (Katherine country in NT) and friends went out to get a meat buff shot one and walked up. What could possibly go wrong w a shot buff with a 308???
Buff stood up that’s what.
Michael and co climbed trees like monkeys.
Problem list fight if the buff. Not a good idea I might add.
Only climbed down after hearing a big thump on the ground!!
He will be taking me for a buff hunt but I will use my 416 with 400 grain swifts a d Woodleigh hydros.
No wimpy 308 for walking up on buff for me![emoji4][emoji56]

Lost sight
Stupid auto text
 
Not really a smart move to start a hunt for Buffalo with only a 308Win but it will work with nice Brain shots & good bullets.

I was a commercial Buff shooter for a Portable Abattoir in my youth & we (the Boss) worked our way down from 338Win with 300gr soft nose to 30/06 Ball down to 308 Win Ball, terrible bullets to, as I remember 144gr Boat Tail .

P.S Oh we mainly shot from cut down 4X4's - mainly Toyota Landcruisers .
Cool,
I watched a you tube clip on pro Buffalo harvesters.
I think t was the Bulman camp
 
a good 250 gr bullet at 2500 fps out of a 35 whelen would let the air out of a buffalo pretty quick if hit right. (3400 fpe), no gut-ass shots.

Like everything - hit in the right place w sufficient energy. It’s what happens when the shot isn’t placed “just right”- that’s when problems arise (rather quickly and problems suddenly cascade).
A friend shot a buff w a 270 / from memory he shot the buff near its ear
I’ll stick to my 416 when on foot
 
308 for buf? Sounds Kinda like a death wish.
As you see in the clip they harvest from a vehicle.
a good 250 gr bullet at 2500 fps out of a 35 whelen would let the air out of a buffalo pretty quick if hit right. (3400 fpe), no gut-ass shots.
Looks like the mighty .35Whelen is to become "The new normal" move over .308
 

Forum statistics

Threads
64,159
Messages
1,413,172
Members
128,980
Latest member
JulienneSt
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Beautiful Aardwolf for our Spanish client and good friend Alberto
WhatsApp Image 2025-11-12 at 17.27.22 (2).jpeg
C-YA-L8R wrote on PaulB's profile.
Hi PaulB,
I have a Ballard Arms Model 1885 chambered for .333 Jeffery Flanged. Do you have any idea where I can get ammo for this?

I am new to this forum so I am sorry if I am doing something wrong!
Thank You!
Bruce D
Lakewood Village, California

BALLARD ARMS MODEL 1885 .333 Jeffrey Single Shot Falling Block SN 1178 - (1).jpg
BALLARD ARMS MODEL 1885 .333 Jeffrey Single Shot Falling Block SN 1178 - (2).jpg
BALLARD ARMS MODEL 1885 .333 Jeffrey Single Shot Falling Block SN 1178 - (11).jpg
BALLARD ARMS MODEL 1885 .333 Jeffrey Single Shot Falling Block SN 1178 - (5).jpg
STARCHEDUPDAD wrote on Acopperdawg's profile.
what's up buddy how are you doing today
Updated available dates for 2026!

1-27 feb is open
13-31March is open
1-10 April is open
17-30 April is open
1-6 May is open
24-31 May is open
12-18 June is open
24-30 June is open
1-17 July is open
August is now fully booked
7-30 September is open
October is wide open

Get your hunt booked today!
 
Top