Viability of the Big Horn Armory Model 89 in .500 S&W (22" Barrel) for Cape Buffalo?

Rumrunner said:

Good friend took his second buffalo with a handgun. .500 S&W this past August.
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matt85 said:

I have never understood the desire to use weaker and weaker tools for the task of taking dangerous game?!?

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Kharn said:

People are maybe scared of Big Bore recoil?

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matt85 said:

The 375 h&h and 450/400 NE exist for people scared of recoil. There is no good excuse to use weaker cartridges than those.

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matt85 said:

Well said!

I have never understood the desire to use weaker and weaker tools for the task of taking dangerous game.

Why? Why do we need to use inferior tools for the job? Is a hunter who takes dangerous game with an inferior tool somehow superior to the hunter who uses tools made specifically for the job? Is there some special pleasure in "making due", when the proper tools are readily available, affordable, and easy to use?

On that same note, if a hunter uses an inferior tool for the job and someone is killed or seriously wounded durring the hunt... Is the hunter responsible?

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Flbt said:

You say that I sorta agree (no African hunting so my opinion really don’t matter)
But some will say use the 375 as minimum dg rifle.
Then say a 22 cf is fine for deer/hogs
And some say use a 22/25/32/380 for self defense. And people with bad intentions could very easily be more dangerous than dg.

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DaBill said:

Hi all,

I’m new to dangerous game hunting and have not yet been to Africa, but I’ve been doing quite a bit of research and would like to start a friendly and informed discussion.

One rifle that’s caught my attention is the Big Horn Armory Model 89 lever-action, chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, particularly with the 22-inch barrel. I’m curious what those with actual Cape buffalo hunting experience — especially PHs and seasoned hunters — think about this rifle and cartridge combination in real-world terms.

I’m not claiming it’s ideal, but I do think it deserves a look — and I’d appreciate hearing opinions on whether this setup has legitimate potential or clear limitations.

All data below assumes modern handloads in the Big Horn Armory Model 89 (22" barrel):

Bullet	Weight	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Source
Hardcast WFNGC	500 gr	~2,150–2,200	~5,100–5,375	Buffalo Bore, Cutting Edge, chronographed field reports
Monolithic Solid	500 gr (e.g., Cutting Edge Safari Raptor, Punch bullet)	~2,150 fps	~5,135 ft-lbs	Owner reports & field data (BHA forums, chronographs)

Penetration reports with flat-nose solids and monolithics indicate 30–40+ inches in gel and wet pack, with clean straight-line performance at velocities >2,100 fps. Some reports claim through-and-through on heavy game at close range.

One major consideration is that the Model 89 is a smooth, fast lever-action — offering:

• 5+1 round capacity (some users report up to 6+1 depending on cartridge OAL)
• Fast, instinctive cycling (comparable to or faster than some bolt-actions)
• Compact overall length for brush or backup roles

This puts it in an interesting position: more capacity than a double, faster than most bolt-actions under pressure, and still packing serious weight and energy.

Discussion Points I'd Love Feedback On​

• Has anyone here seen or guided a Cape buffalo hunt using the Model 89 or similar large-caliber lever-action?
• How would you compare its real-world performance (within 50–75 yards) to more traditional .375 H&H or .470 NE setups?
• With the right bullet (e.g., 500 gr Punch or Safari Raptor), does this qualify as a legitimate dangerous game option in your view?
• What would you personally consider the minimum bullet construction and performance for such a rifle to be acceptable?
• Does the fast follow-up and 6-shot capacity offer a practical advantage — or is it outweighed by concerns about trajectory, penetration, or platform strength?

Again, I’m here to learn, not to argue. This isn’t about trying to “prove” anything — I’m just exploring realistic, field-proven alternatives to classic DG rifles, especially those that offer something different (like lever-action speed and familiarity for North American hunters).

Thanks in advance to those who’ve “been there and done that.” I greatly value your insight.

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Kharn said:

People are maybe scared of Big Bore recoil?
OR
Can no longer handle Big Bore recoil? (Older hunters down sizing to stay in the game).

I'm somewhat of a masochist, you'll frequently hear me say "Yeah, but it's a good pain." I'm no stranger to being broadsided by heavy metal unexpectedly or having to gouge steel out of myself using box cutters.

So I've the reverse opinion, I think it takes more skill / more impressive to use a .700NE than a .22LR and I do believe the overwhelming majority share the same opinion. I've heard stories of people injuring themselves (seriously) from just firing a .700NE 'incorrectly/poor form', never heard of that with a .22LR...

I always thought that those White Hunters of Old started using smaller calibers (even below the .30 class on Elephant like .275 Rigby) not because they were trying to display "skill" but because the hunters were in such target rich environments with next to no political red tape that the hunters were taking animals so often the recoil of Big Bore Rifles was just too much to bare so frequently.

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