Which one would you use on Cape Buffalo -

Which 500 grns Bullet/Ammo would you use on a Cape Buffalo in a 470 NE - 500 Grns


  • Total voters
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On Cape? I ask as Solids are more of a no-no here, generally speaking :) They are excellent on Ele, though.
Yep....on Cape. My Switfts were first out the barrel, the hydro-solids were second out.
 
Yeah, both of the buffalo that I posted pictures of above the bullet was just under the skin on the other side. I prefer all the energy to be expanded within the animal. Otherwise, might as well shoot solids.
I used to be of the same opinion 30 years ago, so I see the logic.

The TSX and other mono bullets combine deep penetration with a wound channel solids can't match.

Every bullet intended for hunting is designed to either deform, or NOT deform when it hits flesh. Solids are designed to give up wound channel diameter in order to achieve depth of penetration. Some expanding bullets are designed to expand violently and give up penetration to achieve a large diameter wound channel. Every modern hunting bullet is a compromise between these two extremes. Bullets intended for Dangerous Game obviously tilt slightly toward penetration and weight retention. I simply prefer a slight bit more of a tilt in the penetration end of the equation.

BTW, outstanding Marksmanship on your Buff. Anything hit like that is going for a ride to the salt shed.
 
North Fork SS is my first choice. But I would happily (and have) use Swift A-Frames on buffalo. I prefer the North Fork's simply because they don't copper foul as much as the A-Frames do and I just prefer the design ever so slightly of the North Fork bullet.
 
Won’t it depend on what your 470 double is regulated with?

SAF, TBBC, North Fork & Woodleigh will perform similarly, perfect for buff, all premium bonded.

TSX perform great. You will get pass throughs on broadside shots.

DGX Bonded - many have successfully killed buffalo with this. Seems like many DR are regulated with Hornady.
 
Won’t it depend on what your 470 double is regulated with?

SAF, TBBC, North Fork & Woodleigh will perform similarly, perfect for buff, all premium bonded.

TSX perform great. You will get pass throughs on broadside shots.

DGX Bonded - many have successfully killed buffalo with this. Seems like many DR are regulated with Hornady.
Yes, regulated with Norma PH 500 grns Woodleigh RNSN, but I like choices :)
 
Anything but Hornady. Sometimes they work, BUT sometimes they don't is what all the PH's in camp have to say about them.

Personally, I'm a Swift A-Frame fan. Swift has an email wait list for restocking. That process has keep me in stock over the years.
 
I would have voted for three of them but it wouldnt let me. My vote goes to any dual core bonded bullets.

Swift A-frame
North Fork sp
Federal TBBC

I also like the Barnes TSX but in higher velocity cartridges. Some time back the guys at the Barnes booth told me they would not recommend an impact velocity below 2000fps for the TSX bullet and i see no reason to question their advice.
 
A-frames are hard to source if reloading. TSX are easy to find and very good on buff. We are spoiled with bullet choices and many have good reputation in the field. More problems come from shot placement than bullet design.
 
A-Frame or TSX. Both have worked perfectly in 300 gr from a wee little .375 :rolleyes: on all sorts of game to include buffalo.

My first in the Caprivi. He was quartering toward us as he rose from his bed. At the shot he dropped right back into it. The bullet transited the heart. Enough gun and the right bullet in the right place has a habit of being lethal.
heart shot.JPG

caprivi buff.JPG
 
Don’t discount Cutting Edge Ballistics. They make some great bullets, but they’re the new kids on the block, so many aren’t aware. TSX is excellent. A-frames are excellent. The TSX might pass through a buffalo sideways, but an A-frame could too, especially if no bones are encountered. Plan accordingly.

I have a big bunch of A-frames in the mail to me right now. If you call the factory, talk to the nice folks, and get on their list, they’ll send you out a bunch the next time they run them. I’ve also done this with Berger, Barnes, and other bullet makers over the years.
 
I've heard Mark Haldane his own self say not to use TSX for risk of over-penetration.

I'm loading up North Fork 430 gr SS for my 404J when I go back next year. I had good fortune with A Frame last time, but they're unobtanium in anything but .366 for a couple years.
 
Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Swift A-Frame, Older Federal Loaded TSX, Barnes TSX in that order.

Reason being, I’ve had better results with the TBBC on Buffalo than the A-Frame in other calibers.
 
I think the last 7 buffalo I’ve shot were all with a .416 400-grain Bearclaw for the first shot. Some were shot with TSX’s on follow-up shots and one also got a couple Cutting Edge Raptors on follow-up as I wanted to see how they’d do. My son has shot 3 with .375 300-grain TSX’s and a good friend has used my .375 with 300 grain A Frames on a couple. They all worked very well.

I don’t think it really matters what a fellow shoots among the choices offered as well as Cutting Edge and Nosler Partitions, except for Hornady. I’ve killed buffalo and elephant with Hornady bullets, but that was a long time ago before better bullets were developed. Hornady will work for the most part, there are just so many choices that are significantly better these days. They’ll all work fine.

I checked Bearclaws and TSXs, but I’m keen to try some Northfork SS’s and more Cutting Edge Raptors too going forward.
 
A Frame back trigger
Barnes TSX front trigger

Then Barnes TSX
Are you implying you fire the back trigger first? If so, IMO it goes against conventional wisdom, so I'm curious.
 
I’ve heard there’s a big difference between the old DGX and new DGX. No proof just here-say
 

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