Buffalo - do you put solids in the magazine?

Flipper Dude said:

No way in hell I’m asking a PH what bullet to use or what rifle to bring. I’ll be happy to tell him if he asks. None ever have until I’ve arrived. I have some experience ( Not as much as a PH) , but I can read and research. A lot. We seem to put these guys on a pedestal for some reason. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of these guys are not really very good at their job, as is the same in any profession. Not every guy that works on cars or frames houses for a living is good at it, just because it’s what they do.

Hope this doesn’t step on any toes. And yes, I’m the best at what I do for a living.

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No disrespect intended but I have to respectfully disagree to a point with the above comment. Any PH that has worked a few seasons let alone a decade or two has tons more experience than almost any hunter when it comes to the effects of bullets and cartridges on live wild game. While that is not a degree in ballistics or engineering, it is very relevant experience. My PH in Africa hunts more than 200 days of every year with his clients and has done so for about 15 yrs. He has witnessed hundreds of each common game animal taken and has seen both successes and failures in the field. I have been hunting for almost 60yrs and have not come close to seeing that much game taken in the field and I am a very experienced hunter. I am also a small arms expert and a nationally ranked competitive marksman. I am a certified professional engineer and have studied the affect of bullets on live game for decades. I know a little bit about guns and bullets and their use for hunting.

Even so, When I hunt with a PH in Africa or a professional guide in North America, I make it a practice to discuss my options for rifle, cartridge and bullet for my main intended game. I use those inputs to aid me in making my decisions. I do not blindly follow advice regardless of its source as the final decision rides with me alone. I do value their advice but as a rule I only follow it some of the time. It was because of the advice of PH's that I began using copper mono bullets from Barnes on game a few years ago. I was a doubting Thomas when it came to those bullets since I lacked experience with them. I was more in the camp of using very frangible Nosler Ballistic Tip type bullets on most game but I had also been limited to mostly deer, hogs and varmints like coyotes as opposed to tougher game like Wildebeest or Kudu, let alone Buffalo. Then came Africa. I have had great results with TSX, TTSX, and Federal Fusions on game. I have found that the TSX expands to about 2.0x or slightly more as long as you maintain an impact velocity of 2000fps or more. That is more than a little bit. It also penetrates very well. I had one pass thru 3ft of Wildebeest bull from a frontal shot and lodge in the paunch. It opened to 1.9x from 180y. A 2nd shot from closer opened to 2.2x.

Western hunters who want to take 500y shots on Elk or Mulies might not want to use these unless they are hunting with the super magnums. But there are better bullets more suited for extreme long range. That is not my game. I can usually get closer with a little effort. Might be different on Pronghorn in Wyoming? I would expect so.

One word of caution to those looking to use cup points for DG. Make sure your rifle feeds them well every time. I found that both the Northforks and the Woodleigh's failed to feed reliably in ALL of my DG rifles. That is a bit of an issue to say the least. After consulting with my PH, I chose to leave them at home in favor of the TSX which fed every time. If you are using a double rifle for DG this is not an issue.

Most recently, I consulted with my guide and with this forum on choosing a rifle for Texas Nilgai. Three of us ended up choosing a 338wm and one of our party chose a 300wm. We all bagged our bulls but the fellow with the smaller rifle had to track his about 150y and finish it. Those shot with 338's ALL dropped in their tracks from perfect heart shots. Our guides were shocked and said that they had never seen such performance from non-spinal shots that many times in a row. I am currently working on plans for a Moose hunt in Canada. While my 338 would be the logical choice, I am considering a different tactic as the terrain is more open than Texas and I might need to shoot further than I would want to with the 338. Even though a Moose will weigh 2x that of a Nilgai, it is not known to be a tough animal to kill with a well placed shot. So, I am looking at a 7mm RM simply because I can shoot mine well at longer distances and I still think it will do the job. Jury is still out. I have consulted the guide and others and will make a decision later this summer.

Not sure where you are disagreeing. My point being that asking my PH what rifle or bullet to use on a particular hunt is not something I’m doing. I suppose if I hunt dangerous game with 6 or more different PHs ( I have) I could get 6 different recommendations on caliber, bullet type and manufacturer. Nope. I’ll stick to what I know to be a proven performer. Don’t need affirmation from my PH.

Tdruck said:

Thank you,
Understood. I'll take a couple solids in case for some reason an elephant becomes an affordable possibility.

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More likely to need a solid if an elephant encounter has a potential to turn south. I have no love for TSXs in any way which is contrary to many here on AH. Have used A-frames for years and honestly have had nothing but staller results. Hunt DG exclusively with a Double but if there are elephants in the area I always keep 2-3 solids in my culling belt. Swift BreakAways are easy to regulate in a double once u have a load for A-frames. They share some in the design with the NF cup points which we have seen several reports who have had excellent results with. Have shot them in my 400 H&H (.411 bore dia).
And along with the soft points have been very accurate.

Lots of good info in this thread about softs vs solids, and in particular flat nose solids. Many people don't reload or realize companies like Hendershot or Superior exist for custom reloads. If you had to use a factory loaded solid you could order from Midway or buy at Cabelas / Bass Pro what you recommend?

I employ Woodleigh PP SN or Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. No solids.

Tdruck said:

Until then, how many of you put a solid in the magazine when hunting buffalo?

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What is this thing called a magazine?

I put solids in my double only for elephant and hippo. If I was hunting a Rhino, I might do it for it as well. Buffalo, softs all the way. Last two I shot the bullet traveled through and was found just under the skin on the other side.

I would like to pass on a piece of advice from my one and only buffalo hunt and it has nothing to do with what caliber of rifle you should use or the type of bullets you should load in it. My advice is, ask your PH what caliber rifle and bullets he is using. My PH was using a 375 H&H. During the follow up on my buffalo we were charged at 7 yards, we were unable to stop the charge but fortunately the bull turned and headed into the brush, in the following 20 minutes a bull elephant drawn to the smell of blood came to investigate and forced us to flee as fast as our feet could carry us. The next morning, we returned to recover my buffalo, after the recovery we returned to the truck and unloaded our rifles, to my shock and horror my PH was using 300 grain federal blue box cup and core ammunition. I barely trust Federal Blue box to punch holes in paper, and I would certainly never hunt with it. I blindly trusted my life and my son's life to a PH using a caliber to small for the task and sub-standard ammunition. That’s a mistake I will never make again, and I hope you don’t either.

Art Lambart II said:

I would like to pass on a piece of advice from my one and only buffalo hunt and it has nothing to do with what caliber of rifle you should use or the type of bullets you should load in it. My advice is, ask your PH what caliber rifle and bullets he is using. My PH was using a 375 H&H. During the follow up on my buffalo we were charged at 7 yards, we were unable to stop the charge but fortunately the bull turned and headed into the brush, in the following 20 minutes a bull elephant drawn to the smell of blood came to investigate and forced us to flee as fast as our feet could carry us. The next morning, we returned to recover my buffalo, after the recovery we returned to the truck and unloaded our rifles, to my shock and horror my PH was using 300 grain federal blue box cup and core ammunition. I barely trust Federal Blue box to punch holes in paper, and I would certainly never hunt with it. I blindly trusted my life and my son's life to a PH using a caliber to small for the task and sub-standard ammunition. That’s a mistake I will never make again, and I hope you don’t either.

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Wow, I won't ask the name of the PG, but what country?

Tanks said:

What is this thing called a magazine?

I put solids in my double only for elephant and hippo. If I was hunting a Rhino, I might do it for it as well. Buffalo, softs all the way. Last two I shot the bullet traveled through and was found just under the skin on the other side.

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Now this is a picture!! Wow!!!!!!!!!!

Russ16 said:

Wow, I won't ask the name of the PG, but what country?

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South Africa, when I shot my buff, we were hunt a property normally used for photographic safaris and the owner had buffalo and elephants on the property to attract the shutter bugs.

Art Lambart II said:

I would like to pass on a piece of advice from my one and only buffalo hunt and it has nothing to do with what caliber of rifle you should use or the type of bullets you should load in it. My advice is, ask your PH what caliber rifle and bullets he is using. My PH was using a 375 H&H. During the follow up on my buffalo we were charged at 7 yards, we were unable to stop the charge but fortunately the bull turned and headed into the brush, in the following 20 minutes a bull elephant drawn to the smell of blood came to investigate and forced us to flee as fast as our feet could carry us. The next morning, we returned to recover my buffalo, after the recovery we returned to the truck and unloaded our rifles, to my shock and horror my PH was using 300 grain federal blue box cup and core ammunition. I barely trust Federal Blue box to punch holes in paper, and I would certainly never hunt with it. I blindly trusted my life and my son's life to a PH using a caliber to small for the task and sub-standard ammunition. That’s a mistake I will never make again, and I hope you don’t either.

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I agree with your assessment of the Federal Blue Box. It is a good deer rifle bullet. Also agree with asking the PH's what they plan to carry for back-up. Some may be too cavalier about the back up job until they get charged a few times. Let's face it, buffalo do not charge all that often unless prevoked but they do charge sometimes and are both unpredictable and unrelenting when they do. On my buffalo hunt in 2025, we stalked a small group of bulls into a large and very heavy thorn thicket. So, thick that at 20-30y at times we could smell them and hear them but could not see to shoot at them. I carried my 375HH, my lead PH backed me up with his 375HH loaded with TSX but later said he would have brought his 458 had he realized the cover would be so thick. He now also has a 450-400 double for such DG duty. The older DG specialist who was our host and who also backed us up was toting his shortened CZ in 458wm. Honestly, when we were that close and unable to see to shoot, it would not have been too much to be armed with an RPG, lol.

I read this thread with great interest, especially since I’m going on a buffalo hunt using a .375 H&H this October. Some have noted that, at least with broadside shots, the Barnes TSX penetrates the carcass, and there seems to be a very large Barnes fan base in this forum. I’m wondering, though, where all the pics of mushroomed TSX bullets come from. Are they all extracted from Texas heart shots or sharp angle shots?

Is there a consensus that a good bonded softpoint or TSX should be used for the first shot when hunting buffalo (cows) in a herd? Ideally, the bullet should be designed so that there is no significant weight loss, all the energy is delivered in the vital area, and the bullet does not pass through the animal’s body so that no other buffs are unintentionally injured. Right?

And for the second shot? Some of you prefer solids, others use TSX? To me this thread has not provided a clear answer yet or did I overlook something?

Premium grade expanding bullets is all you need for buffalo....

BlackRhino said:

I read this thread with great interest, especially since I’m going on a buffalo hunt using a .375 H&H this October. Some have noted that, at least with broadside shots, the Barnes TSX penetrates the carcass, and there seems to be a very large Barnes fan base in this forum. I’m wondering, though, where all the pics of mushroomed TSX bullets come from. Are they all extracted from Texas heart shots or sharp angle shots?

Is there a consensus that a good bonded softpoint or TSX should be used for the first shot when hunting buffalo (cows) in a herd? Ideally, the bullet should be designed so that there is no significant weight loss, all the energy is delivered in the vital area, and the bullet does not pass through the animal’s body so that no other buffs are unintentionally injured. Right?

And for the second shot? Some of you prefer solids, others use TSX? To me this thread has not provided a clear answer yet or did I overlook something?

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"Some have noted that, at least with broadside shots, the Barnes TSX penetrates the carcass"

Not true in my experience. The TSX when fired at proper ranges of 50-120y opens completely and does not penetrate a broadside buffalo. It stays in the body. My 375 has a 26" bbl and chrono's almost 2600fps with factory Barnes loads and it stayed in the buff for every shot. I think the opinion of Barnes penetrating came from early bullets of tougher alloy which sometimes failed to expand. Not an issue today.

Use soft for first shot and all follow-ups unless you are wading into deep cover after a wounded buff, then you might want a few solids loaded not that it would matter. A TSX to the brain of a buff is going to stop him as good as a solid. Placement is critical. I watched a hunter in Zambia shoot a unwounded buff on the nose as instructed by his PH. That was bad advice IMO. Still, the hunter took the shot and predictably, he muffed the shot. Yanked it off center and now a badly wounded buffalo is off and gone into the bushveld. They tracked it for two days until another herd passed over the track and they lost it. As hunters we should know enough to pass on a bad shot. IMO - there is not a scenario where me as the client should be loading solids for buffalo. My PH as backup may or may not and that is up to him.

BlackRhino said:

I read this thread with great interest, especially since I’m going on a buffalo hunt using a .375 H&H this October. Some have noted that, at least with broadside shots, the Barnes TSX penetrates the carcass, and there seems to be a very large Barnes fan base in this forum. I’m wondering, though, where all the pics of mushroomed TSX bullets come from. Are they all extracted from Texas heart shots or sharp angle shots?

Is there a consensus that a good bonded softpoint or TSX should be used for the first shot when hunting buffalo (cows) in a herd? Ideally, the bullet should be designed so that there is no significant weight loss, all the energy is delivered in the vital area, and the bullet does not pass through the animal’s body so that no other buffs are unintentionally injured. Right?

And for the second shot? Some of you prefer solids, others use TSX? To me this thread has not provided a clear answer yet or did I overlook something?

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What you see here is a broad range of opinions. Everyone thinks that whatever worked for them is the only right answer. PH's, while they generally have much more experience than those that travel to Africa, also have a range of opinions. Some things we can all agree on, like using cheap or frangible bullets or under powered cartridges, everything else is open to individual opinion.

The best thing to do is ask your PH what he thinks. He has the most experience on the animals and conditions in the area. When dealing with dangerous game, his life is also at risk.

BlackRhino said:

To me this thread has not provided a clear answer yet or did I overlook something?

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Few things on this forum will elicit more discussion and banter than this particular topic. The reality is, Swift Aframes, Barnes TSX, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Northfork SS, and Hornady DGX are all quality soft bullets. My suggestion is to buy a couple of these, see which one shoots best in your rifle, and go hunting. It really is just about that simple.

Last year I was doing a buffalo/tuskless hunt, I put solids in the magazine and kept a soft in the chamber. In the event we would run across an elephant, I could quickly cycle out the soft and be ready to go on elephant. If I am hunting buffalo only, I load up either Swift Aframes or Barnes TSX and go hunting. For those who want to have solids in the magazine, that's fine as well. For me, I prefer to have whatever ammo I am using fully loaded in the gun, I don't need to be wondering if my next shot is with a soft of a solid.