350 grain TSX vs 400 grain TSX on Cape buffalo

[M70375!]

I am looking for one bullet that will work well on buffalo and leopard, so that I don't have to develope two different loads that shoot to the point of impact. I was told going with 350 grain TSX would work great for both animals. I am just concerned if they would have enough penetration on the buffalo. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am using a 416 Remington.

 

[Nevada Mike]

For buffalo I prefer 400 grain bonded bullets...This is a Swift AF from one of the buff I shot in TZ:

I'd probably opt for a 400 gr. NOSLER Partition or similar soft bullet for the leopard.

 

[DLSJR]

I think it will work fine, but I’d look into Bearclaws or Nosler Partitions as a better choice. The last 7 buffalo I’ve shot have all been with 400 grain Bearclaws in my 416 and they simply work very well. And on a leopard, they’ll open up good every time. Nosler would also be excellent.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Go 400Gr. And since you’re going after both leopard AND Cape buffalo, I would highly recommend employing a lead core bonded bullet instead of a monometal all copper one such as the Barnes TSX. The Barnes TSX gets my full endorsement for Cape buffalo hunting, but I am not confident in it’s expanding abilities when employed against the great cats (especially for broadside heart-lung shots that are taken when the animal is feeding on a bait or an a natural kill). Unless if your point of aim happens to be the shoulder bone/scapula itself.

My recommendation would be for 400Gr Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, Hornady DGX (Dangerous Game eXpanding) Bonded or Swift A Frames. Whichever of those that you can source.

 

[BryceM]

There are great choices for each animal and only OK choices that would work well for both. I would question the rationale for “needing” a single bullet for each application. Buffalo/elephant hunters face a similar, but slightly different version of the same question.

My .416 Rigby in a 550 CZ puts 400 gr solids and 400 gr TSX within 1 inch of each other at 100 yards.

When hunting leopard, at least over bait, the distance will be certain and it’s common to sight in the rifle precisely for that distance. Within DG distances (100 yards max), there’s a good chance two vastly different bullets will be close enough that there no real difference.

If so, use a 400 gr TSX (or similar) for Buffalo and use a 300 or 350 gr much softer bullet for the cat. However, with the cat, absolute precision is important. Most of the time, something fast in the .300-.338 range would be a better choice.

If I had to chose one, I’d go with a 350gr A-Frame, if you can find them.

 

[coreydb]

350 gr put mine down no problem

 

[Fordy]

Gday m70375
Dont know a lot about 416 only limited experience with that one but are you only considering Barnes as some others have offered other brand style/ options
?

If only tsx
The 350 imo would be the better option to cover both & a easy system to get that to open reliably on the likes of the smaller resistance critters compared to buff is the addition of wax in the hollow point & the hydraulic force this impacts on these types of critters surpasses what a bonded pill or like can do ( impact to tip both time & distance traveled) on the whole ( always have outliers & why numbers are important ) even in the Barnes tsx itself but some people won’t do that so ea to there own on that

The other option is once again go down in weight & use the likes of the ceb raptor now don’t know their weight range in 416 but a 300 to 350 max ( 325 be about sweetspot of balance & weight on sums off other calibers I’ve used )

These types of pills offer penetration that’s only surpassed by a good solid but also wound channels that no other style have shown to be able to match ( some prototypes in works now that are showing very good promise but more testing needed on these to confirm all good)
The only caveat on that is the damage it will do to the hide on the smaller critters like leopard as it sometimes is very substantial ( I’ve not shot leopard with these type of pills so that’s one I’m interpreting but off other critters it can be wow & maybe too much)

Cheers

 

[DLSJR]

Here’s what you get for an exit with a Trophy Bonded Bearclaw…

They’re also an excellent buffalo bullet in 400 grain 416.

 

[ARod]

I am looking for one bullet that will work well on buffalo and leopard, so that I don't have to develope two different loads that shoot to the point of impact. I was told going with 350 grain TSX would work great for both animals. I am just concerned if they would have enough penetration on the buffalo. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am using a 416 Remington.

The 350 grain will penetrate 4-5 feet deep length wise. The load the ammo so the recoil is not insane and you can quickly take follow up shots. I took a cape and female lion with 350 gr TSX. Massive damage !!

 

[M70375!]

Thank you sir

 

[M70375!]

Here’s what you get for an exit with a Trophy Bonded Bearclaw…
View attachment 690253
They’re also an excellent buffalo bullet in 400 grain 416.

awesome

 

[AZDAVE]

I would use the 350gr speer for leopard and either TSX for the buff. Just develop loads that have a similar POI. if you want a monometal the CEB raptor or one of the Stone Hammer bullets for the cat.

 

[Andrew62]

I used Barnes TSX on several buffalo as well as lion and leopard, it is a great bullet. I love your idea of using one bullet for both animals, it keeps it simple!! As to 350 vs 400 grain, personally, I would use what shoots best out of my gun. I can assure you, a buffalo isn't going to notice the difference!!

 

[Philip Glass]

I am looking for one bullet that will work well on buffalo and leopard, so that I don't have to develope two different loads that shoot to the point of impact. I was told going with 350 grain TSX would work great for both animals. I am just concerned if they would have enough penetration on the buffalo. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am using a 416 Remington.

It will work well for buffalo and with TSX you don't need any solids. I ran a 400g TSX all the way through a buffalo from the rear end only stopping in the opposite shoulder. Again no need for solids! It is not ideal for leopard but should be fine.

 

[M70375!]

I would use the 350gr speer for leopard and either TSX for the buff. Just develop loads that have a similar POI. if you want a monometal the CEB raptor or one of the Stone Hammer bullets for the cat.

You are the first one to say Speer, I'm glad you did, because that's the one I have been leaning to for the cat, as I have literally blown coyote to shreds with it. If the hole is to much for the taxidermist we can put that side to the wall.

 

[M70375!]

It will work well for buffalo and with TSX you don't need any solids. I ran a 400g TSX all the way through a buffalo from the rear end only stopping in the opposite shoulder. Again no need for solids! It is not ideal for leopard but should be fine.

yep, think that's what I will. PH agrees too.

 

[M70375!]

There are great choices for each animal and only OK choices that would work well for both. I would question the rationale for “needing” a single bullet for each application. Buffalo/elephant hunters face a similar, but slightly different version of the same question.

My .416 Rigby in a 550 CZ puts 400 gr solids and 400 gr TSX within 1 inch of each other at 100 yards.

When hunting leopard, at least over bait, the distance will be certain and it’s common to sight in the rifle precisely for that distance. Within DG distances (100 yards max), there’s a good chance two vastly different bullets will be close enough that there no real difference.

If so, use a 400 gr TSX (or similar) for Buffalo and use a 300 or 350 gr much softer bullet for the cat. However, with the cat, absolute precision is important. Most of the time, something fast in the .300-.338 range would be a better choice.

If I had to chose one, I’d go with a 350gr A-Frame, if you can find them.

Thanks, but I am anti Aframe, because I can never find them, I like the bullet but hate the company for their disgusting service .

 

[cmk]

North Fork? Their SS (semi spitzer) and the PP (percussion point) bullets have the same weights and dimensions (and should therefore have the same POI. The only difference is that the tip of the PP has been pre-cut in order to expand faster.

 

[Doug3006]

Either bullet weight will perform exactly like a solid in a Leopard. Very little expansion, if any. The TSX isn’t the best choice for a relatively light, thin-skinned animal like a Leopard. Though it will kill it for sure, there might be a little too much life left in it for a few minutes after you shoot it.