.375 should be banned from buffalo hunts!

[Flbt]

@Flbt
I once had the pleasure/ misfortune to fire 3 shots out of a 460 Weatherby. That cured me if ever wanting to fire one again.
The only other rifle that had the same effect was the 8.3x62 that @peter Who owned That bitch of a thing cured me if wanting to shoot IT after one shot. It had a boot in it like an angry mule and felt like you were getting a belt up the chops with a pick handle.
On the other hand the 425 express that @Badboymelvin owns is a real joy to shoot with 409grainers at 2,400+ fps.
To me a rifle should fit you well then you are able to mitigate recoil more easily.
Bob

Besides the kick on the 460 the hard bolt lift was not nice either. The owner said the ammo must have gotten to hot in the sun.

 

[Sideshow]

Bobby,

I would personally rank Gaur as the most dangerous out of all the wild bovines which I’ve hunted in the entire world (to date). Because they actually have the ability for tactical planning and staging the most unexpected ambushes (esp. in densely vegetated terrain). They can actually stalk you for hours (up to three at least, in my humble experience) without you even realizing that a 3000 pound bovine is following you. And are the most liable to attack you completely unprovoked.
View attachment 711943
Followed closely by the Thai Seladang.
View attachment 711944

Out of the 46 Asian water buffalo which I’ve personally culled in 1979… I only faced one charge (a wounded bull which technically wasn’t charging me but I simply happened to be in his way while he was attempting to escape six of my forest guards who had opened fire on one of the herds in the other side of the island). None of the others particularly gave me any trouble. Although ill tempered specimens are known to kill people now & then (which is why the Ministry Of Forests sanctioned the feral water buffalo cull in Kukri Island in 1979), they lack the cunning of the Gaur & Seladang. Despite being bigger than an African Cape buffalo, they are nowhere as aggressive or intelligent since I’ve observed most of their charges to be provoked spur-of-the-moment frontal attacks. Although (like all bovines) the sight & smell of blood greatly heightens their aggression.

@Hunter-Habib that Guar in your pic looks a lot like a Jersey Bull just bigger.
Dad used to get some Jersey bulls in to cover his friesian heifers. Trouble was they came from the back blocks of the coromandel peninsula with little human contact until they got loaded on a truck. We had one that would stalk you. Long story short I saw it coming, sneak around the side of the chicken shed. (Was where the bull paddock was situated) Thought I’d teach the cheeky bugger a lesson so picked up a 2” steel post that was lying about and when he came stalking around the side of the shed smashed it over the top of his head!
The look on Dads face when I told him I’d accidentally killed this thing was interesting to say the least thought I was in for it. Took him down and showed him the crime scene. Nana turned up with her food scraps to feed the chooks at the same time and said “Ohoo yes he’s tried that a few times with me”. Learnt later that it’s quite easy to kill cows in this manner!
Not that I’d want to try it out on a buff or any of the other wild bovine species.
But it is I think in some breeds that they will stalk you!

 

[dlmac]

Ok, It bit and knowing that the title was really click bait. But look at the response it built up! I will admit that there was a lot of good info and more opinions that......holes.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Hunter-Habib that Guar in your pic looks a lot like a Jersey Bull just bigger.
Dad used to get some Jersey bulls in to cover his friesian heifers. Trouble was they came from the back blocks of the coromandel peninsula with little human contact until they got loaded on a truck. We had one that would stalk you. Long story short I saw it coming, sneak around the side of the chicken shed. (Was where the bull paddock was situated) Thought I’d teach the cheeky bugger a lesson so picked up a 2” steel post that was lying about and when he came stalking around the side of the shed smashed it over the top of his head!
The look on Dads face when I told him I’d accidentally killed this thing was interesting to say the least thought I was in for it. Took him down and showed him the crime scene. Nana turned up with her food scraps to feed the chooks at the same time and said “Ohoo yes he’s tried that a few times with me”. Learnt later that it’s quite easy to kill cows in this manner!
Not that I’d want to try it out on a buff or any of the other wild bovine species.
But it is I think in some breeds that they will stalk you!

@Sideshow
Just goes to show you don't need a big gun to kill cattle.
Maybe we should ban all rifles and just use a 2" steel post.
Bob

 

[Flbt]

@Sideshow
Just goes to show you don't need a big gun to kill cattle.
Maybe we should ban all rifles and just use a 2" steel post.
Bob

I have seen especially show steers get knocked out by a punch or a cupple good bonks of a show stick.
It didn’t all ways work but I have seen it enough to know it can. If you hit the right place.
But I was knocked out by my daughter when she was just learning to walk. I was on the floor holding her hand she fell and hit me in the Timple with her forehead wife said I was out about 2 minutes
She still has a hard head 28 years later

 

[C.W. Richter]

Gents I'm sorry but I have no bloody idea where I bought that shield. I actually think it was in a market in Eswatini (Swaziland)

The SD of the .404 is unexpectedly better .340 vs. .305 but anything > 0.300 is just perfect for caliber. I personally like small bore wildcats made from the Jeff cartridge (WSM et. al.) The 350 gr .365 is 0.425 so essentially the same, but with considerably more V and resulting E. LOL Couldn't help it: Updated! Also: Didn't Jeffrey essentially steal the Schuler cartridges out of war? (i.e. same strategy here: .275 Rigby is 7mm Mauser!)

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

View attachment 712439The SD of the .404 is unexpectedly better .340 vs. .305 but anything > 0.300 is just perfect for caliber. I personally like small bore wildcats made from the Jeff cartridge (WSM et. al.) The 350 gr .365 is 0.425 so essentially the same, but with considerably more V and resulting E. LOL Couldn't help it: Updated! Also: Didn't Jeffrey essentially steal the Schuler cartridges out of war? (i.e. same strategy here: .275 Rigby is 7mm Mauser!) View attachment 712440

@C.W. Richter
35 Whelen loaded with a 310gn RNSP or solid.
SD slightly more than a 350gn 375.
Muzzle velocity 2,455fps
ME 4,000+fps
Should penetrate a buffalo enough to kill it and has the required energy.
Just saying.
Bob

 

[HankBuck]

I have seen especially show steers get knocked out by a punch or a cupple good bonks of a show stick.
It didn’t all ways work but I have seen it enough to know it can. If you hit the right place.
But I was knocked out by my daughter when she was just learning to walk. I was on the floor holding her hand she fell and hit me in the Timple with her forehead wife said I was out about 2 minutes
She still has a hard head 28 years later

@Flbt - wish every guy that fought Me in a Bar had your glass jaw (I might’ve Won a few !)

 

[Flbt]

@Flbt - wish every guy that fought Me in a Bar had your glass jaw (I might’ve Won a few !)

Glass timple but dang her head is hard.

 

[C.W. Richter]

@C.W. Richter
35 Whelen loaded with a 310gn RNSP or solid.
SD slightly more than a 350gn 375.
Muzzle velocity 2,455fps
ME 4,000+fps
Should penetrate a buffalo enough to kill it and has the required energy.
Just saying.
Bob

i agree with you on-paper, but I took my .338-06 A-Sq (NON-Ackley) using 300 gr Barnes Original 300 gr SPs (2,440 fps) to Africa...I did get a whopper 2,400 lb Livingstone's Eland, Zebra, but did lose confidence in it when a perfectly placed shot on a Wildebeest (@ 275 yds off a cliff-a "rock-solid" rest) ran from Zimbabwe into Zambia (We watched it for 5 mi!) LOL That was with a 225 Accubond-I lost all respect for "Premium (marketing-budget)" Bullets in a std V gun. It should've been a 250 gr Nos PT-a bullet that features Terminal Performance. It's super accurate. I love it. But, what it is..is a poor-man's combo deer/blk. bear season gun at home (also pigs, 'forgot I took a nice elk with it at 80 yds, and that 300 grain rd would be perfect for Moose at home as well!) What you suggest isn't too far off the 9+mm all (non-Americans) love, but you're pushing your luck if that bullet choice and shot aren't just right!!! Let's ALL pitch in and fund a Bob 35W youtube video (we're ALL attending, heckling and I'll be the libations-bearer and occasional jokester/prankster!) You'll shoot better with this pressure and prove your point! After that trip, I took my 338 A-Sq back and even the PH took one look and said "This IS a Cannon!" LOL I just smiled. I have thought about using it for buff in countries where legal (the E is >6,000 ft/lbs with the right bullet!) I picked up some Barnes MRX (i LOVED the LRX but they discontinued it) in 265 gr (I believe they have a 300). Now those, are WINNERS. (2 fav calibers, ballistically-264 & 338-just have enough Case!) I couldn't quickly find 300 gr data for the big 338s as Barnes doesn't make 'em anymore (but I have 2 boxes left and the new MRX should be more than ok!) **Ok i found a 300 in Wby (same case as the A-Sq). They also make 338 solids-the reason some PHs in countries only interested in ME would allow it. Just LOOK at those powder charges! lol (my pet loads are 102.5 gr-just a pinch.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

One more...i forgot I had this data loaded (same as the 35 W essentially). It'll do, but it's marginal IMO. Ty Herring at (the old, non-corporate sellout Barnes) LOLOL sent me some photocopies from old data using their 300 SPs and his quote was "keep the range to <150 yds" on the big PG I was hunting (and he was right!) The '06 variants def beg of some improvements, for African game (AI! like the one I sold on here recently-35!)

 

[EarlsSon]

I believe at times that "keyboard commandos" simply come up with drivel or topics like this thread so that they can see how many responses that they get !! Just my opinion, Your milage may vary !!!

 

[Muskox]

I am pretty sure a Cape buffalo is about 1000 pound less than a Brazilian water buffalo.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I was always told a proper buffalo cartridge starts with a "4".

 

[12bore_paradox]

if you find fault with the 0.375, I would recommend using 300-350 grain cup point solids. They penetrate almost like a solid and leave a wound channel almost that of a soft point.

Buffalo is without a doubt the large-bodied animal I've hunted the most. I'm very close to 300 (both as a hunter and as a guide), 80% of which are huge water buffalo! And I'm going to say something controversial here, but anyone who knows buffalo in all its might will understand what I'm saying: The .375 caliber should not be used for buffalo hunting! Okay, now you can criticize!

View attachment 710031

 

[Tman321]

Everytime I see the 35 whelen mentioned it reminds me to scour the internet hoping a manufacturer has finally made a batch of bullets over 250gr like the heavy a frames or woodleighs but always to no avail. I got a hawkeye with a 12 twist begging for some heavy bois. Barnes could at least make a .358 250gr tsx for cryin out loud. The heavier side of the 35 whelen spectrum is so neglected. Still love it though, taking it bear hunting this year. Also I know this is off topic but this post went off topic pages ago

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Everytime I see the 35 whelen mentioned it reminds me to scour the internet hoping a manufacturer has finally made a batch of bullets over 250gr like the heavy a frames or woodleighs but always to no avail. I got a hawkeye with a 12 twist begging for some heavy bois. Barnes could at least make a .358 250gr tsx for cryin out loud. The heavier side of the 35 whelen spectrum is so neglected. Still love it though, taking it bear hunting this year. Also I know this is off topic but this post went off topic pages ago

@Tman321
Woodleigh makes a nice 275gn PPSP and a bone crushing 310gn RNSP and solid
Those 310s can be loaded to 2,455fps in the Whelen. Over 4,000fpe of muzzle energy.
Bob

 

[sureshot375]

Interesting as I just saw this on FB and I think Mr PH Cristiano Furtado is just stirring and we fell for it.

See below what I found on Facebook.
What Calibre is written on the box by whom was this posted, or are my eyes seeing failling me????

View attachment 711521

The man is a “Group Expert” in a popular double rifle group on Facebook. How dare you question his veracity…

 

[Chad Arnette]

I like the .375. I also like .416 Rigby. I’ve had Buffalo die with one shot with .375 and Buffalo not even flinch with a .416. Depends on the Buffalo and shot placement. But bigger is generally better if the shooter can shoot. Not much of an argument there.

 

[BFaucett]

Everytime I see the 35 whelen mentioned it reminds me to scour the internet hoping a manufacturer has finally made a batch of bullets over 250gr like the heavy a frames or woodleighs but always to no avail. I got a hawkeye with a 12 twist begging for some heavy bois. Barnes could at least make a .358 250gr tsx for cryin out loud. The heavier side of the 35 whelen spectrum is so neglected. Still love it though, taking it bear hunting this year. Also I know this is off topic but this post went off topic pages ago

Since Hornady seems to have discontinued several of their round nose bullets, in various calibers, I've been contemplating trying some Hawk bullets; mainly in 7mm, .308, 8mm, .338, .358 calibers. (No dangerous game hunting.) I've never used Hawks before. They're a little pricey but I may try them in a couple of my rifles. Note that they are NOT bonded bullets.

Hawk Bullets: The World's Premier Custom Bullet Manufacturer | Hawk Incorporated

Hawk Precision, maker of obsolete, custom, and vintage bullet manufacturing. Spitzer, Round Nose, Flat Point, Jacketed, Cast Bullets.

hawkbullets.com

link: https://hawkbullets.com/

From your member profile, I can't tell where you're located so they may not be available to you.

I just thought I'd mention it . . . Cheers! Bob F.