416 Bullet Selection

[Kmarsh1966]

I have just finished a 20” 416 Ruger Build. I’m trying to decide on loading for Buffalo Hunt as DG. Looking at Buffalo Bore I see they offer 350 Barnes for Softs and 350 Solids. Not bringing Solids one this hunt. But both those loads are running in the 2600 +/- range. On my last trip I took a Gemsbok at 300 yds with my 375. My initial thought was go 400 Swift A-Frames. I snagged some bullets and brass to load. Hornady Load manual gets ball park 2300 FPS. I know the A-Frames rarely exit, which comes in handy in a herd situation (on Buffalo). The Barnes are likely going to exit and leave 2 holes for blood trail.

The Swifts really have a great reputation with terminal performance. But are not very aerodynamic and would lead me to shorter distance of actual performance. I had been considering using the 416 as one only gun on this trip.

Yes real hunters get closer to animals. Blah blah blah. I shot Precision Rifle series for 5 years and finished relatively high in the rankings.

My thought is the 350 Barnes could stretch my capability out to 350-400 on plains game vs dragging a 300 mag along as a second gun.

What are opinions of Barnes 350 TTSX vs Swift 400 A-Frame for terminal performance on buffalo.

 

[farmer_john]

Following

 

[meigsbucks]

I used a 400gr TSX in a .416 Ruger on my buffalo. Frontal shot at ~80yds, thru the heart.

The Banded Solid was the insurance shot.

 

[Doug3006]

400 g Swift, Woodleigh, or Barnes would be my top choices.

 

[dogcat1]

Basrnes TSX and Barnes banded solids....

 

[Tintin]

Woodleigh also do a 450 gn Weldcore soft.

'If some is good, more is better'

 

[M70375!]

400 grain TSX all the way , no solids

 

[Rumrunner]

I don’t think you could go wrong with Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frame, Woodleigh or North Fork.

 

[ftrovato]

Shoot any of these bullets. If something is further than 200 yards, my advice is to get closer!

I took around a dozen animals with my 416 Rigby in Mozambique in 2024. I didn't see the need to stretch anything beyond 150 yards.

If you're going to use a 416 for buffalo, get within 50 yards. Thats the challenge, fun and rush of hunting Buff! For buffalo, go with heavy bullets.

 

[Surgeon1]

400gr A-frames all the way in 416 Ruger or Rigby. The North Forks are really starting to shine.
Have shot several NF .411 in my 400H&H and they are accurate, will be my backup for buffalo in August. The 400 A-frames in 450-400 have done exceedingly well on Buffs out of my Heym.
On buffalo I would always recommend heavy for caliber! I don't think lighter for caliber bullets
have any place in DG hunting. I also don't like bullets that expend their energy making an exit hole
and hitting something else even if it just dirt, thus you won't see me using Barnes.

 

[AZDAVE]

My first question is where will you be hunting Buffalo? Most everywhere I have been in buff country a long shot even on plains game is 200. If you know the drops that 350 barnes will be able to reach out to 350ish fairly easy for plains game.

Also this is a hunting rifle and round. not a precision rifle or PRS kinda rig.

My order of preference for softs
Aframe, Northfork, CEB, Hammer, Barnes

My oder for solids is
CEB, Northfork, Barnes

 

[Kmarsh1966]

My first question is where will you be hunting Buffalo? Most everywhere I have been in buff country a long shot even on plains game is 200. If you know the drops that 350 barnes will be able to reach out to 350ish fairly easy for plains game.

Also this is a hunting rifle and round. not a precision rifle or PRS kinda rig.

My order of preference for softs
Aframe, Northfork, CEB, Hammer, Barnes

My oder for solids is
CEB, Northfork, Barnes

Last trip was South Africa - Northern Kalahari area. There were some areas that could stretch to 400 plus, but not the norm. A-Frames and a 300 Short Mag for anything not DG is solid answer. Thanks for your input