Actual calibers used for Buffalo by AH members

[Rafiki]

1, 375 H&H
3, 500 Sharps 2.5"

 

[Rumrunner]

Headed back to Limpopo to hunt buffalo in 2027. Planing to use my .416 Rem mag with Swift A Frames, if I can get the bullets. If not then; Barnes, North Fork or Woodleigh are on the table.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I used a 375HH loaded with Barnes TSX at 2580fps at the muzzle and zeroed about 1-2" high at 100y. First shot in right shoulder about 12" up from the brisket broke the leg/shoulder. It might have been slightly higher than desired but was a good hit in both lungs and some of the major arteries above the heart. A fatal wound.

I fired three more in very short time frame (~30sec) before the beast expired. Shots 1,3&4 formed a group that I could cover with my hand but did not all enter from the same angle. Shot 2 was while on the run that hit too far back but still hit the liver. Shot 3 was actually a frontal slightly quartering with head down. A 5th shot was made after the animal was down and dead as insurance but was not necessary. The 300g TSX typically expands to about 2x or slightly more at Buffalo shooting ranges. That is a 3/4" permanent hole that it tears thru the beast. That is 50% larger than a 50cal solid. But, I am sure the 50cal will penetrate deeper. Still, on a broadside shot a 300g 375 slug will usually penetrate most of the way thru a buffalo. Often found under that thick tough hide on the opposite side.

NOTE: If I am going to go in after buffalo in thick, tight cover, I am going to take a 458wm loaded with TSX, A-Frame or Woodleigh Hydros.

 

[Philip Glass]

.416 Ruger, .470 , and .450/400

 

[Mauser78]

i really thought that due to cost and availability and general usefulness the ratio between 375 and .4 would be much bigger in Favour of the 375, but it seems we have a lot of people here that really go all out if they know they are going after buffalo.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Novice just getting started, and thus far all have been with a Rigby 416. I’ll admit I like smacking them with a big gun, so hope to take my next buff with a double (470 or 450 NE) or 505 Gibbs. My first buff of 2025 was a frontal shot and watching him just chin-plant into the dirt without ever even lifting a foot was as addictive experience as I think I’ve ever had.

 

[Creigh]

Novice just getting started, and thus far all have been with a Rigby 416. I’ll admit I like smacking them with a big gun, so hope to take my next buff with a double (470 or 450 NE) or 505 Gibbs. My first buff of 2025 was a frontal shot and watching him just chin-plant into the dirt without ever even lifting a foot was as addictive experience as I think I’ve ever had. View attachment 717588View attachment 717589View attachment 717590View attachment 717591

Now this is a Buffalo hunt. Mamma Mia. I hope my future hunt turns out a beauty like your first two pics.

 

[Mauser78]

Thank you, I really enjoy the comments, and I do find the results really interesting.

 

[Velo Dog]

Caliber:
.450 No.2 NE
Bullets:
Original (not bonded) Hornady DGX first shot and DGS second shot.
Rifle:
Army & Navy Hammer Gun with Jones under lever.
Distance 1st Shot:
About 40 paces.
Distance 2nd Shot:
About 120 paces.

Velocity claimed by Ely Bros. Ammunition Factory for this cartridge was 2175 fps.
But after many many trips between Cal Pappas’ loading bench and the rifle range, trying many bullet brands, weights and various velocities, it turned out that my 28” barrels regulated best with the above often cussed and discussed bullets at 2050 fps., (shot through a chronograph).

My first shot was while the bull was facing us and just as I fired, he moved slightly.
This resulted in my first bullet impacting just slightly off my intended spot (center of his throat), entering instead, about 3 inches ? to the right (his right) of center on his throat, juncture of throat and brisket.
Nonetheless, he immediately collapsed, as the bullet crossed through the chest vitals and upon breaking a rib on the animal’s left side, stopped without exiting.

His head was moving about, but I could not yet fire again, as the herd was running left to right in the foreground and the background.
So I quickly reloaded, now to both chambers with solids.
He gathered his hooves under himself and began to walk away, now sharply quartering away from my muzzles.
Still engulfed by the thundering herd, I had to wait longer.
By then he had really gotten good at being alive while stone dead and was running pretty fast by the time I finally had a clear shot.
We were in a slightly low spot and he was on ever so slightly higher ground.
Having learned in my early teens how to shoot running jack rabbits with a rifle, I held accordingly and fired.
My solid entered the right flank, crossed forward and slightly upward through the right lung and smashed the spine.

He crashed to the ground in a mighty cloud of dust and we heard no death bellow.
Several other big rough looking bulls quickly circled back to him.
One of them began bashing my obviously expired animal with his horns, while the others stood there glaring at us.
I reloaded again, now having both chambers with solids.
The excellent PH (Hannes Swanepoel), had by now likewise chambered a 500 gr monolithic solid in his custom (based on a CZ 550 action) .458 South African Express 3” repeater.

Eventually our world class Tracker (Cepo) was able to run them off by throwing rocks at them while loudly insulting them in his Shangaan language.

Photos:

#1.
The buffalo, my rifle and me.

#2.
A. Left bullet —> first shot.
B. Middle bullet —> recovered from a zebra.
C. Unfired Hornady DGX @ 480 grains, .458 diameter.

#3.
Internet description of the .450 No.2 NE cartridge.

Sadly, the skinners and butchers evidently thought recovering only one of my two bullets from the carcass was adequate.
The one bullet was all they had for me when their processing work was finished.
That was a huge disappointment for sure but, that’s Africa sometimes.

Stay on That Front Sight,
Velo Dog.

 

[zephyr]

Cape Buff all inside of 50 yards
1 400 H&H 1x6 Swaro
1 450 NE Express Sights
1 505 Gibbs Express Sights
Aprox 25 Water Buff (Cull Hunt) 458 Lott 1.2x4 S&B

 

[375Fox]

i really thought that due to cost and availability and general usefulness the ratio between 375 and .4 would be much bigger in Favour of the 375, but it seems we have a lot of people here that really go all out if they know they are going after buffalo.

I expected that too, but to be fair there are only 2 real 375s. The H&H and the Ruger. 4 something covers 404 Jeffery, 416 Remington and Rigby, 458 Lott and Winchester, as well as a few other chamberings in bolt guns.

 

[Newboomer]

I expected that too, but to be fair there are only 2 real 375s. The H&H and the Ruger. 4 something covers 404 Jeffery, 416 Remington and Rigby, 458 Lott and Winchester, as well as a few other chamberings in bolt guns.

Win 70 375H&H. Barnes 350g TSX 58.5g 4064. Head on at 35 yds. He went about 50 yds and we found him dead, not even a death bellow. Bullet went stem to stern and we didn't find it.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Wasn't there a similar thread not long ago? I swear I posted on one...

2 large mature cows, .45-70, each with a single shot and each went maybe 20ish yards after the shot. Penetration was terrific on both.

 

[Houston Bill]

I have shot all my buffs, 3 in total, with 450/400 Heym double with DGX bonded 400 grain bullets. The 450/400 has very manageable recoil.

 

[Rem280]

375 Ruger absolutely crushed mine with Buffalo Bore 270 grain TSX. Highly recommend.

 

[revturbo9967]

You forgot the legendary .22 mag