Buff are tough

[towserthemouser]

CMS has a video that I remember seeing, where someone shot a cow elephant with a big double. I think it was a 470NE but not 100% sure about that part. The part I do remember quite clearly is that when they hit that cow on the shoulder, you could see it literally knock her off her feet. The impression I had watching the video was that she took a punch from a giant invisible fist and just got knocked over. I've heard about Knock-out Values all my life, but seeing that video I finally got it.

I agree with all who have pointed out the importance of bullet placement. But I do not think a 375 would have knocked that cow ass over teakettle like the big double did.

That's a point for the big bores, IF you can place the bullet properly.

 

[Rare Breed]

Kevin you are wise my friend. Shoot the heaviest caliber you know you can place that first shot in the kill zone period

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Kevin.
Thanks for this interesting report.
I'm especially glad to hear that the Hornady products performed quite well.
They do get a lot of flak here on the forum.
Were those the bonded bullets or the older ones?
Best regards
Foxi

Hi Foxi, these are all the bonded ones. There is a photo in our group of a retrieved one, I will try to get it, it shows perfect petal axpansion. I have nothing but goid things to say about Hornady.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

All of this information is interesting. @Kevin Peacocke, I heard the story of the last buff via Glen and @Lancaster ....very exciting and I'm so pleased everyone got out of the situation uninjured.
I note that a lot of the shots were taken with the DGX bullets which have a bit of a chequered history if I recall correctly. Do you recall if these bullets penetrated deep and tracked straight or could poor bullet performance have played a part? I can only add two buffalo cows to the collective knowledge base and both are interesting for different reasons. The first was in 2022 with a .375 H&H, 300 g TSX and a frontal chest shot - the cows legs gave way instantly and she hit the deck exactly where she stood. A follow up insurance shot with a .458 Win Mag was administered to be prudent. The second buffalo cow was last year with a .458 Lott and 420 grain CEB Raptors. The buff was quartering on and the bullet hit the left shoulder joint, fractured the humerus and made a very narrow wound through the upper part of the lungs. We caught up with her very much alive about 20-30 minutes later and the terrier kept the cow at bay whilst numerous shots were fired with the 458 lott. I noted at the time that the 450 grain CEB safari solids appeared to hit her much harder than the 420 grain Raptors and the autopsy showed the petals had not reached the vitals. As a result of this experience I will be setting off to the Caprivi before long with "old school" 450 grain TSX and 500 grain TBBC, together with 450 grain CEB solids. They all shoot to the same point of impact so will take my PHs advice.
For the record I dont think the CEB Raptors are bad bullets, but I would be very careful which shot I took with them and definitely would not take a frontal or quartering on shot through the shoulder bones with them again. I am sure with broadside chest shots they would probably be excellent

@SRvet I don't have any penertation facts unfortunately.
Yes, it was exciting, but could have ended very badly. I am perhaps guilty of over reaction in having gone to the extreme with the 500 Jeffrey, but I am just not prepared to take any more chances than necessary. This is hunting, and those who do it know the risks, but the new entrants like my kids don't have to experience the learning curve from the bottom. The only thing I would change if opportunity had allowed would have been to get a 470 or a 500 double for the very fast second shot, but the Blaser was immediately available and we will practice and practice the pull reload with lesser loads on the range.