Handgun Buffalo

[terry weick]

Leaving in 5 days to South Africa for my 3rd trip hunting. This round I'll be doing something different and hunt for Buffalo with my Smith and Wesson 500. Looking for advice and experiences from handgun hunters that may help.Im very effective at 50 yds and plan on shooting 375 grain alloy buffalo bore loads with 400 gr solids for back ups.

 

[JimP]

Leaving in 5 days to South Africa for my 3rd trip hunting. This round I'll be doing something different and hunt for Buffalo with my Smith and Wesson 500. Looking for advice and experiences from handgun hunters that may help.Im very effective at 50 yds and plan on shooting 375 grain alloy buffalo bore loads with 400 gr solids for back ups.

I think that I would be talking to my PH who would be backing me up.

 

[meigsbucks]

I was an avid handgun hunter for years, but never considered hunting buff with a handgun. However, your choice of firearm and ammo seem to be about as good as it gets.
I recall seeing a video of a woman taking a buff in Mozambique with a .454 using a hard cast bullet.

 

[terry weick]

I think that I would be talking to my PH who would be backing me up.

3 years of conversation with both the outfitter and ph.just curious if you are familiar with the smith 500 and do you hunt with a handgun?

 

[Rafiki]

Leaving in 5 days to South Africa for my 3rd trip hunting. This round I'll be doing something different and hunt for Buffalo with my Smith and Wesson 500. Looking for advice and experiences from handgun hunters that may help.Im very effective at 50 yds and plan on shooting 375 grain alloy buffalo bore loads with 400 gr solids for back ups.

Let's see, you're leaving in 5-days and your asking now?

 

[BeeMaa]

About time for a frozen herring to make an appearance.

 

[Whit]

Hold on man, he's asking now. Extrapolating his post, he's spent a lot of time in practice, done his research and is asking for any last minute advice...

 

[terry weick]

Let's see, you're leaving in 5-days and your asking now?

Nothings going to change, im sure of getting the job done. I have the right gear and frame of mind.why is it every comment on this forum full of aragance have a bit of sarcasm. I was only asking about experiences and only if you have tried what I'm about to do.

 

[Hunter4752001]

@terry weick The .500 has been proven to work so good hunting and don't forget to post the results.

 

[JimP]

3 years of conversation with both the outfitter and ph.just curious if you are familiar with the smith 500 and do you hunt with a handgun?

I've hunted quiet a bit here in Colorado and Utah with a handgun for both mule deer and elk. I've used handguns from the 357 up to 44 mag along with a few heavy loads in a Thompson Center Contender primarily in a 357 Herret based on a 30-30 case.

The main thing with a handgun is that if you think that you are close enough, get closer.

 

[terry weick]

@terry weick The .500 has been proven to work so good hunting and don't forget to post the results.

Thank you

 

[Falmike]

Mark Hampton killed a buffalo with one shot of 500 S&W.

https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/big-bores-for-big-bulls/

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs. I don't think I could hang onto one of those handguns. I could barely handle a .44 mag when given the opportunity ... once. I do own a 357 Highway Patrolman and shoot it very well. But hunting dangerous game with a revolver puking 400 gr bullets would require several wraps of Gorilla duct tape ... for me anyway. My hat's off to you since it appears you have already conquered the beast ... the handgun I mean.

Curious about barrel length. I presume you will be wearing hearing protection? Personally, I prefer to hear what's going on uninhibited when I'm hunting ... especially dangerous game.

No sarcasm intended. Just thinking out loud. This is a "different" undertaking for sure.

 

[terry weick]

I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs. I don't think I could hang onto one of those handguns. I could barely handle a .44 mag when given the opportunity ... once. I do own a 357 Highway Patrolman and shoot it very well. But hunting dangerous game with a revolver puking 400 gr bullets would require several wraps of Gorilla duct tape ... for me anyway. My hat's off to you since it appears you have already conquered the beast ... the handgun I mean.

Curious about barrel length. I presume you will be wearing hearing protection? Personally, I prefer to hear what's going on uninhibited when I'm hunting ... especially dangerous game.

No sarcasm intended. Just thinking out loud. This is a "different" undertaking for sure.

Believe it or not,my 500 is from the performance center at smith. It has a 10.5 inch barrel. Pleasant to shoot and we'll balanced. And yes, hearing protection is a must

 

[112Savage]

I have nothing constructive to add. Just don’t forget your jock strap to carry those huge brass things between your waist and knees. Can’t wait to read about it.

 

[TTundra]

Pretty sure @edward can give some tips. He's taken a few big and nasties with his handguns.

@terry weick best of luck and do let us know how the hunt goes. Vast majority here love reading tales such as the one you are hopefully about to embark on.

 

[Safari Dave]

I promise to refrain from further comments...

 

[Frederik]

Sounds like an intense hunt getting close to buffalo and then trying to get closer they will often turn and face you before running off.
I would not advise on a frontal shot unless you are 200% confident of knowning where the vitals are and be able to place the bullet in that exact spot.

Otherwise enjoy it it should be something different.

 

[DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS]

Leaving in 5 days to South Africa for my 3rd trip hunting. This round I'll be doing something different and hunt for Buffalo with my Smith and Wesson 500. Looking for advice and experiences from handgun hunters that may help.Im very effective at 50 yds and plan on shooting 375 grain alloy buffalo bore loads with 400 gr solids for back ups.

Good day sir, ive hunted Buffalo bull and cow with a hunter 2 years ago and he also used a 500 S&W hand gun, and it it performed great the main focus should be is that you are comfortable and your shot placement, in my opinion shot placement and penetration is key. At 50 yards you will smoke him and it always help if you could get a good follow up shot.
Good luck, enjoy the experience and be safe.
Regards
Derian

 

[Krink783]

I have hunt Cape Buffalo in South Africa using handguns.... successfully!

.476"-420g LFNGC bullets, one in a custom .475 Linebaugh, the other in a .475 Maximum. Both of them harvested very nice buffalo with sixguns.