Handgun hunting Africa plains game - Cape Buffalo (Novice)

[RLP]

Good morning all. I am planning a 2027 handgun safari in South Africa. I will be going with Nick Bowker @Nick Bowker Hunting, as I have hunted with him before as was very pleased.
My guns have pretty much been selected.
- S&W 350 Legend with a Burris 2x scope (7.5'' barrel) only as a backup to the two below
- S&W 460 with a Burris 2x scope (7.5" barrel) can also use 454 Casul/45 LC
- Freedom Arms 83 in 475 Linebaugh (sights undecided) (7.5'' barrel) recently purchased, not received

I will begin serious practice after I return from my 2026 rifle safari.

My question is to the experienced handgun hunters...
- do you use a rest for DG? I plan on using a tripod for plains game(longer shots)
- ammo suggestions for plains game for 350, 454 and 460
- ammo suggestion for cape buffalo 454,460, 475
- site suggestion for Freedom Arms 83 in 475 Linebaugh i.e. open, red dot, or scope
- grip suggestion for Freedom Arms 83

Any other wisdom the experienced handgun hunters want to share, I am interested, so fire away. Thank you in advance.

 

[rnovi]

I think the first question is what game do you have in mind?

Second question: what is your own personal range limit?

Final thought: if you are comfortable with the 460 or 475, then I’d skip the 350 altogether. I don’t see it adding much of anything that the other two don’t already do.

Sight suggestion on the FA…and for that matter the .460 - I’d do a 1-2 MOA dot. I run a Ruger Super Redhawk in .480 Roger with a Bushnell 1.5moa dot…I have grouped very consistently 2” or better at 100 yards. That’s the 350 gr. Load…which I find is remarkably stout yet fairly gentle to shoot. I really need to chrono that load but seat of the pants has me thinking 1200fps +…

Grips on the FA83…can’t say, that’s up to you. I do find the normal wood grips on my FA97 with a hot .44 special are very well controlled with the stock grips. I’m pushing 700 FPE on that load (305 hardcase over 15.5 gr. H110 for 1050 fps in a 3.5” FA97). Granted, a .475 Linebaugh is pushing 350 gr. Bullets at 1400…or something like that…it’s probably pretty bruising. Regardless, I’d test fire it first to see if the grips need to be changed.

Forced to pick just one from your list: I’d do the 460 Smith and load it for everything with one top load. Buffalo to Duiker - 300-350gr. Hardcast over a case of H110 or LilGun and call it a day.

Don’t overthink it.

Oh, and definitely use the sticks. No question.

 

[meigsbucks]

I agree with @rnovi, I’d skip the .350. I have a Leupold 2x on my .475 L. I don’t own one, but the .460 should handle everything with a 350gr hard cast.

 

[RLP]

I think the first question is what game do you have in mind?

Second question: what is your own personal range limit?

Final thought: if you are comfortable with the 460 or 475, then I’d skip the 350 altogether. I don’t see it adding much of anything that the other two don’t already do.

Sight suggestion on the FA…and for that matter the .460 - I’d do a 1-2 MOA dot. I run a Ruger Super Redhawk in .480 Roger with a Bushnell 1.5moa dot…I have grouped very consistently 2” or better at 100 yards. That’s the 350 gr. Load…which I find is remarkably stout yet fairly gentle to shoot. I really need to chrono that load but seat of the pants has me thinking 1200fps +…

Grips on the FA83…can’t say, that’s up to you. I do find the normal wood grips on my FA97 with a hot .44 special are very well controlled with the stock grips. I’m pushing 700 FPE on that load (305 hardcase over 15.5 gr. H110 for 1050 fps in a 3.5” FA97). Granted, a .475 Linebaugh is pushing 350 gr. Bullets at 1400…or something like that…it’s probably pretty bruising. Regardless, I’d test fire it first to see if the grips need to be changed.

Forced to pick just one from your list: I’d do the 460 Smith and load it for everything with one top load. Buffalo to Duiker - 300-350gr. Hardcast over a case of H110 or LilGun and call it a day.

Don’t overthink it.

Oh, and definitely use the sticks. No question.

Good evening, your response was very helpful.

1-I want to hunt cape buffalo and assorted plains game.
2- don't have a set limit, after more practice and hunting, I will have a better idea. I took game this week @ 63 yards hog, 67- & 71-yards White Tail. This is my first attempt at handgun hunting.
I did not take into consideration " Buffalo to Duiker - 300-350gr" one round for everything. -interesting idea.

Thank you,
RP

 

[RLP]

I agree with @rnovi, I’d skip the .350. I have a Leupold 2x on my .475 L. I don’t own one, but the .460 should handle everything with a 350gr hard cast.

Thank you, I see the reasoning behind skipping the 350, makes sense.

RP

 

[Tradmark]

Get a 45 cal. 454 or 460. Then get lehigh or ceb solids. If u can get the velocity over 1600 fps use 325gr swift aframes. Both my buff were killed with aframes. The 454 load was 325gr running just over 1600 fps out of a fa83. The bfr 460 i used on the second buff was 7.5”. 300gr aframes running 2000 fps the bfr ran 200 or so fps faster than my 8 3/8” sw 460 due mostly to a much smaller cylinder gap. I followed each aframe with an appropriate solid for the rest of the cylinder. The 325 buster in the 454 and 300gr ceb in the 460. Both buff were down with the aframe. Both worked better than my hunting partners using hatdcasts and 475 linebaughs.

 

[RedTag]

I took a moose years ago with a .454 Casull using 300gr XTP at ~1,600fps, iron sights. First shot from about 50 yards, finishing shot from less than 10 yards. Bullet performance from 50 yards was adequate, but from 10 yards was emphatic with significant blowback. This wasn’t intended to be a handgun hunt but the opportunity presented itself.

 

[RLP]

Get a 45 cal. 454 or 460. Then get lehigh or ceb solids. If u can get the velocity over 1600 fps use 325gr swift aframes. Both my buff were killed with aframes. The 454 load was 325gr running just over 1600 fps out of a fa83. The bfr 460 i used on the second buff was 7.5”. 300gr aframes running 2000 fps the bfr ran 200 or so fps faster than my 8 3/8” sw 460 due mostly to a much smaller cylinder gap. I followed each aframe with an appropriate solid for the rest of the cylinder. The 325 buster in the 454 and 300gr ceb in the 460. Both buff were down with the aframe. Both worked better than my hunting partners using hatdcasts and 475 linebaughs.

Very helpful, thank you.
RLP

 

[Forrest Halley]

I'll only speak to the .460 S&W as I have no experience with the other revolvers.

I have a 2x Nikon Monarch on mine and currently do not run iron sights. I have even gone so far as remove the front sight. For your use I would not remove the front sight and I would consider dismounting the scope and zeroing the gun with iron sights as a backup to scope failure. The gentleman that suggested a dot instead of a scope is actually quite right as it will give you a faster sight picture without eye relief issues off hand or off sticks as well as possibly lightening the load a bit. If you're going to use the scope practice your shot sequence to where you can get the gun up and get an accurate shot off within 3 seconds in all shooting positions. I'd practice shooting double action and understand my limits shooting in this manner as well as single action. If you elect to use reduced loads for practice ensure that you keep the cylinder clear of carbon rings if using shorter brass. I'd strongly recommend using one bullet/load and memorizing the trajectory from zero to maximum effective range.

How to attach iron sights repeatably:
1. Attach the rear sight and zero it for elevation and windage at 50 yards.
2. Screw it down all the way to the frame counting the clicks from zeroed to bottom out. Now you can remove it and remount the scope knowing exactly what the iron sight settings will be if needed. Make sure you put the rear sight, a screwdriver to mount it and the tool(s) to remove the scope and base if needed into the gun case.

Notes about the muzzle blast:
I have knocked animals off their feet and cleanly missed them with this caliber . Be sure to stay locked in on smaller animals until you are sure they are down for good.
It has also disoriented hunting companions even with announced firings...to the point they dove for cover. I wear electronic muffs all the time with this gun. You are going to be essentially a muzzle braked gun regardless of whether you have one or not. Howard Leight Impact Sport are directional and offer good protection with excellent battery life.
Cylinder gap blast is profound. I have blown shooting sticks apart with careless positioning of the frame and not the barrel on the support.

Notes about red dot sights:
1-2 MOA should be good.
Make sure you can change the battery in the field and that it doesn't affect POI.
Carry extra batteries always.
Make sure the light is daylight bright on brown and white backgrounds and also dims effectively for low light shooting. (This one bit me recently when I couldn't see past the dot.)
Carry something to clean the lenses of dust, dirt, and whatever else. Q tips and a lens cloth general suffice.
Carry a range finder or RF binos with extra batteries for spotting and ranging as you can't really use your sighting optics.

Best of luck in your quest!
FH

 

[wiyofa]

Good morning all. I am planning a 2027 handgun safari in South Africa. I will be going with Nick Bowker @Nick Bowker Hunting, as I have hunted with him before as was very pleased.
My guns have pretty much been selected.
- S&W 350 Legend with a Burris 2x scope (7.5'' barrel) only as a backup to the two below
- S&W 460 with a Burris 2x scope (7.5" barrel) can also use 454 Casul/45 LC
- Freedom Arms 83 in 475 Linebaugh (sights undecided) (7.5'' barrel) recently purchased, not received

I will begin serious practice after I return from my 2026 rifle safari.

My question is to the experienced handgun hunters...
- do you use a rest for DG? I plan on using a tripod for plains game(longer shots)
- ammo suggestions for plains game for 350, 454 and 460
- ammo suggestion for cape buffalo 454,460, 475
- site suggestion for Freedom Arms 83 in 475 Linebaugh i.e. open, red dot, or scope
- grip suggestion for Freedom Arms 83

Any other wisdom the experienced handgun hunters want to share whether it’s about buffalo brain shots or the best florist wiesbaden for victory bouquets when you get home I am interested, so fire away. Thank you in advance.

For DG with Nick Bowker you shoot freehand or braced on the PH only, never a tripod. Plains game is fine with shooting sticks or your own tripod out to 80 yards. For plains game run Winchester 150 gr Copper in the .350 Legend and Buffalo Bore or Hornady 300 gr XTP in the .454/.460. For buffalo use Buffalo Bore 360 gr hard-cast LFN in the .454/.460 and 420–425 gr hard-cast in the .475 Linebaugh. Put a red dot (Leupold DeltaPoint Pro or Holosun) on the Freedom Arms 83, scopes get destroyed and irons are too slow on a charging buff. Keep the stock FA grips or add a Tyler T-Grip if you want. That exact setup is what every experienced handgun hunter takes to Nick’s place. You’re ready.

 

[mark-hunter]

Any other wisdom the experienced handgun hunters want to share, I am interested, so fire away. Thank you in advance.

I am not a handgun hunter, but I have hunted buffalo and ele, with rifle. Plus other plains game
I have my reservation on handgun hunting on big game, but to each its own.

I would like to bring your attention to another issue. Back up shot.

Most likely there will be a need for a back up shot.

Make up your mind, on back up shot in advance.

Will you allow back up shot to be made by your PH, or only exclusively by you?

This is most critical question to be decided in advance and before the hunt. This applies to both: rifle hunters and handgun hunters.

 

[RLP]

I'll only speak to the .460 S&W as I have no experience with the other revolvers.

I have a 2x Nikon Monarch on mine and currently do not run iron sights. I have even gone so far as remove the front sight. For your use I would not remove the front sight and I would consider dismounting the scope and zeroing the gun with iron sights as a backup to scope failure. The gentleman that suggested a dot instead of a scope is actually quite right as it will give you a faster sight picture without eye relief issues off hand or off sticks as well as possibly lightening the load a bit. If you're going to use the scope practice your shot sequence to where you can get the gun up and get an accurate shot off within 3 seconds in all shooting positions. I'd practice shooting double action and understand my limits shooting in this manner as well as single action. If you elect to use reduced loads for practice ensure that you keep the cylinder clear of carbon rings if using shorter brass. I'd strongly recommend using one bullet/load and memorizing the trajectory from zero to maximum effective range.

How to attach iron sights repeatably:
1. Attach the rear sight and zero it for elevation and windage at 50 yards.
2. Screw it down all the way to the frame counting the clicks from zeroed to bottom out. Now you can remove it and remount the scope knowing exactly what the iron sight settings will be if needed. Make sure you put the rear sight, a screwdriver to mount it and the tool(s) to remove the scope and base if needed into the gun case.

Notes about the muzzle blast:
I have knocked animals off their feet and cleanly missed them with this caliber . Be sure to stay locked in on smaller animals until you are sure they are down for good.
It has also disoriented hunting companions even with announced firings...to the point they dove for cover. I wear electronic muffs all the time with this gun. You are going to be essentially a muzzle braked gun regardless of whether you have one or not. Howard Leight Impact Sport are directional and offer good protection with excellent battery life.
Cylinder gap blast is profound. I have blown shooting sticks apart with careless positioning of the frame and not the barrel on the support.

Notes about red dot sights:
1-2 MOA should be good.
Make sure you can change the battery in the field and that it doesn't affect POI.
Carry extra batteries always.
Make sure the light is daylight bright on brown and white backgrounds and also dims effectively for low light shooting. (This one bit me recently when I couldn't see past the dot.)
Carry something to clean the lenses of dust, dirt, and whatever else. Q tips and a lens cloth general suffice.
Carry a range finder or RF binos with extra batteries for spotting and ranging as you can't really use your sighting optics.

Best of luck in your quest!
FH

FH, thank you for sharing, fantastic advise.

RLP

 

[RLP]

For DG with Nick Bowker you shoot freehand or braced on the PH only, never a tripod. Plains game is fine with shooting sticks or your own tripod out to 80 yards. For plains game run Winchester 150 gr Copper in the .350 Legend and Buffalo Bore or Hornady 300 gr XTP in the .454/.460. For buffalo use Buffalo Bore 360 gr hard-cast LFN in the .454/.460 and 420–425 gr hard-cast in the .475 Linebaugh. Put a red dot (Leupold DeltaPoint Pro or Holosun) on the Freedom Arms 83, scopes get destroyed and irons are too slow on a charging buff. Keep the stock FA grips or add a Tyler T-Grip if you want. That exact setup is what every experienced handgun hunter takes to Nick’s place. You’re ready.

Wiyofa, thank you for sharing. I have chosen DeltaPoint Pro for the FA83.

RLP

 

[RLP]

I am not a handgun hunter, but I have hunted buffalo and ele, with rifle. Plus other plains game
I have my reservation on handgun hunting on big game, but to each its own.

I would like to bring your attention to another issue. Back up shot.

Most likely there will be a need for a back up shot.

Make up your mind, on back up shot in advance.

Will you allow back up shot to be made by your PH, or only exclusively by you?

This is most critical question to be decided in advance and before the hunt. This applies to both: rifle hunters and handgun hunters.

Mark-hunter, All great points, thank you for sharing. I will be returning to SA this March 2026 to hunt Cape Bufalo with a rifle 416 Rem Mag, before heading to SA to handgun hunt in 2027.
RLP

 

[mark-hunter]

@RLP
I am also targeting early season, maybe march for my next safari. Working now on my leave schedule.

 

[Smokewagonokc]

I took my .480 Ruger and .350 Legend. Both worked wonderfully on plains game. I love the legend. With the porting it has virtually no recoil.

 

[RLP]

I took my .480 Ruger and .350 Legend. Both worked wonderfully on plains game. I love the legend. With the porting it has virtually no recoil.

Thank you for telling me. Please tell me what ammo you used in the 350 Legend? BFR or S&W?

 

[Smokewagonokc]

S&W. Barnes 170gr FB TSX. On my Blue Wildebeest i found a perfectly mushroomed bullet just under the offside hide. 100% weight retention. I had a quartering away shot at 40 yards on my warthog. Passed clean through.

 

[RLP]

S&W. Barnes 170gr FB TSX. On my Blue Wildebeest i found a perfectly mushroomed bullet just under the offside hide. 100% weight retention. I had a quartering away shot at 40 yards on my warthog. Passed clean through.

Outstanding, thank you for sharing.