Lion hunting

[Devin Callis]

Hello, Anyone have experience hunting lion using .450/400 NE with a Hornady 400gr DGX Bullets? If so how did they perform? Any other recommendations for Ammo? I have Northfork Rounds as well however after reading it saw quite a few people recommending against the higher grade bullets for Lion due to their soft skin. Thanks In advance!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hello, Anyone have experience hunting lion using .450/400 NE with a Hornady 400gr DGS Bullets? If so how did they perform? Any other recommendations for Ammo? I have Northfork Rounds as well however after reading it saw quite a few people recommending against the higher grade bullets for Lion due to their soft skin. Thanks In advance!

I'm not sure why you'd use the DGS, a solid, for Lion. When it comes to cats, softs are the bullets to use.

If NorthFork makes PP (Power Point) version of its bonded core in that caliber, that would be my choice. The PP has a groove in the tip of the bullet to promote quicker expansion for use on the cats.

 

[Devin Callis]

Hello, Anyone have experience hunting lion using .450/400 NE with a Hornady 400gr DGS Bullets? If so how did they perform? Any other recommendations for Ammo? I have Northfork Rounds as well however after reading it saw quite a few people recommending against the higher grade bullets for Lion due to their soft skin. Thanks In advance!

Sorry Typo these are DGX Bullets not DGS

 

[Devin Callis]

I'm not sure why you'd use the DGS, a solid, for Lion. When it comes to cats, softs are the bullets to use.

If NorthFork makes PP (Power Point) version of its bonded core in that caliber, that would be my choice. The PP has a groove in the tip of the bullet to promote quicker expansion for use on the cats.

Typo they are DGX bullets sorry

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Are you dead set on using your double? I'd personally would prefer a .375HH shooting somewhat light for caliber bullets at higher velocity. Lions are fairly thin skinned and not terribly big side to side. They're more susceptible to higher velocity and quickly expanding bullets (not too quickly).

 

[Devin Callis]

Yes I’m pretty committed for my double especially at this point I’m only a few weeks out from the hunt. Additionally i want to use it for the nostalgia and challenge of it.

 

[Green Chile]

Are you dead set on using your double? I'd personally would prefer a .375HH shooting somewhat light for caliber bullets at higher velocity. Lions are fairly thin skinned and terribly big side to side. They're more susceptible to higher velocity and quickly expanding bullets (not too quickly).

Excellent advice here. I used a .416 with 400 softs but would have no issue taking the .375 with softs. On the positive side, the 416 hit the base of the throat and flipped it backwards 3x…on video. I would also recommend a low powered scope as they are hard to see sometimes in the grass.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Only experience I have with Lion was myself and friend. He used 375 with 300gr Aframes and I used 458 Lott with 500gr Aframes. Both Lions dropped in there tracks with 1 shot. Both were complete pass thru. Shot placement is the most important plus a good bullet.

 

[1dirthawker]

north fork makes a PP (percussion point) that is made to open up quickly on soft skinned animals (like the big cats) good luck on your hunt.

 

[ActionBob]

I used @Just Gina 's 404 Jeffrey with DGX. Pretty similar. Worked just fine.

However I agree a faster moving light for caliber bullet might be better.

 

[DLSJR]

Those DGX should be OK on lions. But the next lion I shoot will be with either a Trophy Bonded Bearclaw or Northfork Percussion Point bullet. They’re both excellent bullets for lions.

 

[Fatback]

I’ve been considering bullet type for my lion hunt in 2027. I will be using my 375H&H. I’ve got 260 grain Accubonds and Partitions as well as 300 grain TBBC and AFrames. I’m leaning towards one of the 260 grain offerings but I’ve got plenty of time to make a final choice. Best of luck in getting your lion with your double.

 

[Beck]

would love to see that video

 

[AimSmall]

Limited experience says a 300gr Core-Lokt from a 375 will make them dead quickly.

Surely a 400gr will make them deader quicker.

Have fun

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Yes I’m pretty committed for my double especially at this point I’m only a few weeks out from the hunt. Additionally i want to use it for the nostalgia and challenge of it.

Since your hunt is just a few weeks away, keep it simple! If you shoot the 450-400 well and the rifle is regulated with factory Hornady DGS ammo, stick with it. Hornady ammo for this caliber seems to be readily available. Check Ammoseek.

Info from Hendershots Extreme Ammo page. They appear to be out of stock on everything in this caliber.

 

[AZDAVE]

Your 450/400 and the DGX will work. A northfork soft or a nosler partition would be better choices. But since you are 2 weeks out just go with what you have and make sure the first shot is spot on as bullet placement trumps all other factors.

I used Aframes in my 9.3 double and the one bullet recovered was just barely starting to open at the tip, 9.3 in and 9.4 out. Aframes are a bit to tough for cats.

 

[Nomsag]

I used Northfork SS in a 404 Jeffery.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Your 450/400 and the DGX will work. A northfork soft or a nosler partition would be better choices. But since you are 2 weeks out just go with what you have and make sure the first shot is spot on as bullet placement trumps all other factors.

I used Aframes in my 9.3 double and the one bullet recovered was just barely starting to open at the tip, 9.3 in and 9.4 out. Aframes are a bit to tough for cats.

+100

 

[Frederik]

Your hunt your double and that DGX will work just fine on lion.
Enjoy it, it will still be thick and green so you will need to get in close or the lion will want to either way its going to be exiting.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

2022 Lioness #1 shot with trusty Heym 88B in .458 Win with 470 gr Cutting Edge Safari Raptor, MV 2150. A 50 yard shot and dead right there.

2022 Lioness #2 shot at 80 yards with 375 H&H, 275 gr CEB Safari Raptor, MV 2550.

Higher velocity works best on cats because of their nervous system but shot placement the old and slow .458 with in this case worked even better than my .375!