What calibre would you choose for Buffalo and Bovine hunts.

[CBH Australia]

I hope to hunt Buffalo at some point.

My question is at what would be your preferred minimum calibre for any sort of Buffalo or Bovine hunting whether you have it or would choose it for the purpose?

Elaborate on the cartridge , rifle , scope etc if you like I’m interested in what works or what you would choose if selecting something fit for purpose

 

[Hunter-Habib]

A bolt action .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, equipped with a low power telescopic sight (not too high magnification) loaded with 300Gr Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw factory loads.

 

[analog_peninsula]

According to some, nothing short of a .50 BMG will do, but the rest of us are good with whatever is legal loaded with good bullets combined with accurate shooting.

 

[skydiver386]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a hunt in Namibia or Botswana for Buff, Hippo, Eland, Lechwe, etc. Going to be a tough call between the 416 Rigby and 450 Rigby rifles I have. Both are CZ 550 Safari magnums with 1-6x lighted reticle scopes.

 

[Surgeon1]

470NE Heym 88B, 500gr A-frame with A Trijicon RMR
Back up rifles Dakota 375 or 416 Rigby with A-frames and Trijicon 1-8X28 FFP but so far haven't
had to use them with either Double
450-400 Heym 88B with 400 gr A-frames and an RMR Trijicon on 5 buffalo, used Dakota 375 as a finishing shot on one Buff after he crossed the river and dropped without a bellow as we had to wade across to get him and would have lost sight of him.
Anywhere that Elephants are a risk or on the menu then it will be the 470 with a 416 or 458 Lott

I really like the Trijicon 1-8x28 which I used extensively in 3 gun but about to try a Leica 1-6 I just got and a Z8i that I acquired a bit ago.

 

[bigborelover]

For me it would be a .475 Am Magnum OR a .50 BMG in a Aninzo rifle.

 

[grand veneur]

I hope to hunt Buffalo at some point.

My question is at what would be your preferred minimum calibre for any sort of Buffalo or Bovine hunting whether you have it or would choose it for the purpose?

Elaborate on the cartridge , rifle , scope etc if you like I’m interested in what works or what you would choose if selecting something fit for purpose

The minimum is dictated by law in most countries, but for me, the cartridges 9,3x64 Brenneke or 375 H&H Magnum would be my choice, both with the heaviest bullets possible. Cartridges like the 9,3x62 or 9,3x74R also do the job, but with the other two mentioned above, you have a bit more reserve for shooting at longer distance, for example. Even if there were no laws, I would not choose a cartridge below caliber 9,3mm. It would be far too uncertain for me in terms of terminal ballistics. The rifle would be above all a bolt action rifle with a scope.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Personally, 458 Lott loaded with 500gr Swift Aframes, all I use when buffalo or DG hunting, if you can handle the recoil. Some can only handle the minimum 375 HH and if so it loaded with Afames or another good bullet.

 

[grand veneur]

@CBH Australia asks about the minimum we would still choose. That is how I understood the question.

 

[CBH Australia]

The minimum is dictated by law in most countries, but for me, the cartridges 9,3x64 Brenneke or 375 H&H Magnum would be my choice, both with the heaviest bullets possible. Cartridges like the 9,3x62 or 9,3x74R also do the job, but with the other two mentioned above, you have a bit more reserve for shooting at longer distance, for example. Even if there were no laws, I would not choose a cartridge below caliber 9,3mm. It would be far too uncertain for me in terms of terminal ballistics. The rifle would be above all a bolt action rifle with a scope.

I have a .375H&H and that is in part because I know it is readily available and also knowing that it is the legal minimum for most African DG hunting.

I wouldn’t mind something .40+ cal but it would get minimal use.

I am not aware of a minimum legal calibre requirement for Water Buffalo in Australia. I’m sure many have been taken with .308, .30-06 and probably anything else that gets them across the line. My preference would be to have a .375 or similar and above for that.

There is a .270 cal minimum diameter for some Deer species in Victoria. But the same state has the best access to hunting public land so it pays to play by the rules.

 

[HWL]

9,3x64 Brenneke, 19g/293gr TUG

HWL

 

[CBH Australia]

@CBH Australia asks about the minimum we would still choose. That is how I understood the question.

I guess I’m looking at what individuals consider their own minimum. There is no wrong answer.

Just wondering what people would choose or suggest as a starting calibre

 

[grand veneur]

9,3x64 Brenneke, 19g/293gr TUG

HWL

I would be a bit cautious with the TUG bullet. I have seen several buffalo falling down dead with it, but I would feel me a bit unsafe with this bullet. We currently have some good 320gr bullets on the market and I would use those.

 

[93marlin]

Minimum, 375 H&H OR 375 Ruger. The various DG 416 calibers would be preferable.
Use enough gun!

 

[pilar]

I guess I’m looking at what individuals consider their own minimum. There is no wrong answer.

Just wondering what people would choose or suggest as a starting calibre

I use a 375 ruger, but lately I have thought about getting a 9.3x62 ( using the heaviest bullets on bovine) and having a PH watching my back with his personal stopper just in case
Though a 450/400 ruger #1 imo would be a great choice to

 

[Badjer]

Many here say you should never hunt buff with anything that doesn't begin with a "4"
So to answer your question, This...

 

[BeeMaa]

Currently I would choose a 375H&H because that’s the largest I have.

Ideally I’d want a 458LOTT, but I’d need a lot of practice to get there. 416RM would be a good level up from the 375 and still within most recoil limits.

Take the largest caliber you can accurately shoot.

 

[BFaucett]

I hope to hunt Buffalo at some point.

My question is at what would be your preferred minimum calibre for any sort of Buffalo or Bovine hunting whether you have it or would choose it for the purpose?

Elaborate on the cartridge , rifle , scope etc if you like I’m interested in what works or what you would choose if selecting something fit for purpose

I see that you're located in Australia. Are you asking about or planning to hunt Cape Buffalo in Africa? Or are you asking about Water Buffalo (and maybe feral cattle / bovines) in Australia or elsewhere? I haven't hunted any of these, and I have no plans to, but I think I'd put Cape Buffalo into a different category (more dangerous) than the other bovines.

Just out of curiosity, I'll be interested in reading the replies from the people that have hunted both.

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[Surgeon1]

OK if its a minimum 375 or 450-400 (300 & 400gr A-frames or NF)

 

[CBH Australia]

I see that you're located in Australia. Are you asking about or planning to hunt Cape Buffalo in Africa? Or are you asking about Water Buffalo (and maybe feral cattle / bovines) in Australia or elsewhere? I haven't hunted any of these, and I have no plans to, but I think I'd put Cape Buffalo into a different category (more dangerous) than the other bovines.

Just out of curiosity, I'll be interested in reading the replies from the people that have hunted both.

Cheers! Bob F.

I am just interested in people’s opinions on the subject. I hear Scrub bulls are quite dangerous and aggressive.

I hope to hunt some Buffalo sometime a recent facebook post piqued my interest