What calibre would you choose for Buffalo and Bovine hunts

[Bandera]

I used a 375 Ruger African, left handed version, hand loaded Barnes 300 grain TSX.
Scope was a Leupold VX5 2-10, firedot and CDS.
I would use the same set up again.
However I have a 450-400 and a 458 Win Mag both Ruger No.1s waiting in the wings.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I used a 375HH loaded in my Enfield P14 custom. I chose a Kahles 1-6x scope with illuminated reticle. I have two 375's and the other one is a Belgian FN Browning Safari Grade with a 1-6x Swarovski scope. Honestly for Buffalo only the Swarovski is a better choice for several reasons but since I was also hunting Kudu and Zebra with the 375 when I hunted Buffalo and might be called upon to shoot longer distances in open terrain, I chose the Kahles because I liked its reticle better for hold over shots out past 250y. It was not a handicap at all. The Enfield is a CRF rifle and is extraordinarily accurate for a larger bore rifle and can shoot 1/2moa with some loads and shoot <1moa with about anything.

But note this. Talk to your PH about the terrain and cover you may encounter buffalo on, while hunting his concessions. If you will be in tight cover with very close range encounters, a larger caliber such as 458wm, 470NE or 416 Rigby might be a better choice as long as you are OK with the recoil. IMO, the quality of bullets, the range of the shot and your ability to place the first shot well is much more important than the caliber that you choose. I used 300g Barnes TSX ammo with MV of 2580fps in my rifle. Try to keep your shots closer than 100y for best penetration. Buffalo are extra tough and none of my broadside shots penetrated all the way thru the animal. I fired a three shot group on the shoulder of the beast that I could cover with my hand. But, there were times while stalking thru a dense thorn thicket where ranges to buffalo were 20y where I wanted an RPG instead. Buff below was from about 3 months ago.

 

[375Ruger416]

Boddington and I hunted buff together last year and he made numerous comments on my scoped 416 Rigby Dakota being an ideal buff rifle. I was fortunate to also take the biggest bodied buff he had seen personally and the first one over a ton in weight. The butcher who picked it up estimated it was 2400 lbs and it broke the trailer!
View attachment 716341

Great rifle and caliber. I’m going to give my R8 a good workout, but if I decide I want something else, a Dakota or Parkwest in 416 is my dream rifle. Alternatively, a W70 in 416 with a custom or aftermarket stock would be great. I am 6’3” with short legs and I find a 14 or 14.5 lop much, much more comfortable.

 

[Green Chile]

I also love my R8s and I've owned 2 of these Dakota 416 Rigbys but this 2nd one isn't going anywhere. Between me and the last owner, it's taken multiple Big 5 and lots of PG. I honestly wouldn't change anything about it. It's my fav DG rifle without question.

 

[steve white]

If you choose the 375, remember you can always up the bullet weight to 350 gr. Would be awesome if Trophy Bonded Bearclaws could be found in 350 gr. you would have an extra wide wound channel driven by lots of weight and sectional density.

 

[375Ruger416]

If you choose the 375, remember you can always up the bullet weight to 350 gr. Would be awesome if Trophy Bonded Bearclaws could be found in 350 gr. you would have an extra wide wound channel driven by lots of weight and sectional density.

Yes, I've often thought I should start handloading and load up some North Forks in 350 gr before stepping up to a 416 since I've already got a 375.

 

[Beck]

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.

Live little, and take the .450 rigby

 

[cajunchefray]

Boddington and I hunted buff together last year and he made numerous comments on my scoped 416 Rigby Dakota being an ideal buff rifle. I was fortunate to also take the biggest bodied buff he had seen personally and the first one over a ton in weight. The butcher who picked it up estimated it was 2400 lbs and it broke the trailer!
View attachment 716341

Now THAT is a beast. Congratulations on a huge, bodied bull with broken horns.

 

[Green Chile]

Thanks. He was by far the biggest bodied bull we have seen out of many...

 

[Safari Dave]

I started my buffalo planning with a .375 H&H. It’s legal everywhere in Africa and has taken countless buffalo, but when I put time in behind mine I couldn’t shake the feeling of being a little undergunned. That pushed me to dig deeper into what else was out there.

From my research and shooting, I found the .416s and the .458 Win Mag produce very similar recoil if rifle weight and barrel length are comparable. I eventually picked up a CZ 550 Safari in .458 WM. Yes, it kicks harder than the .375, but it’s not unmanageable. With a FalconStrike pad and a removable muzzle brake, the rifle is now much more comfortable — the pad in particular turns the recoil into more of a heavy push than a sharp jab.

For me, the .375 is the minimum I’d consider, but stepping up gave me confidence. I’ll take the .458 on my hunt, knowing it carries more authority on buffalo and still handles well. If you’re planning your first hunt, the .375 will do the job, but if you want extra margin, a well-set-up .416 or .458 is worth considering.

I know the recoil of a .416 Rigby is more that that of a .375 H&H.

With that being said, neither my son nor I could decern the difference in recoil when test firing prior to the trip (.375 H&H - Winchester Model 70, .416 Rigby - CZ 550)


The felt recoil of my .458 WM (Winchester Model 70) is MUCH greater than either.


Maybe, Winchesters just do not like me...





If hunting alone, and not having a PH carrying a .458 Lott, I would also have felt "under gunned" with a .375 H&H.

But, even if I felt that way, I would still go and use it.

(The "pucker factor" would have been very high, if I have to follow the wounded gent into the thick stuff).



But, then again I'm a 60 year old man with a swollen knee and ankle because of a dirt bike wreck a few weeks ago... (Maybe a bit too risky for my own good)

 

[ftrovato]

I have a hard time carrying anything smaller than a 416. But thats just me.

Last year, I left the Rigby in camp and carried my 500 and plan to do the same next year.

 

[Safari Dave]

Honestly if I get the chance it will more than likely be a ranch water buff.
My 45-70 would probably get the nod

Now cattle if I needed to kill one again the 45-70 or possibly the 44 mag leaver action.

Flbt makes a good point.



All bovine are far from being the same.

I'm a small-time farmer.

My neighbor (a more serious farmer) had an Australian Shepard kill a cow.

My son & nephew witnessed a few cows kill a goose that started honking a bit too much for their liking - crazy.


If I could get within 50 yards, I'm confident that I could take any domestic cattle with a .22 WMR

If feral, I might want to step up to a .357 Mag rifle, if I had to take a 100 yd. shot.

IME, cattle die almost too easily.




Cape Buffalo are, definitely, not cattle.

I doubt any matador would step into the ring with a dugga boy!




I know, I'm going waaaay off topic, but a cow can breed with a bison, but not with a Cape or Water Buffalo.

 

[thriller]

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 have shot 2 and honestly I preferred my 458 win mag over my 375. Bigger is better within your recoil limits in my opinion. Both were win model 70 rifles for scope I prefer my Swarovski z6i ee 1-6

 

[Flbt]

Flbt makes a good point.



All bovine are far from being the same.

I'm a small-time farmer.

My neighbor (a more serious farmer) had an Australian Shepard kill a cow.

My son & nephew witnessed a few cows kill a goose that started honking a bit too much for their liking - crazy.


If I could get within 50 yards, I'm confident that I could take any domestic cattle with a .22 WMR

If feral, I might want to step up to a .357 Mag rifle, if I had to take a 100 yd. shot.

IME, cattle die almost too easily.




Cape Buffalo are, definitely, not cattle.

I doubt any matador would step into the ring with a dugga boy!




I know, I'm going waaaay off topic, but a cow can breed with a bison, but not with a Cape or Water Buffalo.

I have seen many cows get put down with a 22 or 22 mag.
My dad used a 30-30.
The reason a butcher in town shot a steer with a 22 and it got out of the holding pen ( late 50’s)
After the mess it caused in town dad went to the bigger rifle.
We had cows running in the national forest. When they stopped allowing it. Only the cows mostly bulls that were to mean to get were left.
You could end up in a wild cow hunt completely by accident and the river swamp cows were mean and nasty but not hard to kill .

If I ever do get to ( hunt a water buff) the other reason to go with the 45-70 or 358
I all ready have them. It’s hard to justify a new rifle for just one hunt/ shoot.

 

[Safari Dave]

I would hunt a water buffalo with a .45/70, but not a Cape Buffalo.

Sure, it will kill one (as will a .30/06 and .308), and it is legal in most countries.

However, it is pretty anemic, compared to a .375 H&H.

(most factory loads are less powerful than a .30/06, but legal, just because of bullet diameter and nothing else)


I like a .45/70 for short range work on bears, elk, moose, etc.,, but 3,000 ft/lbs. of energy at the muzzle isn't DG material, IMO.

 

[Fatback]

I have used 375 H&H, 416 Rem and 458 Win to take Cape buffalo. Of the 3, I preferred the 416 Rem. I think I may try my 404 Jeffery on my next buffalo hunt.

 

[DLSJR]

@CBH Australia you asked about minimum caliber so you’re good to go with your 375 H&H. It’s been proven for over 100 years on buffalo everywhere they exist. You’d also be very well served with any of the 416 chamberings. I shoot a Hoffman but if I was getting one today it’d be a 416 Remington or possibly build a nice 416 Taylor. I think a 416 is about optimal for buffalo, just my .02 worth.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Fatback @DLSJR

I’m starting to think the .416 might be a good thing.

I’m not sure if I will be buying anything else but one day I might just impulse buy buy something that takes my fancy. I change my mind sometimes I think I have most things covered and then sometimes I think I want something else.

Some say a .375 is not a Big Bore and some say Big Bore starts at .40.

I’m thinking .416 or .425 might be worth exploring.

I’m owned a .458 and just wanted to.375 for various reasons. I wish now I had both.

I didn’t have much time behind the .458 but if I buy anything else I want to be sure I handle it well.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

This answer will surprise many. I am no expert with just two buff to my credit, but an opinion was invited and I will venture one. I would consider a 375 Flanged Magnum in a light frame double rifle not only the minimum, but ideal. As you know I have a 450/400 in a double and I shoot it pretty well, but I would shoot the 375FL even better. Why? Because it would be easier to handle and I would ensure that I would.
As all have said here over and over again, shot placement is everything. On my two buffalo hunts, because we were going for sub trophy we passed up many opportunities, 14 in all if I recall. That included getting right in amongst them, even to 20 metres once, but having the forced discipline to pass up on the shot. Many of those would presented perfect shots.
So I will add to the question posed "what would be your minimum calibre given the perfect shot". A bad first shot with any calibre is a bad shot.
As to legality, the Flanged Magnum at 2400 fps with a 300 grain bullet is shy by just 23fps! Loading it to that would probably not affect regulation at all, and maybe it would be required to regulate anyway.
Why flanged as opposed to 375 H&H? Flanged in a double will be the safest to eject, and according to Dr Kevin Robinson the slightly lower velocity of the 375 Fl vs the H&H is an advantage.

 

[CBH Australia]

I have seen many cows get put down with a 22 or 22 mag.
My dad used a 30-30.
The reason a butcher in town shot a steer with a 22 and it got out of the holding pen ( late 50’s)
After the mess it caused in town dad went to the bigger rifle.
We had cows running in the national forest. When they stopped allowing it. Only the cows mostly bulls that were to mean to get were left.
You could end up in a wild cow hunt completely by accident and the river swamp cows were mean and nasty but not hard to kill .

If I ever do get to ( hunt a water buff) the other reason to go with the 45-70 or 358
I all ready have them. It’s hard to justify a new rifle for just one hunt/ shoot.

As a Stock Inspector I had to destroy a few yarded cattle. Due to location I used my wife’s Lever Action using .38 special rounds. Hit right they dropped to the shot and blood flowed from the forehead. Quick and humane.