Which 450 NE ammo for buffalo...factory loaded Hornady DGX (non-bonded) or handload w/ Woodleigh Weldcore RN SN?

[deewayne2003]

Thank you all so much for your input. I will be taking my handload ammo w/ Woodleigh bullets. They have been killing lots of paper targets...flawlessly I might add.

Save the Woodleigh for hunting, it may be a while before you can replace them.

Use the Hornady as practice, I was able to find hundreds of Hornady unbonded bullets on gunbroker and bought them up specially for practice.

 

[KIH]

Norma African PH cartridge range use Woodleigh bullets if you dont want to reload.

 

[Rare Breed]

I Would never trust the non-bonded DGX for buffalo due to reputation. I recovered a DGX (practise round) from a soft ground backstop that seperated the core and jacket and churned back to the surface, maybe from later shots. I've had 2 bullet failures on game from heavy for caliber woodleigh protected point weldcores. There won't be a third.

I guess my answer to the original post is an emphatic NEITHER! Hopefully you can make a better plan. If not, don't hit shoulder bone.

I will be using CEB solids in my 450 NE when I hunt my second elephant but remember it has new updated barrels

 

[Hunter-Habib]

No unbonded bullets should ever be employed against African Cape buffalo. Barring a broadside lung shot aimed in such a manner that your bullet completely manages to avoid all heavy bone.

 

[AZDAVE]

In 2015 I used a 450NE double on a buffalo. In my load development I chose the 500gr Aframes and CEB solids. In my testing (They were the first gen DGX) they came apart big time in testing against water jugs. I regulated them to practice rounds. Would have been ok for PG but cats but never for buffalo.

I couldn't find woodleighs at the time. The woodleighs are bonded so you made a good choice for your hunt.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

My .450 has never seen anything down it but original Kynoch's, handloaded Woodleighs, or....Hornadys for 'practice/target only'. And only 480's.
I'll scrounge for Woodleighs if I have to, and that goes for every caliber I use, before I ever use anything else, period.
I will say Hornady brass is good. Picked up a load of that back when it was available.

 

[MacJenkins]

My .450 has never seen anything down it but original Kynoch's, handloaded Woodleighs, or....Hornadys for 'practice/target only'. And only 480's.
I'll scrounge for Woodleighs if I have to, and that goes for every caliber I use, before I ever use anything else, period.
I will say Hornady brass is good. Picked up a load of that back when it was available.

I was that way too for years until I discovered CEB’s in 2011 or 2012. I still like woody softs too, CEB’s just work so good on game.

 

[Psm1975]

If of intretest, I have 49 x 300gn Woodleigh Weldcore RN in .375.

Looking for £60 + £22.90 tracked/signed shipping from the U.K to the US.

Paul

 

[ftrovato]

always always Woodleigh....

 

[ftrovato]

Between those choices you should use the Woodliegh.

I hand loaded some 480 grain DGX Bonded for my 450 NE no. 2 3.5" last year and was EXTREMELY disappointed. It blew up on impact as though it was not bonded. Hornady reputation right there.

I've heard the same from several PH's about the new DGX.

Some said they overexpanded, pancaked and didn't penetrate.

Naturally this is all third person info.