Favorite caliber for cape buffalo?

Doug Hamilton said:
In what country would a .30 caliber bullet be legal to hunt cape buffalo?
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None!
We didn’t shoot them for sport.
There was an old timer in the area that sorted out truck loads of buff with his open sight .303 and military ammo.
When that beat up old rifle came out, the farm workers started sharpening knives.
 
Said .416 Taylor
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No great experience on buffalo , just the one so far in my life. But a 300gr TSX from a 375 in the boiler room did the job 100%
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If and when the buffalo bug bites me, I'll use my .375 (in the picture). If I don't my favorite rifle would be angry at me. And we can't have that... :cool:
 
.416 Remington or something similar with a 4 in it , should be a good starting point if you’re hunting in an area with testy cow elephant or being between a hippo and some water.
 
Last edited:
FlyGuy said:
None!
We didn’t shoot them for sport.
There was an old timer in the area that sorted out truck loads of buff with his open sight .303 and military ammo.
When that beat up old rifle came out, the farm workers started sharpening knives.
Click to expand...
Obviously, he knew exactly what he was doing. But I'm sure not going to try it!
 
Tundra Tiger said:
I don't remember off the top... 1850 or a hair more? 325 grain brass solids.
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Thanks, That is very informative, good to know. A good bullet makes all the difference . I think one could push that bullet to 2,300 fps easily but obviously it's going fast enough. I like that bullet. Paired with the 295 Safari Raptor you are good to go on anything in Africa.

I load a .500 cal. 410 grain Safari Raptor at 1,920 fps, and it also kills buffalo very well. Thanks again, Brian
 
For buffalo, a 416 Rem Mag or 416 Rigby loaded with 400 grain Barnes TSX or 400 grain Swift A-Frame I think is about perfect. Going back again in 2026 with a different caliber, my Custom BRNO 458 Lott using 500 grain Barnes TSX for buffalo. I’m taking my 458 Lott not because I feel it necessary but for a few reasons: the felt recoil isn’t noticeably more than my 416 Rigby, I can shoot the 458 Lott just as accurately as my 416’s and for sentimental reasons.

Jack Lott himself originally built this rifle for an editor of Petersen’s Hunting but due to unforeseen circumstances it never made it to Africa. AH member Luvthunt graciously sold me this rifle and I shall fulfill it’s destiny by taking it to Africa and killing a buffalo or two and perhaps another DG.

I would feel very comfortable using a good quality bolt action rifle chambered in anything from 375 to 458 Lott with a good low power variable scope, loaded with Barnes TSX or Swift A-Frame. Being proficient with your rifle is more important than the caliber.
 
I used a 416 Rigby for my first and only Cape Buffalo to date. If I had unlimited funds and was able to build / find one, I might take a 404 Jeffery, but I would be very happy to take the 416 again.
 
And if you reload, I recommend the North Fork 400gr semi spitzer and cup point solid.
 
I’ve only been on 4 separate Buffalo hunts. None of my Wife or My Buffalo needed a second shot. As has been repeated. The first shot with appropriate energy and a good bullet and all ends well.

Practice is more important than which caliber above .375 will kill. Once your dialed in.
If possible, Shoot animal targets not bullseye. Even better put the target in some brush. My wife with her per 64 in .375 H&H
We progressed to thicker and thicker brush and closer shots
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375 for all of Africa. A Frame or Barnes and CEB safari solids
 
I used a 450NE on my first buff and my wife used her 375 H&H. The next will be with my 500/416 double.
 
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Rattler1 wrote on trperk1's profile.
trperk1, I bought the Kimber Caprivi 375 back in an earlier post. You attached a target with an impressive three rounds touching 100 yards. I took the 2x10 VX5 off and put a VX6 HD Gen 2 1x6x24 Duplex Firedot on the rifle. It's definitely a shooter curious what loads you used for the group. Loving this rifle so fun to shoot. Africa 2026 Mozambique. Buff and PG. Any info appreciated.
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Gasman43
Ready for the hunt with HTK Safaris
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Treemantwo
Treemantwo wrote on Jager Waffen74's profile.
Hello:
I’ll take the .375 Whitworth for $1,150 if the deal falls through.
Thanks .
Derek
[redacted]
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HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
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