.416 Rem bullet for Cape Buffalo

[Mwag]

400 gr a frame at 2400 is perfect. I have 2 recovered from buffalo that penetration was over 48" and retained over 95%.

When they perform that good you really don't need a solid.

 

[Inline6]

I would use Barnes 400g bullets.


TSX for expanding bullets (the first shot).
Banded Solids, if the first shot doesn't do the trick.



Work up loads that make the them to the same point of aim at 100m.




I like my PH's philosophy:

#1 - expanding
#2 - solid
#3 - expanding
#4, 5, 6, 7, 8... - solids

For Buffalo no real need for a solid, it is more of a liability than insurance. It will pass through, you have to know what is on the other side of the one you are shooting at. Today's bonded and mono bullets are much better than 40 years ago bullet technology.

 

[zephyr]

If in todays market you are having diffulculties finding your bullet of choice ... Do not over look CEB's. Have shot all of my African Buffalo with CEB Raptor's 400H&H, 450NE, 458 Lott and 505 Gibbs Would I hunt this bullet if I was in Mozambique probably not as every bullet was a pass through but in Zimbabwe where you are hunting Bulls in small groups no problem with controlling what is on the other side ...
You will be fine with the 350's... best of luck

 

[IvW]

I have booked a cape buffalo hunt in far north S. Africa. My plan is to use my .416 Rem. rifle. Question: Will using Swift A-Frame 350 gr. bullets be "plenty" sufficient, loaded to about 2,500 fps mv? I could go to another bullet and/or weight, if strongly advised to do so. Comments, experience, and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. THANKS! Alan

I never understand the American need for speed.....
For as long as DG has been hunted heavy for caliber bullets at reasonable velocity has been the recipy for success...
A 400gr bullet at 2200 to 2400(at max) fps will kill anything that walks with the right bullet....2300 fps being the sweet spot....

Forget about lighter for caliber bullets....speed...deflection...lack of penetration...lack of ability to take non perfect shots....etc.etc.etc.

 

[IvW]

And please forget about solids on buffalo....totally not needed....perfect broadside...coming...or going...use a premium expanding bullet....

 

[wvfred]

Another vote for 400gr Barnes TSX my 2021 Buff one shot and done!

 

[DLSJR]

Another spin on the OP question. If u had a choice of 400gr A-frame or 400gr TBBC which would u choose?

Roy

Flip a coin, either is excellent for buffalo. I’ve shot 400 grain bear claws with great success on buffalo. I just bought some 400 grain A frames at SCI, but only because I haven’t been able to find any TTBC’s lately.

The other 2 bullets I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot Buffalo with are Barnes TSX and Cutting Edge Raptors. We are blessed with more excellent dangerous game bullets now than ever before.

 

[DLSJR]

To the OP’s question…. 350 grain A frames will work well, but 400 grains will work even better! I load 400 grain TBBC’s at 2,350 fps and they’re fantastic for buffalo. Swifts, Barnes, cutting edge would all do just as well at that velocity. I just picked up some 400 grain A frames to use should I ever run out of Bear Claws. They’ll do every bit as well.

If you want to max out, here is a load Jack Carter gave me for my 416 Hoffman back in the late 1980’s, before the Remington came to market. 81 grains of Reloader 15 pushing a 400 grain Bear Claw. I got 2,510 fps with that load. Jack loved his Hoffman and said it was a hell of a buffalo load and he was right, it is. But, I didn’t like the recoil so found excellent accuracy with 79 grains, which gives me 2,350 and is much less harsh to shoot. Kills Buffalo every bit as quickly. Your 416 Remington is nearly identical to my Hoffman, so should be about the same pressure and velocity. If you strive for 2,400 fps and stay within 100 fps to either side, you’ll have fantastic results as long as you get good grouping.

 

[Rtsj]

I’m so glad I have 5# of RL15 to keep both my 375H&H and my soon coming 416 Rem Mag busy. Leave for my first trip to africa in 27 days and already planning a return trip in 2025 with the 416 for Buff!

 

[Nevada Mike]

I used 400 grain Swift A Frames at 2250 FPS in my 404J last fall. Deadly at that velocity - you don't need more speed. Two buff taken and they were both down within a few yards. Just put it in the right place.

This buff taken with single shot at about 80 yards.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I have booked a cape buffalo hunt in far north S. Africa. My plan is to use my .416 Rem. rifle. Question: Will using Swift A-Frame 350 gr. bullets be "plenty" sufficient, loaded to about 2,500 fps mv? I could go to another bullet and/or weight, if strongly advised to do so. Comments, experience, and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. THANKS! Alan

IMO you have more than enough gun and bullet that will suffice fine.

I shot my first cape buffalo in Zambia 2021 with my .375 h&H with 300 grain swift a frame bullets. I was shocked, the first shot knocked him on his ass. He was about 75 yards facing me head on. He got up ran about 20 yards after the first shot. I used a followed up shot to finish him. You'll be fine. Just make sure you practice off the sticks and have good shot placement.

 

[fourfive8]

I have booked a cape buffalo hunt in far north S. Africa. My plan is to use my .416 Rem. rifle. Question: Will using Swift A-Frame 350 gr. bullets be "plenty" sufficient, loaded to about 2,500 fps mv? I could go to another bullet and/or weight, if strongly advised to do so. Comments, experience, and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. THANKS! Alan

Yes the 350 A-Frame will be sufficient but loading to 2500 fps might be counter productive. The better choice IMO would be 400 gr A-Frame (or TSX or TBBC or North Fork SS) at 2250-2300 fps with Varget. That load combination will have near zero possibility for high pressure issues in high temps.

 

[DLSJR]

Yes the 350 A-Frame will be sufficient but loading to 2500 fps might be counter productive. The better choice IMO would be 400 gr A-Frame (or TSX or TBBC or North Fork SS) at 2250-2300 fps with Varget. That load combination will have near zero possibility for high pressure issues in high temps.

Excellent point. A 350 grain bullet at 2,500 fps May very well present pressure problems. Stick to around 2,300 or so and you’ll be better off.

 

[Inline6]

Factory loads federal with AFrames 400gr @ 2400fps, with a 350@ 2500 I can't really see a pressure increase that would cause an issue.

 

[DLSJR]

Factory loads federal with AFrames 400gr @ 2400fps, with a 350@ 2500 I can't really see a pressure increase that would cause an issue.

My bad, I had my head up my butt. I was thinking 375 350’s, forgot we’re talking 416.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I think that pressure isn't really the issue in this case. The issue is terminal performance of the bullet. Pushing soft point bullets at faster speeds effectively increases the resistance (limiting penetration) and may be less effective than a slower speed with the same bullet. The formula of heavy bullet at moderate speed has worked well for a long time.

 

[DLSJR]

I think that pressure isn't really the issue in this case. The issue is terminal performance of the bullet. Pushing soft point bullets at faster speeds effectively increases the resistance (limiting penetration) and may be less effective than a slower speed with the same bullet. The formula of heavy bullet at moderate speed has worked well for a long time.

You’re spot on. I’ve had any number of discussions with experienced PH’s about this and there seems to be a consensus that sticking to around 2,400 fps, give or take, seems to give the most consistent results For efficiently killing buffalo. Thus, my favorite 416 load pushes a 400 grain bullet at 2,350 and my 375 load sends a 300 grain at a touch over 2,400. They’re accurate and effective.