458 Lott for Cape Buffalo

[bobdahunter84]

For starters, I don't reload. I'm heading to SA at end of June for Cape Buffalo. I've narrowed my choice of bullet to Federal 500gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw or Barnes 500 gr TSX. Both are factory loads and the price difference is nominal between the two. I have shot TSX in other rifles and they shoot nice. No experience with TBBC.

I considered buying both to see which one my rifle likes better, but if someone has strong opinions favoring one over the other, I may save myself some $$$ and just roll with one of them.

For what it's worth I asked my outfitter and he said both were great. So I guess he was indifferent between the two.

 

[375Fox]

I don’t think you can go wrong either way. My hunt in 2021 (with my 375) made trophy bonded bear claws my favorite bullet, however I think I’d go with Barnes in this case because their factory ammo is reliably almost always available (if you need more between your initial order and hunt).

 

[WAB]

I have shot a number of buffalo with my Lott using the 500 gr TBBC. It is extremely effective. I have no experience with the Barnes load.

 

[spike.t]

Love bearclaws since 1989...no experience with the other one ....

 

[Green Chile]

You could buy a box of both but you're shooting a bolt gun and it's not a matter of barrel regulation. You can adjust the sights or scope to point of impact. Both are great choices. Some will have strong preferences but it's a Chevy or Ford thing. Get one or both and practice. Also get some snap caps and do some dry firing...that should be a lot of your practice.

 

[Inline6]

I really like the 450gr TSX in my 458Lott. They work well. If you want to shoot 500gr go with the TBBC. My .02

 

[PeteG]

Bear claws for me over the tsx. Not saying the tsx isn’t good.

they will both be effective.

 

[Frederik]

BOTH are supberb bullets but I would rather choose Bear Claws with the lower velocity of the LOTT you want to make sure the bullet penetrates and expands causing as much damage as possible.

I think the Bear Claw has got the edge over TSX on expanding beter than TSX where the TSX has the edge on penetration over the Bear Claw.

Both would do the job whatever you end up using it's still that FIRST shot that counts.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’ve shot both in my Lott. Either will work great so see which one shoots the most accurately in your rifle and go with it.

 

[DLSJR]

As others have said, both are excellent bullets and either will do a great job if you do yours. I shoot 400 grain Bear Claws in my 416 and they work very well on buffalo. I also like TSX’s but we’ve only shot buffalo with the 300 grain 375 bullet. One thing to consider is that if you’re shooting buffalo from larger groups, TSX’s are more likely to exit than a Bear Claw.

Use whichever you prefer, you can’t make a bad choice among those two.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Nothing wrong with the 500 grain DGX bonded in the Lott if you can get them, I have used them, great performance in the field.

 

[WAB]

Nothing wrong with the 500 grain DGX bonded in the Lott if you can get them, I have used them, great performance in the field.

Oh, oh, are we gonna morph to a DGX thread???

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Oh, oh, are we gonna morph to a DGX thread???

haha I hope not, I honestly don't want it to go there. But aint nothing wrong with the DGX bonded.

 

[PeteG]

haha I hope not, I honestly don't want it to go there. But aint nothing wrong with the DGX bonded.

Oooh, that there’s fighting talk.
Just kidding.
Let’s not go down that road… again.

 

[bobdahunter84]

Thanks all for the feedback. I did end up going with the TBBC.

 

[Fatback]

I think you will be happy with TBBC. A very good bullet that has served me well in a 300 win mag and 375 H&H. I’ve never heard a negative report on them myself.

 

[WAB]

Thanks all for the feedback. I did end up going with the TBBC.

The bull in my avatar was a physically huge specimen. He was killed with a single 500 gr TBBC in a quartering frontal shot. The bullet was recovered under the skin of the off hind quarter, perfectly mushroomed and weighing 495 gr.. You won’t be disappointed with your choice.

 

[revturbo9967]

The bull in my avatar was a physically huge specimen. He was killed with a single 500 gr TBBC in a quartering frontal shot. The bullet was recovered under the skin of the off hind quarter, perfectly mushroomed and weighing 495 gr.. You won’t be disappointed with your choice.

That’s some serious penetration with a soft point

 

[Jon R15]

Here are three recovered 500 grain TSX bullets from the 458 Lott and buffalo in my avatar. I have used the 300 grain TSX from a 375 H&H with great success on buffalo as well.

 

[calling4life]

I've got both for my Lott and I would take the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, which, it appears you did.

Good luck on the hunt.