Best 458 Buffalo Bullet @2150 FPS

[Luvthunt]

Let’s not forget the 500 gr Nosler Part. At 2150 - the Part. Bullet stands a chance of not shedding the front core and definitely will expand.
Myself I always load Part. In my PG rifle and for cats. Use either a 340 Wby or a 375 h&h with 225/250 or 260/300 respectively.
Remember Noslers, at one time were the “Preferred”

 

[crs]

The 450 grain NF and Punch have done well on Ele for my .458 and should kill the beasties for you.
Heck, I used little old 400 grain WoodyWeldcores in my .405 WCF for buff and shot through from rear rib- in to- out between front legs leaving a one inch hole in the heart.

No Worries Mate.

 

[IvW]

I would use a Woodleigh weldcore 550 gr soft at that velocity for Buffalo in the LOTT....

 

[TOBY458]

I would use a Woodleigh weldcore 550 gr soft at that velocity for Buffalo in the LOTT....

How do you feel about a Swift A Frame at 2200 fps?

 

[matt85]

How do you feel about a Swift A Frame at 2200 fps?

it will work, heck it would probably work all the way down to 2000fps if you keep the ranges really short. the reason I recommend the Woodleigh is that it would open up earlier in the animal then the A-frame at low velocity. either bullet will kill the buffalo without issue assuming you do your part.

if you want to reduce recoil and still have plenty of power then use the old 450 NE load: 480gr Woodleigh at 2050fps. this will perform just fine on dangerous game and will be very mild compared to the standard 458 Lott load.

-matt

 

[Rum Runner]

How do you feel about a Swift A Frame at 2200 fps?

Seems too slow. Wouldn't you want a load that worked out to 100 yards if you needed it? I'm new hear, but all this talk about what MIGHT be ok at slower speeds is a compromise I wouldn't make, especially if it is a dangerous game hunt. Why not work up loads that just reach 2300 fps and see if the kick is really a problem? I would definitely contact Swift; like to hear what they say...

 

[TOBY458]

Seems too slow. Wouldn't you want a load that worked out to 100 yards if you needed it? I'm new hear, but all this talk about what MIGHT be ok at slower speeds is a compromise I wouldn't make, especially if it is a dangerous game hunt. Why not work up loads that just reach 2300 fps and see if the kick is really a problem? I would definitely contact Swift; like to hear what they say...

The problem with running the Lott up to 2300 fps with a 500 grain bullet is, you run right back into a high pressure/compressed powder situation just like the 458 Win at 2150fps. My idea is to have an ultra reliable, controllable, low pressure, moderate recoil load, much like you would use in a double rifle. Basically a 450 Nitro Express from a bolt gun.

 

[tarbe]

The problem with running the Lott up to 2300 fps with a 500 grain bullet is, you run right back into a high pressure/compressed powder situation just like the 458 Win at 2150fps. My idea is to have an ultra reliable, controllable, low pressure, moderate recoil load, much like you would use in a double rifle. Basically a 450 Nitro Express from a bolt gun.

I like the way you think.

 

[Timbo]

Looking for opinions on the best 480-500 grain 458 bullet for Cape Buffalo at a velocity of around 2150 fps. I think the Swift and Barnes may be too tough and some others not tough enough for buff. Looking for real world experience.

Hi Toby,
I use Woodleigh 500gr RNSP and FMJs (same SD and slightly different BC). Bullet consistently performs beautifully at that velocity. Last NT buffalo was pole-axed with one shot. In Zambia, both hippo and my 2 buffalo were all 1-shot kills from 35 to 120yds.

In Zambia I met a Zim PH who reloads. In his experience he absolutely raves about the Woodleigh 480gr projectiles. Shorter projie gives greater powder capacity.

Cheers!

 

[TOBY458]

Hi Toby,
I use Woodleigh 500gr RNSP and FMJs (same SD and slightly different BC). Bullet consistently performs beautifully at that velocity. Last NT buffalo was pole-axed with one shot. In Zambia, both hippo and my 2 buffalo were all 1-shot kills from 35 to 120yds.

In Zambia I met a Zim PH who reloads. In his experience he absolutely raves about the Woodleigh 480gr projectiles. Shorter projie gives greater powder capacity.

Cheers!

Yes I've heard good things about the Woodys. They're on the short list for sure!

 

[Timbo]

Yes I've heard good things about the Woodys. They're on the short list for sure!

Well, here's a "before and after" of the Woodleigh 500gr RNSN. The recovered bullet traversed through both shoders of a buffalo and was located under the skin of the off shoulder. Retained weight is 497.7gr. As long as Woodys are loaded within specs, they'll perform as designed.
Cheers!

 

[TOBY458]

Well, here's a "before and after" of the Woodleigh 500gr RNSN. The recovered bullet traversed through both shoders of a buffalo and was located under the skin of the off shoulder. Retained weight is 497.7gr. As long as Woodys are loaded within specs, they'll perform as designed.
Cheers!View attachment 279084

What do you estimate the impact velocity was?

 

[tarbe]

Well, here's a "before and after" of the Woodleigh 500gr RNSN. The recovered bullet traversed through both shoders of a buffalo and was located under the skin of the off shoulder. Retained weight is 497.7gr. As long as Woodys are loaded within specs, they'll perform as designed.
Cheers!View attachment 279084

That is sweet!

 

[Spooksar]

Woodliegh are the easiest for me to find in Canada, 2 bullets pulled out of a Cape Buffalo where perfect mushrooms, one loss 4 grains and the other lost 5 grains of weight. This was at 35-40 yards out of my 470 NE at 2150 FPS at the muzzle.

 

[IvW]

How do you feel about a Swift A Frame at 2200 fps?

Great! you will not have any issues, great bullet.

 

[Timbo]

What do you estimate the impact velocity was?

That particular bull was flattened at about 50yds range, so can only guesstimate from the ADI load data. But on a frontal shot I took on another buff a few years before, that RNSN was found in the lower paunch. In my current avatar, that hippo was brained at 50yds.

My pet 458 load is 72gr of AR2206H, pushing a 500gr bullet, giving a calculated 2110fps (don't have a chrony). This powder charge is bang in the middle of ADIs published data, and isn't compressed: and has worked so damn sweetly every time!! In my rifle, as both the RNSN and FMJ have almost identical BCs (not that it matters much out to 50yds, but hey....?), off the bench I consistently get cloverleaf groups with each of these two projectiles - with about half an inch between both groups.

I'm very happy in attaining such accuracy from this rifle/load combo, that I felt very confident in dropping my first hippo, through the neck, while he was on the run at 120yds.

Also the Woody 180gr PSP is just deadly in my .30/06, and in June I'm off with Pieter for eland, gemsbok and maybe kudu with my 9.3x62 - where I'll be trying out Woody's 286gr RNSN. When I get back, I'll let you know how I go.

Cheers!

 

[TOBY458]

That particular bull was flattened at about 50yds range, so can only guesstimate from the ADI load data. But on a frontal shot I took on another buff a few years before, that RNSN was found in the lower paunch. In my current avatar, that hippo was brained at 50yds.

My pet 458 load is 72gr of AR2206H, pushing a 500gr bullet, giving a calculated 2110fps (don't have a chrony). This powder charge is bang in the middle of ADIs published data, and isn't compressed: and has worked so damn sweetly every time!! In my rifle, as both the RNSN and FMJ have almost identical BCs (not that it matters much out to 50yds, but hey....?), off the bench I consistently get cloverleaf groups with each of these two projectiles - with about half an inch between both groups.

I'm very happy in attaining such accuracy from this rifle/load combo, that I felt very confident in dropping my first hippo, through the neck, while he was on the run at 120yds.

Also the Woody 180gr PSP is just deadly in my .30/06, and in June I'm off with Pieter for eland, gemsbok and maybe kudu with my 9.3x62 - where I'll be trying out Woody's 286gr RNSN. When I get back, I'll let you know how I go.

Cheers!

I'm thinking about taking a 9.3x62 this year as well. Along with a second rifle for Buffalo. I'll just have to decide between a 416 or a 458 for my buffalo gun.

 

[Timbo]

I'm thinking about taking a 9.3x62 this year as well. Along with a second rifle for Buffalo. I'll just have to decide between a 416 or a 458 for my buffalo gun.

Yes, the 9.3 is a dandy calibre, should be fun! Recently I took a couple of scrub bulls with it on a mates' station. The 416 or 458? You had that same dilemma last year (so take the 458 this time). You going with Pieter again?

 

[TOBY458]

Yes, the 9.3 is a dandy calibre, should be fun! Recently I took a couple of scrub bulls with it on a mates' station. The 416 or 458? You had that same dilemma last year (so take the 458 this time). You going with Pieter again?

I didn't have a 458 last year. Just recently bought a Dakota 458 Lott. Last year the dilemma was between a 416 Remington and 416 Ruger. Lol! Yes, going with Pieter for Lion, Cape Buff, Eland, and some other plains game.
What bullet did you use in the 9.3 for Scrub Bull?

 

[tarbe]

going with Pieter for Lion, Cape Buff, Eland, and some other plains game.

You don't screw around!