Best bullet for Africa

[sureshot375]

Two of those boxes are older than me.

You need to invest in some new ammo. I like the federal premium bear claws or a frames. You also need some solids.


I’m considering switching to Hornady because of availability and because of their commitment to providing safari ammo.

 

[Rule 303]

Unfortunately for me, at the moment I do not have time to read the whole thread so this may have been covered.

Solids, if you use a cup nose solid like the Woodleigh Hydro and others they do penetrate a fair distance but not as much as a metplate solid. They do more damage than a Metplate solid but not as much as a soft nose. The Hydro is what I used on my one and only cape Buff. My PH at the time also used them for buff. I know of a PH in Aust that uses them for Water Buff.

As said there are plenty of other bullets around nowadays than the ones you (the OP) have listed and some from South Africa if you can get them. If you do not reload there are still very good choices out there. Most have been listed. If looking at Woodleigh softs get the heavy duty ones.

 

[19_A_CPT]

I've got all the suggestions I need.

Thanks guys!

 

[grand veneur]

Cutting Edge Bullets, Northforks and Peregrine BushMasters are my first choice for both expanding and solids.
I have found that the .375 calibre is too small of a diameter for solids on cape buffalo. ( I have killed 13 buffalo, with calibers from .375 to .577NE. All the buffalo that I killed with .500 and .577NE were, one shot, DRT. )
Brian

That can be discussed.

Regardless of which bullet is used, in my opinion the cartridges 375 H&H Magnum and 9,3mm are marginal for hunting big game. Nevertheless, for various reasons I had to shoot buffaloes with this cartridges and with various bullets, among other things three water buffaloes with the cartridge 9,3x74R and in all three cases with solids. It worked very well. If you look back decades solids were the standard for big game, regardless of caliber. Certainly it was mainly due to the SP bullets these times, which were perhaps not of the same quality as some nowadays, but these so-called premium bullets sometimes also fail in their effectiveness, meaning the highly praised A-Frame and TSX. A solid is still a good choice if you have concerns about the working of a SP bullets with some marginal cartridges used for big game hunting. If the wound channel is not so big as with a well working premium SP bullet, you still have with a solid a sufficient depth penetration, and as you all like to point out, shot placement is the most important thing.

 

[Brian]

A bit off topic, sorry.
I would like to offer my controversial opinion on the good old 375 HH for cape buffalo.
I realize that most cape buffalo hunters will disagree with me.

Beginner beware. Cape buffalo calibers start with a "4" .
I have killed 6 cape buffalo with a .375 HH with different bullets at different ranges and have decided that, for me, the .375 HH is a marginal cartridge for cape buffalo. They just run too far even with a good heart/ lung shot. Sooner or later one will get into trouble with using the 375HH on cape buffalo.

I mean no offence to anyone. I just think that the 375 HH is so popular for cape buffalo, that it gets over rated at times.

Brian

PS. Yes, It goes without saying that bullet quality and shot placement are significant factors in DG hunting.

 

[grand veneur]

It is sure that the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum is overvalued, no matter which bullets are used. The cartridge is marginal for big game hunting and for this reason one should justly pay attention to the bullets used with it, but the solids also count to a certain extent.

 

[IvW]

Nothing overvalued on a 375H&H. Due to the speed on dangerous game using premium bullets of 340 and 350gr expanding as well as meplat solids you can kill any DG with the correct shot placement.
More DG is killed each year with this caliber not only due to its performance but its recoil tollerance and this gives the hunter the ability to place shots accurately and where they need to go. Not ideal to stop buffalo and elephant charges but then again it is not the visiting hunters job to do so.....
I would much rather hunt DG with a visiting hunter who can shoot it than one with some super magnum or double that he cannot shoot.

We are in 2024 and not 19....something after all....

 

[Philip Glass]

Planning phase for a venture to RSA for mostly plains game, however, I may throw in a Buffalo if the checkbook can process it.

Which bullet (if any of these) would be best for
1) All around plains
2) Buffalo

A)300 grain Silvertip
B)300 grain solids
C)300 grain Nosler Partition

View attachment 609440

I recommend Barnes TSX for most everything. Second choices will be A Frame and Accubuond.

 

[Andrew62]

There are a tremendous amount of great quality bullets to choose from for plains game, silver tips and solids are not 2 of those. Partitions, yes, they are ok, but again, plenty of other bullets I would choose first. I'm a huge fan of Barnes and Swift bullets.

 

[Rickmt]

Last PH I hunted with insisted on Barnes tsx 300 grain loads in my 375.

 

[SETH RINGER]

I'LL BET CORBET, TAYLOR, SELOUS, HUNTER, PERCIVAL, ETC. WOULD HAVE LOVED SOME PARTITIONS. SHOT PLACEMENT.

 

[PerH]

That must been on the time they changed materials in Silver Tip so it was more brittle .

Just like Nosler did from drilling and filling the core , then shaping it cold . Over to warm procedure thereby altering the structure of the metals .

 

[Brian]

IvW said. "More DG is killed each year with this caliber..."

Similar statements have been made about the 30-30 Winchester on moose and deer. They are comment that are more about the popularity of a cartridge, and the discernment of hunters and less about the actual terminal performance of the cartridge.

I prefer the more focused discussion on the effectiveness of the 375 HH where the question of how effectively/quickly does the first shot at close range usually put a cape buffalo on the ground given a good double lung, heart shot with a high quality heavy 375 bullet.

Bear in mind that our concern is for hunter safety and humane killing and that many of the hunters reading these lines are new to cape buffalo hunting.

Question. Why is the 375HH is rated as the minimum calibre/cartridge for cape buffalo?
Answer. Because years of research and field observation indicate that the .375 calibre is beyond a reasonable doubt, the practical legal minimum for hunting dangerous game. It is not suggested anywhere that the 375 HH is amply capable of putting a cape buffalo on the ground most of the time in a safe distance or amount of time.

Question. What is considered the safe distance or amount of time?
Answer. The distance or time it takes for a cape buffalo to run, 40 - 50yds. at 25mph - 35 mph.

Question. Why?
Answer. The typical distance for the first shot on a cape buffalo is about 50 yds. Sometime much more or less, but usually the PH will try to get a client within 50 yds of the buffalo for the first shot. It is considered to be a cape buffalo protocol.

Question. Can a hunter alway rely on putting down a cape buffalo with a good heart - lung shot and a good bullet from a .416 rifle or bigger before it runs or charges 50 yds?
Answer. No. But it often happen and the bigger the calibre/cartridge better. With a .375HH is doesn't happen very often.


Question. How often does a hunter get in trouble when hunting a cape buffalo ?
Answer. Very seldom, But it is much more likely if you shoot a cape buffalo with a "minimum" calibre than with a "big bore" calibre. I have found that the killing power of a calibre, everything else being equal, seems to go up exponentially when you move up the big bore ladder. ( most DG hunters agree that a .375 is not a big bore.)

Question. But I can't handle the recoil of a bug bore, a .375 is my limit. What do I do, dammit?
Answer. Cheer up. Making friends with a big bore is not a big deal. Most North American hunters, men, women and teenagers can shoot 25 - 100 rounds of 3", 12 Gauge shell at migratory birds in a couple of ours out of a 7-8 lb shotgun on a cold morning, but firmly believe that a 416 Rem Mag or 450-400 NE or 458 WM are too much for them to shoot 3-4 round out of a 9-10 lb rifle. in the African sun.
Believe me, this is just another concept fed to all of us on shooting blogs and shooting ranges by the other shooters who don't have a clue.

I promise you, anyone who can shoot 25 round through an 7.5 lb. 12 gauge shotgun at ducks, geese and pleasant can shoot several rounds accurately through a 8-9 lb. 458 Win Mag.

It's all about working through the dreaded flinch. Here is a good first step and it will cost you less than $25.00 and you will have good laugh along the way.

1. Take your biggest magnum rifle, , a set of shooting sticks and an empty tin can and your best friend to the shooting range. (Oh, yeah you both will need to bring $25 worth of $5 bills.)

2. From the shooting sticks shoot your best group of three quick shot off of the sticks from the magnum. ( That should get you flinch going! )

3. Set your empty tin can in the shooting bench.

4.Go back to the sticks with your pal and fire your best shot at your target bullseye.

5. Now, turn your back and get your pal to load your rifle, or not, with one round in the chamber only, without you watching him. ( No rounds in the magazine.)
Remind him that he has the option of loading a live round or just leaving the chamber empty, however he must always cycle the bolt like he is actually loading a live round. If his slight-of-hand works, you won't know it the there is a live round in the chamber or not. Now immediately shoot your best shot from the shooting sticks at the bulls eye. Your pal's job is to to get you to flinch on an empty chamber.
Your job is to never flinch. (no pressure)
If you, the shooter, flinch on an empty chamber ( only ) you must put five bucks in the can. If you don't flinch on a "surprise" empty chamber, your pal lays five bucks in the can. You can continue this highly scientific exercise until one of you is broke or you are out of ammo. If you can clean your pal out, it's official, you can accurately shoot a big bore.
But then of course beer and steaks are on you. Enjoy. Brian

 

[375Fox]

IvW said. "More DG is killed each year with this caliber..."

Similar statements have been made about the 30-30 Winchester on moose and deer. They are comment that are more about the popularity of a cartridge, and the discernment of hunters and less about the actual terminal performance of the cartridge.

I prefer the more focused discussion on the effectiveness of the 375 HH where the question of how effectively/quickly does the first shot at close range usually put a cape buffalo on the ground given a good double lung, heart shot with a high quality heavy 375 bullet.

Bear in mind that our concern is for hunter safety and humane killing and that many of the hunters reading these lines are new to cape buffalo hunting.

Question. Why is the 375HH is rated as the minimum calibre/cartridge for cape buffalo?
Answer. Because years of research and field observation indicate that the .375 calibre is beyond a reasonable doubt, the practical legal minimum for hunting dangerous game. It is not suggested anywhere that the 375 HH is amply capable of putting a cape buffalo on the ground most of the time in a safe distance or amount of time.

Question. What is considered the safe distance or amount of time?
Answer. The distance or time it takes for a cape buffalo to run, 40 - 50yds. at 25mph - 35 mph.

Question. Why?
Answer. The typical distance for the first shot on a cape buffalo is about 50 yds. Sometime much more or less, but usually the PH will try to get a client within 50 yds of the buffalo for the first shot. It is considered to be a cape buffalo protocol.

Question. Can a hunter alway rely on putting down a cape buffalo with a good heart - lung shot and a good bullet from a .416 rifle or bigger before it runs or charges 50 yds?
Answer. No. But it often happen and the bigger the calibre/cartridge better. With a .375HH is doesn't happen very often.


Question. How often does a hunter get in trouble when hunting a cape buffalo ?
Answer. Very seldom, But it is much more likely if you shoot a cape buffalo with a "minimum" calibre than with a "big bore" calibre. I have found that the killing power of a calibre, everything else being equal, seems to go up exponentially when you move up the big bore ladder. ( most DG hunters agree that a .375 is not a big bore.)

Question. But I can't handle the recoil of a bug bore, a .375 is my limit. What do I do, dammit?
Answer. Cheer up. Making friends with a big bore is not a big deal. Most North American hunters, men, women and teenagers can shoot 25 - 100 rounds of 3", 12 Gauge shell at migratory birds in a couple of ours out of a 7-8 lb shotgun on a cold morning, but firmly believe that a 416 Rem Mag or 450-400 NE or 458 WM are too much for them to shoot 3-4 round out of a 9-10 lb rifle. in the African sun.
Believe me, this is just another concept fed to all of us on shooting blogs and shooting ranges by the other shooters who don't have a clue.

I promise you, anyone who can shoot 25 round through an 7.5 lb. 12 gauge shotgun at ducks, geese and pleasant can shoot several rounds accurately through a 8-9 lb. 458 Win Mag.

It's all about working through the dreaded flinch. Here is a good first step and it will cost you less than $25.00 and you will have good laugh along the way.

1. Take your biggest magnum rifle, , a set of shooting sticks and an empty tin can and your best friend to the shooting range. (Oh, yeah you both will need to bring $25 worth of $5 bills.)

2. From the shooting sticks shoot your best group of three quick shot off of the sticks from the magnum. ( That should get you flinch going! )

3. Set your empty tin can in the shooting bench.

4.Go back to the sticks with your pal and fire your best shot at your target bullseye.

5. Now, turn your back and get your pal to load your rifle, or not, with one round in the chamber only, without you watching him. ( No rounds in the magazine.)
Remind him that he has the option of loading a live round or just leaving the chamber empty, however he must always cycle the bolt like he is actually loading a live round. If his slight-of-hand works, you won't know it the there is a live round in the chamber or not. Now immediately shoot your best shot from the shooting sticks at the bulls eye. Your pal's job is to to get you to flinch on an empty chamber.
Your job is to never flinch. (no pressure)
If you, the shooter, flinch on an empty chamber ( only ) you must put five bucks in the can. If you don't flinch on a "surprise" empty chamber, your pal lays five bucks in the can. You can continue this highly scientific exercise until one of you is broke or you are out of ammo. If you can clean your pal out, it's official, you can accurately shoot a big bore.
But then of course beer and steaks are on you. Enjoy. Brian

Here is an article on effectiveness of 375 vs other calibers backed by data from Buffalo. I see nothing to make me question using a 375.

Is Bigger Always Better?

I thought this group may enjoy this article I wrote in the latest African Gazette. A link to that particular issue (of which Divan Labuschagne, one of our great PHs, also took the cover picture): Let me know your thoughts....

www.africahunting.com

 

[grand veneur]

All of these articles must be evaluated very critically because nowadays, for many reasons, especially commercial ones, no one will write that the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum is marginal for big game and especially for buffalo hunting. The conclusion at the end of the various articles on the topic is moreover always the same; use enough gun, but not more than you can handle. We all know that, but unfortunately perhaps not everyone. Nevertheless, I assume that the majority of the experienced non-professional big game hunters who know why they use big bore rifles can also handle this. Ultimately one ask yourself why big bore cartridges exist.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

All of these articles must be evaluated very critically because nowadays, for many reasons, especially commercial ones, no one will write that the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum is marginal for big game and especially for buffalo hunting. The conclusion at the end of the various articles on the topic is moreover always the same; use enough gun, but not more than you can handle. We all know that, but unfortunately perhaps not everyone. Nevertheless, I assume that the majority of the experienced non-professional big game hunters who know why they use big bore rifles can also handle this. Ultimately one ask yourself why big bore cartridges exist.

Exactly this️

I’m tired of people saying the 375 H&H is a great DG caliber as it simply is not. It is however adequate for the job.

I will say it again and please excuse my repetitive comments
“DG calibers start with a 4 and 5 is even better”

HH

 

[Rule 303]

Exactly this️

I’m tired of people saying the 375 H&H is a great DG caliber as it simply is not. It is however adequate for the job.

I will say it again and please excuse my repetitive comments
“DG calibers start with a 4 and 5 is even better”

HH

Maybe for Africa but not the world, even not for Africa. Lion and Leopard are DG and a 375 is more than enough gun for them, same with Bears and croc's. What you say may apply for Buff and up.

Then with the bigger bores you have the parachute effect with soft nose and this can restrict their penetration distance. Once again it comes back to the bullet and placement. yes I am one that is more comfortable using a calibre starting with a 4 when after big dangerous game as a Bell I am not.

 

[Brian]

Karl, Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful response to my post. You covered a lot of ground in your excellent article and made good clear points. I agree with most of them.

The most important place where we differ is in defining a one shot kill as the distance the buffalo goes after the first shot, before going down on the ground. I say within 50 yards of the first shot and you have defined 300 yds as the qualifying distance. Kudos to both of us for stating this, it's significant.

Your sample of buffalo kills is more that five times larger that my sample of 13. I was also impressed that your picture of recovered bullets included some of the best bullets on the market.

Your article and my post offer a good balance of useful information, I think.

Lekker!
Brian Gallup

 

[Brian]

Thanks to all for the great posts. Good job! This thread is not just a rumination of old concepts. Bravo!

I'm, obviously, one of those ".416 or bigger for buffalo" guys, in fact I'm worse! For me, buffalo hunting begins at .500 cal. My go-to rifle is a single shot break open rig with switch barrels for .500 and .577NE. I use moderate loads, around 1,900 fps. more or less, under Peregrine Bushmaster bullets and Cutting Edge Bullets. They kill like hell, usually dead right there, and it's quite manageable for me to shoot. ( I'm nearly 80 ) I believe that most buffalo hunters can learn to enjoy shooting a .500 accurately.

Happy hunting to all. Brian Gallup