Bullet performance in Niassa

[DAVE LANGERMAN Safaris]

Hi Guys
I've just done a safari in Niassa where my client took 2 wonderful old buff (with his 500 double) and a very nice leopard. He shot the cat with a 300 grain RWS cone point in .375. The shot whistled through as you might expect, and I recovered what was left of the bullet in the tree trunk. I know this is all moot as the cat was stone dead under the tree but the remains of the bullet got me thinking I wouldn't want to use it on a buff. It appears to me to be quite frangible, despite being a 300 grainer. Any one used this combo on buff before and what was the outcome? I understand RWS to be quality kit. Thoughts?

Have attached a photo of what was left of the bullet and also that of a muzzle loaders projectile that we recovered from the first buff.

 

[Longwalker]

I have used the RWS cone point bullets in smaller cartridges, 7mm mostly. I have confidence in them for smaller plains game and deer size animals but not the big stuff. They seem to behave like any good cup and core design non-bonded bullet, and are not especially tough. They are some of the most accurate bullets available that I have tried in my rifles. I have never used them in a .375H&H. My very limited experience would agree with the choice of .375 / 300 grain cone point for leopard, but not for buffalo.