Here’s the problem. When you want a 40” buff, you want a 40” buff. I agree with everyone else that the hunt is about the experience, and shooting an old bull is more important than size. So, here’s my experience with the same exact thing. Last summer I wanted a 40” buff and we had plans in an area with very, very good buffalo. My PH wasn’t able to renew the lease because of the crap going in in Zambia, and we ended up hunting a different area that also had good buff, but arguably not as good as our plan A area. On day two I had my crosshairs on a beautiful 43-44” bull with everything you’d ever want, except fully hard bosses. It was a frontal shot at 110 yards, on the edge of 8ft high tall grass. I had never hunted buffalo, and I was really looking for that easy chip shot on my first buff because I didn’t want to go home with a trophy fee but no bull. I passed on that bull, and then we lost them for two days. On day 5 we were back into buff but nothing I wanted to shoot. On day 6, we found this hard bossed 38” bull standing perfectly sideways at 100 yards. I drove a 400gr TSX from a .416 Rigby through both lungs and he ran about 20-30 yards and laid down. I put two more into him when he tried to get up, even though they weren’t needed. I’ve heard dead buff have killed more than a few hunters….. The hunt was fantastic, but here’s the deal. I still want a 40” buff. Not only that, I also want an ugly old beat to heck daga boy. I am incredibly happy with my 38” bull, but I’m also incredibly hooked, and still want that 43-44” bull when he gets old. I took the first good representative animal that gave me the best shot, and wouldn’t change a thing. But, after the first stock, I also knew I was going back.
