I Hunted a Wounded Cape Buffalo Using a .300 Win Mag. Turned out OK, Kind of

[Datchew]

Ron Thompson also as a game ranger in Rhodesia culled a lot of buffalo. Used it also on elephants, also a lot of different calibers even 7x57. It can be done but it is no stopping rifle.

While it's possible to take animals with smaller calibers, I'm a big fan of having the extra margin in place with typically recommended cartridges for game.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Where did the .300 Win Mag shot end up hitting the bull? Did the 180 TTSX penetrate?

I want to know these autopsy results as well.

 

[DieJager]

While it's possible to take animals with smaller calibers, I'm a big fan of having the extra margin in place with typically recommended cartridges for game.

Yes of course. In no way interpret this as me advising against the appropriate caliber. Use enough gun still applies. Just saying people did it successfully.

 

[gbflyer]

And to think our ancestors took them on with a sharpened stick.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Can’t say I fault your shot choice. I’d have probable picked the ear hole in the same scenario but ideally wouldn’t be in said scenario

 

[RETD16]

Correct me if I’m wrong…. But the only thing that’s more dangerous than a buffalo, is a wounded buffalo??? Definitely a stopping rifle job???

 

[Wooster]

I want to know these autopsy results as well.

My shot went in slightly above the eye line and slightly left of center below the boss. The one that ended up dropping him went in the right eye. One lower on the nose didn't seem to phase him much. We weren't around when the team cut him up so I couldn't do any good forensics unfortunately.

 

[Nyati]

A great story, glad everything ended well.

This shows you can´t always trust your PH, some are not very professional.

With a .300 WM, I would never take a shoulder shot, either neck or heart.

 

[Wooster]

Interesting story, thanks for sharing it.

Where did the .300 Win Mag shot end up hitting the bull? Did the 180 TTSX penetrate?

Slightly above the line of the eyes, slightly left of center. Don't recall an exit wound.

 

[Red Leg]

Great tale and glade all ended well. At that angle, I'll disagree with both you and the PH. Low chest inside that near shoulder and a 180gr TSX would have been pretty immediately lethal.

 

[Wooster]

Great tale and glade all ended well. At that angle, I'll disagree with both you and the PH. Low chest inside that near shoulder and a 180gr TSX would have been pretty immediately lethal.

Thought about that at the time but didn't think I had the right angle for it.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I don't mean the following to be taken as a swipe at you @Wooster and I'm glad no one was hurt. But I'm sure there are lots of somewhat similar stories of poachers taking elephant with AK-47s loaded with seven sixty-twos that are every bit as exciting. I don't condone it for two reasons. It's poaching and cruel in my opinion, so just because it would make a great story does not make it ok.

I realize this was not poaching and the intent was to put down a wounded buffalo. That however does not excuse the PH from sending a client off on his own with only a tracker with a rifle that should not be used on an unwounded buffalo much less an enraged bull with holes in it.

Sometimes you have to call it for what it is, unacceptable.

 

[BJH65]

Great story! With the right bullet, like a 180 grain TSX or my favorite, the excellent but discontinued 180 grain Winchester Fail Safe, I’d be comfortable shooting an unwounded Cape buffalo in the vitals with my 300 Win Mag but a wounded, pissed off bull? I’d beg to use at least a 375 H&H but preferably a 458 Win Mag or 458 Lott! I’d also beg to have two with rifles searching for the wounded buffalo.

 

[Datchew]

Yes of course. In no way interpret this as me advising against the appropriate caliber. Use enough gun still applies. Just saying people did it successfully.

Yes, completely agree. I didn't interpret it that way at all and didn't mean to imply anything.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I've not hunted buffalo but it's next on my list. From an amateur point of view, I'll give my thoughts. Picking apart the story, there is a lot wrong and not much (if any) to your negative credit. Splitting up, first and foremost, was bad move 1. Splitting YOU up with the tracker, with no backup gun, was bad move 2 and could have been fatal. Advising you to shoot him on the shoulder with a 300WM is bad move 3 but I am not in a position to really say for sure. I would have been inclined to do what you did. Wait for the buff to look head on and try for a good shot. Bad move 4 would be cussing you out. He put you, the tracker, and himself in a really bad position. That's his fault, not yours. This isn't like you setout on the normal buff hunt with a .375+ rifle, PH with you having a big bore backup, tracker to assist. This just sounds like a cluster-you-know-what from start to finish.

There are stories in a lot of the safari classic books (Death in the Long Grass, etc.) that they talk about PH's allowing crack-shot clients to brain buffalo with 300WM, 7mm, etc. It doesn't get mentioned much. It likely would work. Is it smart? Probably not. I sure as hell wouldn't chance that 25 yds away. 100 yds away from a point of where you could take your time, go unnoticed, would be more appropriate.

In the end, it's good that it worked out. I'd be really thankful God was looking out for your interests on that whole debacle.

 

[wvfred]

All I can say is "WOW"