mono vs lead for Cape Buffalo?

[Carnivore hunter]

Hi, I have never hunted African game but hopefully someday plan to. I have some questions about what in recent years what style of ammo technology has been more effective on Cape Buffalo for quicker kills and even "DRT" between mono-metals vs lead bullets?

I remember back around the 2010 to 2018 period on some African hunting forums the bullets of choice for Cape Buffalo were the Swift A-Frames and Barnes TSX. Are those two still the preferred favorites for Cape Buffalo or have others come and surpassed them in performance for quicker killing power?

And, have you guys noticed a difference in how Cape Buffalo react after being hit with bullets that mushroom vs bullets that fragment/shed petals? Are the newer fragmenting mono's that shed petals (CEB, Hammer, Lehigh) more effective than the mushrooming bullets?

Shot placement: What is the ideal shot placement on Cape Buffalo? Do you favor shoulder shots or behind the shoulder soft tissue lung shots for the quickest way to drop a Cape Buffalo? Is it best to get a broadside shot?

And one last question: Stopping a charge straight head on within feet. Are you aiming for the head, neck or is it so fast and intense it's spray and pray and hit whatever you can? Is a solid or Barnes TSX best for a head on charge?

 

[towserthemouser]

Got my popcorn

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi, I have never hunted African game but hopefully someday plan to. I have some questions about what in recent years what style of ammo technology has been more effective on Cape Buffalo for quicker kills and even "DRT" between mono-metals vs lead bullets?

I remember back around the 2010 to 2018 period on some African hunting forums the bullets of choice for Cape Buffalo were the Swift A-Frames and Barnes TSX. Are those two still the preferred favorites for Cape Buffalo or have others come and surpassed them in performance for quicker killing power?

And, have you guys noticed a difference in how Cape Buffalo react after being hit with bullets that mushroom vs bullets that fragment/shed petals? Are the newer fragmenting mono's that shed petals (CEB, Hammer, Lehigh) more effective than the mushrooming bullets?

Shot placement: What is the ideal shot placement on Cape Buffalo? Do you favor shoulder shots or behind the shoulder soft tissue lung shots for the quickest way to drop a Cape Buffalo? Is it best to get a broadside shot?

And one last question: Stopping a charge straight head on within feet. Are you aiming for the head, neck or is it so fast and intense it's spray and pray and hit whatever you can? Is a solid or Barnes TSX best for a head on charge?

TSX and only TSX for me

 

[375Fox]

TSX, Swift A Frame, trophy bonded bear claw are still the standard. Northfork has a good following and very similar design trophy bonded bear claw. I have one very experienced DG PH that thinks cutting edge raptors are the best buffalo bullet out there now but their downside is they will pass through so not a good option for buffalo from herds. There are a lot of opinions. I’d use any bullet listed but I prefer the swift A Frame.
Shot placement on African game is on the shoulder not behind because the vitals are further forward. That’s part of reason you need a tough well constructed bullet. You should buy “the perfect shot” by Kevin Robertson. It’s the standard. This podcast is also an extremely good resource, but not all PHs share his exact opinions.

 

[Andrew62]

TSX or Aframes, see if you can get yourself a copy of "Kevin Robertson's Shots for African Game".

 

[Carnivore hunter]

Are solids ever an option for Cape Buffalo? Would A-Frames and TSX still be better for stopping a straight head on charge?

 

[375Fox]

Are solids ever an option for Cape Buffalo? Would A-Frames and TSX still be better for stopping a straight head on charge?

Depends on the PH. Most say premium softs are all that’s necessary some still like solids in the magazine. A quality first shot with a quality bullet is the best option to prevent a charge.

 

[Andrew62]

Are solids ever an option for Cape Buffalo? Would A-Frames and TSX still be better for stopping a straight head on charge?

There is a really famous podcaster that most everyone on this site knows of. This past year he spoke of a cape buffalo hunt he had taken, his first shot was with a premium soft bullet, the rest of his magazine had solids. After taking his first shot he knew he had to shoot it again, but he could not take a second shot with a solid bullet because the bull was in a herd. The short story is the cape buffalo ran off, never to be seen again. For this reason I only use TSX or Aframes, I have used Hornady DGX on 3 buffalo with success as well, but for sure, no solids will be carried in my rifle for buffalo.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Are solids ever an option for Cape Buffalo? Would A-Frames and TSX still be better for stopping a straight head on charge?

You could ask your PH what he thinks. It also depends some on the cartridge. I have a .458 Win and used it on a buffalo on my last safari (2022). My PH believes that only solids should be used. I took my first buffalo with him in 1983. I took his advise and used av500 grain Hornady solid. I shot the bull at 50 or 60 yards. I wss sure of the sight picture and touched off. He dove behind some acacia. While the PH was asking me if I knew where my shot hit, one of the trackers ran out to see where the bull had gone and came back. He had taken the bullet through the heavy shoulder bone, the top of the heart and out at the back of the opposite shoulder. He ran about 20 yards and piled up.dead. Can't argue with success.

Most here will tell you that a good bonded soft is best for at least the first shot then maybe solids in the magazine. Some (not me) will say that a mono is a good choice for the first shot or maybe the whole magazine. Your PH has the experience and has a lot riding on whatever you choose. Ask him what he would like you to bring.

 

[SStomcat]

TSX and only TSX for me

My PH recommends them, no 1

 

[Doug Hamilton]

There is a really famous podcaster that most everyone on this site knows of. This past year he spoke of a cape buffalo hunt he had taken, his first shot was with a premium soft bullet, the rest of his magazine had solids. After taking his first shot he knew he had to shoot it again, but he could not take a second shot with a solid bullet because the bull was in a herd. The short story is the cape buffalo ran off, never to be seen again. For this reason I only use TSX or Aframes, I have used Hornady DGX on 3 buffalo with success as well, but for sure, no solids will be carried in my rifle for buffalo.

If you are only tracking old dagga boys, and shooting a herd bull is strongly discouraged on the property, other buffalo really aren't an issue.

 

[BryceM]

The magic answer for me was a 400 gr .416 TSX at 2400 fps. One shot and done. Seemed to work.

From a philosophical viewpoint, we're splitting hairs between A-frames and TSX vs other mono-metal copper bullets (hammer, CEP, etc). They'll all work. I wouldn't recommend solids for buff (because my PH doesn't), but having the last round in a 4-deep magazine being a solid isn't incredibly stupid...... maybe not all that practical, or useful, but not entirely stupid.

 

[375Fox]

If you are only tracking old dagga boys, and shooting a herd bull is strongly discouraged on the property, other buffalo really aren't an issue.

Dugga boy groups move into herds from time to time as well. You’re not always tracking lone bulls. Areas like Zambezi delta nearly every Buffalo they shoot is from large herds even old bulls.

 

[mark-hunter]

Hi, I have never hunted African game but hopefully someday plan to. I have some questions about what in recent years what style of ammo technology has been more effective on Cape Buffalo for quicker kills and even "DRT" between mono-metals vs lead bullets?

I remember back around the 2010 to 2018 period on some African hunting forums the bullets of choice for Cape Buffalo were the Swift A-Frames and Barnes TSX. Are those two still the preferred favorites for Cape Buffalo or have others come and surpassed them in performance for quicker killing power?

And, have you guys noticed a difference in how Cape Buffalo react after being hit with bullets that mushroom vs bullets that fragment/shed petals? Are the newer fragmenting mono's that shed petals (CEB, Hammer, Lehigh) more effective than the mushrooming bullets?

Shot placement: What is the ideal shot placement on Cape Buffalo? Do you favor shoulder shots or behind the shoulder soft tissue lung shots for the quickest way to drop a Cape Buffalo? Is it best to get a broadside shot?

And one last question: Stopping a charge straight head on within feet. Are you aiming for the head, neck or is it so fast and intense it's spray and pray and hit whatever you can? Is a solid or Barnes TSX best for a head on charge?

Shot placement, in ideal broad side position, in the shoulder. Brake the bone. Make maximum damage.
Buffalo can run on three legs but not on two. This means eventual shot on running away buffalo to other hind leg, will bring him down. Does not mean it has to be vital area, but needs a bit of luck to hit bone on second shot, and speed to shoot second shot before he disappears in the bush. This is for running away situation

For frontal shot, aim for the heart, but learn well the anatomy.

Quartering shot from behind, especially to his left side, do not make. In that situation, wait till he gets in better position.

When stopping a charge - aim for head. Brain.

From what I have read, and seen - most likely first shot will not take him down instantly. But if first shot is done properly, he will be dead in some minutes. Aim for heart/lung area, and he is not going far.
So, most important is to make perfect first shot. If you are not sure, dont take it. Dont rush for shot. Take your time, make it best possible.

I am by no means expert of buffalo, I hunted only one. And I was back up to my friend who hunted his buffalo. But I learned theory as much as possible from the books, and internet.
My situation was: I took two very good shots broad side on my buffalo, double lung through shoulder. After second shot he turned to face our hunting party. He was spitting blood on the mouth.
He was in position to charge, but did not yet charge. This could change any moment.
I did not want to risk, and I aimed for the brain. I hit below left eye, a little bit quartering, probably breaking the neck, and he dropped instantly on third shot.

When you are planning you buffalo: choose outfitter and area smartly.
You may prefer bush hunt, and close shots (30, 40 meters) Or you may prefer to hunt buffalo in the open, tall grass or field, where shot can be taken at 100 meters. So, based on what type of hunting environment you prefer, chose your outfitter and area to hunt.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

So, in an ideal situation it would be best to hit the buffalo with a broadside shot through the shoulder breaking the shoulder? I would assume breaking both front shoulders with one shot is better? Does the Barnes and AFrames penetrate deep enough to break the second shoulder on the offside with the first shot? Or, only solids can do that?

 

[Tra3]

I’ve used TSX on 3 bulls. They work in my experience. More important is making sure the first shot is very good.
I’d run all TSX in the rifle.
Start practicing now!
I love the saying “don’t practice until you do it right. Practice until you can’t do it wrong.”

 

[375Fox]

So, in an ideal situation it would be best to hit the buffalo with a broadside shot through the shoulder breaking the shoulder? I would assume breaking both front shoulders with one shot is better? Does the Barnes and AFrames penetrate deep enough to break the second shoulder on the offside with the first shot? Or, only solids can do that?

The vitals are behind the shoulder. You can break the shoulder as a consequence of aiming for the heart/lungs not because that’s the goal. Over penetration is dangerous in a herd situation or possibly anything other than a lone bull. Barnes, Swift, TBBC are the standard because they are a good combination of performance and penetration without over penetrating. Solids will potentially hit a buffalo behind your buffalo whether you knew it was there or not.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

Have any of you been in the unfortunate situation where your bullet over penetrated the buffalo and it hit another buffalo? In those situations what does the shooter, PH and tracker do?

 

[mark-hunter]

So, in an ideal situation it would be best to hit the buffalo with a broadside shot through the shoulder breaking the shoulder? I would assume breaking both front shoulders with one shot is better?

That would be perfect, but for that, you need anti aircraft gun. I dont think usual DG rifle would routinely pass through both shoulders with soft points. But as 375fox, target is vitals on the end of day.

Second consideration is safety - pass through can result in wounding second buffalo in the heard.
This would cause immediate danger to hunting party, and will double your hunting expenses.
This is also the reason to use high quality soft points, not solids for buffalo.

 

[mark-hunter]

In those situations what does the shooter, PH and tracker do?

Secure first buffalo
Track second buffalo
Take down second buffalo.

The role of client, will certainly be to pay trophy fee for both buffalos. (wounded or killed)

About shooting, and who does what - this depends on PH and his estimate of clients capability.
Ultimate responsibility for PH is safety. If PH considers that client is not up to the task, he will keep him away from tracking wounded buffalo.
Not up to the task means: either unsafe and poor gun handling, or physicals limitation due to age or some disability.
If the client appears fit, he will join the tracking, discretion of PH.

Regarding first and follow up shots, in my case, I made clear to my PH before the hunt: after I fire the first shot, he was welcome to fire second shot and bring my buffalo down, in case the situation and safety dictates so. In order to avoid any misunderstanding in such situation, this should be clarified before the hunt between PH and client.

This was published on this forum in summer this year, take a look.