mono vs lead for Cape Buffalo?

[grand veneur]

I have read again several articles about the topic buffaloes in Africa, in French and English. It is not uncommon that West African buffaloes are confused with forest buffaloes. I shot one or two West African buffalo every year for fifteen years and for this reason I am very familiar with the species, in all cases the ones that has drawn its tracks in the corner of Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin. Many reports can seem very confusing to a hunter unfamiliar with the subject.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

What are the specific differences between the Cutting Edge Raptor vs the Maximus? Is the Maximus similar to the Hammer's and Lehigh Defense?

Have any of you done any comparisons between the Raptor vs Maximus in penetration and expansion? Because, I was thinking if the Raptor's penetrate too deeply and pass-through, the Maximus might be a good option.

 

[grand veneur]

A typical West-African Buffalo, maybe three quarters the size compared to a Cape buffalo, but no less.

 

[grand veneur]

You also have to take into account that there are possibly hybrids so that the size of the buffaloes can vary greatly depending on the region. Anyone who knows more and has shot more in other regions is welcome to argue with me.

 

[ftrovato]

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I only have 1 buff under my belt, so I only know of TBBC by reputation - they work as well as any other bonded premium like A-Frame and North Fork. I've heard/read that that's all some buff hunters will use. They work

I shot mine (a cow) this past August with a 9.3x62 (slightly less potent than 375H&H) firing 286 gr Swift A Frame at just under 2500 fps. 1 shot is all it took. She ran away, as most buff do, perhaps 50 yards, crashed, gave her death bellow, and that was that. I had a perfect broadside as I began to squeeze the trigger, but she turned at the last second and I ended up with a raking shot on her left side - the worst shot angle on a buff. That bullet penetrated between 3 and 4 feet.

A bullet with controlled expansion - where expansion ceases somewhere around mid-shank even though the bullet is still penetrating; or a copper bullet like TSX, though with TSX, expansion ceases near the top of the shank. Some expansion is good as it creates a wider permanent wound channel than a solid. Too much expansion is less desirable because the wider it gets, the more it inhibits penetration. Every bullet we've all talked about here will do the trick, and the easiest 375 H&H ammo to find in the US will be topped with TSX, A Frame, or TBBC. You can't do better than those.

Get a copy of Kevin Robertson's "Perfect Shot" or "Perfect Shot 2" - the graphic above was copied from the latter, but Jerome (@AfricaHunting.com) has a whole section on this website dedicated to shot placement, illustrations included.

Thx All well said. Not that you need me confirming what you clearly know and understand.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

For 375 on a wounded buffalo that's running away quartering away from you, is it best to use a solid or expanding mono like TSX or CEB Raptor for the second shot?

Also, what about directly away from you, meaning the buffalo's butt is staring you in the face. Can you shoot the buff up the butt? Any of you ever do that?

 

[375Fox]

For 375 on a wounded buffalo that's running away quartering away from you, is it best to use a solid or expanding mono like TSX or CEB Raptor for the second shot?

Also, what about directly away from you, meaning the buffalo's butt is staring you in the face. Can you shoot the buff up the butt? Any of you ever do that?

You can’t predict the situation you are going to experience after the first shot. Running directly away a solid would be best. Any shot where there is a possibility to aim for the vitals a soft is better. You could make argument either way. That’s why no all PHs agree on what to load in magazine. Once you fire your first good shot (broadside, slightly quartering, or frontal) the goal is to put more bullets into him while running away if you have opportunity. You would never try a Texas heart shot on an unwounded buffalo no matter what cartridge or bullet you were using.