Recommended dangerous game bullets and cartridges?

[375Fox]

Listen to this. It’s a very good resource. It’s available as podcast on a few platforms as well. I don’t agree with him on everything but it’s hard to argue with Kevin Robertson’s opinions.

 

[sureshot375]

I have historically been a fan of swift -A-Frames and Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.

They have become very difficult to find,

I am looking at switching to Hornady for everything. I am currently shooting Hornady in my .500/.416 because it regulates perfectly.

I also want to support Hornady because they have made a commitment to produce ammo for our sport. Nobody else has devoted this level of production to safari calibers.

 

[375Fox]

Terrible, if there are no more Swift A-Frame bullets available, hunting in Africa will no longer be possible for some hunters, at least they believes so, but I can calm everyone down !

One can shoot buffaloes with other bullets, including classic SP bullets, also with those from Hornady, bonded or not, the difference is minimal.

I’ll listen to the PHs who tell me the difference is huge. I’ve taken buffalo with non-bonded soft points and I’ve taken buffalo with swift A frames. One gives repeatable performance every time at different angles and one doesn’t. I’m not sure why you’d advocate not using the best bullets available.

 

[Inline6]

Nork Fork, have shot them side by side against Barnes. Not even close, North Fork wins hands down.

 

[375Fox]

Nork Fork, have shot them side by side against Barnes. Not even close, North Fork wins hands down.

How does North Fork win against Barnes in side by side test? For Buffalo I’d prefer a bonded bullet over a Barnes just because, but I’ve never heard anything but positive results from Barnes TSX with Buffalo from both hunters and PHs.

 

[375Fox]

Hornady DGS has a sterling reputation and the NEW BONDED DGX is building a very fine reputation also. Sad that Hornady did not make it bonded from the start?

I’d add Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and Trophy Bonded Sledgehammers and Barnes TSX to the list…

Also the Cutting Edge “CE” Safari Raptors

The new DGX is ok it’s still not the best but better than a lot of options still. What’s sad to me is for all Hornady’s resources they can’t make a bullet comparable to swift A frame or trophy bonded bear claw. They’d fully take over the DG market if they did.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Every animal that I ever shot at in Africa except elephants was shot with a Barnes TSX. They are all in the salt.

 

[Inline6]

How does North Fork win against Barnes in side by side test? For Buffalo I’d prefer a bonded bullet over a Barnes just because, but I’ve never heard anything but positive results from Barnes TSX with Buffalo from both hunters and PHs.

Accuracy and wound channel. Shooting different mediums NF creatures bigger wound channels. I have had petals break off Barnes, had them not open up. Nork Fork really seem to have the best of both worlds. IMHO

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Nork Fork, have shot them side by side against Barnes. Not even close, North Fork wins hands down.

Accuracy and wound channel. Shooting different mediums NF creatures bigger wound channels. I have had petals break off Barnes, had them not open up. Nork Fork really seem to have the best of both worlds. IMHO

Are Nork Fork bullets the one Temu is marketing? Beware! Be sure to get North Fork!

 

[CZDiesel]

The new DGX is ok it’s still not the best but better than a lot of options still. What’s sad to me is for all Hornady’s resources they can’t make a bullet comparable to swift A frame or trophy bonded bear claw. They’d fully take over the DG market if they did.

All I can account for is tough NA game… Now I will say this if you call Aria Ammunition and talk to Jason he will tell you that his favorite Buff cartridge is the 458 WinMag with the Bonded 480gr DGX at 2300fps.
That is some good backing for the bullet as he almost exclusively loads for Safari Cartridges and he himself hunts there a ton…

 

[Spongebob]

Swift components are a challenge to procure in South Africa, having using a 270gn Swift A Frame in my 375H&H the time came for new loads. Decided to test out the DGX range and so far extremely impressed, achieving .4MOA spread throwing a 300gn round at 2450fps. Am yet to recover a round but have had success on Wildebees and Eland as far as big game goes, breeze on Impala and Waterbuck.

 

[soumya sarkar]

All good alternatives should you believe A frames are numero uno. My PH swears by TSX, but says all above will kill effectively in right calibre and placement

 

[Andrew62]

Seeing this conversation so many times makes me realize why Basking Robbins has 31 flavors! lol

 

[375Fox]

All I can account for is tough NA game… Now I will say this if you call Aria Ammunition and talk to Jason he will tell you that his favorite Buff cartridge is the 458 WinMag with the Bonded 480gr DGX at 2300fps.
That is some good backing for the bullet as he almost exclusively loads for Safari Cartridges and he himself hunts there a ton…

I think they do better as you go up in caliber and bullet weight same with woodleigh. For 375 the DGX results I was shown recently are really underwhelming. Definitely better than they use to be before bonded but not in the category of swift, TBBC, or Barnes on buffalo. I also feel a bullet has to retain mass. I know some think different.

 

[Safari Dave]

I've had great performance with DGX and DGS.

(I think you need a few solids, and they shoot to the same POI in my .416)

 

[Letzhunt]

North Fork out of my 458wm + (which shoots faster than a 458 Lott) ate impressive. Semi Spitzer and cup point solids. I also am well supplied with the TSX. I think on Buffalo I will rely on the North Fork combo as I think the Semi Spitzer followed by solids are more reliable bullets and shoot well in my rifle. Barnes TSX are great too they just need a high velocity window and the North Fork doesn't require it to be as fast. This translates to reliability at longer ranges as velocity decreases. But in the end not typical to shoot dangerous stuff much past 100 yards or meters.
I have to say I am one that is disappointed in Hornady. I like their CX bullets but certainly not a dangerous game bullet in the calibers I use it in. Hornady failed their commitment to the dangerous game crowd when they refuse to supply brass for the 375 ruger and 416 ruger. Also very notorious for changing loads on factory rounds so if you by ammo buy a lot of the same lot number. I have seen velocity differences of over 150 fps on some loads.
I would not ever consider sending a cup and core bullet at a buffalo or other DG these days when the new technology bullets of bonded or monolithic design are available. Yes more money but worth the little difference when you consider its the only thing that actually kills the beast!

 

[Doubleplay]

The new DGX is ok it’s still not the best but better than a lot of options still. What’s sad to me is for all Hornady’s resources they can’t make a bullet comparable to swift A frame or trophy bonded bear claw. They’d fully take over the DG market if they did.

The new DGX is better than the old one but still lacks well behind the A frame and bear claw.
It's a long story but I shot a buffalo twice with it and not impressed with the performance.
My son also shot a buffalo with it and weight retention is not good.
I won't be using it any more.

 

[Safari Dave]

Please don't take offense, but IME, one DGX made my buffalo run 30M, lie down, and start making death bellows.

He never got up, but I gave him a DGS and another DGX for insurance at my PH's instruction.

(I would have otherwise, just sat back and admired my handiwork, as a stupid American...)

 

[Inline6]

Please don't take offense, but IME, one DGX made my buffalo run 30M, lie down, and start making death bellows.

He never got up, but I gave him a DGS and another DGX for insurance at my PH's instruction.

(I would have otherwise, just sat back and admired my handiwork, as a stupid American...)

Not stupid, unexperienced is a better description.

 

[CZDiesel]

The new DGX is better than the old one but still lacks well behind the A frame and bear claw.
It's a long story but I shot a buffalo twice with it and not impressed with the performance.
My son also shot a buffalo with it and weight retention is not good.
I won't be using it any more.

Well I’m going to ZiM with my 375 H&H with 300gr TBBC and Hammerheads and a 458 WinMag in Hornady 500gr DGS and DGX…
So again to the OP I believe the best out there that you can look into is the -

Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and Hammerheads
Hornady DGX Bonded and DXS
Cutting Edge (CE) Solids and Raptors