The Gallup's return from a hunt

[Brian]

Returned from 2 weeks in the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo with my wife, my son Russel and grandson Jaxon, age 14. Russ hunted PG with a bow and Jaxon hunted with with a 30-06. They both hunted and shot very well, with all one shot kills. The outfitter's grandson, Kehan, is also 14 years of age and is an "old" friend of Jaxon so he played hooky from school and hung out in the bushveld with Jaxon. Some days they would pack some snacks and a couple of fake beers and disappear for a few hours roaming the bush on quads or in a Landcruiser.
We all had an awesome time.

As you may know I usually take a big bore for buffalo. I love big bores! This time, however, I did not want to fly with a rifle so I just borrow a 375 HH when I got to the farm and used it with NF bullets. I have now killed 6 buffalo with a 375 HH and 7 with a big bore in .577 or .500 over the last 12 years.
If someone asked me now what I think of the 375 HH for cape buffalo I would have say that I think it is a marginal cape buffalo cartridge.

I have become used to "dead right there" buffalo kills that I usually get with a big bore. It is about 7 years since I last hunted buffalo with a 375HH and was reminded, by the four 375HH kills on this hunt that hitting a cape buffalo at close range in the lungs/heart with a 375 HH usually results in the buffalo running/bucking for at least 30 yds and sometimes finishing things off with an intense short range, full throttle, charge. I love the 375 HH and have carried one, off and on since 1972. I am just saying that it is a marginal cartridge for cape buffalo. There are "hotter" 375's that are better and most big bores are perfect for cape buffalo. Just my experience.

Regardless, it was a great time in the bush with my family. Next hunt the rest of the family will be old enough to join us too. Thanks for checking out my post. Brian

 

[IvW]

You are correct the 375 H&H is marginal for buffalo bur it still kills more buffalo than any other cartridge every year....if a hunter is competant with a 404 Jeff that is the sweet spot cartridge for buff....if conpetance prevails for larger calibers the better it gets....

However if the 375 H&H is the biggest a hunter is competent and comfortable with it remains the best choice....

 

[Brian]

I was just going through some of my notes and video clips and I came to realize that I have never shot a buffalo with a 375 CEB Raptor bullet. That bullet might make enough difference for a 375 hh. It turns other marginal cartridges into good killers. Has anyone used the CEB Raptor bullet in a 375 HH for cape buffalo?

Viewing some of my video clips of thee kills with my 50-110 Winchester (necked down to true .500 cal.) using 410 grain Raptor at 1950 fps., I am reminded that that bullet calibre/combo is an absolute sledge hammer on buffalo. The designer of the bullet recommends running it at higher velocity, but it sure knocks down buffalo at the moderate MV of 1,950 fps with a double lung, broad side shoulder shot. (not heart shot). Brian

 

[Shootist43]

Brian, hunting with family is the best way to go in my book. Did you take any photos? What did your son and grandson get?

 

[Brian]

Shootist43.
Thanks fo your comment. You are a family man too. Good to hear from you.

I am dumb as a chicken when it comes to down loading photos. So far I have rounded up some photos of this hunt on an email file ( I also have them on my photo album.) but am lost and frustrated trying to get them over to Africahunting.com. I know it is easy as I have been shown before how to do it by Jeromy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am stuck in "old mans land". Thanks, Brian