The perfect Buffalo Medicine

[CZDiesel]

I leave for my Zim hunt in 10-1/2 months, 350 days from now to be exact but who’s counting lol
I have enough time for the mental gymnastics and the silliness of overthinking and playing mental badminton with what round to bring for my Buff on that hunt?!?! It’s my first time out and with all the PH’s and Clients that have been hit I just want to make sure I hammer him good before he does us!
And Yes Yes I know this has been beaten like a dead horse but dead horses are fun to beat lol jk

I’ll be taking a Winchester 458 WinMag and have been looking at these loads so anyone that has used and has ha successfully used them in 458 WinMag or any legal cartridge I’d like to hear feedback from all of you along with any other pet Buff medicine someone has!

Hornady 500gr Bonded DGX 2140ftps 5184ftlbs
Hornady 480gr Bonded DGX 2350ftps 5884ftlbs
CE Safari Raptor 470gr 2300ftps 5519ftlbs
Barnes TSXX 450gr 2285ftps 5215ftlbs
Shock Hammer 404gr 2550 5832ftlbs

That’s what I have on hand and I’m working with. I’m leaning towards the 480gr Hornady or the 470gr CE Raptor but I haven’t heard a bunch of feedback on the raptors on Buff?
Thanks for playing along! And Happy Labor Day to all!!!

 

[WAB]

I have seen buffalo shot with .450 Ackley, .458 Lott, .375 H&H and 9.3x62. My conclusion is that placement of the first shot and bullet performance are more important than caliber within reason. There is no doubt that my Lott hits them harder, but my wife’s well placed shot with our 9.3x62 was also decisive.

I am a fan of TBBC and A-Frame bullets on buffalo. My one bad experience with bullet performance was the unbonded DGX. IMO it was irresponsible to market that projectile as a DG bullet.

 

[375Fox]

I just finished a hunt in Zimbabwe. I was surprised to see my PH there had raptors in 470 on his belt. I asked about them and his response was that he loves them. He said they hit buffalo like no other soft does because of penetration and damage caused by the petals. He said care must be taken though that there are no buffalo behind your buffalo because they will penetrate through every time. I was surprised at the glowing review he gave. I’m going to try some now in my 375. He and the other PH in camp did not give a glowing review of DGX but both thought highly of Barnes TSX.

I’ve only taken buffalo with my 375 H&H. I used swift A frames, trophy bonded bear claws, and unfortunately borrowed ammo on a different trip when mine didn’t arrive with bullets I’d prefer not to use again unless necessary. I like swift A frames. They penetrate well and reliably don’t exit making them a good choice if you need to shoot with buffalo behind your bull.

 

[BryceM]

Big fan of TSX for buffalo. Second would be the CE Raptors.

 

[Phil Giordano]

To me, from 9.3 and up, it's more a matter of bullet than caliber by itself. Sure, everyting equal ( aka using Swif or Woodleigh, so to say), the bigger the better, but only if you're very confortable shooting it.
I confess I never shot Buffalo yet.
When I will, I'll use my 416 that likes pretty much A Frames 400.
DGX 'Bonded' should be equally good.

 

[poco]

I have seen buffalo shot with .450 Ackley, .458 Lott, .375 H&H and 9.3x62. My conclusion is that placement of the first shot and bullet performance are more important than caliber within reason. There is no doubt that my Lott hits them harder, but my wife’s well placed shot with our 9.3x62 was also decisive.

I am a fan of TBBC and A-Frame bullets on buffalo. My one bad experience with bullet performance was the unbonded DGX. IMO it was irresponsible to market that projectile as a DG bullet.

Those old DGX where terrible, my safari buddy ( chad ) his dad completely lost a buffalo in Zimbabwe ( 3 days of tracking and nada) his 2nd bull nearly got away till Chad and the crew found him and put it in the salt, doc also had failure on a giraffe , but finally got it in the salt after multiple shots. 3 animals multiple bullet failure
, the redesign of the DGX seems slightly better.
I have a 375Ruger and i would love to kick whoever had the idea to design the DG Line
Right in the taint, for even including the 270gr SP-RP and DGX in it .
I’m hoarding my brass so I can load up some North Fork 300gr or 300gr tsx