Dr Ray
AH legend
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2017
- Messages
- 4,242
- Reaction score
- 6,390
- Location
- Cairns, Australia
- Media
- 53
- Articles
- 5
- Member of
- Sporting Shooters Association of Australia + CRM Gunsports (Cairns)
Baz 500 asked me to write this article as he is busy (so he says) driving in the Northern Territory of Australia. Baz owns a Searcy double rifle in 500 Nitro Express loaded with 570 grain Woodleigh bullets backed by 106 grains of AR 2209. AR 2209 is an Australian powder that emulates IMR 4350. I have not used Baz’s double but he assures me it appears that it has the same felt recoil as his ex-Weatherby 460! Mathematically I cannot see that it is so but Baz says it is and the recoil is somewhat brutal.
500 NE with 570 Grain Woodleigh bullet
Baz hunted with Australian Outback Safaris with heaps of praises for the excellent guidance of professional hunter, Aaron. Baz cannot thank him enough for his excellent guiding on the 5 million acre property. That is right; 5 million acres. Australia is huge and the Northern Territory is also very, very big coupled with the extremely low population and thick scrub with coastal swamps with nasty critters in the waterways.
The weather in August in the Northern Territory is dry with relatively low humidity and hot days as the wet season does not start for some time. Daytime temperatures reach the low 30s (in Fahrenheit- early 90s). Baz spotted a nice looking lone buffalo but this buffalo was passed a few was not big enough! Wow!
A nice buffalo but Baz passed on him – too small! Yipes!!
Anthony George of the Northern Territory told me many inexperienced hunters see buffalo that appear to them to be huge and worthwhile taking. He explained that they have not had anything to compare the buffalo with and shoot juveniles.
Photo above is of a juvenile buffalo.
Asian water buffalo are bigger than Africa’s Cape buffalo but apparently not as fierce. I had lunch with Action Bob when he was in Cairns and he said that the African buffalo was much more tenacious. Baz and his professional hunter, Aaron spotted a nice booking buffalo with big sweeper horns. Aaron is said to take him and Baz started the stalk.
With his heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, Baz started a fairly arduous stalk because it is flat country and moving between the scrubby trees is easily spotted by wary buffalo. They are not stupid and are watchful. Baz slowly closed the distance with the wind into his face and the buffalo was not aware of his presence at that stage. Baz got within about 45 m and shot the buffalo through the chest only to have the buff run. Baz’s next shot at the fast running buffalo put a 570 grain Woodleigh through shoulders of the running buffalo which absolutely knocked the animal down for good. Aaron said he had never seen a buffalo flattened like that before. From what I gather, Aaron and the other professional hunters will be looking at something bigger than their 375s.
Baz with his buffalo. How would you like that sized buff charging you??
500 NE with 570 Grain Woodleigh bullet
Baz hunted with Australian Outback Safaris with heaps of praises for the excellent guidance of professional hunter, Aaron. Baz cannot thank him enough for his excellent guiding on the 5 million acre property. That is right; 5 million acres. Australia is huge and the Northern Territory is also very, very big coupled with the extremely low population and thick scrub with coastal swamps with nasty critters in the waterways.
The weather in August in the Northern Territory is dry with relatively low humidity and hot days as the wet season does not start for some time. Daytime temperatures reach the low 30s (in Fahrenheit- early 90s). Baz spotted a nice looking lone buffalo but this buffalo was passed a few was not big enough! Wow!
A nice buffalo but Baz passed on him – too small! Yipes!!
Anthony George of the Northern Territory told me many inexperienced hunters see buffalo that appear to them to be huge and worthwhile taking. He explained that they have not had anything to compare the buffalo with and shoot juveniles.
Photo above is of a juvenile buffalo.
Asian water buffalo are bigger than Africa’s Cape buffalo but apparently not as fierce. I had lunch with Action Bob when he was in Cairns and he said that the African buffalo was much more tenacious. Baz and his professional hunter, Aaron spotted a nice booking buffalo with big sweeper horns. Aaron is said to take him and Baz started the stalk.
With his heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, Baz started a fairly arduous stalk because it is flat country and moving between the scrubby trees is easily spotted by wary buffalo. They are not stupid and are watchful. Baz slowly closed the distance with the wind into his face and the buffalo was not aware of his presence at that stage. Baz got within about 45 m and shot the buffalo through the chest only to have the buff run. Baz’s next shot at the fast running buffalo put a 570 grain Woodleigh through shoulders of the running buffalo which absolutely knocked the animal down for good. Aaron said he had never seen a buffalo flattened like that before. From what I gather, Aaron and the other professional hunters will be looking at something bigger than their 375s.
Baz with his buffalo. How would you like that sized buff charging you??
