minimum muzzle loader for Dangerous Game

[blkpowder50]

What would you say the minimum muzzle loader caliber should be for Dangerous Game like cape buffalo,rhino,etc?. Would a .72 rifle with a 900 grain hardened conical with 250 grains FFg be enough?

Or would you need an 8 or 4 bore?

 

[enysse]

My personal opinion, is that it's more than enough, just aim for the lungs and everything is going to fall down.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

What would you say the minimum muzzle loader caliber should be for cape buffalo,rhino,etc?. Would a .72 rifle with a 900 grain hardened conical with 250 grains FFg be enough?

Or would you need an 8 or 4 bore?

I wouldn't even venture a guess on this one. I would look up Jim Shockey's website and send him an email. Before he got as big as he is, he was at a smaller show here in Phoenix where I met him. This was not long after a show aired where he took a Cape Buffalo with his smokepole. I told him he had to be half loony, he laughed. Easy guy to talk to, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you. It may take awhile however with fall hunting underway.

 

[blkpowder50]

Thanks for the input!

 

[blkpowder50]

thanks

 

[James.Grage]

BP

I would suggest you find out what powers and primers are available, that you will be able to purchase in the country you are wishing to hunt so that you could work up a load that would be accurate in your rifle.

I am sure FFg is not available in Africa so Black powder present another obstacle for you to clear to go hunting in Africa.

Your outfitter and or PH will need to find a source for you to purchase your powder when you touch down. Do not forget primers will be another factor you will need to find also. This will be time spent on your safari driving around and purchasing your needed supplies, prior to going into the field. and do not forget your cleaning supplies.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Good advice on the powder thing. You are not taking any with you for sure.
Stopped me in my tracks when I was going to take the muzzle loader.

Min Energy in Namibia.
5400 Joule for buffalo, elephant, rhino etc.

Do the calculation and you'll have your answer!

 

[blkpowder50]

Good advice on the powder thing. You are not taking any with you for sure.
Stopped me in my tracks when I was going to take the muzzle loader.

Min Energy in Namibia.
5400 Joule for buffalo, elephant, rhino etc.

Do the calculation and you'll have your answer!

is that joule minimum for muzzleloading,or smokeless too?

 

[35bore]

Screw it, take a 4bore and have fun....

 

[enysse]

is that joule minimum for muzzleloading,or smokeless too?

It's the recommended minimum, there is no specific law in Namibia

 

[Red Leg]

It's the recommended minimum, there is no specific law in Namibia

I am pretty sure it is the legal min - not a recommendation.

 

[enysse]

Minimum Equipment Requirements for Rifle Hunting in Namibia
- Namibia does not have a minimum caliber requirement for rifle hunting and rely by law on minimum energy (Eo - muzzle velocity). Smallest caliber recommended by NAPHA 7 mm (.284).
- Minimum energy (Eo - muzzle velocity)
Big Game
5400 Joule
(Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Lion, etc.)
Large Game
2700 Joule
(Greater Kudu, Cape Eland, Oryx / Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Hartmann's Zebra, Burchell's Zebra, Giraffe, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Waterbuck, Tsessebe, Leopard, etc.)
Medium to Small Game
1350 Joule
(Springbok, Impala, Blesbok, Gray Duiker, Steenbok, Ostrich, Caracal, Black-Faced Impala, Red Lechwe, Damara Dik-Dik, Klipspringer, Black-Backed Jackal, Warthog, Cheetah, Nyala, Chacma Baboon, Game Birds, etc.)


I copied it from Jerome. Minimum energy requirements, I got mixed up.

 

[huntsolo101]

I have hunted Africa with my muzzleloader 4 times since 2006. Every year it has been harder to get powder into my hands. I will never hunt Africa again with my muzzleloader unless I find a legal way to ship 777 pellets ahead of me. The last 2 bottles of Wano where by far the best powder I used. A far cry from American powders. My muzzleloader shoots 200 grains of 777 pellets and a 275 grain bullet 2400 fps. Now with 150 grains of loose Wano ffg and the same bullet velocity was 1500 . On my last Namibian safari I shot at a kudu female from 40 yards and the bullet must have mushroomed on the shoulder. The kudu ran away. All we found was some pieces of bloody bone. 275 grain Parker fury bullets are to soft for the slower velocity of loose Wano. The only reason I even shoot 150 grains is because the magnum rifle primer I use has the ability to burn the powder in the barrel. If you shoot a cap or 209 shotgun primer you probably won't even burn 100 grains in the barrel. I had brought 300 grain bullets that had a thicker jacket. They did the job for the rest of the trip. I plan on hunting sable on my next trip. The last thing I want to do is wound a sable. I have harvested over 40 animals with my muzzleloader in Africa. The animal that gives me the most problem to bring down is a oryx . Every one I have shot has taken more than one shot. So to get to your question what to use on dangerous game. ... A rifle.. With multiple shots.
I do not plan to hunt dangerous game . They fall into the eat or stomp me category.

 

[BRICKBURN]

is that joule minimum for muzzleloading,or smokeless too?

As the guys have noted. It applies to all firearms.

 

[blkpowder50]

Screw it, take a 4bore and have fun....

Yes!! i like the way you think! theres a company in SA that makes a inline 4 bore,takes 500grains of powder! And at a great price compared to getting a 4bore here in USA.

 

[blkpowder50]

5400 joule=about 4000 ft.lbs of energy

thanks!