mono vs lead for Cape Buffalo?

[375Ruger416]

You are getting things a little backwards here.. I said I would not use my .375H&H as long as I own a scoped .470 double rifle.. Sure, the .375H&H kill buffalo..but when you bump into big bulls in dense bush, 15 - 20 meters distance, you have 2 seconds to shoot if he come. Then the .470 is very reassuring..

I get 2170fps out of my .470 Krieghoff with Hornady DGX Bonded ammo..that is close to 5200 footpounds..

If you shoot buffalo at distance, ie out of a heard..sure then .375 is fine.

And FYI I have shot 2 elephants with my .375..but that does not make .375 a true elephant rifle. That is .416/.458 and up..

‘It is a lot about right bullet placement.. But that said..after hunting buffalo with my .470 double and watch its devastating effect on buff, I would not personally contemplate using a .375H&H. Period. Its not that the .375H&H do the job..but the extra safety margin is there big time..

Besides, at 62, I am getting too old to run..worn knees etc..’

I’m afraid I misunderstood. I took your ‘would not personally contemplate using a 375 H&H. period.’ literally. I did not read between the lines ‘because I have a scoped double and prefer it’. For a mixed bag hunt including PG and DG, there may be little better than a 375 or 416 for the one rifle hunter. I suspect you would agree with that, as I agree with you that a hunter should use the largest cartridge they can shoot well and are familiar with, within reason.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

If you plan to eat what you hunt does the lead vs mono-metal come into play regarding lead in meat?

It's not just the thrill of the hunt that I'm interested in, it's also being able to eat what I hunt. I'd like experience the different meats of African game and how Africans prepare them in their local cuisine.

 

[375Ruger416]

If you plan to eat what you hunt does the lead vs mono-metal come into play regarding lead in meat?

It's not just the thrill of the hunt that I'm interested in, it's also being able to eat what I hunt. I'd like experience the different meats of African game and how Africans prepare them in their local cuisine.

No, it’s safe to eat either way. You do tend to get slightly less bloodshot meat with a monometal, but this is more of an issue with high velocity and rapidly expanding bullets. With controlled expansion bullets at modest velocity this is much less of an issue with DG cartridges IMO.

Nothing gets wasted in Africa…

 

[Carnivore hunter]

So far, it seems that lead expanding bullets are less likely to over penetrate a buffalo than mono-metals and solids...

I will be shooting a rifle chambered in 375 RUM.

If we can narrow it down to the mono-metals that offer the best expansion but will not likely over penetrate, which ones would it be? Is it safe to say the CEB Raptors and Barnes TSX are too risky and will over penetrate? I'd like to avoid wounding a second buffalo and avoid a pass-through.

I know the mono-metals like speed and need higher velocity to open up but, I'm a little concerned about any TSX because the owner of Buffalobore used the TSX 270gr on the largest Alaskan brown bears and it had complete pass-throughs, he never recovered a bullet.

How about Hammer, Lehigh Defense, DRT, Titan?

 

[TOBY458]

So far, it seems that lead expanding bullets are less likely to over penetrate a buffalo than mono-metals and solids...

I will be shooting a rifle chambered in 375 RUM.

If we can narrow it down to the mono-metals that offer the best expansion but will not likely over penetrate, which ones would it be? Is it safe to say the CEB Raptors and Barnes TSX are too risky and will over penetrate? I'd like to avoid wounding a second buffalo and avoid a pass-through.

I know the mono-metals like speed and need higher velocity to open up but, I'm a little concerned about any TSX because the owner of Buffalobore used the TSX 270gr on the largest Alaskan brown bears and it had complete pass-throughs, he never recovered a bullet.

How about Hammer, Lehigh Defense, DRT, Titan?

If I were using a fast 375 such as your Ultra Mag, I’d definitely stick with TSX. Preferably a 350gr to get the velocity down a bit. That’s about the only caliber that’s suited for the 350gr TSX. You could also include the 378 Weatherby in that equation.

 

[Allen Kitts]

I will be heading to SA in May to hunt buffalo with my 416 Rigby. Right now I am shooting 400 grain Barnes TSX and Hammer Sledge Hammers. Both are shooting great groups at 100 yards and I am getting right at 2500 fps. My friends both used a 416 a couple of years back with the 400 Grain TSX's and had great luck with them both killing very nice bulls. I a using 93.0 Grains of H4350 with Norma Brass and Fed 215 M Primers.

 

[dlmac]

I’ve used TSX on 3 bulls. They work in my experience. More important is making sure the first shot is very good.
I’d run all TSX in the rifle.
Start practicing now!
I love the saying “don’t practice until you do it right. Practice until you can’t do it wrong.”

My Blood Brother used that quote.