mono vs lead for Cape Buffalo?

[grand veneur]

I have read again several articles about the topic buffaloes in Africa, in French and English. It is not uncommon that West African buffaloes are confused with forest buffaloes. I shot one or two West African buffalo every year for fifteen years and for this reason I am very familiar with the species, in all cases the ones that has drawn its tracks in the corner of Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin. Many reports can seem very confusing to a hunter unfamiliar with the subject.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

What are the specific differences between the Cutting Edge Raptor vs the Maximus? Is the Maximus similar to the Hammer's and Lehigh Defense?

Have any of you done any comparisons between the Raptor vs Maximus in penetration and expansion? Because, I was thinking if the Raptor's penetrate too deeply and pass-through, the Maximus might be a good option.

 

[grand veneur]

A typical West-African Buffalo, maybe three quarters the size compared to a Cape buffalo, but no less.

 

[grand veneur]

You also have to take into account that there are possibly hybrids so that the size of the buffaloes can vary greatly depending on the region. Anyone who knows more and has shot more in other regions is welcome to argue with me.

 

[ftrovato]

View attachment 654184

I only have 1 buff under my belt, so I only know of TBBC by reputation - they work as well as any other bonded premium like A-Frame and North Fork. I've heard/read that that's all some buff hunters will use. They work

I shot mine (a cow) this past August with a 9.3x62 (slightly less potent than 375H&H) firing 286 gr Swift A Frame at just under 2500 fps. 1 shot is all it took. She ran away, as most buff do, perhaps 50 yards, crashed, gave her death bellow, and that was that. I had a perfect broadside as I began to squeeze the trigger, but she turned at the last second and I ended up with a raking shot on her left side - the worst shot angle on a buff. That bullet penetrated between 3 and 4 feet.

A bullet with controlled expansion - where expansion ceases somewhere around mid-shank even though the bullet is still penetrating; or a copper bullet like TSX, though with TSX, expansion ceases near the top of the shank. Some expansion is good as it creates a wider permanent wound channel than a solid. Too much expansion is less desirable because the wider it gets, the more it inhibits penetration. Every bullet we've all talked about here will do the trick, and the easiest 375 H&H ammo to find in the US will be topped with TSX, A Frame, or TBBC. You can't do better than those.

Get a copy of Kevin Robertson's "Perfect Shot" or "Perfect Shot 2" - the graphic above was copied from the latter, but Jerome (@AfricaHunting.com) has a whole section on this website dedicated to shot placement, illustrations included.

Thx All well said. Not that you need me confirming what you clearly know and understand.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

For 375 on a wounded buffalo that's running away quartering away from you, is it best to use a solid or expanding mono like TSX or CEB Raptor for the second shot?

Also, what about directly away from you, meaning the buffalo's butt is staring you in the face. Can you shoot the buff up the butt? Any of you ever do that?

 

[375Fox]

For 375 on a wounded buffalo that's running away quartering away from you, is it best to use a solid or expanding mono like TSX or CEB Raptor for the second shot?

Also, what about directly away from you, meaning the buffalo's butt is staring you in the face. Can you shoot the buff up the butt? Any of you ever do that?

You can’t predict the situation you are going to experience after the first shot. Running directly away a solid would be best. Any shot where there is a possibility to aim for the vitals a soft is better. You could make argument either way. That’s why no all PHs agree on what to load in magazine. Once you fire your first good shot (broadside, slightly quartering, or frontal) the goal is to put more bullets into him while running away if you have opportunity. You would never try a Texas heart shot on an unwounded buffalo no matter what cartridge or bullet you were using.

 

[Dakota Hunter]

I have only used TSX & DGX Bonded. They both worked well. have some 450 Woodleigh SP for my 416 Rigby I’m think about trying this season.

 

[Dakota Hunter]

A 350 grain TSX from my 416 Rigby taken from just under the hide on off side shoulder of Cape Buffalo I shot.

 

[Dakota Hunter]

A 350 grain TSX from my 416 Rigby taken from just under the hide on off side shoulder of Cape Buffalo I shot.
View attachment 658680

It would be difficult to beat that performance.

 

[Daisy]

Do any of you have experience with these bullets below and how they performed on game?...

CEB Maximus and Lazer

Hammer Bullets

Lehigh Defense

DRT

Titan

My man. Look up posts by @michael458. He designed the safari raptor CEB and has tested it in medium and 100’s, yes I say 100’s, of buffalo. He has written pages of info on this site about it.

It’s not theoretical. It’s proven they work.

A lazer is not in the ball park of a bullet to take to Africa.

When I do my buffalo hunt later this year, I will be using a 375gr safari raptor followed by 400gr Maximus ammo from a 416 ruger.

I’ve used Maximus a good bit in the states with good success. It is not as devastating as a Raptor, but has sleeker profile for better ballistics.

Listen to @375Fox and others about fragmenting lead bullets. I love them and use extensively. I used them (federal fusions) on plains game and will continue. They have absolutely no place on Buffalo. They would explode before reaching the vitals.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Bejane]

For 375 on a wounded buffalo that's running away quartering away from you, is it best to use a solid or expanding mono like TSX or CEB Raptor for the second shot?

Also, what about directly away from you, meaning the buffalo's butt is staring you in the face. Can you shoot the buff up the butt? Any of you ever do that?

If you're hunting in a herd, and the Buff if running away after first shot,likely that there will other buffalo around, and the PH will probaby tell you not to shoot, for fear of hitting another buffalo. Unless it's way at the back or away from the herd/dagga boys etc

PH will likely tell you to load softs anyway, and if we assume the situation is that you can shoot it, any shot into it is a bonus. A TSX will still penetrate , just depends what it hits.

If you have shot the Buffalo and it separates from the herd, then you can put something like a Hydro in, which will guarantee good penetration from any angle.

The PH will asses the situation and he'll advise the best options.

I've shot one up the butt running away, with a 375 loaded with TB Sledgehammer, bullet exited, traversed the entire length of the body and out.

My main point is though, make sure your first shot is a good shot.

 

[Frederik]

All this talk about recommended bullets for buffalo just want me to go hunt a buffalo again.
I found my recipe and it works.

500gr, SBC bullet out of my 458 lott at 2250fps.
solid shank and bonded soft almsot like a Rhino but not the same.

Have not had one exit a buffalo yet only two buffalo so far but sits under the skin opposite side.
Weight retention almsost 100%