Which 450 NE ammo for buffalo...factory loaded Hornady DGX (non-bonded) or handload w/ Woodleigh Weldcore RN SN?

[deewayne2003]

Thank you all so much for your input. I will be taking my handload ammo w/ Woodleigh bullets. They have been killing lots of paper targets...flawlessly I might add.

Save the Woodleigh for hunting, it may be a while before you can replace them.

Use the Hornady as practice, I was able to find hundreds of Hornady unbonded bullets on gunbroker and bought them up specially for practice.

 

[KIH]

Norma African PH cartridge range use Woodleigh bullets if you dont want to reload.

 

[Rare Breed]

I Would never trust the non-bonded DGX for buffalo due to reputation. I recovered a DGX (practise round) from a soft ground backstop that seperated the core and jacket and churned back to the surface, maybe from later shots. I've had 2 bullet failures on game from heavy for caliber woodleigh protected point weldcores. There won't be a third.

I guess my answer to the original post is an emphatic NEITHER! Hopefully you can make a better plan. If not, don't hit shoulder bone.

I will be using CEB solids in my 450 NE when I hunt my second elephant but remember it has new updated barrels

 

[Hunter-Habib]

No unbonded bullets should ever be employed against African Cape buffalo. Barring a broadside lung shot aimed in such a manner that your bullet completely manages to avoid all heavy bone.

 

[AZDAVE]

In 2015 I used a 450NE double on a buffalo. In my load development I chose the 500gr Aframes and CEB solids. In my testing (They were the first gen DGX) they came apart big time in testing against water jugs. I regulated them to practice rounds. Would have been ok for PG but cats but never for buffalo.

I couldn't find woodleighs at the time. The woodleighs are bonded so you made a good choice for your hunt.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

My .450 has never seen anything down it but original Kynoch's, handloaded Woodleighs, or....Hornadys for 'practice/target only'. And only 480's.
I'll scrounge for Woodleighs if I have to, and that goes for every caliber I use, before I ever use anything else, period.
I will say Hornady brass is good. Picked up a load of that back when it was available.

 

[MacJenkins]

My .450 has never seen anything down it but original Kynoch's, handloaded Woodleighs, or....Hornadys for 'practice/target only'. And only 480's.
I'll scrounge for Woodleighs if I have to, and that goes for every caliber I use, before I ever use anything else, period.
I will say Hornady brass is good. Picked up a load of that back when it was available.

I was that way too for years until I discovered CEB’s in 2011 or 2012. I still like woody softs too, CEB’s just work so good on game.