Having a Crack at Buffalo soon. Update- Its On! PIC HEAVY pg6

WhelanLad

WhelanLad

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Guys been given a opportunity too good to turn down so am planning a trip up to Arnhem land in the NT of Aus to shoot a Buffalo.

It will be around mid August so not far away at all.

Planning on taking the .35Whelen but undecided as to which Ammo I will use.

I have 225gr Woodleigh RN infront of some 'Varget' otherwise I load up some 200gr TSX fb bullets with Varget also......

Your thoughts?

(Pls note- the mate has shot them with 308 an 180gr woodleighs although not hes number one choice!)

I'l be hunting flood plains on low tides! will try to run into them in the Bush for Safety reasons although will see what happens an take it as it comes.


Thanks
WL
 
You're living the life WhelanLad!

And, I know you're going to post pics & I can't wait!!! Now, have fun & stay safe!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
If I were going to use my .35 Whelen in Australia I'd be using 275 or 310 grain Woodleighs. Why don't you just shoot an email to Woodleigh and ask for a recommendation? Their heavy for caliber bullets were tested in exactly the same way you want to use them.
 
Dogleg said:
If I were going to use my .35 Whelen in Australia I'd be using 275 or 310 grain Woodleighs...
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I would use 250-275's given the choice (53A)... not a fan of larger bullets in the ought six case, but sounds like 225's are what he has.

I like the 51A in .358 Win...
 
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I honestly don't have much use for anything smaller than .375 on buffalo ( and even then something that starts with 4 is better). We did stray away from that last year in the NT when I used a .300 RUM and my son perforated his with a 30-06. If you haven't seen someone fan an extended mag M700 like a six-gun I highly recommend the experience. The caliber somewhat less so.

Whatever you use, keep shooting as long as there's something to shoot at.
 
Dogleg said:
I honestly don't have much use for anything smaller than .375 on buffalo ( and even then something that starts with 4 is better). We did stray away from that last year in the NT when I used a .300 RUM and my son perforated his with a 30-06. If you haven't seen someone fan an extended mag M700 like a six-gun I highly recommend the experience. The caliber somewhat less so.

Whatever you use, keep shooting as long as there's something to shoot at.
Click to expand...

Something that starts with a 5 is better yet, but the question referred to .358 Woodleighs. Solids have long provided the answer when light rifles are used on thick skinned dangerous game, which is why I suggested the solid over a heavy for caliber soft point. Short light solids with parallel sides tend to penetrate better than heavy long ones, and the interesting nose design of the HS solid appears to increase the wounding potential in soft tissue over the typical hemispherical or flat nose designs. "Fanning an extended mag 700 like a 6 gun" . . . I love the imagery that creates.
 
:dancingbanana: Foto's are coming.................whooooooooooot..................... :dancingbanana:

Curious to know which side is up when they hang'em up?

You going to bring the Lil'Trewper with ya this time?
 
Boomer said:
There was another Aussie on here some years back who was a market hunter, and head shot roos with a Remington 40X, must be the way things are done there.
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In many cases the head shots are mandated by law. Since a pro can lose his licence for too many body hits, its a pretty safe bet that those ones will get thrown into the bush. It's very much a different world.
 
Almost any centrefire cartridge / bullet will work if head shots are the goal, but it would be nice to have a bullet capable of stopping an un-cooperative buffalo if a head shot is not an option. I use a .35 Whelen quite a bit for elk and sometimes moose and caribou. I believe 250 grain bullets provide the best balance of penetration and overall effectiveness in this cartridge. Australian buffalo are much much bigger than our Canadian "big" game, ( with the possible exception of wood bison) so it seems logical to go 250 grain or heavier for maximum penetration. A 225 is good for most critters, but is a pretty light bullet in the Whelen. I actually bought some 310gr. Woodliegh bullets with a possible buffalo hunt in mind, but haven't had a chance to use them yet. I have since bought a .375 H & H, if it goes buffalo hunting it will be with 300 grain bullets.
 
Thanks guys.

I will look at the 310gr Woodleighs an load up a few before I head off.

I think we are going to try an stalk them in the trees and possibly try get a shot on a unsuspecting bull which puts a few more doubts in the Bulls mind rather than knowing exactly where an what we are.

When I shot domestic Cattle Bulls, one was with the 375 Winchester and one with the 300wsm, Side of the head, top of neck joint Lights out.
These Bovine are much bigger though I guess an especially if we come upon a Big old bull! will certainly be able to pick up a Standard bull in the week of hunting but I wouldn't mind finding a real gooden!


Wondering do I look at some 315 gr Woodleighs for the .303 Brit !!! pitty its so far away an im flying up so wont be able to take 2 rifles!

WL
 
So theres a few issues regarding my Buffalo hunt.

1 being I cannot take a Rifle into the Community, even with Traditional owners permission the NT Law will stop me from doing so.

Which kind of puts a massive Damper on things, As I wouldn't dream of shooting a Buffalo with anyone elses Rifle other than my own.

Buffalo isn't on the top of my List but the opportunity has arose and I figured it wouldn't be so hard to get the firearm up there.

So, looks as though I have 2 firearm Choices of now, a 30-06 and a 308..... Far from the Big bore Buffalo cartridges.


I know some guys would be thinking "what the hell are you waiting for" , although this is something im going to have to weigh up.

Hanging a set of Horns up in the trophy room, shot with someone elses gun..... geez I dunno!


So theres a few issues, we are ironing out a few and planning around it.

BTW- an Eastern Arnhem land Community by the Ocean is the destination. No outfitters or Guides, a Bloke an hes Mate going to hunt some Buff.

Will keep updated.

thanks
WL
 
One thing I've learned about hunting is that its seldom possible to get things exactly the way you want. Although I can empathsize with wanting to use your own rifles, what is the alternative? If it requires postponing your buffalo for years, or doing it at much higher expense then those factors have to be considered too.

From your pictures, you are relatively young and likely feel like you have a truckload of tomorrows to work with. You will find in time that missing out on an opportunity because you would have preferred some details to be different may not be your best move.

Very few people in this world have the opportunity to put together a DIY buffalo hunt, complete with ditching guides and outfitters. Admittedly, Australia is easier to do that but even most Aussies won't have the contacts or opportunities. Using a borrowed rifle is a small compromise, to seize the moment. Thousands of hunters would pay extra if they could be taken back in the bush with equipment, a borrowed rifle and just left there. In time your mate's borrowed rifle will be a favorite part of the story.
 
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