Rifle/cartridge for Cape Buffalo

And before choosing a "minimally adequate" cartridge/bullet, picture yourself here, looking at that thick green tangle where a wounded buffalo just disappeared . And you don't know if it will die, or keep running, or turn around and try to kill you or your PH or tracker.
That's a feeling that grabs your insides and ties them in knots.
And you ask your PH- "How bad is it?" and he shakes his head and says - "BAD"
How good do you shoot under pressure?
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I'm relieved that one guy sports a "sharp object"...

To be honest, though, I wouldn't go in there with just a knife...
 
You can kill buffalo with smaller guns, but there’s a reason why the big guns are called stoppers not killers😄 The thought process is that while killing an incomer instantly is a perfect result, causing it to stop, slow, stumble or drop temporarily or even turn away are acceptable second and third prize outcomes. There is the hope that if you hit something friggen hard enough he just might change his mind about what he was doing up to that point. “Might” isn’t great but its better than nothing, and its all you have left.
The danger of hunting buffalo is hopelessly exagerated, but it’s a fun and active hunt with element of risk. The first buffalo to charge me was my 21st, and actually he was the last too. Not to say that there weren’t some that happened to be running the wrong way. ;)
 
Dogleg said:
The danger of hunting buffalo is hopelessly exagerated, but it’s a fun and active hunt with element of risk.
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On the subject of buffalo hunting, you are obviously telling the whole story as you saw it and as you see it - danger hopelessly exagerated. You are the second person that I ever heard about or met - in all my life - with such an opinion on buffalo hunting. That makes two of you. I would say that you are a member of a rather small minority.

Something tells me that you are much closer to reality than almost all of the other buffalo hunters on this planet. Buffalo hunting without glamor.

Buffalo hunting without glamor does not sell books and magazines - I guess.
 
Longwalker said:
And before choosing a "minimally adequate" cartridge/bullet, picture yourself here, looking at that thick green tangle where a wounded buffalo just disappeared . And you don't know if it will die, or keep running, or turn around and try to kill you or your PH or tracker.
That's a feeling that grabs your insides and ties them in knots.
And you ask your PH- "How bad is it?" and he shakes his head and says - "BAD"
How good do you shoot under pressure?
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Thank You for putting it into perspective Longwalker.
 
Snowy Owl said:
On the subject of buffalo hunting, you are obviously telling the whole story as you saw it and as you see it - danger hopelessly exagerated. You are the second person that I ever heard about or met - in all my life - with such an opinion on buffalo hunting. That makes two of you. I would say that you are a member of a rather small minority.

Something tells me that you are much closer to reality than almost all of the other buffalo hunters on this planet. Buffalo hunting without glamor.

Buffalo hunting without glamor does not sell books and magazines - I guess.
Click to expand...

It also does not sell hunts...
We see the same thing with bears. These animals have the "tools" to be dangerous, but rarely are. Outfitters and guides are partly to blame, as fanning the flames of adrenalin in a client makes for a more exciting experience and in general, a more satisfied hunter. Also, stoking the lore, are the retelling and embellishment of the stories where the animal was indeed dangerous... these are the stories that get highlighted and see "press."
It's all good though, as it just garners more interest in hunting, and we need that... it also makes better stories for all the grandkids that follow.
 
If I wanted to buy a "buffalo rifle" today, I'd take the .458 from among the possible choices listed in the OP. I generally like bigger guns more than smaller ones, and when I want to ask a question about guns I will listen to the opinion of a guy like Dogleg...who's been there and done that a lot...rather than one of the numerous calculator hunters who know everything because they read it on the internet and are really good at killing critters using mathematics.

But do you want a "buffalo rifle"...as in "a rifle strictly for buffalo"? Or do you want a rifle for hunting in Africa, where you will likely shoot much more than just a buffalo? If it's the latter, I'd choose a .375H&H just because of its unbelievable versatility. Very capable on buffalo at 20 yards...and on Springbok at 300.

My single African hunt was done with a .375H&H for a single buffalo and about a dozen plains game for animals ranging from Eland (bigger than a buff!) to Springbok and Impala (smaller than Pronghorns). I'm convinced that gun was literally the perfect choice for my one-gun hunt. A .416 would be pretty close as well. Could a .458 have worked on those longer shots on those smaller critters? Maybe, I dunno; I've had a .458 and enjoyed playing with it, but hitting stuff at longer ranges than about 100 yards became increasingly challenging. I enjoy the challenge of hunting...but the challenge is in setting up shots that are, in themselves, well within my own capabilities and "easy" to make. IMHO, the shooting part of the hunt should be easy. :)
 
Yes, the “danger” part of hunting dangerous game is quite exaggerated, at least until you hunt one that isn’t. It is rare but it does happen. Life is about choices. As long as your rifle is at least legal minimum for the game you’re hunting and you’re happy with it and can shoot it well, then you’ve made a good choice. Me, I’d rather err on the side of caution and go a bit bigger, but if someone is determined to make a difference choice, that is their prerogative to do so. The .375 has a big advantage in that it is ideal for a one gun safari because of its wide versatility, coupled with the lower aggravation level of travelling with only one gun.
 
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oaktree said:
Yes, the “danger” part of hunting dangerous game is quite exaggerated, at least until you hunt one that isn’t. It is rare but it does happen. Life is about choices. As long as your rifle is at least legal minimum for the game you’re hunting and you’re happy with it and can shoot it well, then you’ve made a good choice. Me, I’d rather err on the side of caution and go a bit bigger, but if someone is determined to make a difference choice, that is their prerogative to do so. The .375 has a big advantage in that it is ideal for a one gun safari because of its wide versatility, coupled with the lower aggravation level of travelling with only one gun.
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While I agree with the 375 being close to ideal for a one gun safari, I haven’t found that travelling with 2 rifles to be any harder than with one. Same amount of paperwork, same amount checking in, and they fit in the same csse. I have taken two and only used one though, and the one that got used was the 375😄
 
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hoytcanon said:
It also does not sell hunts...
We see the same thing with bears. These animals have the "tools" to be dangerous, but rarely are. Outfitters and guides are partly to blame, as fanning the flames of adrenalin in a client makes for a more exciting experience and in general, a more satisfied hunter. Also, stoking the lore, are the retelling and embellishment of the stories where the animal was indeed dangerous... these are the stories that get highlighted and see "press."
It's all good though, as it just garners more interest in hunting, and we need that... it also makes better stories for all the grandkids that follow.
Click to expand...
In the end, it's all about the stories. If told to grandkids, then we've really lived a good life.
 
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