| Becks0079 |
| (.224 member) |
| 20/05/07 02:05 PM |
Buffalo
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I've had a mate move to Derby to live and I'm planning to go and visit him there in the not to distant future. I thinking I'd try and organise to knock of some of the wildlife when I make the trip. My question is what sort of caliber is suitable for buffalo and donkeys.
the biggest calibers a I have at the moment are a 375 winchester lever actoin and a 270 bolt action. I was thinking something a bit bigger might not be a bad idea. I don't want to go to big and I was thinking of maybe getting a CZ 9.3 x62.
I've seen that cz also sell a 300H&H which I'm also interested in for the sake of having something different. Assuming I can get my hands on one would this caliber be OK?
Any thoughts on these calibers would be appreciated. I realise that my existing rifle will probably do the job but I assume the are probably a bit on the small side.
| NE450No2 |
| (.375 member) |
| 20/05/07 04:01 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Becks
The 300 Magnum is one of my favorite calibers.
The 9,3x74R is also one of my favforite calibres.
Baised on my use of both of them, I would consider the 9,3x62, with 286gr bullets to be far superior to the 300 for the big stuff.
I have used the 286 grain Woodleigh Softs and Solids with excellent results in Africa.
I have killed several cape buff, the only one killed with one shot was taken with my 9,3 double and a 286 Woodleigh soft.
| NE450No2 |
| (.375 member) |
| 20/05/07 04:08 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Becks
Just so there is no doubt... For the BIG STUFF, I would recommend the 9,3x62 with 286 Woodleigh bullets as being FAR superior to any 300 Mag and the equal of the 375 H&H.
| Becks0079 |
| (.224 member) |
| 20/05/07 11:26 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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I sort of figured the 9.3x62 would be the better option but I'm curious whether the 300H&H would do the job without being underdone
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 20/05/07 11:52 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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I hate to upset your plans but the nearest buffalo to Derby is probably 1000 miles away in the Northern Territory.
Your 270 is absolutely fine for donkey's and feral pigs which is about all you will find in that area apart from dingo and wild dogs.
Al
| Becks0079 |
| (.224 member) |
| 22/05/07 08:44 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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I had heard that buffalo had gotten into Western Austrailia as far as Derby. Is it a case of them being there but not in any real numbers?
If they're not there then shooting at pigs and donkeys would still be fun. I've got a few pigs before but never a donkey.
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 22/05/07 10:29 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Take my word for it .
The closest I ever saw a buff to Derby was north east of Kununurra in 1974,and I was a pro shooter in them days.
Last November I saw one just over the border on Augvergne Station and that was a lone cow..
Stick to your 270.
Al
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 23/05/07 02:40 AM |
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Re: Buffalo
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I've used a 9.3x74R for a few buffalo with 286 gr Woodleigh PPs and it worked reasonably well.
There are buffalo on the Victoria River in the NT that can be hunted through an outfitter. Reportedly a herd of around 800 animals. No idea if they are further West.
Donkeys seem hard to kill. The one and only donkey I have shot with the 9.3 refused to fall over. Harder than any buffalo shot with it! Some beasts just seem to hang on. But I have shot a fair number with a .30-06 as well. Any of the calibres you mention would be Ok for donks.
Lots of pigs in some parts of Northern WA. Last time I was in Darwin some guys had just come back from culling over 600 of them!
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 23/05/07 09:59 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Just for your info Augvergne station is on the western side of the Vic River,just to the west of Timber Creek.
Its eastern boundary is the Victoria River.
On the subject of donkeys,I probably shot about 2-3000 in the 70's and all I used was a 243,never had a problem puting them down,mostly head shot as we were shooting for meat which ended up in South Australian small goods,sausage ect.
Al
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 23/05/07 10:58 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Quote:
... and all I used was a 243,never had a problem puting them down,mostly head shot ...
Head shots generally work quite well.
***
The buff I mentioned are on a particular station.
| Becks0079 |
| (.224 member) |
| 24/05/07 11:44 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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The trip looks like it will be postponed. I was planning on going in August but my mate has to come back to court for a court case. Good thing is he is a witness and not the defendant so he will be back up there soon after.
I've never headed that far north before, previously I've only ever gotten as far as exmouth. Is there a best time to head for that end of WA for finding critters?
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 25/05/07 11:29 AM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Weather wise,I would recomend July through to the end of September.
Al
| Marty |
| (.300 member) |
| 26/05/07 09:52 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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August will be a good time to go. But I'm with Alan. Any Buffalo wandering round Derby, has most likely fallen off the back of a truck!
Donks are a different consideration. I've always found them pretty tough. I hit one mangy Jack, 5 times in the chest with a .303, with 180gn soft points at 30 meters. And he still needed a finishing shot when I got to him. If you do chest shoot, be prepared for plenty of claret.
Mind you, they often stand there looking at you. So a brain shot is usually quite easy. And they drop like a stone. But your .270 will be fine.
But having said that, if you want a new rifle, just buy one.... Who needs an excuse?
| zaitsev |
| (.300 member) |
| 15/07/07 10:28 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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That buffalo and donkey hunting in aus sounds interessting,isit possible to help out in some culling of them for an foreigner or is that impossible ?
(Have a new 404 and a 450 NE Ruger that needs to be tested on game
)
| HDU |
| (.224 member) |
| 16/07/07 10:15 AM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Marty, How did you pull up after Marrakais place?
Minor Marty and I got down to Matts camp... and tied another huge one on...
Karl
| Weatherby |
| (.224 member) |
| 09/09/07 08:07 AM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Take your .270. It will be great on pigs and donkey. As others have stated, donkeys can take some serious punch. They tend to absorb the shock of a chest/shoulder hit and appear to get better as time goes on. I took a number with my .300 Weatherby Magnum last year and whilst some of them went down quickly most absorbed the hit, waited a short while and continued walking on. Head shots of course are a different thing altogether. Have fun...
| bulldog563 |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/09/07 02:08 PM |
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Re: Buffalo
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Quote:
That buffalo and donkey hunting in aus sounds interessting,isit possible to help out in some culling of them for an foreigner or is that impossible ?
(Have a new 404 and a 450 NE Ruger that needs to be tested on game
Definitely possible. I just got back from a culling trip with Hunt Australia. Had a great time. Total after 5 days was 270 animals (mainly donkeys but horses and pigs too) between me and my partner. Call Matt Graham of Hunt Australia up. He is a sponsor of this site. If you need his contact info drop me a line.
| ovny |
| (.375 member) |
| 20/04/09 04:18 AM |
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Re: Buffalo
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How many cost hunt a donkey? I live in Spain and my budget is no very large. I have got only one salary and with it we (my wife and I) have to pay a mortgage, and live we and our children (Angel is six years old and Raul is three years old). I could hunt in Australia without being suffered my pocket? I think I will not hunt in Australia.
Oscar.