Hi All,
John has dobbed me in.. I'm the worst to reply on forums.. so any specific questions please email or call me... as mostly working remote in central Arnhem land. Addicted to exploring these wilderness areas, spotting and hunting our huge Water Buffalo far and close..
JMO.. I've used most big calibers and settled back on the .400s, as now we often do hunts on some open grassy plains inland, or floodplains near the coast.. which may require a 150, 200 or 250yd back up on departing Buffalo... and a tough 40 caliber 400grain bullet at 2300-2400fps, penetrates well into the vitals. (whereas most bigger calibers dissipate the energy quicker because of diameter, thus hitting real hard, mostly with dramatic energy transfer, but often the bullet doesn't reach the vitals.).
Better still are the new Woodleigh Hydros and North Fork Cup points, giving amazing penetration in all calibers.. plus a good wound channel.. At my age and a full day pack, I now see myself just picking up the lightest carry rifle for the task. I have 2x 404 Jeffery just over 8 3/4lb,, perfect for a guide carry. In fact the Winchesters are also great carry weight in 416RM, 2 of our ABH guides have those.

In 2019 I fired a US clients custom rifle in a Winchester pre64 404 Jeffery, took the scope off and hit my exact aim twice.. I had to have one just the same.. and Lowry loves to co-ordinate a project. It was finished in 9 months, and eventually arrived in Northern Territory.. my 2x offhand test shots cut one hole.. and I carried it a lot in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.. 23"barrel to me is perfect. We selected the walnut blank via email.. it had to have straight black lines where it counts, rich colors, and crazy figure in the butt please...
Hunt safe, Graham
Australian Buffalo Hunters
011 61 427577435 Watsap, Instagram,