My comment on some hunts being "stunts" is not to belittle the hunts or what people want to do. If it is legal and the PH is happy people should go for it if they want.

My definition of "stunt" in this case is to use someone less than what is generally considered adequate. I think the people that say hunt a buffalo with a bow have a lot of guts just like someone who might want to use a BP muzzle loader or a lever action or whatever. Hey mankind used to hunt these beasts once with spears. A "stunt man" is someone usually who is a professional and does something dangerous but perhaps with careful weighing of the risks and capabilities. If a 6.5x54 can kill a buff in certain circumstances so can many other calibres. But what if for example the circumstances are not ideal for the choice of hunting tool eg if one encounters a buffalo or elephant at close range and a less than ideal shot has to bemade, say in a charge? Then one would need to make do with one has or the PH would have to do the shooting.

Regarding a .375 or similar and up in size and power I would feel quite happy to hunt on my own if that was possible in a legal framework today. It is certainly possible with Aussie water buffalo. My guide during a water buffalo cull only had a .303 by the way and I didn't feel any worry about being uner-gunned with a 9.3mm. Most of the well used calibres are pretty well proven in the majority of circumstances given a certain chance factor. However today as you say there is usually a PH armed differently to 'help out' if needed with whatever a client uses.

These ".45/70" debates have raged over the internet forums a lot of many people react to them as a result perhaps a little more harshly or quickly.

Some of the previous proponents too have simply done it to create a stir. Not saying that is the case here however. That might need to be taken into account too when the topic comes up every now and again.

Garrett Bullets, and hunts using their projectiles make some claims too which might sometimes IMO be a bit of a stretch.

However as I said I KNOW a .45/70 with a 540 gr Flat nosed hardened bullet at a suitable velocity will kill a buffalo with a single shot. I wasn't there at the hunt, but did hear all about it the evening of the hunt. For the guys and girls that want to do it, why not? One question is have the proponents or antagonists actually done what is being proposed ie first hand experience, or is conjecture?

I know there was a plan to use a spear to hunt water buffalo and hopefully the story of that will one day be factually reported. Now IMO that takes real guts to even consider! On Christmas Day I was speaking to a relative about one of his encounters with an enraged buffalo. He was unarmed and dodged and ran from an angry water buffalo for forty minutes before getting away. Also I respect many others opinions I know a member or two here who are very experienced and have once used "sub-standard" calibres and now recommend quite considerably more oomph in calibres after difficult encounters. Always good to take on good advice.

I haven't read much of the posts on this thread but I think sometimes we all over-analyse things too much instead of just having fun and doing more hunting. But discussions and debates are also fun and educational and allow all of us whom aren't out hunting as much as we would like to still participate in "hunting" activities be they hopefully friendly arguments.

I think people should just have fun doing their hunting, it is meant to be fun, not serious, use what they are happy to use, but also live with the results. "Spice" and variety in life is often good.

BTW I don't pretend to have any sort of expert knowledge, just my personal opinion.

Have fun, both hunting and in polite hunting discussions.