Last week I was up in the Northern Territory outback partaking in a game management hunt. I was fortunate enough to witness the performance of four types of projectiles, using two of them in a number of scenarios. Thought I would share the experiences;

400gr Woodleigh RNSN (.410” & .416”)

The 400gr RNSN performed as expected in the 450/400 Nitro Express 3” and 416 Rigby, expanding creating a massive wound channel through flesh and bone while retaining 95+%. This projectile was good on Buffalo for side shoulder, front on and head shots. The four projectiles recovered were either in the opposite shoulder, spine or head. The only failing was quartering away shots where the projectile was pulled up by the rumen preventing it from reaching the vitals. These were absolutely devastating on Donkeys and Brumbies at any angle.

Shot in the spine & head

Recovered from the spine

This cow took a number of solid hits in the kill zone to bring down

An emphatic result - Entry

An emphatic result - Exit

400gr Barnes TSX (.416”)

The 400gr TSX from the 416 Rigby was very impressive, expanding to the familiar X-shape slicing through flesh and bone. This projectile performed well on Buffalo at most angles penetrating to the vital organs while retaining 99+%. The two projectiles recovered were under the hide on the opposite side of impact. These seem to be an ideal all-round performer in the 416 Rigby.

This cow took a couple of TSXs and Hydro to bring down

Found in the opposite shoulder

Cutting out the lump

Again under the hide on the opposite side, back from the shoulder

400gr Woodleigh FMJ (.410” & .416”)

Not many 400gr FMJs were used. The guys I was hunting with used a small number of FMJs for quartering away follow up shots and the occasional coup de grâce. Projectiles whistled through a few Buffalo broadsides and a Brumby, none where recovered.

400gr Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilised Solid (.410”)

This projectile will stop a Tiger tank! The performance difference of the 400gr Hydro compared to the 400gr FMJ from the 450/400 Nitro Express 3” on broadsides was very noticeable. The shockwave created by the Hydro’s nose cup had a dynamic effect, putting Buffalo down each time regardless of size. The other distinguishing performance was supreme penetration on Buffalo at any angle.

The 400gr Hydros exited all but one animal, a bull with 100% weight retention. One of the Cows harvested was first hit in the rear left quarters which exited out the front of the brisket, dropping her. She then got up and faced me only to receive a second Hydro in the head which exited then re-entered the back punching through the scapula travelling along the spine exiting just left of her freckle. Now that is penetration!

In, out, in, out!

Straight path and supreme penetration

The Bull below was hit three times in the left side by a 400gr Woodleigh RNSN, 400gr Barnes TSX and 400gr Woodleigh FMJ from a 416 Rigby,... AND was still going! I provided assistance, as the hunter was reloading his magazine, by placing a single 400gr Hydro strategically in the bull’s derrière. The shot put the bull down, with a final coup de grâce shot from the 416 Rigby finishing the bull. The 400gr Hydro travelled the full length of the bull pulling up under the hide in the lower neck. As you can see it came out like a pimple.

The strategic shot

Note the elongated lump in the lower neck

Hydro pimple

This recovered Hydro could be loaded again!

The fellow hunting with the 416 Rigby was so impressed by the performance of the Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilised Solid, he is now contemplating loading them in his 450 Rigby for his Elephant hunt next year. He stated that based on what he had witnessed; the Hydro will easily penetrate that 3’ of honeycomb bone in an elephant’s skull.

In Summary

Left to Right

400gr Woodleigh RNSN .410” = Buffalo Bull shoulder
400gr Woodleigh RNSN .416” = Buffalo Bull shoulder
400gr Woodleigh Hydro .410” = Buffalo Bull rear to front
400gr Woodleigh RNSN .410” = Donkey spine
400gr Woodleigh RNSN .410” = Buffalo head (failed coup de grâce)

Left to Right

400gr Woodleigh RNSN .410” = Buffalo Bull shoulder
400gr Woodleigh RNSN .416” = Buffalo Bull shoulder
400gr Woodleigh Hydro .410” = Buffalo Bull rear to front
400gr Barnes TSX .416” = Buffalo Bull shoulder
400gr Barnes TSX .416” = Buffalo Cow shoulder