Last weekend I was playing around with my 45-70 1895 as well as the 12 bore. And I tell you, those 45 cal holes looked comical compared to the .72!

Even if you aren't hitting the animal with a million FPE, the size of the hole and wound channel those balls make alone would kill the thing pretty dang quick. Its like driving a cookie cutter through the animal.

I've been watching Mark Sullivan's "Death by the Ton", and those Cape Buff really take some lead (sometimes). Of course shot placement is critical as always, but even still, some of the beast took 7 shots from either .375 H&H, 450NE, 475NE, and always the .577NE.

The .375 shooters fired more rounds on average, however, one fellow did dropped his buff with one shot to the chest. Good shot placement. But if the buff was charging would that be enough to drop it instantly? I think a good brain shot would, and I've seen an elephant drop with one shot to the brain with a .375 H&H. And of course Bell used the 303(or simular) with great success (brain shooting). But with a big, mean, mad critter, a large diameter bullet has to be devastating. Imagen a hole in buff's skull big enough to put a quarter through, thats gotta hurt. I have to think that this 12 bore would kill disproportionately to its FPE would suggest. Course I could be way off too.

Thanks,
Colorado