| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/11/05 01:32 AM |
|
400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
.358" x 310 grains at 2150 = 3150 ft/lbs
Is this cartridge enough for a cape buffalo?
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/11/05 10:30 AM |
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
Plenty of Ozzie buffalo have been laid low with the various .350s, by long-time buff hunters who know what they're doing. For accurate shooting at undisturbed animals, fine, but if the sh!t hits the fan the cartridge is no 'stopper'.
I had a .350 in my hands last Thursday evening, a lovely little Rigby double on a Webley action, owned by Peter P_. we were reminiscing over the rifle, he and Vic P_ killed literally hundreds of buffalo with that rifle in the days of the big herds.
Please remember that experience counts for a great deal in using medium-bores on dangerous game. In Australia 20 years ago, the average Territory hunter would shoot more buffalo in a week than the average North American hunter would see in a lifetime. If you haven't had the opportunity to 'work up' to the medium-bores, by hunting large numbers with big-bores first, you really should think twice. For safety's sake, the 'once-in-a-lifetime' (or maybe twice!) cape-buffalo hunter of today should probably be carrying both a hunting rifle and a stopper in one.
The .350 doesn't qualify.
| DUGABOY1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 16/11/05 06:41 AM |
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
Bonanza, everything Marrakai says is absolutely true. In addtion you may find a PH who will allow you to shoot Cape Buffalo with your new 35 caliber rifle, but it isn't legal in any country in Africa to do so. I'd take your 375H&H Merkel along as a back-up if things go a little awry.
By the way Bonanza I sent you an E-mail about your Dies, and brass for the 470NE you are going to list. I'm in need of 470NE dies, and brass, and would like to buy yours if you decide to sell them. E-mail me with what brand of brass, and the price for it all, if you will.
E-mail: DUGABOY1@aol.com I'm in Texas!
| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 16/11/05 07:53 AM |
|
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
All,
I thought as much, was just wondering if any one had used this cartridge on Buff. If I ever go to Africa I'd certianly use my .375H&H as the primary weapon.
I think I will use the 400/350 for hunting ND game as it is more than adequte and comes with a scope.
Dugaboy,
I got you email. I have not worked up a price yet as I need to eval and shoot the 400/350 first. But this is what I have:
100+ ferderal cases
60+ federal ammo softs/solids
Some cast bullets
Some Hawk bullets
Dies/case holder
| new_guy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 16/11/05 08:18 AM |
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
Bonanza - I guess I missed the earlier thread. Why did you get rid of the Chapuis?
NitroX
|
| (.700 member) |
| 16/11/05 01:26 PM |
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
Alan Moon has a double in that calibre. He may use it on scrub bulls, or maybe he uses his .470.
I would assume it would kill them, but as the others above have said .....
***
I just used my 9.3x74R - 286 gr bullets at 2170 fps on cow buffalo and a scrub bull in non-threatening situations it killed OK. Maybe next year I will try it on a big bull and see. The bi bulls are a lot larger and heavier than the cows.
Have to see if I get up there next year first of course.
|
NitroX
|
| (.700 member) |
| 16/11/05 05:45 PM |
|
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
Just looking at Alan Moon's LINKs page on these forums:
In reply to:
The rifle I'm holding is a 400-350 NE built by (now retired ) Aus gunsmith Ron Webb on the O/U Ruger Red Label 20 gauge action.
This rifle is a great killer using the 310 grain Woodleigh softs and solids at a chronographed 2125 fps from its 23 inch barrels.
LINKs page for "Alan Moon Safaris & Video"
| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/11/05 01:15 AM |
|
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
New_guy,
I took the NIB Chapuis 470 in on a trade for my 92 Merc SL500. However, the gun is heavily tailored for a right-hander. The palm-swell, casting and even the triggers are canted. It was a terrible fit for a lefty and really pounded me when I shot it. George Caswell was gracious enough to take it back on trade for whatever I wanted in his inventory that was a fair trade. He had two rifles that met these criteria, a nice greener 360#2 and the 400/350. The Greener has a deposit on it. Now what I really want is a 450/400 3" in a "working" English double. So I'll probable end up using the 400/350 as a trader down the road, if I don't fall in love with it first.
|
CptCurl
|
| (.450 member) |
| 17/11/05 05:08 AM |
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
bonanza,
I saw a nice "working" 450/400 on GunsAmarica just yesterday at this URL.
I also looked at it on Schwandt's website, where more pictures are available.
http://www.schwandtclassicarms.com/
That might be the one you want. It's a 3 1/4", and not a 3", if that matters to you. I have no idea about its condition or value. Just saw these web pages.
Best,
Curl
| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/11/05 06:18 AM |
|
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
I spoke to him about it, he was not interested in trading.
|
CptCurl
|
| (.450 member) |
| 17/11/05 06:50 AM |
|
|
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
He probably doesn't own it. These dealers who offer consignment items usually must have cash for the gun so that they can settle with the owner. That makes it more difficult.
Curl
| 4seventy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 29/12/05 03:38 PM |
|
Re: 400/350 for Cape Buffalo?
|
The 400-350 load uses the 310 grain bullet and is capable of killing any bull available so long as a solid bullet is used combined with correct shot placement.
If a situation develops where that load is not up to the task then I doubt that any 375 H&H load is going to be all that much better.
As others have said the cartridge is not really a "stopper" when big bulls are involved at close quarters when less than ideal bullet placement ocurrs.
Nor is a 375.
Close range "stopping" is only achieved with a brain shot and the 400-350 with 310 gn solid can easily achieve total brain destruction and instant kill.
Anyone who thinks that a 500 grain bullet in the chest of a charging bull at 10 feet is better than a 310 grain solid in the brain is in for some serious pain sooner or later.
That said, I usually don't back up clients with any less than 45 cal and 500 grains bullet weight and these being solids as well.
The main reason being that most bulls don't charge when wounded but actually often run away and if I am required to shoot I'm looking for shitloads of penetration and bone breaking energy which is easily achieved with big cal solids.
But if I was needing to follow up on a wounded bull in heavy cover, and I had the choice of an ill fitting 500 cal boltgun, or my 400-350-310 double which is a perfect fit, give me that 400-350 anyday!