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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles

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Boomer
.300 member

Reged: 13/04/05
Posts: 144
Loc: The Hudson Bay Coast, Canada

Buffalo Bullet?
#48375 - 29/01/06 04:41 AM

Well folks, our "trip of a lifetime" to Tanzania is quickly arriving, we go in July. My rifle is at the gunsmith's for some last minute tweeking, but I have not as yet settled on a bullet, although I have narrowed the field.

The Barnes 300 gr TSX has proven to be very accurate in my rifle, but so has the 380 gr Rhino. From the 21" barrel of my .375 Ultra, the 380's clock at a solid 2300 fps, the 300 TSX's at 2600. When fired into pails of drill mud from 25 yards however, the X's showed expansion to .65" and the 380's expanded to .92", with equal penetration. If the 380's expansion to .90" can be expected in game, combined with good penetration, I would expect this to be the bullet of choice.

Does anyone have experience with this bullet on buffalo?

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luv2safari
.400 member

Reged: 09/11/03
Posts: 1412
Loc: United States

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: Boomer]
#48386 - 29/01/06 08:18 AM

I would opt for the 380s. You won't be shooting over 100 yards at a buffalo, and probably much closer. All the buffalo I've shot could be counted on one hand, with a finger left over. And, I have observed several more taken. My limited experience tells me that bigger is better, and velocity isn't the answer.

Where in Tanz?...I ask as I turn green...

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Hunt with Class and Classics

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500grains
.416 member

Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: luv2safari]
#48394 - 29/01/06 09:25 AM

I would also use the 380's. 2300 fps is plenty of velocity and on game I think you will find that the penetration is better with the 380's. Those bullets almost upgrade your .375 to a 416 Rigby!

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bulldog563
.400 member

Reged: 21/10/05
Posts: 1153
Loc: California

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: 500grains]
#48395 - 29/01/06 09:32 AM

Isn't there a problem with the 380's being too heavy for the standard twist in a 375 resulting in a bullet that is prone to tumbling. Has anyone else heard this?

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Boomer
.300 member

Reged: 13/04/05
Posts: 144
Loc: The Hudson Bay Coast, Canada

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: bulldog563]
#48461 - 29/01/06 11:53 PM

Thanks to all who responded. Sounds like the 380's are the right choice - thanks for the confirmation - now I'll have to see if Rhino Man has any left.

The testing I did with the Rhino 380's indicates very good accuracy, nearly double the expansion of a 300 gr X with no loss of penetration, and no tendency to tumble in an aqueous media. I also tested these bullets in dry media (sand, dirt, wood, etc) and I found the bullets did not expand, and bent and hooked through the material - but that's not what game animals are made of.

I settled on a load of 84.0 grs of H-4350 (.375 Ultra) which according to my Ohler produces an average of 2311 fps for 5 rounds - none were under 2300. 85.0 grs did not increase velocity to any measurable degree (2330) but more recoil, and 85.0 grs gave me pressure signs on the brass.

We'll be hunting with Mark Sullivan, but as yet I don't know which concession we'll be hunting.

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Edited by Boomer (30/01/06 12:13 AM)

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
.400 member

Reged: 24/03/04
Posts: 1214
Loc: Western Australia

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: Boomer]
#48563 - 30/01/06 05:04 PM

Get some Woodleigh Bullets.
Ideal buff medicine.
Al

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"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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Safarischorsch
.275 member

Reged: 28/02/04
Posts: 98

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
#49111 - 03/02/06 11:37 PM

I disagree. For the fast 375 Ultramag. the woodleighs are by far too soft.

Barnes, Trophy Bonded or Rhinos are the best choice, no doubt.

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Marrakai
.416 member

Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3674
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: Safarischorsch]
#49117 - 04/02/06 01:03 AM

Nothing 'ultra-fast' about 2300 fps. Ideal Woodleigh velocity IMHO. Geoff McDonald obviously agrees: the 350gr RN soft is catalogued for 1900 - 2400 fps, and the 350gr Protected Point is listed for 1900 - 2500 fps.

Still, each to his own.

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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Boomer
.300 member

Reged: 13/04/05
Posts: 144
Loc: The Hudson Bay Coast, Canada

Re: Buffalo Bullet? [Re: Marrakai]
#49188 - 05/02/06 02:36 AM

I know the Woodleigh supporters will be disappointed, but I was able to make a deal with Kobus and he is sending me some Rhino 380's from RSA. If it's any consolation fellas, the 350 gr. Woodleigh was my second choice.

I talked to Mark Sullivan a couple of days ago, and the hunt will be in the Selous from July 8-17. After the hunt we want to spend a little time at Ngorongoro and at Taragire.

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