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So my buffalo took 7 shots from a.500NE. The first shot was a solid at 85 yards, a "bore another one" shot with a Barnes Banded solid that in hindsight I shouldn't have taken. It went higher than it should have, in the rump on the left side, went diagonal through him and exited on his right shoulder at the base of the neck. The buff didn't so much as bat an eyelid at the shot. The second barrel went wild and didn't cut a hair. Two more "Hail Mary" shots just served to make noise and trim heavy thick reeds. Buffalo now gone, headed into the next county.

The next 6 shots were 3 days later when the Buffalo took his final annoyed stand, pissed as can be, at his tormentors that relentlessly persisted in following him. On the 3rd morning and 20km later we caught up with him and had a face off at 35 yards. My 1st shot of that 3rd morning went into the brisket directly facing us. The second shot went wild and grazed through the skin over his left eye. Shot 3 and 4,went lengthwise shot through the brisket. The next 2 shots were unleashed directly broadside into him after I reloaded on the run whilst skirting him. Loads of adrenalin. I barely remember reloading. Instantaneous and totally mechanized fluid movement. I only stopped shooting because one of the trackers grabbed me and said " that's enough, he's down".

Can a double be fast? Dang straight it can! How about those 3rd and fourth shots? Hell yeah!!

I would submit that one MUST practice LOTS!! Reloads should happen without any conscious thought process. It MUST be fluid and done totally without having to think about it. Admiring the shot MUST be discouraged until the smoke clears and multiple pieces of hot brass are on the ground.

Add in a heathy dose of fear and sense of self preservation, and it is amazing what can be done with a double!!!

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It is amazing how much lead a buffalo can soak up once they are provoked or just pissed off.

I had a similar experience on my first buffalo-- ..we would run with the herd until they stopped then try to get in for a shot..this cat and mouse game went on for several hours before I finally got a broadside trotting shot at about 70 yards..hit him good in the lungs --he spun and ran into a clearing..I emptied my .416 into him running away with solids..two of the three exited out the front by his neck after taking them in the arse area..one we found inside which I still have in my trophy room..he finally dropped..walking up my ph told me to shoot him again which I did..when we were about 10 feet away my tracker who was just ahead of me made a huge jump in the air to get out of the way as the buff was attempting to get back on his feet..out of sheer instinct I pulled up and shot without really aiming hitting him in the spine and that was that..

About 2-3 days later we got into another herd..they had no idea we were there..pulled up and shot a huge bull again with the .416..he ran about 40 yards and tipped over..put in the insurance shot and that was it..DONE...great memories hunting those guys..

I can see both sides as to having the extra shots IF you have the time to deliver them..as stated when hunting birds with a double..but the time there is a third shot offered the birds are gone for most shooters. Same holds true in DG hunting..if you are in tight and do get a charge..usually not time for more than one shot anyway..sometimes if your lucky two..but think three shots off of a bolt is a pipe dream in most cases..

If the charge is coming from further away, frankly I'll take the bolt gun. Have read cases in longer charges in Africa or Alaska where had that 3rd shot not been immediately available bad things would have happened.

DO agree, both need to be really practiced a lot to be as good as you can be should the s**t hit the fan..

Ripp

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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