Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
#134956
08/20/2013 4:03 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
I've decided to book a Buffalo hunt at Wilderness Hunting Lodge in TN. For those of you that have done these kind of hunts, what gun and load would you choose? I have a Freedom Arms 454 and a TC Contender 44 Mag. The Contender is scoped. The FA is not. I reload and can choose whatever loads I need. Which gun and what bullet would you choose? I'm leaning toward the FA with 360gr WFN.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#134957
08/20/2013 4:22 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
I wont use hardcast on dangerous game when better bullets are available. Id load up the same thing i did use and go with the a frame 300 or 325 gr and/or some barnes busters
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: tradmark]
#134962
08/20/2013 2:49 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 87
73837486
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 87 |
320 gr punch bullets.costly but will get the job done!can be obtained loaded or as componets from grizzly cartridge co phone,1-503-556-3006 or http://www.grizzlycartridge.com
Last edited by 73837486; 08/20/2013 2:56 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: 73837486]
#134963
08/20/2013 3:14 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
Yea that's probably a good idea. I've been wanting to try some Busters and/or Punch bullets. How's the penetration with the A Frames?
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#134972
08/20/2013 8:46 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048
wvhitman
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048 |
I used 420 gr. Cast Performance bullets in .475 Linebaugh on a very large water buff. Two shoulder shots. one complete penetration. One under skin on off side. There bullets work very well. A friend did a 9' brown bear with same bullet without any problems. I've had handgun .454 A Frames expand on deer. Cast Performance bullets are high quality. I have no qualms using them.
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: wvhitman]
#134974
08/20/2013 9:07 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
a frames did and continue to do very very well. penetration is very very good, keep in mind it depends on exactly what you'll hit going in and out. that said, every a frame i've shot has penetrated nearly completely and all that while giving expansion and even expanding on deer. load em up and hunt what ever ya want with those bullets
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: tradmark]
#134977
08/20/2013 10:08 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
I would think with the A Frames the velocity would make a difference. I'm sure you've watched Lynn Thompson shoot Australian Buffalo with 300 grain xtp's in a 44 mag. The key I think was the low velocity that Hornady loads those to. I would say that those acted more like a solid than a HP. I like to keep my Casull velocities down around 1400 fps with the 360 WFN's, or any bullet for that matter. I don't really have a worthy animal to try them on around here, but everything I've read says they penetrate well at that velocity. However, I agree that the Punch and Busters are probably better overall on this size game.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#134978
08/20/2013 10:26 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
As long as you know exactly what the cast bullets you use are made of and how they perform against stiff media I have no problem using them. When I killed that monstrous buff they told me no one had ever stopped one that fast. I should add that I was involved in the load and pressure developement of loads for the .450 using bullets over 420gr so I knew exactly what I was doing. I would take your .454 and practice a lot out to at least 50 yards. Shot placement is everything on these critters. A piece of advice: If you plan on eating it shoot one less than 1000lbs. The smaller the better. Mine was over 2000lbs and the way to eat steaks from it was to stack them in a crock pot and cook them like a roast. It was tough. When is your hunt? The bullets from my buff: The before clean up pics. They said there has never been a gun do what this one did to the buff including .375, .416s and .458s. Shot placement is everything........
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: reflex264]
#134981
08/20/2013 10:35 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
a hornady will come apart more the faster they go. the aframes hold together. it's just a great bullet, very very tough and it'll make an 80 caliber hole. i love the results i had with my hardcast 420 gr loads the first 3 times i shot large animals with them. it was the 4th that was the problem. i think they work and usually work well. a buster will just always work and is a tougher bullet. just my opinion though. great shooting reflex!!
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: tradmark]
#134982
08/20/2013 10:37 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
Thanks. That thing was troting when I shot it. We spooked them early and never got a good still shot. That bullet through the front leg bone brought it to a halt!
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: reflex264]
#134985
08/21/2013 12:40 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
Reflex
Nice pics!!!
I plan to shoot the biggest bull I can! I will donate the meat to charity. I believe you can write it off on your taxes. I'm pretty much settled on either hard cast or busters at this point. Not that I don't think the A Frames will work. If I knew the A Frames and Busters would shoot the same, "which I will find out" maybe I would start off with the Soft and end "if needed" with the solids.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#134986
08/21/2013 12:41 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
Oh yea. I haven't booked it yet. Was thinking I'd let it cool off a little first.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: reflex264]
#134987
08/21/2013 12:43 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
Tradmark
Sounds like either the Buster or A Frame could be used. Maybe both on the same bull if needed.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#134994
08/21/2013 3:38 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
I have them hitting the same out to 75 yards ad i ise the a frame first followed by the buster
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: tradmark]
#134997
08/21/2013 2:42 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
A word to the wise, we got charged twice by some very upset cows. You have to have the ability to not only kill one of these creatures but might have to stop one. There was a gent there when I killed mine that watched the autopsy. He said without question the animal I killed was bigger boned and heavier built than a cape buff. The skin was up to nearly 2" thick and as tough as leather. The muscle was just flat out hard. The leg bones were nearly 5" in diameter and the walls at least 1.5" thick. There is a a double layer of bone and a cavity under those horns. This isn't like shooting a beef cow. Just don't go in thinking that. reflex264
Last edited by reflex264; 08/21/2013 2:44 PM.
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: reflex264]
#135001
08/21/2013 4:14 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176
TOBY458
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 176 |
Looks like a stout animal! I look forward to seeing for myself. I think I'll have to take the 375 along for insurance.
Dyin' aint much of a livin'...is it boy?
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: TOBY458]
#135007
08/21/2013 6:12 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
If it works on cape buff it will work on water buff. Since some of these gents just handgunned M'bogo I would deffinately take their advice. They are stout animals but they aint invincible!
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
|
|
|
Re: Water Buffalo Hunt in TN. What Gun and Load?
[Re: reflex264]
#135835
09/20/2013 5:45 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69
Redhawk500
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 69 |
I've shot elk and pigs in this area. I would suggest iron sights as you can always try another stalk if the initial setup isn't right. Most shots on preserves in the Upper Cumberland are wooded. My longest shot was 47 yards in 20 years. You can setup longer shots if you really want to of course. My last elk was with RCBS 45-270 SAA cast by Mt. Baldy, weighing 280 grains. Only 1050 fps using. 45 Colt Redhawk 5.5 inch. No bullet recovery, four complete pass throughs. The 454 is out of my league, but gascheck cast bullets around 325 grains from Cast Performance bullets are nice.
|
|
|
|
0 registered members (),
54
guests, and 0
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|