Earlier this year I was planning an African hunting trip and asked for advice on the Barnes 250gr PB vs the 300gr Swift A-Frame. Intended species included Kudu, Nyala and Eland. The strong feedback received was to go with the Swift A-Frame.

Then corona virus threw in a monkey wrench

Anyway, as I twiddle my fingers in lock down, I'm curious about your thoughts on the 300gr A-Frame vs 325gr A-Frame. The 300 can be loaded to greater velocity and flatter trajectory, whereas the 325 will have greater penetration. My previous experience with Kudu was using Hornady 300gr XTP Mag projectiles. All were complete pass throughs (which may indicate nothing but dumb luck not hitting bone).

I would imagine both the 300 gr and 325 gr A Frames would both serve you quite well. I'd be more concerned with the penetration on the Eland than the other two antelope (just do to their size) I can't speak on the 325 gr A Frame in .454, but the 300 gr .429 A Frame has an unusually long shank which really alters "hot" load data(unless you run another cannelure lower on the bullet) as compared to all other 300 gr. .429 bullets...it's actually fairly significant. Just a thought, but my knock on the 300 gr Mag Jacket XTP isn't over expansion, it's under expansion. When I used them in my Raging Bull, they'd shoot through almost anything, but only expanded minimally.

The 44 magnum has always had an edge in penetration.For some it is even more effective than the 454 Casull. Larry Kelly proved the bullet used made the 44 magnum useless in penetration aka jacketed hollow points versus supreme penetration with hardcast heavyweight examples.I would recommend the 325 grain A-frame for your 454 Casull and Africa. As the shot may come from an off angle or not at all and the extra weight could make it doable.