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Cape Buffalo Bullet #210453 04/21/2021 1:28 AM
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On Gary Reeder's last African Safari he used a 300 gr Sierra FP out of a 454 Casull to cleanly take a Massive Cape Buffalo (2 Shoulder Shots) The Sierra FP is unbonded, but has an incredibly tough lead core.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210455 04/21/2021 3:12 AM
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Who would have thought... I never knew the 300gr Sierra had that hard a lead core, however, I have a box of them that clearly states in red "NOT FOR USE IN COLT S.A.A. OR REPLICAS".....


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jamesfromjersey] #210457 04/21/2021 12:20 PM
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That 300 gr Sierra FP would probably be perfectly suited for use in the 460 S&W.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210458 04/21/2021 3:09 PM
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I’m glad that we’re not reading his obituary! I’m glad that it worked for him....but for several reasons would “not” be my first choice! For large, thick skinned, heavily muscled/boned animals. lMO, 300 grains is extremely lacking in the sectional density department.....no matter the bullet! JMO memtb


You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Memtb460] #210459 04/21/2021 4:04 PM
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Those bullets are that hard and tough. I have tested plenty of them.


"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: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Memtb460] #210460 04/21/2021 4:06 PM
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Bullet choice is definitely a personal preference, and I truly get that. My main reason for even posting this, is to bring it to everyone's attention that different bullets react completely differently in different cartridges and at different velocities. This same bullet out of a 45 Colt wouldn't expand at all, and only mildly expands at 454 Casull velocities (nose and jacket just do begin to expand.) At 460 S&W and 450 Bushmaster velocities this bullet acts/expands like the highest priced bonded bullets.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210461 04/21/2021 4:43 PM
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But that’s not possible!

According to 100 other posts on here the only bullets good for anything above ground squirrels is the swift a frame or Barnes buster....

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: SacredCrows] #210463 04/21/2021 4:55 PM
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Bahahaha! Hahahahaha! Very funny, and unfortunately, very true! Those same guys have NO clue that the 300 gr Sierra FP in 44 caliber was specifically designed for the 445 Super Mag...that's why it basically acts like a cast bullet in the 44 Magnums, unless shot out of a long barreled TC or rifle.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210464 04/21/2021 5:40 PM
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Most bullets work quite well if placed correctly....

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: SacredCrows] #210465 04/21/2021 5:56 PM
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Yes Sir! ABSOLUTELY


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: SacredCrows] #210466 04/21/2021 7:33 PM
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 Originally Posted By: SacredCrows
But that’s not possible!

According to 100 other posts on here the only bullets good for anything above ground squirrels is the swift a frame or Barnes buster....


I am so sick of hearing "A-frame" that I refer to that bullet as a Swift... Don`t get me wrong... its a great bullet but some people just ran it into the ground....


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jamesfromjersey] #210467 04/21/2021 7:46 PM
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I've taken 3 Cape buffs with: .416 Taylor Encore 400 gr. Horn. Solid & 400 gr. DGX; .475 Linebaugh 275 gr. X. All were one shot kills.

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jamesfromjersey] #210468 04/21/2021 8:33 PM
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 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
 Originally Posted By: SacredCrows
But that’s not possible!

According to 100 other posts on here the only bullets good for anything above ground squirrels is the swift a frame or Barnes buster....


I am so sick of hearing "A-frame" that I refer to that bullet as a Swift... Don`t get me wrong... its a great bullet but some people just ran it into the ground....


Yup....and those same few have run many off of this forum.

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: wvhitman] #210470 04/21/2021 9:05 PM
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Gary Reeders Cape buff taken with Sierra bullet from 454...


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jamesfromjersey] #210471 04/21/2021 10:57 PM
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The 454 handload Reeder used to take his buff had a Sierra 300gr JFP over 25.5grs of 2400 shot from a 7 1/2" FA`s m-83. The photo shows the same bullet recovered from a blue wildebeest (taken during same hunt) losing 11.0grs. According to the handloader the recovered bullet from the buff could be relaoded again.....


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: wvhitman] #210472 04/21/2021 11:02 PM
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 Originally Posted By: wvhitman
I've taken 3 Cape buffs with: .416 Taylor Encore 400 gr. Horn. Solid & 400 gr. DGX; .475 Linebaugh 275 gr. X. All were one shot kills.


Hey Doc, How much did the buff weigh that you shot with your 475 and the 275gr X ?????


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: SacredCrows] #210475 04/22/2021 5:30 AM
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 Originally Posted By: SacredCrows
 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
 Originally Posted By: SacredCrows
But that’s not possible!

According to 100 other posts on here the only bullets good for anything above ground squirrels is the swift a frame or Barnes buster....


I am so sick of hearing "A-frame" that I refer to that bullet as a Swift... Don`t get me wrong... its a great bullet but some people just ran it into the ground....


Yup....and those same few have run many off of this forum.


They tried with me. I guess Elvis has left the building. Haven’t seen them in awhile. No?


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Zee] #210480 04/22/2021 12:04 PM
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James, didn't have scales handy! This was a very large cow buff about 90% the size of my #11 SCI bull. I was wanting the experiemce/excitement of hunting buff again, so I killed 2 cows on this trip significantly cheaper than my one bull combined.

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: wvhitman] #210482 04/22/2021 6:18 PM
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 Originally Posted By: wvhitman
James, didn't have scales handy! This was a very large cow buff about 90% the size of my #11 SCI bull. I was wanting the experiemce/excitement of hunting buff again, so I killed 2 cows on this trip significantly cheaper than my one bull combined.

never knew you took them


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Zee] #210483 04/22/2021 6:58 PM
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 Originally Posted By: Zee
[quote=SacredCrows][quote=jamesfromjersey][quote=SacredCrows]

They tried with me. I guess Elvis has left the building. Haven’t seen them in awhile. No?

may be the last sunset for the dynamic duo and friends


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210484 04/22/2021 10:24 PM
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You mean there are bullets that work that don't cost 2 or 3 each?

LOL

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jwp475] #210485 04/22/2021 10:46 PM
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;\)
some of the best ones are very inexpensive and have been around for many, many years
\:\)


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210486 04/22/2021 11:01 PM
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I remember that it was so refreshing to see a handgunner take TWO Cape buff with his 454 using 300gr XTP`s a few years ago. I also remember shooting a Florida water buff using a 400gr XTP from my 475 and watching the reaction of the buff after the shot. It was as if it touched a live electric wire with its body completely shaking till it dropped... guess I should have used a Swift


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: jamesfromjersey] #210487 04/23/2021 8:51 PM
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 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
... It was as if it touched a live electric wire with its body completely shaking till it dropped... guess I should have used a Swift




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"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210488 04/23/2021 9:02 PM
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OK, you guys stgarted this...
I have some Speer DeepCurls for my 480 Ruger in 325.gr. I have been keeping my eyes open for more but no luck. Do they still make the 400gr? Speer lists them but I also can't find them.

A year or two ago I kept getting told the Speer might work on moose & brown bear but I'd be better off with a "premium bullet".
Has anyone had a poor experience from the DeepCurl soft points in the large calibers on heavy critters?
I ordered some Penn Thunderheads in 420 a couple months ago but no word on them.
My one experience with heavy hardcast bullets on game was 410gr from a 450 Marlin Carbine at 1900+fps & I was underwhelmed so I'm thinking that long term I would like to try expanding.


Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210489 04/23/2021 10:28 PM
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Speer no longer makes the 400 gr .475 Deep Curls. To be 100 percent honest, the 480 Ruger and 475 Linebaugh really don't produce enough velocity to get the 400 gr Speers to expand. You need at least 1,600 fps to get decent expansion. My 475/350 Mag Competitor can make those bullets expand to catalog quality perfection. The 475 Maximum, 475 JDJ, and 475/500 JDJ should produce similar results.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210490 04/23/2021 10:31 PM
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You'd be exceptionally pleased with Woodleigh Weldcore bullets out of your 450 Narlin....another often overlooked option is the 480 gr Hornady DGX bonded...I have never been impressed with cast bullets, but some guys love them.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210491 04/23/2021 11:17 PM
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 Originally Posted By: Franchise
Speer no longer makes the 400 gr .475 Deep Curls. To be 100 percent honest, the 480 Ruger and 475 Linebaugh really don't produce enough velocity to get the 400 gr Speers to expand. You need at least 1,600 fps to get decent expansion. My 475/350 Mag Competitor can make those bullets expand to catalog quality perfection. The 475 Maximum, 475 JDJ, and 475/500 JDJ should produce similar results.


Ok, that's what I thought on 400gr production, but I looked this morning on their web-site & they still list it (although unavailable).
Any experience with the 325gr?


Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210492 04/23/2021 11:27 PM
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 Originally Posted By: Franchise
You'd be exceptionally pleased with Woodleigh Weldcore bullets out of your 450 Narlin....another often overlooked option is the 480 gr Hornady DGX bonded...I have never been impressed with cast bullets, but some guys love them.


Yeah... The moose died so I guess all was well but multiple shots in the lungs at under 100yds. Could have covered them all with a spread hand. He just kept going till I got in a high shoulder/spine shot. My partner thought I was missing.


Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210493 04/23/2021 11:45 PM
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I've had very similar cast bullet results and I don't use them...ever.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210494 04/23/2021 11:47 PM
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Hopefully some of the other guys will chime in about the 325 gr bullets...I can't comment because I've only used the 400 gr versions.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210495 04/24/2021 12:00 AM
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 Originally Posted By: Vance in AK.
 Originally Posted By: Franchise
You'd be exceptionally pleased with Woodleigh Weldcore bullets out of your 450 Narlin....another often overlooked option is the 480 gr Hornady DGX bonded...I have never been impressed with cast bullets, but some guys love them.


Yeah... The moose died so I guess all was well but multiple shots in the lungs at under 100yds. Could have covered them all with a spread hand. He just kept going till I got in a high shoulder/spine shot. My partner thought I was missing.


I've seen moose in Alaska do the very same thing with 338 win mags in the lungs. They act like they haven't been shot at all until they final realize they are dead

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210497 04/24/2021 12:20 AM
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In the picture that jamesfromjersey posted with the cape buffalo the shots seem to be just a bit low. I must admit I've never shot one and probably never will, but them just seem a little low.

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Mech 8] #210503 04/24/2021 1:14 PM
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One of the shots was too low for my liking also, but those two shots obviously worked.....and with a traditional, standard bullet......and he went down quickly and was found before the hyenas ate him. 😉


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210505 04/24/2021 11:45 PM
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Gary Reeder stated in his write-up about the hunt that the first shot was low and broke the shoulder and a quick follow-up shot took out both lungs and put it down quickly. He was borrowing another hunters equipment.

Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: KRal] #210507 04/25/2021 3:50 AM
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I’m just glad that this place seems to be becoming a more invitingly happy place and less the guarded, egotistical, agenda driven, narrow minded, exclusive place that it was in the past when I joined.

Makes me happy and feel like there could actually be a future.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Zee] #210508 04/25/2021 3:56 AM
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I agree! This was the BEST site anywhere when it pertained to handgun hunting...hopefully, we're headed back in the right direction now.


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Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Franchise] #210509 04/25/2021 4:53 AM
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 Originally Posted By: Franchise
I agree! This was the BEST site anywhere when it pertained to handgun hunting...hopefully, we're headed back in the right direction now.


Yes!!!!!


Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210512 04/25/2021 1:04 PM
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It was best back when the average dummy up a holler somewhere told their story of their regular old normal handgun hunt for deer or a ground hog etc etc. plus reported on their guns and loads with thoughts and opinions thrown in.
Too many think they are “professional” or something lol.

🤷🏻‍♂️


Kentucky….no place like home.
Re: Cape Buffalo Bullet [Re: Vance in AK.] #210516 04/25/2021 4:32 PM
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 Originally Posted By: Vance in AK.
Do they still make the 400gr? Speer lists them but I also can't find them.




This is what I have read all over that they don't make them, but as you did, I saw them on their website and ordered some! If you need pictures, I have proof!
\:D
haha

This unfortunately was before the COVID frenzy though, so now I imagine they are out of stock like everything else.

Been a bit since I have posted on here, sounds like lots of drama I wasn't aware of!

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