Buffalo Hunting - lots of questions

[1leighton1]

when I shot my Bison the shot was placed on the right sholder and hit heart. bison jumped, and was dead when it hit the ground.

when I go again this year I will be taking the same set up, I have no desire to buy a rifle thats more for Cape buffalo like some of you are talking about. If you are hunting at a game ranch you will be able to get within whatever distance you want, you will have all the time to make good shot placement. I do think 300 win would be a better choice over 30-06 but if this is just for the one bison hunt and you dont plan to hunt anything larger then save your money and keep what you got.

another thing to note: when I killed my bison the other buffalo in the heard did not leave and protected the dead bison. we had to our shoot pistols in the air and throw rocks at them. keep in mind that these buffalo kept there distance from us all day and were hard to get close too before this.

 

[Afy]

.45-70 with a BP load and 500 grain soft lead bullet.

 

[Leaky Waders]

My 3006 is an 1895 - so it'll be kind of a throw back weapon too. My 270 is a BAR with scope. I had a new model 70 7mm-08 that my son has claimed...I need to replace that rifle eventually. Either with another model 70 or a BLR.

I've been researching nonmagnum calibers that are good for anything in North America - like the 358 winchester, 405 winchester, 45-70, and 450 marlin vs the classic 3006, 270, and newer 7mm-08. I'm really interested in the 405 and the 45-70...mainly due to the straight wall cases making reloading so easy.

I wish browning made their BLR in 45-70...I guess they figure that a 450 marlin is so similar that it wouldn't make sense.

So for big game hunting potential in fast follow-up shots, I guess I'm looking at those calibers in a BLR, 1895 win or marlin, or an 1886 action?

 

[dakotasin]

well... there's always the 450 bushmaster in an ar...

 

[DeepSouth]

Sounds like a job for the Ruger no1 chambered in .475 Linebaugh. I like the big bore guns, can you tell?

 

[Leaky Waders]

Yeah the big bores look interesting, but after reading some Alaska forums and game and fish sites and hearing from a few people I think I will just stick to a good ole 3006.

I think I will get one in a bolt action though so I can mount a low power scope...kind of like a dangerous game rifle.

 

[jmorris]

I bet you will be just fine with a 30-06.

This pile of skulls was taken with rifles much more "old school".

 

[KodiakBeer]

I think I will get one in a bolt action though so I can mount a low power scope...kind of like a dangerous game rifle.

I would never disparage the purchase of a new rifle, but what's wrong with the 30.06 you have now?

 

[Leaky Waders]

Good question - it's a high grade model 1895, so I don't want to alter it for a scope or peep. Besides I'll need a good bolt action if my alaska wolf/sheep hunting adventure ever comes to fruition.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Well damn! I can't think of a more appropriate 30.06 than a model 1895! Teddy Roosevelt whacked a few Cape Buffalo with a Model 1895. You should be able to hit a buffalo sized target at a good distance without a scope.

 

[monwa]

Your '06 will get it done, no problem.

Hell, it'll do just about anything.

Good luck.

 

[mwpslp]

.30-06 is plenty. I shot this one 2 years ago at a ranch in Oklahoma for the meat. I used a Sako 75 Hunter .270 with a Hornady 150 gr. Interlock bullet. She took 5 steps and fell. When it was gutted and skinned we found the bullet had passed all the way through and about a third of the heart (which was about the size of a nerf football) was turned into mush. Shot was probably no more than 75 yards.

 

[ArmedBear]

I don't want to alter it for a scope or peep

So don't alter it. Why would you need either one?

You can put a peep on instead of the rear sight, in the existing dovetail groove. This will offer an enormous improvement over the standard lever gun sights, which refract light and generally suck for accurate shooting -- but for buffalo, you don't NEED sub-MOA groups. Pie plate at 100 is plenty, and you can do that without sights.

 

[Leaky Waders]

Oh sorry it's a Winchester Model 1895, so no tip-off groove.

That's an impressive bull mwpslp! I have a 270 - a BAR already scoped.

Maybe I'll just strive to use the 1895 and bring the 270 for back up so if I have to make a shot requiring a scope. In the meantime I'll practice with iron sites on the lever action.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Think of the great trophy picture holding that 95!

 

[1leighton1]

.30-06 is plenty. I shot this one 2 years ago at a ranch in Oklahoma for the meat. I used a Sako 75 Hunter .270 with a Hornady 150 gr. Interlock bullet. She took 5 steps and fell. When it was gutted and skinned we found the bullet had passed all the way through and about a third of the heart (which was about the size of a nerf football) was turned into mush. Shot was probably no more than 75 yards.

that bull looks about the size of my last buffalo, was it around 1300lbs?

 

[Sunray]

"...recommends a 375 H&H..." Run away from that guy. He doesn't know what he's talking about. A .50 or .54 calibre flintlock muzzle loader with a round ball is enough for bison.
"...for the meat..." Absolutely fabulous, very lean, meat. How much did you end up with? Leaky Waders needs to know that too.

 

[sonier]

if your worried about penetration could always use a old surplus FMJ 30/06 round

 

[mwpslp]

It weighed about 1100 lbs. on the hoof and netted about 300 lbs. (a little over) of wrapped meat.

 

[T.R.]

Bison are just as easy to shoot as 175 years ago. They're neither smart nor inclined to hide in cover. They're typically hunted in plain sight.

I like my .308 shooting 150 grain FEDERAL Classic ammo. I aim to hit at butt of the ear from broadside angle. Instant death.

TR

 

[T.R.]

This photo was sent by a friend. Truthfully, I've never met this hunter.

Looks like his Marlin lever gun did the job!

TR

 

[Leaky Waders]

That is very impressive!

Yeah I've ordered some books about big game hunting and started on doing some reading...The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter by Bell, African Game Trails by TR, and Horn of the Hunter by Ruark.

I'm getting excited.

Youtube has a guy succesfully hunting a buffalo with a spear! That's a little too manly for me.

So 300 lbs of buffalo meat....that's one freezer full?

 

[ArmedBear]

a guy succesfully hunting a buffalo with a spear! That's a little too manly for me.

That may be, but if you shoot a buffalo with a scoped .308, I'd suggest you do it in a pink floral sundress. You can celebrate your kill with some wine coolers and a pedicure. BTW I watched an experience bowhunter bounce two well-placed arrows off a bison, before he got one to stick. They were all razor-sharp broadheads, and he shot from close range. He just shook his head and kept shooting.

This photo was taken by a friend, who lent me the Sharps rifle and the dies to load the black powder cartridge I used. Also one shot, one kill. Please pardon the camo clothes. Yeah, camo is tacky, and pretty stupid, but this was wind-blocking cold-weather gear I had. Montana in late November isn't exactly Kauai.

And no, I didn't pay someone else to butcher it. (But I sure as hell will, next time.) It does fill a big freezer. In fact, I went and bought a freezer specifically for this buffalo. It was packed full. We still have some breakfast and italian sausages, 2 1/2 years later.

 

[T.R.]

Armed Bear:

I can take a joke as well as most guys. Your statements about hunting bison with .308 do not faze me.

FACT: Buffalo hunters of the 1870's chose the most accurate long range rifles of the time for their business. In this regard, my choice follows this direction. My .308 is highly accurate. This makes shot placement easier for me.

I have no quarrel with those who choose to wear period clothing or hunt with archery gear from horseback. I say each to his own.

Good hunting to you.

TR

 

[Leaky Waders]

Nice picture ArmedBear...where did you aim? Did oyu have any of it mounted or a robe made?

I will have a 45-70 as an option to use too eventually. I'm thinking of ordering one of the turnbull new 1886's tomorrow...my wife and I have been discussing it...and I've already got starline brass and some missouri bullets on order.

I know a 30'06 will work, but an excuse to buy a big bore + go hunting (eventually) is just too good to pass up.