300 WM for Buffalo?

[Sealesniper]

Indians (can I say that?) killed them with bows and arrows, so a well placed 300WM will be more than ample. Good luck, hope you get drawn and have a great adventure and successful hunt.

 

[KSB209]

You are talking bison and not buffalo, correct? For Buffalo, the conversation starts at .375 and goes up from there. For bison, the 300 WM with Barnes TSX or TTSX will be perfect.

Yes bison

 

[vedauvoo]

I killed a 10 year old bison bull in the Henry Mountains of Utah a few years back. I used a 225 gr Barnes TTSX from a 338 Hawk (kind of a 338-06 on steroids). Broadside shot angling away. Bullet entered behind the near shoulder, traversed the chest cavity getting both lungs and the aorta, and came to rest under the far side hide in front of the shoulder. The bull dropped 10 feet from where he was hit.

Two thoughts:
1. Your 300 WM is plenty for the task with the right bullet. I agree with what has been said here. Find a good controlled expansion bullet, preferably 180 grains or more.
2. As also discussed above, know the anatomy of bison. The large hump tends to draw the eye upward causing high shots that miss the vitals.

...and the meat is the best!

Good luck and let us know how the hunt went.

 

[vedauvoo]

...also, be prepared to be surprised at there size of these beasts! When I walked up to my bull, the carcass was reminiscent of a VW bug tipped over on its side.

 

[CMP70306]

One word of advice, don't use ELD-X's for it. When I shot my bison the other guy was using a .338 win mag with precision hunter ammo and the other guide said the bullets went in and fragmented with not much penetration. The bison died but it took a while and he shot it 3 times.

I shot mine with the 405gr Hammers in a 45-70 but in case I couldn't get close enough with the Sharps I brought a .300 Win Mag as a back up loaded with the 181gr Hammer Hunters. The first was broadside, hit ribs and was caught in the hair on the off side, the second was a bit higher hit ribs and the bottom of the spine and ended up stuck in the far shoulder bone. The bison dropped on the second shot and was dead by the time we got up to it.

 

[lancetkenyon]

You are talking bison and not buffalo, correct? For Buffalo, the conversation starts at .375 and goes up from there. For bison, the 300 WM with Barnes TSX or TTSX will be perfect.

While I understand where you are coming from, I have a buddy who dumped his Cape Bull with one shot using his .300PRC shooting 208 Bergers.

Then, the next day, his friend shooting a .416 Rigby put 4 shots into a Cape bull at 40', 30', 15', and PBR, and a .458 at PBR from the PH, right before the bull freight trained my buddy and busted him up bad, and took 2 more shots from a .458 Lott before going down. My buddy's planned and paid for 14 day safari turned into a 1.5 day hunt and an emergency flight out to get surgeries.

All about placement and the animal's pent up rage!

The slow-mo vid I got was terrifying, and the local guy videoing had balls like a cannonball to get that footage. The quality sucked as it was taken with a cell phone of the computer screen, but dang....

 

[Lee7588]

You are talking bison and not buffalo, correct? For Buffalo, the conversation starts at .375 and goes up from there. For bison, the 300 WM with Barnes TSX or TTSX will be perfect.

Why does it have to be a .375 or up, Roy Weatherby killed a cape buffalo with on shot from a 257 weatherby

 

[lancetkenyon]

Why does it have to be a .375 or up, Roy Weatherby killed a cape buffalo with on shot from a 257 weatherby

That was back when men were men and the Cape Buffs trembled in fear of those men.

 

[CMP70306]

Why does it have to be a .375 or up, Roy Weatherby killed a cape buffalo with on shot from a 257 weatherby

Most African countries require a minimum caliber of .375 for dangerous game.

 

[AkBirder300]

We had great success with an ELD-X bullet on my wife's Buffalo. I think Lance is exactly right, it all has to do with the animals attitude. He was super relaxed and feeding when she took the shot. Her 300 WSM and 200 gr ELDx smoked him, one shot and we found a 120 grain bullet right against the off hide, heart was shredded. Very quick!

 

[Lee7588]

Most African countries require a minimum caliber of .375 for dangerous game

I never knew that, but I don't have any desire to hunt Africa. Thanks for the info

 

[asd9055]

South Dakota George Custer State Park Trophy Buffalo (Bison) requirements state: "Rifles must be at least .270 caliber and generate a minimum of 2,200-foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. Typical shot distance is 50-100 yards."
So a 300WM is more than adequate

 

[bpuff]

I know this isn't an elk post and there isn't a forum for Buffalo so I'm hoping some of you know a little bit about it.

There is a 50/50 chance I will be going on a Buffalo hunt in January. Is a 300wm enough gun for these animal? I don't know much about Buffalo other then it taste good.

If I use the 300wm any particular bullet? I'm in Ca so I have a lot of monos like Barnes and Nosler e-tips already. I don't reload so the Hammers are out for now. Would a bonded bullet like the partition or accubond be better suited for a large animal like a Buffalo?

I really don't want to buy a new rifle for this hunt but if I "need" one…..I guess we always "need" another new fancy rifle don't we

Check out Copper Creek Ammunition. Plenty of 300 WM options.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Bison are a bit like moose, they can absorb a lot of lead without showing much sign of impact.

I shot a bison bull at 125yds with my 375Ruger and a 260gr Partition bullet. At the shot, the bull didn't even flinch. I was shocked and thought I might have missed. The bulled turned around 180 deg and presented me with another perfect broadside shot. I put a second 260 Partition right in the crease. The bull shuddered like he was getting rid of a fly. I cranked another round in the chamber and just as I was about to fire, the bull started to wobble. He looked drunk but toppled over when he was good and ready. I swear I felt the ground shake.

Use plenty of lead (or copper) IMO.