The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Ranger Dave on October 28, 2016, 07:03:20 PM
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Ok, I have the opportunity to shoot a buffalo in the next couple days. This will be on a ranch setting where they are culling the herd and they're several they can't catch. So they will cull them them the old fashioned way.
I have two options available .308 bolt action or .50 inline muzzleloader.
I imagine the range will be 100 to 150 yards.
Thoughts
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I would go with the .308 and the heaviest bullets you can find.
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Either will work. It depends on which one you can shoot better and want too use.
Me personally would use my guide gun.
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.308...maybe the Hornady 178-gr ELD-X...am taking that combo to Africa for plains game in June...heavy bullet definitely!
mb
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What caliber to shoot Buffalo with?
I think for Buffalo, though I don't know what they did you tick you off, I'd go with a 50 megaton air burst. :D
For buffalo, why not go for the nostalgia trip and .50 inline. Something preventing you from using a 45/70 Sharps?
The Not So Secret Society of the Grammer, Punctuation & Capitalization Police, Dixie Branch is alive and well.
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I think for Buffalo, though I don't know what they did you tick you off, I'd go with a 50 megaton air burst. :D
For buffalo, why not go for the nostalgia trip and .50 inline. Something preventing you from using a 45/70 Sharps?
It's New York ;D As for the 45/70 I don't have one :'(
Thanks for all the suggestions I'll be checking to see what bullet weights are available locally
[
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I'd pick the .308. Of course the .50 cal muzzle loader had a big impact on almost making the buffalo extinct in the first place so no problems with that. The most important thing in hunting is alway shot placement so shot whatever you are the most accurate with go with that.
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IMHO, and mostly from what I have read (actually all from what I have read, having never shot a Buffalo), I would use the .308 with the best bullets I could find. Remember, these things are bigger than Elk, and while a .308 is legal for Elk, many a new cartridge from .338 to .375 in bore diameter has been developed for shooting Elk. If I had such an opportunity, it would be my excuse to build up a .338-06, a .338 Federal or a .35 Whelen :)
All kidding aside, you will be operating at the upper end of that cartridge's effectiveness, so use the very best bullets you can.
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Use the rifle you are most accurate and comfortable with.
Caliber is far less important than shot placement.
Remember, Karamojo Bell shot over 1000 elephant mostly with 7 and 8 mm Mauser, and most were DRT shots.
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When I saw bison, I thought right away 45/70. Then, I read your choices. I choose muzzle loader.
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Nice to know at least someone knows they're bison, not buffalo!
Kidding, don't bunch up yer panties...
[emoji3]
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Timothy got me curious so I asked.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-bison-and-buffalo/
(it isn't the only difference, just the most noticable)
Appearance
Bison ‘“ have a shaggy winter coat that sheds to create a lighter summer coat. The largest bison can top 6 ½ feet tall, be 10 feet long, and weigh one ton. They have stocky legs and short horns that extend sideways and back from their heads.
Buffalo ‘“ have short, glossy coat. Both varieties are similar in size to the bison, but with much larger horns. Some water buffalo horns have been known to grow up to the entire length of the animal.
Read more: Difference Between Bison and Buffalo | Difference Between http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-bison-and-buffalo/#ixzz4OUySWks2
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When the white man saw bison they reminded him of buffalo and when he saw pronghorn he thought they looked like antelope. Most people know what you're talking about whether you use the right term or not because they know what's on this continent and what's not. I would go with the .308 if it's not a single shot. You may need a couple of follow up shots. And use the sturdiest bullets you can get at the highest weight available.
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Frank also triggered curiosity.
According to "difference between" the various antelope of Africa have hollow horns they do not shed.
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Well it's been a busy day at camp. I was able to check Wal-Mart this morning and all they had was 150gr HP & SP, already head them. I called the local farm & ranch store (Atwoods) they had 168gr HP. I called a friend in Claremore and asked him to look for ammo for me. All he could find was 168gr HPBT. So I guess I will be using Winchester 168gr HPBT.
We are supposed to go hunt Monday morning so I will sight in my rifle with the 168's tomorrow.
Appreciate all the advice I will update as things go along
RD
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My fear would be that an HP would expand too rapidly before reaching vitals on that type heavy game. Of course, better jacket technology greatly increases weight retention on today's rifle ammo.
Best bet would have been a Barnes or A-Square, but I understand the time factor...so going with what you can get is what you have to do in this case.
All that being said, I would chose BOTH.
Load the .50 with a good heavy bullet and pound him with the first shot, and have the .308 on immediate standby for a follow-up if necessary.
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Timothy got me curious so I asked.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-bison-and-buffalo/
(it isn't the only difference, just the most noticable)
I thought the MOST noticeable difference was that bison are exclusively a North American ruminate while buffalo are found in Asia and Africa. (Yeah, I know some have been imported as a food stock and for hunting... We even have some here in Florida, but they ain't native.)
The ones I came across in Vietnam would work tirelessly for the locals without incident. But, they would charge, chase and gore any round eye within smelling distance. Nasty beasties that way. But, they don't taste bad sliced into steaks and grilled over a wood fire. Bison tastes better... if you don't overcook it.
Crusader Rabbit
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I had a science teacher in the 60's that was as strict on the American Bison and buffalo distinction as our friend Haz is about clips vs magazines! There was a small herd in north central MI we used to visit regularly on our trips to the deer camp outside Leroy.
I buy bison quite often in our local markets. Farm raised I'm sure but a nice alternative when done right.
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Well I went to the farm & ranch store and picked up a box of 168gr. .308 Browning BXC controlled expansion terminal tip. The box claims it's good for elk, moose. mule deer, bear and boar.
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I'm no expert, but I would think you would need deep penetration vs. expansion. The .50 would probably be better for that. The 168 seems a bit light for me even though it is recommended for Moose and such.
Richard
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http://riflebiggamehunting.blogspot.com/2012/11/hunting-black-bear-elk-brown-bear-bison.html?m=1
I don't hunt big game.
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Old moose hunting joke but it applies here
Whats the best place too shoot a moose?
In the bucket of a front end loader.
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Well, it's been a day we got out there and the ranch hands located the buffalos. We was able to get within a 100 yds of them. Bruce(the guy who set all this up ;D) had a .30-06 and my uncle had his .25-06 to back me up. Bruce and shot the buffalo we picked. Mine dropped and Bruce's stumbled. I swung my gun to cover Bruce's. Bruce shot again and went high he told me to shoot, I shot and it drooped. During this time I didn't notice mine getting up. Luckily my uncle shot and it dropped.
Now the fun began. Three hours later both animals gutted, skinned, cut up into manageable pieces(hah) and loaded into the reach in cooler to chill. We will let it chill until this weekend before we start processing. Rough guess is about 300 lbs of meat apiece.
RD
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Can't seem to get picture to load.
Any help appreciated I am using an Andriod tablet
RD
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You need to save the photos to photobucket, then use the photo button here to put them here
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Since you're in the big league's now you might enjoy reading "The life of Billy Dixon", it's free on the internet archive.
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Whenever I want to post a picture I save it to my computer and post it from there. Let's see if it still works.
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Well, it's been a day we got out there and the ranch hands located the buffalos. We was able to get within a 100 yds of them. Bruce(the guy who set all this up ;D) had a .30-06 and my uncle had his .25-06 to back me up. Bruce and shot the buffalo we picked. Mine dropped and Bruce's stumbled. I swung my gun to cover Bruce's. Bruce shot again and went high he told me to shoot, I shot and it drooped. During this time I didn't notice mine getting up. Luckily my uncle shot and it dropped.
Now the fun began. Three hours later both animals gutted, skinned, cut up into manageable pieces(hah) and loaded into the reach in cooler to chill. We will let it chill until this weekend before we start processing. Rough guess is about 300 lbs of meat apiece.
RD
Good deal......having them outnumbered always helps... ;D
Sounds like a good haul of meat.
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Here you go
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k307/daviddcole1968/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161031_113713999_zpsobqmwfo3.jpg) (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/daviddcole1968/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161031_113713999_zpsobqmwfo3.jpg.html)
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Thanks Majer
RD
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make sure too cook it rare or you will have to add fat ( like to the ground meat) its very lean, but very good.