Appropriate .416 Round for Cape Buffalo

[Kevin Layden]

I’m looking to use a .416 Weatherby for Cape Buffalo this fall.  Looking at the specs of the 350 Barnes TSX and the 400 RN-EX, both look adequate.  The 400 looks to be a better all around.  I’ve read suggestions of a 350 followed by the 400s.  Is this appropriate.  Should I look to purchase dies and reload rather than rely on the factory ammunition.  I’m impressed by the accuracy at the range and would like to use the factory load if suitable.

[NMARKANITE]

http://www.barnesbullets.com/copper_manual/416_Weatherby_Magnum.pdf?PHPSESSID=1827884cd1bd166a487a5e2c28a5bda8

I would use the Barnes TSX 350 gr round if one just happened to pass in front of my TV

[Kevin Layden]

Thanks for the article.  The 350 Barnes TSX is holding groups well under and inch at 100 yards.  the article backs up my impression that it is adequate for buffalo.  I appreciate the help.

[terminator]

No experience, but looking at the data,I would choose the Barnes 350 expanding and follow it up with a 350 solid.This is assuming your gun shoots them well.I would ask your outfitter what he suggest.Sounds like a great hunt.Who is your Outfitter and where will you hunt?Steel sights or which scope.

[grizzly340]

I would Agree with Roger Soft soft then A solid. But sence im not on the barnes bandwagon yet. I would use 400 gr. Nosler  partitions and then the 400 gr. flat nose nosler solid. Flat nose because they hit harder and goe straight in. Trophy bonded bear claws followed by the trophy bonded sledge hammer. would be an even better choice but harder to find.

[NMARKANITE]

Getting 2 different constructed bullets to perform identical with huge differences in BC will be something I would not want try with a buffalo in my sights! I would stick with the one that I shot the best and the rifle shot the best! you could end up hitting the TV if not careful

[zonie]

Since I've never hunted cape buffalo and speculating out loud .  I've seen them in the bush  just never shot one.  I don't think I would choose either bullet until I found out  by calling wby if the factory wby 400 rn-ex is a bonded bullet.  I almost bet it's made by Hornady and either an interlock or innerbond ?  If it were an innerbond I would have more faith in it.  If it's an interlock I'd pass.   The Barnes while I like them a lot  a 350 gr if the bullet were to lose it's petals on impact,  I'm not sure what grain weigh you would end up with ?    A 400 grain tsx  at that point would be better.

The 416's are really geared around a well built 400 grain, although generally not thought of as a plains game rifle.    It's made for heavy dangerous animals that can cause you to have a very bad day.   I wouldn't worry about accuracy too much either as long as you can hit a 3 " circle under field conditions at 50 yds,  although more accurate is always better,  and that means practice.

If I were going to choose a bullet for the 416 and specifically cape buffalo it would be a heavy constructed 400 or 400 + grain.   Woodleigh weldcore,  Swift A-frame  at least it's bonded in the front section where the Nosler partition is not.   I don't know if the TBBC's are made in this caliber or available,   very good bullet.

I definately would call your PH and find out from him and what ranges under worst case scenerio,  which means close. 

I hope you have deep pockets or you re-load  because Wby's selling theirs for 187 bucks  per 20  that's  a little steep.   Lucky it isn't like  a friends 425 westley richards at roughly 80 bucks per 5 with shipping,   that ammo price is  just insane. 

[badsection]

Between the 2 bullets you mention,I`d go with the TSX.  I agree,check with your PH before you decide. I`d love to see pictures of your hunt! I see the cost of bullets as fairly insignificant on a trip like that,probably the cheapest part. One good shot makes the trip!

[NMARKANITE]

I agree that your PH should be envolved in this decision and I would think he would have no issues with the ammo below in a 400 Gr RN Solid from A Square! Only around 10.00 bucks per round but I am sure they have been in use for DG forever! H4831 has also been used in DG ammo forever also!

http://a-squareco.com/Ammunition.html

[HuskyMusky]

I see no reason to use the lighter 350gr .416 bullet when talking the .416 weatherby which already goes super fast!

I'd only want a 400gr bullet.

[Selous]

I've used the .416 Rigby for Cape Buffalo, using both the 300 & 400 grain solids, which were fairly flat shooting in an original Rigby used. Stopped them too,.....immediate & effectively! If your unsure, go with a 400 grain,....since you can believe me; with "buffs", bigger is better.  No sense in having one step on you!

[weatherbyman22]

Kevin, I would highly recommend the 350 gn Barnes. My step Dad just got back from Africa in late September and he used the 350 Barnes on both a lion and a cape! The Barnes at 100 yds shot amazingly accurate for a big bore, we even took pictures I will try to get posted later of the target! Anyhow the PH over there could not get over the combo of the 416 WBY and Barnes bullet, he claimed that he had never in all his yrs of hunting cape, seen one drop so fast and quick with only one shot! My step Dad claimed they didn't stop talking about it at camp the entire rest of his stay, and just kept looking at and holding that perfectly mushroomed X! They said they have seen many of cape run and run after getting several shots into them with 416 rigby's, .458 win's, and 470 nitros, using rounded solids and rounded expanding bullets, but had never in 150 hunts seen one just drop in its tracks like that! They recovered the bullet just under the hide on the far side of the cape and it is mushroomed out beautifully and still weighs 350gns! I will try to post a pic of the recovered bullet too if I get over to his house and take a pic of it! I'm no expert but after seeing how well that bullet shot and performed on two of the most dangerous game in the world I highly recommend it.