-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
Print
Email
Share
Big Game Hunting
Buffalo with a .45-70
Uploaded on May 08, 2009First the preamble...
I'm going to a place in November to shoot a buffalo. Not really a hunt, more a harvest, but the buffalo only let you get within about 100 yards. It's cheaper this way than buying it from the butcher like I did last time.
Now the question...
I'm planning on taking a Marlin lever action in .45-70. I've been shooting the 325 grain Hornady LeverEvolution bullets through that gun for about a year now, but only at paper. Is that enough bullet for a buffalo? I've seen a few posts where people have shot a buffalo with that bullet, but the pictures I've seen of recovered bullets make me wonder if the bullet will stay together enough. What do you think?
Today on Field & Stream
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
FieldandStream.com is part of the Bonnier Outdoor Group Network
Copyright © 2009 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Never shot a buffalo before, but if ti worked for the "cowboys" it should work for you. I'd post this on regular site and ask Mr. Cooper though. Sorry I could'nt help more.
Good luck and Good hunting.
You shouldnt have a problem, if you do think you need something stouter check out Buffalo Bores ammo. No pun intented.
First, I am envious as Hel* of you going on this hunt! As for the Hornady load for Buffalo hunting,I have read this load/bullet has taken a list of animals by Hornady staff to include Buffalo, and African game larger and tougher then American Bison with very good results. Rememeber most early Buffalo hunting was done with lead bullets in the 1200-1300FPS range that punched thru these animals.
Bottom line, I think this load will service you well for taking a Buffalo. But just in case you are interested; I have been shooting some Buffalo Bore 420 grain lead solids that will rattle your teeth for dear life. They will generate enough power to gut, skin, and package the Buff in one shot!
ps-The Buffalo ammo is not cheap, but I suppose your hunt is going to set you back a few green backs as well?
Thanks for the feedback. I looked at the Buffalo Bore ammo. My concern there is that every discussion about ammo always comes back to shot placement. I know I can put a bullet where I want it with the Hornady ammo and the rifle. If I need to move up to a heavier bullet to get the job done, I'll do it. I just need some time to practice and heal the bruises on my shoulder. I'm asking now so I have the time to practice with other bullets if need be. I'm not a small guy, but I'm not a glutton for punishment. If I don't need to shoot the 420 grain suckers, I'm not going to.
Ralph - actually isn't costing a lot of green. I bought a third of a buffalo last year for $4 per pound. This is a cow hunt, so I'm paying $850 for the buffalo. By the time I pay for gas, food, and lodging, I'm still paying less than I paid last year for a third of a buffalo. I'm going with a guy from work. He's been to this place ever year for several years. I'm taking my ten-year old son along. The hard decision now is trying to decide if I should pay to get the hide cured. Not sure what I'd do with a huge buffalo skin. Would make a great blanket for the cabin I'll be able to afford someday. Will likely run about $500 to cure.
Sounds like it's going to be a nice hunt for you and your son;Good Luck!--I would get that hide tanned for blanket use; it's a Buffalo hide what a lasting memory and conversational piece it would make for years to come!
I think this is plenty of lead. That said, i might not try to bust the shoulder with it, even though it probably would just fine. At ranges inside of 200 yds you have the perfect buffalo gun. Shoot him thru both lungs an go collect some awesome meat.
Skippy,Care to share the outfitters name with the group?
the 45-70 is the origanal buffalo round.
hope this post is not to late.i would use 405 grain instead of 350.i think 100 yards and under they would have more punch then flight.i wish clay posted on this. he really knows alot.500 grain work well on bison at 50 yards,the bullet climbs after that.the lever rev. shots you use are less punch and flatter flight for longer range.hope this helps wheres clay when ya need him
Holy smokes...I had one in my sights at 20 yards and all I had was a Mathews bow and a 100 grain Pink Muzzy. What a freakin' rush.
Best of luck on your hunt, they are huge animals and good eating I hear.
Happy Hunting
JB
Well, if you're not stuck on the 45-70, I'd just go with something more conventional and comfortable like a 300 Win Mag. Those Marlins are real shoulder-busters. Their .444 was absolutely murderous - for the shooter. I have one of the original Marlin lever actions, the Model 1881, in 40-60 (essentially a necked down 45-70). Have a tong loading tool for it but the slug it throws is not quite the right size. No accuracy. Some day I'd like to fix that and shoot something with it. But not a bison. The action is too weak for any beefy loads. Also the firing pin is too large diameter. Possibility of gas leaking and damaging my face. By the way, as I recall, the 45-70 Govt. was not designed to kill bison but rather American Indians.
Post a Reply
You shouldnt have a problem, if you do think you need something stouter check out Buffalo Bores ammo. No pun intented.
First, I am envious as Hel* of you going on this hunt! As for the Hornady load for Buffalo hunting,I have read this load/bullet has taken a list of animals by Hornady staff to include Buffalo, and African game larger and tougher then American Bison with very good results. Rememeber most early Buffalo hunting was done with lead bullets in the 1200-1300FPS range that punched thru these animals.
Bottom line, I think this load will service you well for taking a Buffalo. But just in case you are interested; I have been shooting some Buffalo Bore 420 grain lead solids that will rattle your teeth for dear life. They will generate enough power to gut, skin, and package the Buff in one shot!
ps-The Buffalo ammo is not cheap, but I suppose your hunt is going to set you back a few green backs as well?
I think this is plenty of lead. That said, i might not try to bust the shoulder with it, even though it probably would just fine. At ranges inside of 200 yds you have the perfect buffalo gun. Shoot him thru both lungs an go collect some awesome meat.
Never shot a buffalo before, but if ti worked for the "cowboys" it should work for you. I'd post this on regular site and ask Mr. Cooper though. Sorry I could'nt help more.
Good luck and Good hunting.
Thanks for the feedback. I looked at the Buffalo Bore ammo. My concern there is that every discussion about ammo always comes back to shot placement. I know I can put a bullet where I want it with the Hornady ammo and the rifle. If I need to move up to a heavier bullet to get the job done, I'll do it. I just need some time to practice and heal the bruises on my shoulder. I'm asking now so I have the time to practice with other bullets if need be. I'm not a small guy, but I'm not a glutton for punishment. If I don't need to shoot the 420 grain suckers, I'm not going to.
Ralph - actually isn't costing a lot of green. I bought a third of a buffalo last year for $4 per pound. This is a cow hunt, so I'm paying $850 for the buffalo. By the time I pay for gas, food, and lodging, I'm still paying less than I paid last year for a third of a buffalo. I'm going with a guy from work. He's been to this place ever year for several years. I'm taking my ten-year old son along. The hard decision now is trying to decide if I should pay to get the hide cured. Not sure what I'd do with a huge buffalo skin. Would make a great blanket for the cabin I'll be able to afford someday. Will likely run about $500 to cure.
Sounds like it's going to be a nice hunt for you and your son;Good Luck!--I would get that hide tanned for blanket use; it's a Buffalo hide what a lasting memory and conversational piece it would make for years to come!
the 45-70 is the origanal buffalo round.
Skippy,Care to share the outfitters name with the group?
Holy smokes...I had one in my sights at 20 yards and all I had was a Mathews bow and a 100 grain Pink Muzzy. What a freakin' rush.
Best of luck on your hunt, they are huge animals and good eating I hear.
Happy Hunting
JB
hope this post is not to late.i would use 405 grain instead of 350.i think 100 yards and under they would have more punch then flight.i wish clay posted on this. he really knows alot.500 grain work well on bison at 50 yards,the bullet climbs after that.the lever rev. shots you use are less punch and flatter flight for longer range.hope this helps wheres clay when ya need him
Well, if you're not stuck on the 45-70, I'd just go with something more conventional and comfortable like a 300 Win Mag. Those Marlins are real shoulder-busters. Their .444 was absolutely murderous - for the shooter. I have one of the original Marlin lever actions, the Model 1881, in 40-60 (essentially a necked down 45-70). Have a tong loading tool for it but the slug it throws is not quite the right size. No accuracy. Some day I'd like to fix that and shoot something with it. But not a bison. The action is too weak for any beefy loads. Also the firing pin is too large diameter. Possibility of gas leaking and damaging my face. By the way, as I recall, the 45-70 Govt. was not designed to kill bison but rather American Indians.
Post a Reply