I don't exactly follow the high velocity, low recoil, small caliber approach......
My CRF M-70 in 416 Rem is an incredible cartridge for a buffalo/plains game hunt. I am shooting 400 grain Swift A-Frames at 2430 FPS and 400 grain Swift solids at 2380. (The solids were only for follow up shots on the buffalo). The reason for the different velocities is that is what it took for both bullets to have the same impact at 100 yds. The rifle has no brake, generates 55 ft lbs of recoil, and wears 1-6 x scope in UM Premier rings. I can hit an 8" gong at 300 yds with this rifle off shooting sticks, though it does need six minutes of elevation to get there. That is probably the max reasonable distance for this setup.
Upper left bullseye are the solids, the other two are the A-Frames--this target was from the bench during load dev. I put about 250 rounds through this rifle in prep for the hunt, which included load dev, shooting sticks, and offhand.
For the buffalo, the PH wanted a soft for the first shot then a magazine full of solids. The first and last shots on the buff were with A-Frames, the middle two were with solids. The absolute #1 priority is an extremely well placed first shot on any dangerous game animal.
The buff was dead with the first shot, but with an animal that can really mess you up to take nothing for granted. My first shot was well placed, even though the scope knocked my hat off when it recoiled. I was shooting directly into the sun and needed the bill of the hat low so I could see through the scope. Of course, when the hat came off the glare was very bad which made it hard to see.
The bull hunched up and bucked hard at the shot. The second shot was with a solid, as he was thrashing around, and hit his tail. The third shot was a well placed quartering away shot--again with a solid, but we think it stopped in the stomach. The final insurance shot, also well placed, was with another A-Frame.
We found both A-Frames against the hide. They are designed for animals such as this and their performance was exceptional.
The Eland will make both the SCI and Roland Ward books. He was bigger than the buffalo. The PH said to hit him in the point of the shoulder and I did. The big bull went about 10 yds and fell down.
The 400 grain A-Frame performed perfectly again. Straight through the heart and stopped on the hide.
Impala are the size of deer, and I was a little concerned about the bullet doing enough damage. That concern was unfounded. The shot was a Texas heart shot (in the butt) and dropped him. I did put one more shot into him to speed up his demise. Both bullets exited.
The buffalo went about 40 yds, the eland 10, and the impala went down on the spot. I don't think I'll be following the small caliber, low recoil, high velocity bandwagon anytime soon.......
My CRF M-70 in 416 Rem is an incredible cartridge for a buffalo/plains game hunt. I am shooting 400 grain Swift A-Frames at 2430 FPS and 400 grain Swift solids at 2380. (The solids were only for follow up shots on the buffalo). The reason for the different velocities is that is what it took for both bullets to have the same impact at 100 yds. The rifle has no brake, generates 55 ft lbs of recoil, and wears 1-6 x scope in UM Premier rings. I can hit an 8" gong at 300 yds with this rifle off shooting sticks, though it does need six minutes of elevation to get there. That is probably the max reasonable distance for this setup.
Upper left bullseye are the solids, the other two are the A-Frames--this target was from the bench during load dev. I put about 250 rounds through this rifle in prep for the hunt, which included load dev, shooting sticks, and offhand.
For the buffalo, the PH wanted a soft for the first shot then a magazine full of solids. The first and last shots on the buff were with A-Frames, the middle two were with solids. The absolute #1 priority is an extremely well placed first shot on any dangerous game animal.
The buff was dead with the first shot, but with an animal that can really mess you up to take nothing for granted. My first shot was well placed, even though the scope knocked my hat off when it recoiled. I was shooting directly into the sun and needed the bill of the hat low so I could see through the scope. Of course, when the hat came off the glare was very bad which made it hard to see.
The bull hunched up and bucked hard at the shot. The second shot was with a solid, as he was thrashing around, and hit his tail. The third shot was a well placed quartering away shot--again with a solid, but we think it stopped in the stomach. The final insurance shot, also well placed, was with another A-Frame.
We found both A-Frames against the hide. They are designed for animals such as this and their performance was exceptional.
The Eland will make both the SCI and Roland Ward books. He was bigger than the buffalo. The PH said to hit him in the point of the shoulder and I did. The big bull went about 10 yds and fell down.
The 400 grain A-Frame performed perfectly again. Straight through the heart and stopped on the hide.
Impala are the size of deer, and I was a little concerned about the bullet doing enough damage. That concern was unfounded. The shot was a Texas heart shot (in the butt) and dropped him. I did put one more shot into him to speed up his demise. Both bullets exited.
The buffalo went about 40 yds, the eland 10, and the impala went down on the spot. I don't think I'll be following the small caliber, low recoil, high velocity bandwagon anytime soon.......
