500 Linebaugh for Water Buffalo

[hntr58]

Headed to Argentina soon for water Buffalo.   I would like to take my BFR 500 Linebaugh. I’m shooting 530gr Montana hard cast bullet.  20grs of AA going around 1000fps.  What are the opinions of this cartridge and load being sufficient for an animal of this size?  

[cmillard]

I think you will be just fine

[Fowler]

If you can shoot the load well you should be fine, shoot it poorly and it wont matter how Big of a gun you carry.

At least thats my thoughts...

[foxtrapper]

If your good ,it’s good! Best of luck on your hunt!

[2 Dogs]

I sent CraigC the link to your thread. He will have some sage advice.

[CraigC]

If the bullet maintains integrity and penetrates straight, it should do a fine job. You probably shouldn't expect an exit, water buffalo hide is thick and tough but it should be found under the hide on the other side on a double shoulder shot. The copper/bronze solids tend to do a little better without deforming but they're not a requirement. These are big critters with large hearts and low blood pressure. Don't expect them to just fall over. After a well placed heart shot, mine ran about 100yds before laying down.

Below are some of the .44 bullets recovered from my two water buffalo. The cast bullets are all 330gr and 355gr Beartooths at 1200-1300fps respectively. There were some bronze Punch bullets that exited. Please note that we were there to test bullets and the majority of these were fired into a dying beast. Don't take it to imply it actually took that many to bring it down.



It ain't Africa and they ain't Cape buffalo but it's a hell of a lot of fun!

[45MAN]

I TOOK A HUGE ASIATIC BUFFALO AT THE YO RANCH IN TEXAS USING A CUSTOM 5 SHOT TLA 45 COLT REVOLVER. USED 325gr WFN's AT AROUND 1,200 - 1,300fps, WORKED WELL. I THINK YOUR LINEBAUGH LOAD WILL WORK.

[x101airborne]

Good luck and safe journey on your hunt!

[clintsfolly]

I shot a 1000 lbs Longhorn cow with my 45 Colt 4 5/8 barrel Ruger. Got about 2’+ of penetration with the shots to the ribs. Used NOE 454-265 WFN over 11grs of HS-6. You should be fine with your load just put it in the right spot!

[markhampton]

hntr58, I too am heading to Argentina for water buffalo - July.  Killed one many years ago with the 375 JDJ.  I'm more concerned about jumping through the hoops getting my handguns in the country.....
Good luck on your hunt and I look forward to seeing pics.   Cheers

[jamesautry]

Penetration is the name of the game. In the summer of 2009 I was able to take multiple trophy Water Buffalo in Australia with a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag using 300 gr XTP over a max charge of H110. The load worked but I really wanted to use a larger caliber but was limited by Australian Laws (Had to use the guides revolver, could not import my own). Your 500 load should work great. I would not hesitate to use it.

[CraigC]

If you can find it, the videos Lynn Thompson did hunting water buffalo in Australia are entertaining and pretty enlightening. Due to Australia's gun laws, he had to use the guide's Redhawk and the 300gr XTP. Far from my first choice as a bullet but he killed the hell out of them with it. He's also a fantastic shooter and brained most of them, if I remember right.

[taffin]

Apr 3, 2022 19:20:20 GMT -5 hntr58 said:

Headed to Argentina soon for water Buffalo.   I would like to take my BFR 500 Linebaugh. I’m shooting 530gr Montana hard cast bullet.  20grs of AA going around 1000fps.  What are the opinions of this cartridge and load being sufficient for an animal of this size?  

I TOOK A HUGE TROPHY BISON WITH A .480/420 @ 1150. HE DIDN'T QUESTION IT AT ALL. ONE SHOT--DONE.

[CraigC]

I was going to blood my .500 with a bison in 2020 but COVID took care of those plans.

[jfs]

A 400gr XTP from 475 was enough for Florida water buff.... Best of luck on your hunt.............