Tell me about your bison hunts

[Thunderjet]

I have a bull bison hunt lined up in South Dakota for Jan or Feb. The outfitter told me to bring all the guns I wanted to as shooting distances could range from 30 yards up to 200 or so. My first choice will be to carry one of my double rifles but might take a handgun just in case we get fairly close, say around 50 yards or less.

If you taken a bison with a handgun could you please share the details of what you used as a weapon.

Thanks

[taffin]

If you taken a bison with a handgun could you please share the details of what you used as a weapon.

Thanks[/quote]

I'VE TAKEN TWO. ONE AROUND 50 YARDS WITH A HEAVY .45 COLT AND AROUND 35 YARDS WITH A .480 RUGER. BOTH ONE SHOT.

[Ken O'Neill]

I've taken three. The first, with a .475 Linebaugh FA revolver and 400 gr. XTP at about 80 yards. Fell dead after about 13 yards. The second was taken with a FA .500 WE and 350 XTP at less than 50 yds. I actually fired a second shot, a 370 WFN, which was unnecessary, but ... Bison fell dead in about 10 yards. The third was also taken with a FA .500 WE, at 55 yards. I used a 350 XTP on him also. Fell dead in 20 yards.
Stalking close is more than half the fun in hunting bison or any other type of buffalo in herds.

[450ak]

Messy Bear and I did bison hunts for a while. We carried 45 Colts loaded with 310 Keiths at 1200, 475 Linebaugh and 405 Keiths at 1169, and 500 Linebaughs with 450 Keiths from 1000 to 1150 or so. Take the the hige heart and they fall down pretty quick. Have killed with rifles, 223, 308, 416 Taylor and the wonderful 505 Gibbs. Customers shot them with 405 Winchester and cast bullets loaded to full speed, 458 Win mag, 45/70, 416 Remington, 50 Alaskan, the list goes on. We only allowed cartridges that started with number 4. Bison are big critters, winter hair is very thick. Bison hide is an inch or thicker on mature bulls.

[500fksjr]

I have taken 2 .480 ruger & .500L one Yak with a .475 L always shot 2x though probaly not needed, all under 35 yds...My younger son at age 14 took one at 35 yds with a .45 lc no animal went more than 10yds

[zeus]

50 yards with 475 linebaugh with a 385 grain cast hollow point at 1170 fps. Complete penetration and animal was down in less than 5 yards.

[bigbore442001]

Good information. Out of curiosity, where in South Dakota are you planning to hunt? Hopefully when I get some personal and family stuff taken care of I would like to shoot a bison.

[nolongcolt]

I have always wanted to do this and when I do I plan to use my C.Sharps '74 .45-70 with black. Have a trip to RSA next summer but after that..the planning begins.