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AuProspector · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 3

We are in the planning stages of an African hunt and we are going after Cape Buffalo, as well as lesser game and birds.

My question is, If I want to save airline space and shipping or an assortment of different guns, we were thinking of using 12 ga shotgun with slugs to take Cape Buffalo. We would then only have to have one gun for two tasks.

I've read where one writer for a monthy magazine had used a .475 LB to take a Cape Buffalo, 'n the 12 ga has more power that thet. What do you think?

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[ This Message was edited by: AuProspector on 2003-12-23 13:32 ]

hunter777 · Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 1475

Sounds crazy to me!
Stay close to the guide!

AuProspector · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 3

Yea, I'm not to sure about it myself. I was hoping to get some feed back frum anyone who may have experience with a 12 ga and Cape Buffalo.

I'll be right next to the professional, but it might be do able. I don't know about Cape's, but the use the 12 ga on Grizzleys.

Macnab · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 6

He he he he

You are mad. I live and hunt in South Africa and would not use a shotgun for anything bigger than a bushpig.

kNObs 52 · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:56 am Post subject:

I've certainly never hunted The Cape Buffalo(Mbogo to you too Mr. Mcnab)

But from everything I'VE EVER read on them, your choice for use on the Cape Buffalo might yield a scenario like the following:

1st shot: you hit and wound the Buffalo and then he goes into the brush or he charges

If he charges AND YOU"RE LUCKY.....

2nd shot) you MIGHT then be able to recock the gun (Providing its NOT A double barrel that can't shoot slugs) and kill yourself before the animal tosses and then gores you into the ground BEFORE he dies.

You might want to read the great African government hunter biography Hunter by J.A. Hunter. You will only probably need to read the chapter on Cape Buffalo to fully understand why this will probably not be a wise thing to do. I know that if I was guiding someome like yourself with this idea in mind, I'd have to pass. Human life is just too precious. I'm sure you have people who love you. Don't try and prove yourself with this feat.

I'd take a chance with a bow before I would with a shotgun with a slug. At least with a bow, he might not know where the shot came from and then just bleed to death.

You will need to check what kind of energy this slug would be putting out. you will very well be putting your life on the line as this would'nt be like slugging a big Whitetail.

As far as using this combination an a charging Grizzly or Brown Bear, remember(from what I've heard anyway) usually when a guide ends up shooting a charging bear, they are to the side of the client and the bear tends to be focusing their charge on the hunter) Don't forget the fact that a bear does NOT have a horn boss the size of a Cape Buffalo's on his head.

Seth · Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 26

You would be crazy if you did take a 12 slug my friend was a guide in Africa for 3 years and he used a 458 loaded hot. Taking a slug gun for a Cape buffalo would be like taking a 22. for deer it’s possible but manly you will just make him mad. These animals will kill you if you don’t kill them my buddy had a guy that came and to hunt one with a 300win M. and my buddy told him that he will get killed if he takes that and the guy told him he was crazy the next day the guy shot the 4 shots in the animal and ran out of bullets and started to run for a tree my friend shot him 3 times in the head with his 458 and it finely went down. He found the guy up in the tree and the guy had went to the bathroom in his pants. Spend the money and play it safe!!!

EJ65 · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Northern California

So I'd say it's a bad idea. I have read a lot about African hunting (as I'm surprised you have not, considering you're going there to hunt!). I have read that you would be safer to piss off an elephant a lion simultaneously than to shoot ‘Buff’ light. You need more gun for Buff than you do for a Rhino. If I was going and had an opportunity like that, I’d bring a 378 Wetherby. That or a 20mm.

spike · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 9

All kidding aside here are afew things that you may want to consider.
Cape Buffalo, contrary to all that you may have read, can and usually are killed quite dead on a consistant basis with one shot. This hunting scenario is exactly the same as any other you may choose to participate in. A quality bullet, travelling at adequate speed, and properly placed will terminate any buff on the planet.
Your question concerning a 12 guage is moot. At the time of this writing, to the best of my knowledge there is not a country in Africa where you can legally shoot a buffalo with a shotgun. Even though I believe that a 12 guage loaded with 00 is as lethal as a hydrogen bomb at about 10 feet, occasionally it takes a bull 100 or so yards to realize that he has expired.
If you are taking one gun let it be a .375
Bring 4 boxes of ammo, 2 softs and 2 solids.
For the small stuff use solids and you won't blow it up. Again, it's all about bullet placement. Feel free to email me with any questions and I will help as best as I can.
Good Hunting, you will remember this for the rest of your life.

atomikall · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 1964

cool stuff

once and future chef · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

I agree completely with spike. If you want one gun to do everything the .375 H&H mag is as close to ideal as it gets. Some would argue that even this is a touch light for mbogo. If you still want to have a scatter gun for bird hunting, or for duiker and the like, but don't want to bring one with, rent from your outfitter. On my first Africa trip I brought a .30-06 for plains game and had the delightful experience of "borrowing" a Benelli M1 12 ga for guinea fowl, francolin, and ring necked dove. It was fantastic and cheaper than bringing my own shotgun.

atomikall · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 1964

hey seth that guy that was shooting at the buff with a 300 win musta had one shitty shot cause a 300 win can take down a buff like nothing and i guarantee it
it just like spike said placed in the right shot at the right distance its going down no matter what it is

MLG · Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Atomikall

That all very good but if the shot is not a good one I don,t want to be the one to try and stop a buff with a 300 win mag. In fact to stop a charge I would want a 416 upwards, prefferably a 500 Jeffrey.

Once the adrenalin is up a Cape Buff can take a hell of a lot of stopping and I doubt you would find a PH who would be happy with you using a 300 Win Mag on one.

However they have even been shot with a 308 before.

spike · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 9

Gentlemen,

I recently had one of my manuscripts published in SCI magazine. It is in the November/December issue. If any of you have an interest in Cape Buffalo hunting you may find it interesting.
Good Hunting,
Fred SPIKE Blevins

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject:

Freddie, I think you ought to be the one who writes about Mr. Prospector after he gets his RECTUM shoved full of 12 gauge slugs and barrel by the Ole Dagga Boy he is gonna try and kill with that rabbit gun he wants to tote in the bush country.

Now one of the first things I ever learned about Cape Buffalo, was from a writer who became a bit of a mentor to me about hunting over on that dark continent way back in the 70's. Oh! By the way Prospector if you don't already have a jar, I will suggest you pick up some Vasoline before the hunt. It won't be near as rough on your inards when that barrel slides its way on up your ARSE Dude. Now of course that Dagga Boy won't know the difference either but it will take the sudden shock out of his horn giving you that big toss about.

I hope your getting my drift on this subject matter, as it sounds to me you been out in the sun to loooong Ole Timer. I don't doubt you got all your screws either, I just don't think you know at this point and time, where they all are located. You best get yourself a nice DGR like a model 70 Winchester in a .458 magnum and your a lot less likely to have that Lower-GI done on your backside by that every so perservering animal known as the Black Death. :roll: :D :D

RattleSnake Jake · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 6:38 pm Post subject:

I must say, I don't think I'd ever try hunting M'Bogo with a shotgun, but being new to the forum, I think that it is a perfectly good question for someone to ask if they are not knowledgeable about such matter.

The way the "Quick Sand" addresses Mr AuProspector seems to me ,uncalled for. I can only hope that such rather childish remarks to someone trying to inquire about the use of proper weaponary for hunting cape bullalo, that Mr Quick Sand would not post any further until he matures to a greater degree. :o