BUFFALO (bison) hunt

Will do hope to have it back by January or so, going to use the 375 H&H as it is on elk, then send it in late October.
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That .375 outta do a job on elk. My buddy actually took his .375 after whitetail this past year. Certainly overkill, but his doe dropped in her tracks as was likely dead on her feet. Little too much meat damage for my liking (about the size of a .$50 piece on the way out) but then again he only had to shoot her once.

He pulled his shot and hit her high on the back but a couple of inches below her spine. I believe a 30.06 or other round might have required a follow up shot on a wounded animal.

Good luck with the conversion.
 
Head shot on bison

Ken,

If I may add some personal experience?

I did a lot of head shots on blesbok on the open plains for the venison market. Assuming that your shot shall be from about 200 yards in open grassland, fenced, I shall go for the brain. Sight your rifle at 200 yds, knowing it shall be about 1.50 inches high at 100. Wait for a side on shot and take it calmly on the line between the ear and eyes. If in doubt go for the earhole. A brain shot is indicated by the hind legs folding in immediately.

If you happen to miss the brain the shock shall put it down, but only temporary. This shall be indicated by the front legs folding first, or all four folding simultaneously, but not as sudden as the rear legs in a brain shot. Get close quick and shoot it into the brain then.

I do not do brain shots on game in the dense bush where off-hand shooting is called for, as a possible shot through the sinuses will not put the beast down and make it run and it may be impossible to find.

Of course the heart-lung area is a vital zone, but no animal shall drop immediately as the haemmorhage has to take effect. If it was a good shot and the animal bursts off at speed, just let it go, as following up causes axtra adrenalin that will boost it along. I have learned to NOT do any immediate follow up shots. Sit back, have a quick coffee from the flask and remember where the crosshairs were at the moment of the shot. By the time you are done the beast shall be dead about sixty yards from where it had stood.

Oh, and I do not approach any fallen animal head on after any shot, always slowly from behind.

I bet the bison is good meat, and a head shot shall ensure that it is all the better. Consider using a rest like crossed sticks too, for that head shot.
 
I know my Sierra reloading manual states that the 220 grain bullet is too heavy for the 8X57 to reliably perform and should only be used in the 8mm Rem Mag. My manual is a little old so I don't know if that data is still up to date or not, but I can't imagine you needing a bullet heavier than the 175 grain. Of course you are talking to a guy who likes to launch 200 grain bullets out of his .30-06.:D
 
ONLY from the 8mm RM...

Your 30-06 will put a 220 gr Sako Hammerhead into the front chest of a blue wildebeest and it goes through all the way and sticks into the spine, right at the tail. Seen it from my own rifle.

The 8x57 and 175 gr may not penetrate that same distance due to its lesser sectional density, but as the bullet weight goes up, and because the velocity is less and then lesser expansion it shall penetrate sufficiently, adequately, reaching the vitals even if the shot has to go through a shoulder. No problem with 220 gr on the old 8mm. It just loves it. Seen it from my buddy's old 8x57.
 
.45-70

On my buffalo hunt last year I used a 1886 Winchester lever action in .45-70. As we were sneaking up on the herd, I was told to put my shot on the front shoulder socket of the animal. The heart/lungs are right behind it and by breaking the shoulder it would go down and eliminate the chance of running. One shot, went down and died just a few seconds after.

Five of us went on the hunt, two of us took single shots to kill ours, another two guys took 3 or more shots and the fifth guy's... took 8 rounds, ran for close to 3 miles and went through a number of neighboring rancher's fences. It was a very fun hunt and we had a great time. Once those things get their adreniline pumping, if they aren't down, they take a while to stop.
 
Your 30-06 will put a 220 gr Sako Hammerhead into the front chest of a blue wildebeest and it goes through all the way and sticks into the spine, right at the tail. Seen it from my own rifle.

The 8x57 and 175 gr may not penetrate that same distance due to its lesser sectional density, but as the bullet weight goes up, and because the velocity is less and then lesser expansion it shall penetrate sufficiently, adequately, reaching the vitals even if the shot has to go through a shoulder. No problem with 220 gr on the old 8mm. It just loves it. Seen it from my buddy's old 8x57
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I wasn't saying that the 220 grain wouldn't work just stating what it said in my manual. I'll probably try some 220 grain when I get a chance out of my 8mm-06 right now I'm still working with the 175 grain Sierra bullets for deer and elk. If I can get this bullet to shoot I may not try anything heavier as I got plenty of rifles for buffalo like my .375 Ruger with 300 grain Nosler Partitions!:D
 
I hunted bison in Harding County, S. Dakota. Site was sprawling Catron Ranch near tiny town of Camp Crook.

It took me about an hour to stalk and creep within 100 yards or so. My .308 was loaded with 150 grain Winchester Fail Safe ammo. One shot to butt of the ear dropped the animal where it stood. The legs just folded up at the shot.

- I sold the mounted head to a steak house in Ohio.

- I had the hide tanned and painted by Lakota Sioux artist and sold it on consignment in Rapid City.

- Add up the costs and gains = free hunt plus free meat!

Jack
 
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