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15 Posts
Just got my first bottle-necked big bore - it's a .458 WM (I had decided upon getting something in .416 Ruger, with .458 WM my 2nd choice and .416 Rem mag my 3rd choice -- but then I found a smokin' deal on CZ 550 S.M. in .458 so went that route instead).
This is for a "someday" cape buff Africa trip (or I suppose possibly a TX game ranch deal for buff, feral cattle, or bison). I want to be ready.
First off, I'm very cost conscious. I like low-cost bullets. Secondly, I want the mildest recoil humanly possible, while still being an adequate performer. Those two items are conducive to me practicing more. And finally, I'm not doing the "1 soft, followed by solids" in the mag thing. They're all going to be just one and the same kind of round - KISS principle. No solids. If the buff tramples me, so be it. I'll die happy and full of adrenaline.
With that in mind, from what I read, I am leaning toward the Swift A-Frame 450 grainer, which I'm certain is adequate, and I should be able to push over 2,200.
However, the following two are cheaper, would give me good expansion, and I'm wondering if anyone (with experience) thinks they're tough enough for buff, with me holding 5+1 in this turnbolt and my PH right behind me (these have pretty low SDs): (1) Woodleigh Weldcore FP 400 grainer, (2) Barnes TSX 350 grainer?
Sadly, Barnes doesn't make a 400 grain TSX (which would have been perfect), and I don't want to go up to the 500 due to recoil issues (also due to TSXs not performing at all under 1800 and not that well under 2000 - which also excludes the TSX 450 for me). Nor do I see a Weldcore 450 available, for some reason (?). Dangit, should have held out for a .416 ruger so I could have used a 400 gr .416 TSX with a .300+ SD.
Is the A-Frame materially better than the Weldcore generally, for controlled expansion, as I have heard claimed?
This won't be used for any other game type, so don't need any versatility. Will take a 3-gun battery over there (I think). Although I suppose there's a tiny chance it would be my choice for zebra, eland, or blue wildebeest, but I doubt I can afford other high-dollar tags, so probably just cape buff for this rig.
Thanks.
Also, approx. how much $$ do I need to set aside just for: dry ice shipping of capes and such, and for taxidermy, for say, 4 heads of game (one buff and 3 smallish PG)? In addition to the hunt, travel, etc.
This is for a "someday" cape buff Africa trip (or I suppose possibly a TX game ranch deal for buff, feral cattle, or bison). I want to be ready.
First off, I'm very cost conscious. I like low-cost bullets. Secondly, I want the mildest recoil humanly possible, while still being an adequate performer. Those two items are conducive to me practicing more. And finally, I'm not doing the "1 soft, followed by solids" in the mag thing. They're all going to be just one and the same kind of round - KISS principle. No solids. If the buff tramples me, so be it. I'll die happy and full of adrenaline.
With that in mind, from what I read, I am leaning toward the Swift A-Frame 450 grainer, which I'm certain is adequate, and I should be able to push over 2,200.
However, the following two are cheaper, would give me good expansion, and I'm wondering if anyone (with experience) thinks they're tough enough for buff, with me holding 5+1 in this turnbolt and my PH right behind me (these have pretty low SDs): (1) Woodleigh Weldcore FP 400 grainer, (2) Barnes TSX 350 grainer?
Sadly, Barnes doesn't make a 400 grain TSX (which would have been perfect), and I don't want to go up to the 500 due to recoil issues (also due to TSXs not performing at all under 1800 and not that well under 2000 - which also excludes the TSX 450 for me). Nor do I see a Weldcore 450 available, for some reason (?). Dangit, should have held out for a .416 ruger so I could have used a 400 gr .416 TSX with a .300+ SD.
Is the A-Frame materially better than the Weldcore generally, for controlled expansion, as I have heard claimed?
This won't be used for any other game type, so don't need any versatility. Will take a 3-gun battery over there (I think). Although I suppose there's a tiny chance it would be my choice for zebra, eland, or blue wildebeest, but I doubt I can afford other high-dollar tags, so probably just cape buff for this rig.
Thanks.
Also, approx. how much $$ do I need to set aside just for: dry ice shipping of capes and such, and for taxidermy, for say, 4 heads of game (one buff and 3 smallish PG)? In addition to the hunt, travel, etc.