Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Enough rifle for buffalo

I may have an opportunity to hunt buffalo on some property my son is managing. Other than an old 45/70 rolling block, my biggest calibers are 325 WSM and 300 win mag. Would the 325 be enough gun using 220 gr TSX bullets? I've never worked up loads with 220 gr bullets, but it groups nicely with 200s, so I should be able to get some good loads with the 220s.

either would be more than enough, saw one drop last year to a single shot from a 7mm WSSM a buddy was shooting (140's).

last one i popped was with a 45/70....any good elk-capable caliber is fine.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=28040&highlight=bison+jimmer

Young lad used a 300WSM with 180gr TSX. You'll be fine with the 325WSM.

Why WOULDN'T you use the roller? After all, they were made to hunt buffalo. They still work.

Yeah, what he said ^. The 45 caliber rifles using relatively soft (20:1) lead bullets of 500 grains or more killed more buffalo than exist today. At EXTENDED ranges.

Can't fathom not using the roller. YMMV.

I'm gonna chime in, too, and say go with the roller. ET could probably fix ya up with some classic loads.

Thanks guys. One of the problems with the rolling block is that my wife claims it as hers. I'm not sure how that happened, but according to her, I gave it to her. Should anything happen to it, I would never hear the end of it. ...There might still be some government loads laying around, but it hasn't been fired for fifteen or more years. ...A neighbor used it for an elk hunt, and he used some modern loads that were a little warm. When he returned it I took it to the range to try his loads. One blew the hammer back and jammed the works. I took it apart, cleaned it up, replaced the ejector, checked everything out, and fired some government loads with no problems, but it seemed like a good time to retire it. ...I think I should go with the 325, but there is a temptation to drag that 45/70 out of the safe.

Your wife lets your neighbor can use it but you can't?

Dude!

I can hear that '70 sulking all the way to here. Better take it out for a walk.

LOL! That was my idea, and I've never been forgiven for it.

Drop tube 70g of FFG GOEX Express,compress w/blind compression plug far enuff to fully seat a 500 gr Lyman Gov't bullet over a card wad and let 'er rip!! You could shoot those forever without damage and it would kill damn near anything that needed killing and do it FAR away.

Have to agree.....take the old .45-70 for a stroll down memory lane!

The Roller all the way and this coming from a devout Weatherby shooter. jorge