Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Which of the 3 would you use on a mature bull bison?

.340w/ 250gr,or maybe275gr or 300gr

.375w/ 300gr

.458 w/ 500gr

Open to other loads, give reason and load if you can.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Of those three it wouldn't make any difference. I would likely jsut pick then one that I shot the best. All ore more than enough cartridge for bison.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I picked the 375H&H, because it's the only one I own of the 3 to choose from. If I knew my shots would be short the 375 would be fine. If I thought my shot would be over 200 yards, I would take my 300 RUM, plenty of gun for bison!

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

What about the .45-70 or .450 Marlin? I picked the .375 because I think the other two are a bit overkill for bison. But I guess if you don't mind the recoil they'll do fine...

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Of those listed to choose from...proberly none of them. To me hunting such a beast is akin to the historic tales of the early West. That said, it deserves a equally classic and stylish cartridge -45-70.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I hear ya on the .45-70, a gun that I don't own.....the .458lott is kin to the .45-120, very close from what I've read, so in some sense its getting back to buffalo variety from back in the day.

I figure of them all the .458 lott is perhaps the most similar to the .45-70, though certainly amped up, ie like a .45-120, which is I guess 50grs of more powder....maybe the .375H&H is the most similar in bullet size/power....to the .45-70 though.

From what I've heard/read it sounds like bigger and slower is a better combination than faster and lighter....one reason I'm considering a rifle aside from the .340wby, or perhaps loading it up with 275 or 300gr.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Though I have never hunted Buffalo I have a friend who shot one a few years ago. Kind of like shooting a target at 100 yards for him. 140 gr from his .264 Win Mag., full broadside. One shot.

Not the medicine I would use, but I believe you already shoot a .340 wby. Big Bullets that stay together would be great medicine for the shot. Perhaps Barnes TSX at 250 gr or the 250 gr Accubond from Nosler.

The buffalo probably won't even twitch when he hits the ground.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Could be a good excuse to buy a new firearm I'm thinking....if that doesn't happen it'll be the .340 w/ 250gr.

.375 and .458 are both on the eventual list of rifles to get...and would be fun to get either and use it on a buff, break it in right.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Sharps - .45-120 be done with the whole guessing game. :D

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45/70 buffalo bore rounds

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45-70. No other buffalo rounds out there! Or use a recurve or longbow.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Really you don't need anything that big anyways for Bison. The shots are usually close range so anything from 50 cal ML to about any centerfire 308 and up. I am sure you could use evensmaller but I had to start somewhere. One ranch in TX only allows ML or archery.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

My dad would love to go archery, but someone stated that the buff hunts in WY only allow rifle.....no MZ, or bow....and after checking the PnY record books, there isn't 1 from wyoming....so sounds right, which does stink, but I think as someone else stated, they want these things killed, not wounded etc....

Personally walking up to one at 25yds doesn't sound like fun, hopefully it won't be a hunt like that.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

Considering the role the bison's played in American history and legend, I think I'd have to look at this hunt as an excuse to buy myself a Sharps or Springfield replicain .45-70.

We're not talking about Cape Buffalo here, though. A cannon isn't required to bring one down, a well-placed shot from your elk/moose rifle will do. Both the guys I know who hunted bison in the last couple years did it with a .30-06and .300 Win Mag, respectively. Since I already have a .375, I'd be inclined to take it, but wouldn't feel undergunned if all I had was my .30-06.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45-70 great performance out of the new hornady rounds

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I saw a guy drop a buffalon on tv with a neck shot from a .30-30, then from one outfitters website I've seen about how much lead some of these guys can soak up, paraphasing him, he personally had seen a buff take 5 shots from a .300 win mag, all within the size of a small plate, then to hand the client his .375 where he put 3 more in him....

My cousin I know put 3 in his buff with a .338 win mag before having him drop.

To me big and slow sounds better, the .458lott while faster than the .45-70 is much bigger and slower than the other 2. I suppose by the time the hunt, if it happens, rolls around I'll have a much better idea of how the hunt should go.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I have a neighbor that has a few bison hunts every year. He told me the fasted kill on a buffalo he saw personally was a kid shooting a 243. He said the buff was anchored immediately and didn't even twitch. He's never had a guy shoot one with a bow before, so once he decides to butcher another one he is going to let me dispatch it with my bow. :D

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I think in Wyo, they call for nothing under .270 caliber.

I think all 3 though will get the job done so I guess what's the worry.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45-70!!! What else is there. I have never shot a Bison, but I sure would like to. Plus the meat is excellent, and there is plenty of it. Tom.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I wouldn't feel one bit undergunned with my 8x57jrs.... And a properly loaded 30-06 will tip them right over too...

DM

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

I would buy a 45-70 and enjoy the experience.:D

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45-70 has killed more american bison than any other 3 rounds put together.

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

10-4, Good Buddy!:)

RE: Which cartridge for Bison?
 

45-70 with Garret 540 Hammerheads.