Cape Buffalo with 45-70

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CTSafaris
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Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

Good day folks,

Thought I'd share a picture of a Cape Buffalo that was recently hunted with me by my hunting client - Rob.

Image

Rob proved that, with the correct shot placement and appropriate bullets, the 45-70 is good for Buffalo (although the buffalo might not agree :lol: )

Broadside shot at about 50 yards. Buff went down in less than 60 yards.

Best regards,

Chris Troskie
Best regards,

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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by vancelw »

CTSafaris wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:44 am

Rob proved that, with the correct shot placement and appropriate bullets, the 45-70 is good for Buffalo (although the buffalo might not agree :lol: )
Most of us never doubted. :D
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Twodot »

Welcome to the forum CT.

Which one is you & what was the "appropriate bullet"?
..
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by JimT »

Good to see you posting Chris. It has been a long time. I still remember the fine time we had with you back in 2007! I am happy to see you are still at it.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by piller »

Nice buff. You might remember my . 45-70 I had when I was there. I took a nice Wildebeest with it while on a stalk with Hannes and Stoffel. The jacketed soft point bullets I was using might not have been ideal for Buffalo.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by crs »

Hey Chris,
I do not remember you posting a pic of my buff back when I hunted with you. That is OK, I will post it now!
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CowboyTutt »

Chris, I'm also curious what bullet was used in the 45-70. CRS what type of Woodleigh bullet did you use? That's impressive ballistics from the Model '95. -Tutt
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Grizz »

those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Nath »

Awesome. 8)
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Tycer »

Hey Chris! Glad to see you’re still kicking buff.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by .45colt »

Wow! big, big critters. Awesome All around. :D .
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by harry »

Grizz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:06 pm those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
I can tell you they don’t taste like chicken. :)
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by ollogger »

Awesome photo, grand old buffalo!!
harry wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:57 pm
Grizz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:06 pm those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
I can tell you they don’t taste like chicken. :)
don't taste like chicken, then it would have to be good :D


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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by jeepnik »

I always wonder how far the people are behind the animal and how long a lens was used. But a big animal regardless.
Last edited by jeepnik on Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Grizz »

ollogger wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:40 pm Awesome photo, grand old buffalo!!
harry wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:57 pm
Grizz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:06 pm those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
I can tell you they don’t taste like chicken. :)
don't taste like chicken, then it would have to be good :D


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Ya got that exactly right ollogger ! !
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Chris, a wonderful report and we need to know more. Looks like you not only recovered from that fire a while back but you and me both have "some snow on the roof" with the passage of time. :lol:
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

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Grizz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:06 pm those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
Grizz, they taste like beef, only leaner and tougher than our bovines from what I'm reading. Would be good in stew though. Interestingly, you can't sell the meat once you kill it, but I suspect you can donate it to locals in Africa to feed many. -Tutt
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by AJMD429 »

.
What weight field dressed, and how much meat...???
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CowboyTutt »

AJMD429 wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:25 pm .
What weight field dressed, and how much meat...???
Inquiring minds want to know!!! :lol: It looks like its 9K to 20K for a hunt, so I'm bringing all the meat I can home! LOL :lol: -Tutt
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Grizz »

CowboyTutt wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:06 pm
Grizz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:06 pm those are huge animals . . . I'm wonder how they taste. . .
Grizz, they taste like beef, only leaner and tougher than our bovines from what I'm reading. Would be good in stew though. Interestingly, you can't sell the meat once you kill it, but I suspect you can donate it to locals in Africa to feed many. -Tutt
Thanks Tutt. I hope all the parts get used by locals. That hide! Must be thick in the thick parts. And soup bones! They are just so massive. And so Africa too.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Bill in Oregon »

The meat from our kudus, gemsbok, zebras and warthogs went to the camp staff, who distributed it to their families. My understanding is the family members could sell it if they had enough food, bringing in desperately needed income in an area where the unemployment rate was 50 percent or more. This was in the vicinity of Otjirawongo and Kamanjab, Namibia, in 2007.
Last edited by Bill in Oregon on Tue Oct 11, 2022 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Grizz »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:45 am The meat from our kudus, gemsbok, zebras and warthogs went to the camp staff, who distributed it to their families. My understanding is the family members could sell it if they had enough food, bringing in desperately needed income in an area where the unemployment rate was 50 percent or more. This was in the vicinity of Otjirawongo and Kamanjab, Namibia, in 2013.
that sounds awesome and exciting. could you keep hides? i think zebra hides, if similar to cow hides, would make fine knife sheath material, and maybe some mocs, and a mexican loop holster, and and and . . .

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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by crs »

Tutt,
My Winchester 1895 .405 WCF is happy (no high pressure} with 300 GR NF at 2250 fps (my fave load) and Woodleigh 400 grain Weldcore or solid ( I used both) . The latter load equals the well known 450/400 DR load of 400 grain Woodies at 2050 - 2100 fps.

To minimize concern about peak chamber pressures, I used VV N133 powder which usually generates 12,000 psi less peak chamber pressure than most other popular powders.
Yes, I did prove this with my Pressure Trace II system . Well worth the money.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Grizz, yes you can bring hides, horns and skulls home but they must be properly prepared, thoroughly disinfected (they call this dip and pack) and then shipped to a specified American port of entry and personally examined by a USDA-approved veterinarian before they are released to you. All these steps are precautions to prevent insects or diseases from being imported from Africa.
My Hartmann's mountain zebra hide still graces the wall near the archery counter at Sportsman's Warehouse store No. 158 in Medford, Oregon, as far as I know.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Grizz »

Thanks Bill.

when i was growing up in phx there was a house i passed that had a zebra in the front yard. it was a saddle zebra and was ridden on the local streets and made appearances at fairs and parades. i always thought it was both handsome and beautiful, but never got to ride him . . .
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CowboyTutt »

crs wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 12:49 pm Tutt,
My Winchester 1895 .405 WCF is happy (no high pressure} with 300 GR NF at 2250 fps (my fave load) and Woodleigh 400 grain Weldcore or solid ( I used both) . The latter load equals the well known 450/400 DR load of 400 grain Woodies at 2050 - 2100 fps.

To minimize concern about peak chamber pressures, I used VV N133 powder which usually generates 12,000 psi less peak chamber pressure than most other popular powders.
Yes, I did prove this with my Pressure Trace II system . Well worth the money.
CRS, impressive ballistics for sure! I can't get quite that velocity with my 454 Casull "long" in my Puma even with a 300 grain bullet. I've never heard of the Pressure Trace II System, will have to check that out. I think my coming (someday) 416/284 Model '88 will match your ballistics with the 400 grain, but at much higher pressure as its a much shorter case. Driving me bugger to wait on the thing, but we are in the home stretch now and I have all the reloading components, just need the rifle!

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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by crs »

Tutt,
Lets not get into an "arms race" as my 45-90 already shoots the 450 grain NF FPS at 2150 fps and has taken ele, buff, and leopard. One shot kills on the ele and most of the several buff. Hunter was our 86er !
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CowboyTutt »

No "Arms Race" here my friend, I have had these plans and rifles for a long time. I think if I were to go to Africa, I would take my CZ 550 in 375 H&H Ackley Improved for the big critters and one of my lever guns as back-up. A moderate weight properly constructed bullet (say 300 grains plus) at 2100 fps will kill anything that walks or crawls or swims on the planet. I do find the ballistic comparisons interesting though and really like what you have done. -Tutt
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by piller »

My Guide Gun shooting 405 grain JFP in a +P cartridge from Grizzly Cartridge Corporation punched from butt to chest in a big wildebeest. That wildebeest was shockingly tough. He took that and got up and ran off on his front legs. Broken pelvis. He also took 3 bullets through the chest, and finally 1 through the heart from the front.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

Twodot wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:35 am Welcome to the forum CT.

Which one is you & what was the "appropriate bullet"?
..
Hi Twodot,

I'm the ugly guy on the left. I believe the bullet used was a 300gr Barnes but I'll have to check.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

JimT wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:40 am Good to see you posting Chris. It has been a long time. I still remember the fine time we had with you back in 2007! I am happy to see you are still at it.
Thank you Jim,

I think it's about time we put another levergun hunt together - don't you?
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

jeepnik wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 4:55 pm I always wonder how far the people are behind the animal and how long a lens was used. But a big animal regardless.
Picture was taken with an iPhone and we are kneeling directly behind the buffalo. This buffalo dressed out at 881lbs.

Image
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 6:16 pm Chris, a wonderful report and we need to know more. Looks like you not only recovered from that fire a while back but you and me both have "some snow on the roof" with the passage of time. :lol:
Yes we did recover just fine Bill - thanks to generous folks such as yourself.

And yes, time is not our friend - that's for sure. :)
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by JimT »

CTSafaris wrote: Mon Oct 03, 2022 1:02 am
JimT wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:40 am Good to see you posting Chris. It has been a long time. I still remember the fine time we had with you back in 2007! I am happy to see you are still at it.
Thank you Jim,

I think it's about time we put another levergun hunt together - don't you?
That would be fun, Chris! You might put a package together and post it here and see who is interested. There are enough here who have hunted with you to give good recommendations.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by piller »

I can recommend Chris. His Wife, Sabina, is a great cook and a wonderful hostess. Chris works with other Professional Hunters so that you get your animal. Hannes can get you on a Wildebeest. Chris can get you a leopard or a buffalo. A dog he used to have, Walker, was great at trailing game.
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CowboyTutt »

Chris, is this information still accurate??? I found the link on our website.

http://www.ct-safaris.com/

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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by CTSafaris »

Yes sir, the info is still accurate. My website address is www.ct-safaris.com.

Buffalo is not the only animal Jeff got with his 45-70. Here's a picture of his Impala.
Image

And here's a picture of his Nyala:
Image

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Chris Troskie
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CowboyTutt wrote: Wed Oct 05, 2022 5:18 pm Chris, is this information still accurate??? I found the link on our website.

http://www.ct-safaris.com/

-Tutt
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Re: Cape Buffalo with 45-70

Post by Bearskinner »

There are lots of opinions out there. Lots of folks get on the band wagon if only huge, massive and powerful cartridges will work on large game. Looking over history, many large bovine have fallen successfully to arrows, spears, slow BP cartridges, and now modern firearms. One thing that has never changed is the need to aim your shots as precisely as possible. As a handgun hunter I am at a slight power disadvantage, but only over the most powerful of rifles. Shot placement trumps all.
Great shooting with a fun to use lever gun, in a classic caliber, that has also been successful for decades. I say use what you enjoy, and practice so you can accomplish your dreams.
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