The 405 gr Kodiak Bonded Core bullet loaded at 2006 fps in 45-70 hit a buffalo in the shoulder at 30 yards. It penetrated to the opposite leg, actually exiting the torso and re-entering the leg where it stayed. It expanded to nearly and inch and retained most of its weight.
The 450 gr Kodiak Solid hit an elephant for a frontal brain shot. It penetrated 30 something inches but it expanded quite a bit and stopped short of hitting the brain. This was a 45-90 cartridge fired from a 45-90 26" rifle at 2050 fps.
The 300 gr Nosler Partition was loaded into a 45-90 case to 2200 fps and fired from the 26 in rifle. The bullet penetrated a leopard from behind the shoulder to the opposite shoulder. It expanded and did not loose much weight.
The 450 gr Northfork Solid from a 45-90 case was loaded to around 1975 fps. It penetrated the leg of an elephant and exited the leg.
The 450 gr Northfork solid from a 45-70 case loaded to 1700 fps hit a buffalo at 30 yards in the pelvic right next to the tail. It took out 7 vertebrae, cut between the shoulder and chest and went through the neck (head hanging down) into the face of the buffalo. The penetration was around 50 inches!
The 540 gr hammerhead fired from a 45-70 at 1550 fps hit a buffalo next to the tail. It broke 3 vertebrae and lost 1/2 its length and weight. It turned downward and went into the front of the diaphram tissue, above the stomach.
One of the South African PH's told me "With a cast bullet you start out with twice as much weight as you need and hope half of it gets where it needs to go". The 540 gr would have put the bull down by breaking the spine, but the smearing was severe. I will personally never shoot another hardcast bullet at a thick skinned, dangerous or heavy animal.
The Northfork Solid and the Punch Solid proved to offer superb penetration in depth and straight line travel. We turned down some Northforks to 440 grain by removing 36/1000 from the base on a lathe. We then got 2125 fps, which would make them dangerous game legal anywhere in Africa. I did not use these on any animals, unfortunately.
The Kodiak 405 gr bonded core performed the same as it always does with a good amount of penetration, a huge wound cavity and a huge amount of expansion.
As of now, I am waiting to fly back to the US and will return to my home in TX on Saturday. Part 10 will be arriving home safely to my family. Oh - the tuffpak is lost as I write this. My rifle is insured for more than it's worth. CRS will kill me if his does not make it home. Wish the rifles a safe return. It is around 5AM now and I have to meet the car service soon to return to the next airport for the overseas flight. See you in a few days!.....
450 Gr Northfork solid from buffalo:
Sorry looking 540 gr Hammerhead from Buffalo and 300 gr Nosler Partition from Leopard:
Top: Punch from elephant brain- Under it: Kodiak Bonded Core from buffalo - (Bottom row L-R) What's left of the 540 gr Hammerhead from Buffalo - 450 Gr Kodiak Solid from elephant that thinks it is an expanding bullet - 300 gr Nosler Partition from Leopard.
Cool Bongo that Johannes doctored up. It is a privately owned animal and they are not native to the area.
. All joking a side, that is great information on the bullets and what works and what doesn't. And a great opportunity to shoot some very impressive animals. The experience of seeing how they control game compared to us is priceless. These guys seemed to just consider it a day at the office when for us it would be a opportunity of a lifetime. They probably kill more animals in a week then some of us kill in a lifetime and are very effective at it. Glad you were able to accomplish your goals even if it was at a tough price to pay.
