James and his PH (Professional Hunter) were able to get within 50 yards of a group of Cape Buffalo resting next to a termite mound. The PH selected which bull to shoot. James lined up his 577 Nitro Express on traditional African shooting sticks. The bull was mostly broadside when it stood up. James sent the 650gr Claw Hammer right behind the shoulder.
James said, “He immediately went down and simultaneously bellow. The PH said later that he had never seen a big bull go down like that in his 9 years of being a PH! Of course, the other bulls got up at that point and the PH turned his attention to them because they often attend one of their group that has fallen, but in this case, they ran off.” James bull was attempting to stand up so he sent the second 650 Claw Hammer.
James full field report, “You can see from the photos that the entrance wounds cut a nice 577 diameter plug out. Because of the way the bull is laying in the picture the shots appear higher than they actually were. The first shot into the chest cavity exited with a slightly smaller hole. The second shot was back as the bull was thrashing and I just shot him offhand with the left bore. It made a 3-prong mark on the skin and we thought it might have exited, but found it at the skinning shed just under the skin.
The bullet lost a little just of the lip of the cup on the meplat. It had traveled through the middle of the buffalo's pouch which had more than a wheelbarrow full of the tough wet grass - at least 30" plus the thick hide. The buffalo died so fast there was very little blood.”
Congratulations James and thank you for sharing your hunt and details.
