bison hunt

[blackpowder buffalo]

hey all,I am in the process of booking a bison hunt using my TC .54 cal hawken. Would like any info out there regarding loads.Thanks

[vizslas]

hey all,I am in the process of booking a bison hunt using my TC .54 cal hawken. Would like any info out there regarding loads.Thanks

Dan! I think this would fit under your area of expertise!...beings you own a 54 hawken and you've hunted buffalo!


Adam

[Cabela's Moderator]

Actually, I shoot a Hawken in .50-cal, but I have taken bison. The .54 will do a dandy job out to 100 yards and I'd suggest the Hornady Great Plains bullet. Here's a link:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020975210219a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=Hornady+bullets&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=Hornady+bullets&noImage=0

Consider also the TC Maxi ball:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020977210222a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=TC+bullets&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=TC+bullets&noImage=0

Those are the two that traditional shooters around here seem to like best.

Dan

[blackpowder buffalo]

Thanks for the info. Which bullet weight? What size charge? Just trying to get a starting point so i can save time working up the load. Thanks again

[FatMatt]

my question is where is your hunt scheduled for? if you don't mind sharing

[blackpowder buffalo]

Have it narrowed down to two or three, they all happen to be in South Dakota

[Cabela's Moderator]

Consider the Mickelson Ranch near Faith, SD. I've had great experiences with them.

Dan
Forum Moderator

[Lodiman]

I always wanted to put the deposit down for the one at Custer State park. Sounds like fun.

[Rattle em up]

Well, not sure how much you want to spend ,but in the hunting section of craigslist in Texas a bison hunt is 900.00. Kinda makes you wonder. If anyone goes on this hunt please let me know how it went.

[buckconner]

There are several good buffalo ranches that hold period hunts on large areas (no fences to screw up pictures, etc.). In Wallace Kansas is Wilber Williams, Colorado has a few good ones, as does NE and S.D.

I've been shooting buffalo since the late 70's, every one has been a different experience whether using a smoothbore flinter or a Sharps cart. gun. I favor my flinters smoothbores over the Sharps (to much like a modern weapon). Started with a .20 ga (.60 cal.), used it on 3 or 4 hunts and have used a .28 ga (.54 cal.) for the last 4-5 hunts.

I use two guns of the same bore, one for a fast backup shot if needed. Believe me there have been times when that fast second shot came in handy. Timing is important in killing anything, the longer the time between shots the harder it seems to end the kill. The animal seems to get a second wind with all its juices flowing full bore, that's when you can get in trouble with a charging animal.

Here's a few pictures taken over the years on different ranches hunting primitive style. Like many I wore the same clothing (lucky stuff) on many of the outings until those items finally became rags. The light colored red shirt (not pink) was a dark red when we started hunting together. The brained tan leggings can stand on their own as does the old blue officers jacket. Fun times.

http://buckconner.tripod.com/buff4.htm

Best advise I can give you is know your animal and its organ locations, lung shots take the wind out of their sail real fast but if a shot behind the ear is available at close range take it for a fast kill. Know your gun and shoot at all distances you may encounter. I've seen guys that shoot 25 or 50 yards all the time make some really bad shots shooting at something the size of a good bull. I shoot at rocks from 20 feet to 150 yards and everything in between. Always remember the old saying "be aware of the man with only one gun".

[blackpowder buffalo]

Very interesting reading, Thank You Buck conner. Rest assured I will be well practiced before going on the hunt. As of now I can make a pail jump at 100 yds. I have but the one .54 smokepole, and a .44 cap and ball for a back up. Perhaps purchasing another rifle is in order. Thanks again.

[doc44]

You may have read my experance on a bison hunt. It was as much fun as I care for. The guy who was shooting shot the Buff twice with a 50 Hawkin, the shot it 4 more times with a 7mag it finally got tired and fell over! I ended shooting it in the head with a heavy 44mag load it finally died talk about pucker factor. Of course my other friend went on the same ranch on shot and poof dead as a wedge. Fun huh, Doc.