Soft nose bullets nearly cost KNP ranger his life.

**gary-t** · 17-09-2016, 10:22

I know that there's a lot of discussion about the use of soft nose vs solids for dabgerous game. Heres one perspective.

http://lowvelder.co.za/353911/buffal...-him-his-life/

**Messor** · 17-09-2016, 11:48

The title is wrong.

Soft nose bullets are not to blame here.

Tools work the way we use them.

**Desperatezulu** · 17-09-2016, 17:02

Title makes sense to me. The tool didn't work too well as it was used...
Solids probably would have been a better choice, although nothing would make up for poor shot placement in this situation.

**driepootx** · 17-09-2016, 17:14

I can just think if he had 300 PMP softs in a 375 H&H rifle.

**Andrew Leigh** · 17-09-2016, 18:03

Don was culling from a chopper and not from the ground. They returned to ground to secure the area when he was charged. I have no doubt had they been culling on foot that he would have chosen otherwise.

Don is a highly experienced and highly competent ranger not to mention an excellent shot.

Does it mention a .375 Marius or did you pick this up from another article? Normally the KNP has rangers using a .458, it certainly used to be standard issue and not a .375.

**singh17** · 17-09-2016, 18:11

Originally Posted by Desperatezulu

Title makes sense to me. The tool didn't work too well as it was used...
Solids probably would have been a better choice, although nothing would make up for poor shot placement in this situation.

tool did not select it self.

ranger even says "it could have been considered a judgement error"

bullet did its job and expanded.

**driepootx** · 17-09-2016, 18:19

No mention was made of caliber used, but was just thinking of how ineffective the "buffalo" bullets of PMP are in 375.

If bullets such as Barnes, Nosler Partition or other premium softs are used you should get enough penetration on frontal head shots on a buff. Would like to get the full story of what happened.

**snymancm** · 19-09-2016, 11:05

I am happy that he is still alive and I am sure he plays the whole incident over and over in his head, wondering what he could have done differently! He is one of the very blessed folk who are fortunate enough to be alive to learn something from a buffalo attack.

**Toxxyc** · 20-09-2016, 07:43

We were there shortly after he was trampled. He sat in the chopper overseeing the Skukuza half marathon, IIRC. Been wondering if I'll see the story on here.