Types of Rifles Used in Buffalo Hunts

Buffalo are exceptionally rugged creatures with heavy bones and thick hides. The rifles used to hunt them had to be of a large caliber and powerful to be effective. During the 19th century buffaloes were almost hunted into extinction. Fortunately, the buffalo has repopulated to the point where they can now be hunted in limited numbers. As in days of antiquity, the rifles used today need to be powerful and of a large caliber.

Antique Buffalo Rifles

At the apex of buffalo hunting, the Sharps rifle was a favorite among buffalo hunters. The Sharps rifle was developed during the Civil War and proved an effective rifle for hunting buffalo. Around the same time, Winchester introduced the model 1876 lever action repeating rifle which was designed to fire a larger caliber bullet adequate for taking down a buffalo.

Modern Rifles

Modern center-fire rifles are extremely effective for hunting buffalo.The general rule of thumb is that any rifle with a caliber of .30 or greater will work well in a buffalo hunt (the bigger the bullet the better). The most powerful rifles available are usually sought when hunting buffalo.

Hunting Skills

While rifles have gotten more powerful, the skills required to successfully hunt buffalo remain the same. Regardless of the bullet size, buffalo are extremely tough to take down. Even modern day bullets have been reported to deflect off the skulls of buffalo. To successfully hunt buffalo, the hunter must have both a powerful rifle and the knowledge of where to shoot the animal.

References

• Thousand Hills Bison Ranch: Frequently Asked Questions
• Chuckhawks.com: Buffalo Cartridges of the American Frontier