The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

If you have access to a 410, it's ideal, and doesn't require any special conditions.
Ordinary 2 1/2" case at very close range, and taken safely, will do it.

The mention of a .410 with regard to humane dispatch is interesting. I have recently carried out some experiments in reloading .410 3" cartridges with a view to their use in humane dispatch. You can remove the usual No 6's from the case, and, using a mallet to get over the roll at the end of the case, reload with four SG's. At close range the penetration is devastating, although the "pattern" is lousy, as one would expect. Also a tale regarding the dispatch of a sick bullock. A friend, now sadly departed, was called by a local farmer to assist in the disposal of a sick bullock. Dave turned up with his 9.3x 64 and, from about 15 yards, put a broadside shot into the beast. I might add that Dave was a man of some shooting experience, including red deer , boar and some African wildlife as well. In any event, off went the shot and the bullock just stood there. "You've missed, you silly sod". said the farmer. "No I haven't " said Dave. The beast stood stock still for about a minute, then promptly fell down dead. Similar to some water buffalo, but without the snorting and chargeing, I suspect.

We had a MFH, well known as a shooting man, who shot a bull for one of his neighbours.
Our kennelman had turned up to despatch said beast and take to kennels.
MFH shot the beast in the bull pen using a 12 bore. Beast was winched onto the back of the pick up and sheeted up.
Several miles down the road ( in busy high street) and the bull started to object to being dead.

"The bull started to object to being dead" I know of a similar story concerning a red stag hit by a car near Exeter. A BASC member was aked to retrieve the beast which was winched onto the back of a flatbed truck. Halfway through Exeter the stag stood up, much to the consternation of all concerned.