Eland

[IvW]

Guess I'll just use my 270 for Bull Gerbils.

Good idea.

 

[WAB]

I used my .375 for eland in Botswana last year. It took 3 1/2 days of tracking to come up with a bull that we wanted. I ended up having to take a neck shot over brush so any decent caliber would have worked. However, in that 3 1/2 days we passed on many lesser bulls. Very rarely did these offer ideal broadside shots. Perhaps because this was a true tracking hunt and the eland typically knew that something was on their backtrail. I would have hated to work that hard and then be forced to pass on the shot that was available because I had brought a lesser caliber.

 

[BeeMaa]

I used my .375 for eland in Botswana last year. It took 3 1/2 days of tracking to come up with a bull that we wanted. I ended up having to take a neck shot over brush so any decent caliber would have worked. However, in that 3 1/2 days we passed on many lesser bulls. Very rarely did these offer ideal broadside shots. Perhaps because this was a true tracking hunt and the eland typically knew that something was on their backtrail. I would have hated to work that hard and then be forced to pass on the shot that was available because I had brought a lesser caliber.

"Use enough gun" Robert Ruark
A quote that is good for more than just dangerous game.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

In May 2018 I finally got to hunt Eland, the plainsgame I'd longed for more than any other. Because of what I had read I took a proven .300 Win Mag instead of my pet 7mm Rem Mag. My bull was 170 Meters broadside and the 180TSX went through the leg and heart, but no further. I know lots of people are successful with lighter guns, but If I'm hunting Eland again I hope a .338 is in my hands.

 

[Newboomer]

I'm going for eland in April and using my 375HH with Barnes 350g TSX. It took my buf last year with one shot so I feel confident it will get my eland.

 

[whitetail]

My eland this past summer was taken with my CZ .375 H&H Safari Magnum with DGX 270 grain softs- first shot (he and his buddy surprised us and stepped out of the brush as I just stopped taking a leak- literally- and stared right at me so I turned and drilled him right in the shoulder and he jumped and kept running and running and running)- finally caught up to him and put him down. Those antelopes are tough!!!

 

[BeeMaa]

My eland this past summer was taken with my CZ .375 H&H Safari Magnum with DGX 270 grain softs- first shot (he and his buddy surprised us and stepped out of the brush as I just stopped taking a leak- literally- and stared right at me so I turned and drilled him right in the shoulder and he jumped and kept running and running and running)- finally caught up to him and put him down. Those antelopes are tough!!!View attachment 270988

Beautiful Eland.
Did you recover any of the bullets?

 

[whitetail]

Thank you and yes I did- the DGX did perform well keeping most of their weight retention. Eland are tough ole birds for sure!

 

[Dr Ray]

I feel that the 270 with say 140 grain Bullets should be okay but good shot placement is a must!
I’m a 270 fan by the way.
I really tho k it would be prudent to go to something bigger.
I would suggest a 338 Winchester magnum with 225/250 grain Bullets for “insurance” purposes.
If you are going after ten animals then buying a 338 won’t be that much in comparison to the cost of the hunt and travel.
I hope this helps???
After all why take a chance of losing an eland and having it die only to be eaten by the local wildlife?

 

[Jeffrey Masters]

Make sure you are proficient with your 270. Practice practice practice, and make sure you practice not only while you are comfortable and calm, but out of breath, after running or crawling for a long distance. This scenario will happen in Africa, you need to be prepared for it. Enjoy, Eland are an incredible animals, and make for a great hunt!

 

[Shootist43]

I agree with the posts made by IvW and Von S. I've taken two Eland the first being a cull cow with a 35 Whelen pushing a 225 Gr Barnes TSX at2730 FPS. the shot was at 130 Yds. through brush. I hit the animal but it was a bit higher than where I was aiming. My PH tracked it for a mile perhaps more. He found it resting and called the driver who took me to within 300 Yds. of his location. I dispatched the animal with a second shot. That was in 2016. In 2018 I signed on for a Spiral Slam. Not wanting to repeat my previous experience I took a 404 Jeffery specifically for the Eland and my 35 Whelen for everything else. This time my Eland dropped at the shot never taking a step. My normal go to rifle is a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser pushing a 140 Gr. pill at 2775 FPS. While maybe not exactly a 270 it is very darn close. Would I use that rifle on a big Eland bull? NO WAY JOSE'.

 

[AZDAVE]

I think it is prudent for you to take a larger rifle. I used a 9.3 double with 300 gr Aframes on mine with great results. It is about shot placement. If someone wants to use a little rifle like a 270 (I am a big bore guy so take it with a grain of salt as I consider 30 cal and below small) You must use the best premium bullet! Must be PATIENT and wait for the perfect shot!!! and Keep your longest shot under 100 meters. If you have the discipline to not take any shot that isn't perfect it will work. Eland are a big animal and if wounded Mr Murphy will show up riding his back whispering in his ear "I double dog dare you to run at least 20 miles through the roughest terrain"

I will always use a 9.3 or larger on roan and eland size animals. You can throw a bantam weight boxer in the ring with a heavyweight and if everything is right he might wear the heavy weight down but to consequences if he doesn't are tough.

Time spent learning to shoot bigger rifles well and accurately is time and $$$ well spent.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I know that a majority of African Hunting members love their big guns, the 375 H&H the 416 Rigby and the 458, that's not my question. I now the larger calibers are a safer bet when hunting the Eland, they are a big animal. My question is simple is the 270 WSM enough gun to ethically shoot an Eland with.

I shoot my 270WSM very well, I'm not as accurate with the bigger guns. I've got a 300 Weatherby that I hate. I'm going on a plains game hunt this fall for ten animals and I'd like to take all ten with my 270. So the million dollar question is if the 270WSM enough gun to get the job done or, do I have to accept the fact that I'll need a second rifle for my Eland?

" African Hunter Shot Placement": - minimum calibre 308 Win, recommended calibre 9,3 x 62 or .375.

 

[Michael Dean]

Make sure you are proficient with your 270. Practice practice practice, and make sure you practice not only while you are comfortable and calm, but out of breath, after running or crawling for a long distance. This scenario will happen in Africa, you need to be prepared for it. Enjoy, Eland are an incredible animals, and make for a great hunt!

I've got a 338 federal that I'm going to take along with me.

 

[Shootist43]

Michael, I don't want to rain on your parade but even your 338 Federal is a little light for an Eland that could go over a ton. Your "big" gun fits half way between an '06 and a 35 Whelen. If at all possible I'd suggest using one of the recommended calibers. Remember that if you draw blood $2,000 and perhaps more will be added to your bill whether you find it or not.

 

[Michael Dean]

Michael, I don't want to rain on your parade but even your 338 Federal is a little light for an Eland that could go over a ton. Your "big" gun fits half way between an '06 and a 35 Whelen. If at all possible I'd suggest using one of the recommended calibers. Remember that if you draw blood $2,000 and perhaps more will be added to your bill whether you find it or not.

What are the "recommended" calibers for eland?

 

[leslie hetrick]

CZ 550 in 375 H&H, midneck shot at under 100 yards, still went close to 50 yards in thick cover with no chance for a second shot before dropping.

 

[BeeMaa]

What are the "recommended" calibers for eland?

African Hunter Shot Placement list minimum caliber at 338 WM, recommended 9.3x62 & 375.
The Perfect Shot:For Africa II lists minimum at "fast" 7mm but recommends a double in 9.3x74R or 375F with 286-300 grain softs.
I believe they recommend a double for a fast follow up shot, because of the incredible distance Eland can cover if only wounded.
It goes on to further recommend that a .40 caliber with 400 gr softs is a very effective option.

 

[1dirthawker]

michael,

you "could" kill an eland with your 270 wsm. bullet placement IS the most important thing oh that and very good bullets.

however, you are talking about shooting a 2000 lb antelope that most consider fairly tough and tenacious. would you consider a 270 a great choice for moose? eland are bigger. brown bear? eland are 2-3 times bigger.

the bummer is...what if you get a shot that is quartering hard away or toward you and you need 2+ feet of penetration? are you willing to pass on that bull of a lifetime? or just shoot to possibly wound it? the larger calibers will give you opportunity to take shots that require more penetration, more power.

although i would not say it can't be done, i would say that you could pick a better caliber. when i go for my eland, i will be renting a 375 or a 9.3, because i believe it will do a better job than my 30-06. obviously you can choose the rifle you want, but since you asked, i would recommend a caliber that will kill an eland from an angle, not just with a perfect broadside shot.

either way, good luck on your hunt.

 

[bruce moulds]

if eland were carnivorous, would we be having this discussion?
do things that don't eat meat deserve to die as suddenly as things that do?
bruce.