Eland

[JPbowhunter]

Approximately 125 yards frontal shot quartering using 250 gr Barnes TTSX at over 2,800fps from a 375 H&H. Broke the left front leg and ended up in the right shoulder straight to the left of the scope adjustments under the skin.
View attachment 272713 View attachment 272714
View attachment 272715

Beautiful bull! Where was this bloke hunted?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Beautiful bull! Where was this bloke hunted?

Thanks! At one of PawPrint Safari’s concessions. He was probably the best I’ll ever take. But I plan to hunt another one some day. They are my favorite eating in Africa!

 

[Timbo]

Thanks! At one of PawPrint Safari’s concessions. He was probably the best I’ll ever take. But I plan to hunt another one some day. They are my favorite eating in Africa!

I'm off with Pawprints in a few weeks. I can't wait! One of these beauties are on my list!

 

[Ridgewalker]

I'm off with Pawprints in a few weeks. I can't wait! One of these beauties are on my list!

Best of luck Timbo! I’m heading back the end of July. After my lion hunt, I hope to spend a few days at their bush camp again chasing some more night critters. I really liked the fact that we could hunt just by walking out of camp. But they also have concessions near with different game.

 

[Newboomer]

Easter Sunday 2019. RSA. Hunting eland. We saw several but all were not what the outfitter was looking for. We spent a good part of the day driving around and spotting. Nothing. About 1500 we did spot a good one and put on a stalk. Parked the bakke and walked up a road and there he was looking at us about 180 yards away. All I could see was his huge head above the brush. Onto the sticks and tried to find a good place for a shot. I had to go a little higher on his chest to get over the brush. I didn't want to take a chance shooting through it. All this time he stood watching us. OK, here goes. The Barnes 350 g TSX out of my 375 HH creased his lower left jaw and went on into his upper chest.
He turned and took off for parts unknown with us right behind him. By the time we covered the 180 yards to where he was standing he was 300 to 350 yards away. Quick offhand shot to his quickly disappearing rump. No effect so we put the tracker on him. He said that bull was spewing blood like a fire hose so I knew I had a good lung shot. He was headed downhill and finally laid down about half a mile away. The tracker was watching him and gave us a location. We drove down and around to a spot not too far from him and hiked up .
One huge bull and still alive and hanging on. I put another round into his heart but it still took him a few minutes to die. Eland are a lot bigger than they look and a whole lot tougher.
A little later a crew came and caped him out and took the head and cape back to the lodge. It was a prize head and Brian, my outfitter, didn't want to leave it overnight. He said that was the biggest Cape Eland he had seen in over 20 years. We rough measured the horns with a string. One was 40 1/2 inches and the other was 39 1/2 inches and heavy bases. They estimated him to be 1800 to 1900 pounds live weight.
The bullet(s) was(were) not recovered but if they performed like most TSXs there were 4 perfect petals and 100% weight retention.
Conclusion: Do not hunt eland with a popgun, use enough gun.
Will post pix when I get them from Brian. I asked him to have Karoo do an official measurement for me.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

A 338 Federal using a 180 grain bullet is shooting around 2800 fps. That's slightly better than a 30-06, which I'd use, but isn't all that different than your 270 WSM to something the size of an eland. Personally I ended up taking mine with a 300 Win Mag. A 300 Win mag using a 180 grain bullet is in the 3100 fps range for a noticable increase in energy. Since you mention a 338, the 338 Win Mag using a 225 grain bullet in the 2800 fps range will be more effective than the Federal on an eland. I'd chat with your outfitter and get their opinion too.

Where's that Eland that you shot? Post a pic.

 

[Timbo]

Best of luck Timbo! I’m heading back the end of July. After my lion hunt, I hope to spend a few days at their bush camp again chasing some more night critters. I really liked the fact that we could hunt just by walking out of camp. But they also have concessions near with different game.

Thanks mate! I wish you all the best on your hunt as well!

I'm STILL kicking myself having to cancel out - on the day of departure! - from our group hunt last July! But NOW it's GAME ON!

Pieter has his camp up near Thabazimbi all laid on, and the ground looks good. So after chasing buffalo, I'll put down my 458 and use that FN Mauser 9.3x62 I told you guys, about which I was debating for my daughter to use. And I've loaded up some lovely Woodleigh 286-grainers that I can't wait to use on an eland.......and gemsbok.........and kudu!!..........and.......... (it gets a bit like Christmas shopping, hey?)

 

[flatwater bill]

One week ago today, I joined the ranks of the eland slayers! My first bull. Tracking and stalking eland in the thick stuff of northern Namibia was quite a thrill. Unpredictable encounters, imperfect angles, rapid response times: I would not have this fine bull if I had only a 270.....or even a 270 WSM. Scooped up and taken out of the brush whole by diesel front end loader, it weighed 798 Kg (1755 lbs).......choose your weapon...........FWB

 

[JPbowhunter]

One week ago today, I joined the ranks of the eland slayers! My first bull. Tracking and stalking eland in the thick stuff of northern Namibia was quite a thrill. Unpredictable encounters, imperfect angles, rapid response times: I would not have this fine bull if I had only a 270.....or even a 270 WSM. Scooped up and taken out of the brush whole by diesel front end loader, it weighed 798 Kg (1755 lbs).......choose your weapon...........FWB

Sounds great mate! Who were you hunting with? Love to see a pic!

 

[flatwater bill]

Thanks JP............I will post foto soon.............need to get a kid to re-show me how to place foto on AH. I used to have a blonde secretary that needed to be retrained after a coffee break. I am now at the age that I empathize with her. Will get foto training tomorrow...............FW Bill

 

[Ryan]

Where's that Eland that you shot? Post a pic.

Right there where it dropped.

Where's that fallow deer you shot?

 

[flatwater bill]

RdgWlkr..............that foto of loading the eland into the truck says it all........great pic...............FWB

 

[Ridgewalker]

RdgWlkr..............that foto of loading the eland into the truck says it all........great pic...............FWB

5 guys tried to load it. They finally gave up and gutted it right there. Then still struggling they managed to squeeze it in. I wish I had a video of the whole operation. Those trucks aren’t designed for such large animals IMO.

 

[larry4831]

I think if I were a hand loader I would start with about 130 grain bullets and practice shooting that 300 Weatherby with light loads. Then, I would jump to 150 grain loads at the bottom end and work up to a maximum or near maximum charge. 150 grain bullets would cut down on the recoil of 180 or 200 grain bullets. I think a 300 Weatherby with 150 grain bullets would be better than a 270 with a 150 grain bullets. But what do I know I’ve never set a foot on African soil.

 

[Ridgewalker]

But what do I know I’ve never set a foot on African soil.

“Try it! You’ll like it!” Nothing like the first trip! That’s not true! I’ve loved every trip!

 

[Timbo]

5 guys tried to load it. They finally gave up and gutted it right there. Then still struggling they managed to squeeze it in. I wish I had a video of the whole operation. Those trucks aren’t designed for such large animals IMO.

Thanks for the idea!! I usually get stuck in with the guys when loading up my game, but, if the critter is as big and as difficult as you experienced, I'll definitely film it (either by me or the PH) - and post it up.

 

[JPbowhunter]

5 guys tried to load it. They finally gave up and gutted it right there. Then still struggling they managed to squeeze it in. I wish I had a video of the whole operation. Those trucks aren’t designed for such large animals IMO.

Can Say that again! I'm surprised they ever got it in from the look of that pic!

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Eland HAVE been taken with calibers like .270 And even 7mm Remington Magnum and even .256 Mannlicher. But when using these calibers , your margin for error is non existent .

 

[Michael Dean]

Eland HAVE been taken with calibers like .270 And even 7mm Remington Magnum and even .256 Mannlicher. But when using these calibers , your margin for error is non existent .

Going for a ten day ten animal safari, including Eland, the first week of October. Caliber of choice for the venture is a 270WSM. That being said, I'm taking a second rifle specifically for the Eland, a 338 Federal. I think the 270WSM is up to taking the Zebra and Wildebeest but the Eland deserves a heavier caliber for insurance purposes. A 225 grain bullet is better suited than the 145 grain bullets I'll be using in my 270WSM. While I've got complete faith in the 145 grain Sledge Hammers I'll be shooting in the 270WSM I don't think there's any room or margin for error with the Eland. Hammer makes a 225 grain bullet for the 338 so I'm delighted that I'll be shooting Hammer bullets in both rifles.

 

[fourfive8]

Well, the 145gr SH out of the 270WSM has plenty of SD so should have good penetration. But, the 225gr SH out of the 338 Federal is not overkill either and also not much room for error for eland. A big bull is very big and can be very hard to stop! Even the 375 and 416 Mags with good bullets are not overkill. Shoot straight