HUNTING Eland

[lwaters]

I shot my eland with a quartering shot. The 180 nosler partition from a 300 ruger compact mag at around 2800fps. He was around 200 yards and the bullet went through the front part of the stomach and ended up in the far shoulder. He did'nt go 10 yards.

 

[CAustin]

I sure hope to take one of these animals some day.

 

[jbeach]

Eland is on my list for 2015. Been wondering what to take, kicking around my 30-06, 338, or 375 Ruger. The 30-06 performed great on my first trip on everything from Kudu down. I got the 338 from my brother years ago, it is a Winchester Model 70 and a great rifle, but he put a muzzle brake on it, so I am a little leery of taking it as I know most PH's don't care for the extra noise from a muzzle brake and I shot a deer with it the other day and thought it would deafen me. Then there is my 375 Ruger, which I bought before going to Africa the first time. I never fired it over there because as things worked out the 30-06 was working so well I did not want to jinx myself. I will probably take the 30-06 and 375, and worry about what to shoot when I get over there. My wife shoots the 06 well also, so she can hunt with it too.

 

[CAustin]

Jbeach,
You should always take what you are most comfortable with. Now I am partial to Rugers so for me that 375 would get a work out in Africa.

 

[enysse]

I would take the 375 Ruger too, if I own one for eland.

 

[andrehighland]

After taking a few eland, I came to the following conclusion: Shot placement is the most important factor to hunt eland successfully, but it depends on your personal state of mind on that specific moment before you squeeze the trigger. You can be the best shot in the world but outside factors such as tiredness caused by long-distance tracking or a late night next to the campfire, over- eagerness or a sudden movement of the animal just before the shot, etc. can alter your shot placement significantly. Therefore, I rather want to be over gunned than under gunned. In combination with the rifle I also use quality ammo that suits my needs. In short, I try to cut out all the possible odds regarding the rifle itself, leaving me only to blame myself if something goes wrong. I am using a 30 06 for most of my hunts, but after having a close call with it on a Eland, I now only use my 375 with 265g GS Customs. Most of my eland hunting is done in the mountains where I have to put the animal down with the first shot, preventing it from running to an irretrievable place in the mountain. So far , (touch wood) the GS Customs haven’t let me down.
One must also keep in mind that a great number of hunting venues in SA does not allow anything smaller than a 9.3 x 62 to hunt Eland.

 

[CAustin]

I'll be hunting eland with Pieter at Paw Print Safaris this year. Will be using my 416 on this big guy!

 

[tay50]

I just got back from SA 2 week ago hunted eland, never could get the bull, but a old cow was offered as they wanted her off the property. I used a 7 mag with 165 grain safari loads, at 120 yards she just stood there after the shot, I heard shoot again, only then did she try to move limping on the opposite leg. One more time I heard shoot again, so 3 shots and she was still standing, but not moving, so we move to our right and the fourth and final shot was made. This animal took 4 shots in the boiler room all bullets were within a 6 inch circle and she finally tipped over, amazing strength. When we looked at her internal damage there was not a lot left of her lungs or heart, maybe I could have not shot 4 times, but I wanted the end to come fast for her. I have a new respect for these animals, next year I want the bull.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

This big boy took 2 shots from a 375 H&H with 300 gr Swift A Frames.

Shot 1 was from about 150 yards, animal quartering away from me. Probably a little to far back, but the line would put it online with the opposite (front right) shoulder. No exit wound. Little reaction from the eland but it did slow it down.

Shot 2 was from about 100 yards, broadside, put the down. No exit wound.

 

[CAustin]

I was very pleased with this big guy! Shot him July 23rd at 240 yards with my 300 win mag! First shot took out the heart and a second shot hit him in the liver. He was dead on his feet but the second shot was insurance.
37.5 inches on the horns and a nice tuft of hair.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful bull and excellent shot. Congrats.
Witold

 

[G Skinner]

Now that I like !
Glen

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

It takes an eland to feed a village..........

 

[CAustin]

375 Ruger I just wanted to say that was a great bull you got. Very nice blue color.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Thanks Charlie, I think that big bull is my favorite trophy (so far). The one you took is a dandy too.

Dave

 

[MMAL]

Used 375H&H with 260 grain accubonds, after first shot at 190 yards[fairly steep downhill shot] it took a step and I slammed another one into the same shoulder[almost the same place, inch apart] and it went down. PH asked why I shot the second time, told him because it moved. Have shot from Cape Buffalo to Springbok with that rifle, swear by it!

I am from New Jersey, if it is still moving, lead is still flying. The bullets are the cheapest part of the trip, always. Plus I'm lazy and don't like carrying any home.

 

[James Cook]

Hunted eland a couple of weeks ago. Shot it with a Remington Model 700 300 Win Mag at 255 yds w/ 180 grn Barnes TSX. The eland was walking dead away. PH gave it a couple of shouts and it gave me a quarter turn look back. Bullet entered mid ribs and went into the lungs (no exit). Ran 90-100 yards before staggering and collapsing.

My buddy shot an eland with a 338 Win Mag broad side @ 100+ yards. The 225 grn bullet stopped just under the skin the opposite shoulder - beautifully mushroomed.

Impressed with the Barnes TSX.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

 

[Malambo]

I used 30-06. Frontal chest shot at aprox 190 yards, he dropped about 70 yards away

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Used 375H&H with 260 grain accubonds, after first shot at 190 yards[fairly steep downhill shot] it took a step and I slammed another one into the same shoulder[almost the same place, inch apart] and it went down. PH asked why I shot the second time, told him because it moved. Have shot from Cape Buffalo to Springbok with that rifle, swear by it!

Buckcurtin
That's exactly what I told my son if it's still standing keep shooting.
First shot on his zebra it was dead but moved so he shot it again. 2 bullets are cheaper than a lost trophy.
Cheers mate Bob