Sambar Calibre

What's everyone's opinions of what is the best calibre for sambar (and why over any other calibre)?

I know I'll get contrasting opinions. Wanting to think this through before adding another gun to the safe

243 and 6.5 creedmoor are a bit light for the sambar (knew I shouldn't have got rid of my 270)

Last sambar I got with the creedmoor using 143 ELD-X took 2 into the heart and 2 in the lungs and still went for a bit of a walk. I was surprised when gutting it at the state of the heart that it didn't drop earlier

308 with 150g Nosler Accubonds @2900 fps

For consistent kills I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 7mm cal. They are bigger than reds.

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Originally Posted by Allizdog

For consistent kills I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 7mm cal. They are bigger than reds.

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Ok so that would rule out the 270 then

Would you go 7mm08 that seems a new popular choice, 7mm rem mag or 7mm wsm

Or else the tried and tested 308?

Either of the last three you mentioned would be my first picks. The 7mm08 would probably be ok too but last on that list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allizdog

Either of the last three you mentioned would be my first picks.

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Ok, thanks. What's your thoughts between them?

308 would be good at reasonably close range. 300wsm and 7mm mag better out to longer ranges. The 300wsm would be my pick of the bunch because it can take heavier pills but still have plenty of velocity. I'm talking factory ammo here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JemO

What's everyone's opinions of what is the best calibre for sambar (and why over any other calibre)?

I know I'll get contrasting opinions. Wanting to think this through before adding another gun to the safe

243 and 6.5 creedmoor are a bit light for the sambar (knew I shouldn't have got rid of my 270)

Last sambar I got with the creedmoor using 143 ELD-X took 2 into the heart and 2 in the lungs and still went for a bit of a walk. I was surprised when gutting it at the state of the heart that it didn't drop earlier

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my two cents worth spot a sambar stag the trophy for Kiwi hunter's of a life time - smack him with something really solid - 7mm rem mag 300 win mag big stuff dont fuck around wirh 308 243 7mm08 - no -put your sambar stag down - takes a lot to even get a chance at one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

my two cents worth spot a sambar stag the trophy for Kiwi hunter's of a life time - smack him with something really solid - 7mm rem mag 300 win mag big stuff dont fuck around wirh 308 243 7mm08 - no -put your sambar stag down - takes a lot to even get a chance at one

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Hmmm I'm leaning towards either a 7mm rem mag or 300 wsm

7mm mag and above.

9.3x62 is great option

https://i.postimg.cc/c45kCYn4/0AA947...344ABC0771.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JemO

What's everyone's opinions of what is the best calibre for sambar (and why over any other calibre)?

I know I'll get contrasting opinions. Wanting to think this through before adding another gun to the safe

243 and 6.5 creedmoor are a bit light for the sambar (knew I shouldn't have got rid of my 270)

Last sambar I got with the creedmoor using 143 ELD-X took 2 into the heart and 2 in the lungs and still went for a bit of a walk. I was surprised when gutting it at the state of the heart that it didn't drop earlier

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Hit them in the middle of the shoulder with the creedmoor and 143 eld-x and they won't go far at all. 7mm08 & 140 grain core-lokt work very well on sambar also.

As Barry said, the 300win mag is another good option too @JemO.

30 cal and up.

300 wsm blg gun for big deer,
i have shot them with a 22 hornet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

300 wsm blg gun for big deer,
i have shot them with a 22 hornet

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You must be one hell of a shot with the 22 hornet mate

hillar shot, nothing walks away from that.

shouldn't have got rid of the .270 mate.they have got the grunt to knock over any nz game with ease!

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Originally Posted by Yesmate

shouldn't have got rid of the .270 mate.they have got the grunt to knock over any nz game with ease!

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Ikr. Beating myself up over doing that

its the projectile that needs to be of standard, not the Calibre.......... period.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rees

its the projectile that needs to be of standard, not the Calibre.......... period.

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Always using eld-x

35 Sambar
https://cartridgecollector.net/cartridge/35-sambar/

223

Eldx not "great" unless ya steppin past 300....... meters.

glorofied cup an core.

you want Bonded RE sambar deer..... typically, to be safe.

Yes. ive shot hundreds. with all sorts .222 up to 375s, my 7mm08 Woodleigh combo is favoured, because of the projectiles..... since the factory fire im using corelokt ultra bonded 140gr. ...

my other go tos in the safe are the ever reliable 30-06 and 35 whelen.

my bottom line is use what ya got but match the projectile to the game. in this instance the game is a thick heavy front leg bone.
aim behind that 99% of the time ya right with a SP..... but you wanna ask it to stand broadside for ya.......

7mm08
https://youtu.be/AI7grrfQZEk

303
https://youtube.com/shorts/sOj3jmbGgl4?feature=share


7mm08
https://youtube.com/shorts/dX0cUf9-TB0?feature=share

35 whelen killshot
https://youtu.be/wVdUdpG1kBQ

7mm magnum
https://youtu.be/ljUzluzN1QQ
7 mag
https://youtu.be/0Cbg9ouostE

30-06
https://youtu.be/3fL6tCde0Nk

apologies they did not load as required.

7.62x39 does it also... for those in the know.............. its not where ya wanna be
https://youtu.be/kl45E7rmSuo

check my channel for more sambar shot with 270s, 7 mags, an others.

i advocate using a "smaller" calibre with stronger projectiles..... leave the magnum at home...unless ya pokin 400 plus

Shit I must tell the samber bones iv shot their not dead because I only used a 16” .308, .270 deals to them to but yes big and strong if it’s a dedicated samber shooter hack a 300wsm down long shots are a none issue in my experience bullet selection is key never mind the cartridge bonded or copper will wreck em as did 180sst at 2400 and 130 sp at 3100

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rees

Eldx not "great" unless ya steppin past 300....... meters.

glorofied cup an core.

you want Bonded RE sambar deer..... typically, to be safe.

Yes. ive shot hundreds. with all sorts .222 up to 375s, my 7mm08 Woodleigh combo is favoured, because of the projectiles..... since the factory fire im using corelokt ultra bonded 140gr. ...

my other go tos in the safe are the ever reliable 30-06 and 35 whelen.

my bottom line is use what ya got but match the projectile to the game. in this instance the game is a thick heavy front leg bone.
aim behind that 99% of the time ya right with a SP..... but you wanna ask it to stand broadside for ya.......

7mm08
https://youtu.be/AI7grrfQZEk

https://youtube.com/shorts/sOj3jmbGgl4?feature=share


https://youtube.com/shorts/dX0cUf9-TB0?feature=share

35 whelen killshot
https://youtu.be/wVdUdpG1kBQ

7mm magnum
https://youtu.be/ljUzluzN1QQ
7 mag
https://youtu.be/0Cbg9ouostE

30-06
https://youtu.be/3fL6tCde0Nk

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Spot on

why i chose the 35 whelen...

video
https://youtu.be/AI7grrfQZEk

double droppin sambar 35
https://youtu.be/_j1IPK5gZxQ

fallow 35 partition
https://youtu.be/iDBqy-2GpdU


in this instance a Cup an core SP works. because you have heavy projies.

use heavy for calibre an youl be ok... EG 180gr .308, 150gr .270..... 160gr 7mm. etc

30.06
308
270
Or bigger. They have a habit of running into thick sh1t.

Creedmoor has worked perfectly fine for me on a Sambar stag.

308 will surely cut them down. Use a grunty bullet like the 150gr corelokt or a 165 hornady whitetail. Doubt they will go far

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JemO

Ok so that would rule out the 270 then

Would you go 7mm08 that seems a new popular choice, 7mm rem mag or 7mm wsm

Or else the tried and tested 308?

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nah the .270w is the only TRUE 7mm the other one is an imposter...... there is not much on Gods green earth that will walk away from a well placed 150grn nosler partition...and they come in 160grn too.....

There are plenty of moose that get shot with a 6.5x55. Your creedmoor will do fine. It's largely down to projectile choice.
If you're dead set on getting a different caliber there is no point in going with something that is similar in energy etc, eg .308, 7mm08. You might as well go with a magnum or similar. And these days you have plenty of superb options, stuff the 7mm rem mag or .300, go with a 7mm PRC and spit those big high bc pills out at a decent velocity, even out of a 20" tube.

Two very suitable 9.3x57s were for sale earlier at rediculously low asking prices

@Mooseman shot a corker of a BoP sambar about 3 years ago - a really big beast - with his 6.5x55 and the 143gr ELD-X.

I remember the thread and photos on here clearly. There was photos of the hide / fat / terminal damage too.

Just sayin'..... You put the bullet in the right place, the job will be a good 'un.

When I lived in Oz, the guys in the Vic High Country that we knocked around with shot heaps of sambar in their lease blocks east of Omeo / Benambra. Real big, heavy deer. All the guys used .30-06 and heavy soft points. Most of those deer were shot at close-ish range.

Keep it simple.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Two very suitable 9.3x57s were for sale earlier at rediculously low asking prices

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There is still one for sale @JemO and it’s local…

I have been lucky to run into a few good Sambar stags while carrying different calibre rifles. I have shot them with 243( neck shot 85 gr Barnes ) 270 using 130 gr Nosler solid base, and 150 gr Nosler Partitions, several with the 30 06 both 150 gr and 180 gr. The stag Flyblown mentioned was with the 6.5 x 55 using 143 gr ELDX, at about 40 yards I hit him lowish in chest and the bullet angled out to come to rest in the flank.The top of the heart was gone and he ran about 70 yards before falling.
I have shot several stags with my 300 Win Mag using both 178 gr ELDX and 200 gr ELDX which have dropped all concerned on the spot.
Key to success is using a good bullet and hitting a vital spot, I personally like the magnums even up to a 338 WM would be a very good stopper for those big boned and bodied stags.
You can’t be over gunned for those Sambar stags.

What ever you can put a bullet in the right place with. And can accept passing up some shoots if they are not on.

This Aussie Youtube Sambar hunter has settled on a 358 win as his bush rifle for Sambar, lots of bullet frontal area and allows for some errors in bullet placement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atcpQUr_sUA
Z

Just load your 6.5 with some nosler partitions and go hunt.

I grew up around Santoft forest and seen a few shot, if unaware they are not hard to kill, but once spooked or alarmed can be, they seam to have a tenacious will to live, i once seen a small stag, take three shots to the chest with a .270 at 15m and still try to get up, several others when spotlighting the same with .308 2-3 well placed shot to keep them down,
Best stag dead or alive, i have ever seen, i let walk cause i didnt think, i would recover him, front on shot, stag looking right at me, only had a .222,
Now i take a .358 win, most shots, in my experience are fairly close,