Caliber for "Tiny Ten"

01 June 2010, 04:03

D. Nelson

I took my Dik-Dik and Steinbuk with Federal factory .375 solid. I was hunting for buffalo and took these guys as targets of opportunity. The solid went cleaning through them, and no taxidermy problems.

When I'm in lion,elephant and buffalo country, it doesn't matter if I'm after a tiny quarry, I figure I want to be prepared for the others.

Regards, D. Nelson

01 June 2010, 04:48

Biebs

I'm also starting to gather the Tiny Ten (or Twelve, depending on how much you want to spend). I found out that even with a 416, a soft will do too much damage, even on the Steenbok I took last week in Namibia. I took Suni and Blue Duiker last year in Mozambique with a 12ga and bird shot but it's more convenient to keep a few solids for whatever rifle you're using, as many of these tiny antelope are targets of opportunity; taken when hunting some other game.

01 June 2010, 05:06

Nakihunter

Very interesting animals. I have always been captivated by the smaller deer & antelope.

When I was a Tea Planter in India in the early 80's I shot a few Muntjak with No2 12 bore. I even took one on the run. I got one big buck with 4.5" antlers which is a good trophy. In the late 60's we had a few 4 horned antelope as pets. These are very dainty animals about the size of a Duiker I suppose & are unique in that the buck have 2 longer horns of 4" to 6" & another 2 in front that could be 1" or a bit more.

"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Winston Churchill

01 June 2010, 06:24

odie

When afield with my 30-06, I keep a clip of 150 gr. FMJ rounds in my pocket for the little guys and jackals. A soft point will splatter them.

Damnest thing, my 165 gr. BTSP's with a 200 yard zero is dead on at 100 with the FMJ's.

The first "African" hunter I ever spoke with all those years ago in of all places a caribou camp said every animal he took in Africa, and he had quite a collection, was with a 375. I remember specifically asking him about the small stuff and he said a solid works every time.

01 June 2010, 06:28

MARK H. YOUNG

I've been able to rent/borrow a 22 Hornet on a couple of occasions and it seems perfect for the undewr 25 lb antelope. If your primarily hunting DG a solid is the way to go. Shot a red duiker this last season with a 300 gr Barnes Banded solid at about 2,700 FPS. Dime size hole in an dime size hole out. DRT. Perfect! The really small guys like suni and blue duiker are probably best taken with #4 shot.

Mark

MARK H. YOUNG
MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES
7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110
Office 702-848-1693
Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED
E-mail markttc@msn.com
Website: myexclusiveadventures.com
Skype: markhyhunter
Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716

01 June 2010, 07:24

pinotguy

I'd submit that the conditions will have a lot to say about what cartridge to use. To my mind, species like Vaal Rhebok and Klipspringer will most likely require something with some reach. Conversely, Dik-Dik, Grysbok, Suni, and the Duikers can be taken with shotguns, depending on the time of year.

In addition to Namibia, aren't there some other countries where solids are not allowed to be used on PG?

01 June 2010, 07:47

graybird

On my first trip to Zululand, we had the potential to shoot a red duiker. The only gun I had was my 300 WM with 180 grain Partitions. PH said to shoot them behind the last rib and it would minimize the damage to the skin.

If I get a chance at one of the small guys in August, I'll be using a 7mm-08 with 140 grain Partitions.

Graybird

"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."

01 June 2010, 08:10

Luis L.

I used a 7mm-08 loaded with 140gr. Nosler AccuBonds to take this record-book quality steenbok ram. Hit him straight into the chest, but his slightly quartering body angle let the bullet exit nicely about halfway back. Exit wound was barely over caliber. I think it was a good choice because it was light enough to not obliterate the tiny critter (nor my shoulder) but heavy enough to also take everything on my list up to kudu and gemsbok. That matters when you're limited on the number of guns you're allowed to bring.

01 June 2010, 08:59

L. David Keith

My choice is the .223 w/60 gr Nosler partitions. However, many of the .22 calibers are fine. Mark mentioned the .22 Hornet and it is very popular with many PHs. It was the rifle they grew up with. If you have no choice, the solids will work but unless your just killing to add a species to the awards list, try to go light and fast enough to ensure a quick, efficient kill but not blow the hell out of the creature if you want a quality mount.
LDK

Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris
http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333
Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com
NRA Benefactor
DSC Professional Member
SCI Member
RMEF Life Member
NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor
NAHC Life Member
Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer
Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262
Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142
Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007
16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409
Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311
Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added
http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941
10 days in the Stormberg Mountains
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322
Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson

Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."

01 June 2010, 09:01

DLS

I can say with a high degree of certainty that a .338 winchester with 225 grain TB Bearclaws is not a good choice for Klipsringer! Man, did it ever make a HUGE exit hole.

Had real luck with .270 and 150 gr. nosler partitions on sharpe's grysbok and common duiker, also a klipspringer. I think a slower .22-.25 centerfire would be great for them.

When using a shotgun, I wonder how some of HeviShot's 'dead coyote' loads would work? They'd kill those antelope very efficiently, but I wonder if they'd do too much damage.

01 June 2010, 09:20

Luis L.

quote:
Originally posted by DLS:
I can say with a high degree of certainty that a .338 winchester with 225 grain TB Bearclaws is not a good choice for Klipsringer! Man, did it ever make a HUGE exit hole.

Had real luck with .270 and 150 gr. nosler partitions on sharpe's grysbok and common duiker, also a klipspringer. I think a slower .22-.25 centerfire would be great for them.

When using a shotgun, I wonder how some of HeviShot's 'dead coyote' loads would work? They'd kill those antelope very efficiently, but I wonder if they'd do too much damage.

My concern with a load like that becomes blowing off a horn. Depending on the range and pattern of that particular gun, you could be talking a decent chance for a stray shot to annihilate a prized part of your trophy.

01 June 2010, 12:31

billrquimby

I've shot oribi, steenbok, bush duiker, Sharpe's grysbok, and klipspringer with my 7 mm Remngton Magnum and 175-grain Nosler Partitions while hunting other game. Only the steenbok's skin was impossible for the taxidermist to repair, and it was the farthest from the gun when I shot it -- about 75-80 yards. The others were 20 to 50 yards away.

Bill Quimby

01 June 2010, 16:08

Die Ou Jagter

Lets see, Dik-Dik, Blue Duiker, Red Duiker - 16 GA Buck. Common Duiker, Klipspringer, Orbi, Cape Grysbok - 338 WM Solid. Sharpes Grysbok - 416 Taylor Solids. Steenbok 308 this was borrowed gun and made a mess for the taxidermist. Will be using 12 GA (borrowning from PH) this fall for Suni. If you have a drilling that is #1 in my book, have a solid in the rifle tube and buck in the gun tubes.

01 June 2010, 20:08

ANDREW RENTON

MY EXPERIENCED WITH THE SMALL ANIMALS IF HUNTED FOR AS LISTED SPECIES FOR YOUR HUNT A 22 HORNET IS A WINNER,GET THE OUTFITTER TO ARRANGE IT FOR YOU
BUT IF YOU ARE WALKING IN THE FLAT COUNTRY LOOKING FOR WHATEVER SPECIE AND ONE OF THE LITTLE GUYS POPS UP TAKE IT WITH A SOLID,GENERALLY WORKS WELL WITH A LAST RIB OR GUT SHOT, THE SHOCK OF THE BULLET IMPACT SHOULD KNOCK IT OUT ANYWAY.
GOOD LUCK

02 June 2010, 01:21

Equinsu Ocha

I've hunted and taken some of the small stuff with 12GA shotguns, .308 WIN, .300WSM (made a mess..luckily it was a shoulder mount anyhow), and .257WBY.

I'll be after Klipspringer in Zim in Oct. I'll have my .375 with some Sledgehammer solids.. My buddy is taking his .223 and we are taking plenty of FMJs for this little gun. Either gun will be used when we see the right Klippie.

02 June 2010, 19:24

JPK

I have killed a klipspringer with a 458wm solid and a grysbok with a 375H&H solid. They worked well and didn't do much damamge, small hole in, small hole out.

If I were going to target the tiny ten, my selection would be a 30-06 with RN solids for some reach and a 12ga with No 4 buck for larger members of the tiny ten close up, No 2 shot for smaller members close up.

JPK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House

No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.

03 June 2010, 03:23

Tim Carney

Will be off at the end of July to Namibia for Damara dik dik and steenbok and klipspringer and to South Africa for red duiker.

Bailey Bradshaw's new double in .22 k-Hornet and extra set of .410 barrels should be done and will be along for the Tiny Ten and for some sand grouse/doves. Plan to have a load using the Nosler 60gr partition worked up and have the barrels with appropriate twist for that weight of bullet.

Have shot a grey duiker with a double in .375 H&H magnum. Used a solid. Shot well enough for dead right there, with the left barrel through the left eye (Bloody Lucky is the concensus!).

Regards

DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member

03 June 2010, 19:59

pinotguy

quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
I just can't see then need for a hot flat shooting round for these guys except for maybe the Klippy. Anyone that has hunted these guys know the range will be close.

How about for Vaal Rhebok? Or, perhaps I'm mistaken and the Vaalies are not considered one of the Tiny Ten.

03 June 2010, 20:18

ddrhook

I would not use my 06 on small critters again if I have a choice. it was a little to big for oribi and dik dik. I don't like that much damage on small stuff. I think Lane's got the right Idea if you have access to a 22 hornet or something in that size nothing larger than 25 caliber it would be great. I was kinda lucky with my dik dik he was kind enough to stand facing me so I could shot him in the throat and gut him at the same time without blowing him to pieces. I wont mention who was holding him when all his gut's fell out on there boots

03 June 2010, 23:06

Die Ou Jagter

pinotguy, I don't count the Vaal Rhebok in the TT. Everyone has their own pick I guess. I count Red and Blue Duiker along with the Common Duiker also the Sharpes and Cape Grysbok, Damaraland Dik-Diik, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Orib and Suni. I guess some would place the Vaal Rhebok in place of the Dik-Dik and some the Mt Reedbuck in place of the Sharpes Grysbok. Keeping them basically in RSA although the Sharpes can be found around the border in the Messina area. The Vaal Rehbok is another story, if anyone thinks the Pronghorn has good eyesight they need a white cane next to the Vaal Rehbok. You do need something to really reach out and touch them.

04 June 2010, 02:57

madabula

I loaded up some Barnes Solids in 270 win mag for my buddy. They were super accurate and had plenty of reach even for Vaal Rehbok.

#2pencil hole all the way thru!

I think some of the commercially availabe custom loaders can provide them.

Best regards
Mike Ohlmann
Mike's Custom Taxidermy Inc.
4102 Cane Run Rd.
Louisville KY 40216
502-448-1309
Mike@mikescustomtaxidermy.com

http://www.mikescustomtaxidermy.com/

04 June 2010, 06:13

Biebs

Planning a hunt on the tiny antelope with a Hornet, 22 WMR, 25-20, etc is fine, but think of the times you've taken them in the past. Most of the time, they're targets of opportunity....taken while stalking buffalo, glassing for Gemsbok, or hunting some other primary game. I think some solution using your regular hunting rifle is in order (solids), or perhaps plan to have a tracker carry your dedicated "Tiny" rifle.