I'm headed to Africa in June to hunt an eland, among other species. Look at my list of SXS's below, and tell me which SXS I should use to shoot the eland. Thanks.

I've only shot one (Cape) eland, but I'd go with either the 9.3x74R Chapuis or the C&H .375 2 1/2".

If you'll also be hunting Cape buffalo in the same area, go with the Searcy .450/.400 3".

George

+1 for George's comments, except:

1. 9.3x74
2. 450/400
3. 375 C&H

Can't reccomend from experience. Both of mine were killed with a Model 70 in 375H&H. Never really had a desire to hunt plains game with a double.

I've shot two both with my .375 H&H. If I had your battery I think I would go with the 9,3x74 or the 450/400.

I've only shot one, and I used a 7 mm Rem Mag. One shot. One dead bull eland.

Bill Quimby

i used a 300 wby for mine @measured 270 yds; walked three steps and flop.

Have seen Eland go down to .375 H&H, 9.3x64mm, .376 Steyr, and 9.3x62mm, and none of those rifles were S/S. In fact they were a M700, Blaser, Steyr Scout, and a Steyr SBS.

LLS

All of your rifles would be good (in particular the 9.3s, 375 and .400) , but imo the rifle used for Eland must wear a scope.

So, typically, what ranges are Eland shot at? I see a 270 yard shot above, and my impression was that longer ranges were typical. Is that so? If so, I should imagine that the double should be scope sighted and one should know where it shoots out to 250 or so?
Peter.

I would think typically around 100m moving amongst the herd and mopani or miobo bush.

The Coggie, for style points.

I'll be hunting the Limpopo region; I've never hunted there before, so I don't know how far an average shot might be. That's another question someone could answer for me, if possible.

The 9.3x74R and 450/400 3" combo would be hard to beat reagrdless of what was to be hunted

Any of the above are good choices. My 9.3x74R double shoots both barrels almost touching at 100 meters with factory ammo in Nosler Partitions, so I would be partial to that one.

Hunted in that area once but it covers alot of ground...One may shoot over 200 yds, but I really think you will be stalking them in deer type woods cover shooting out to no more then a 100yds...

Good luck Frank see you Friday...

Mike

With a proper bullet and proper shot placement you will have a dead eland.

Eland are not that tough but you have to hit them right. They move great distances very quickly, so when shot or mortally wounded but not shot perfectly they will move quite a distance before expiring. Giving the illussion that they are tough.

Eland hunting in bushveld is very challenging and unless you find them in open farmlands which they sometimes love to go in, your shot will be very close.

Take the one you shoot best.

I shot my Eland in the Freestate SA. I used a 9.3X62 with 286 nozler Part. The shot was about 40 Yards after a long stalk. He fell in his tracks with a neck shot Dave

Frank,

I have hunted Limpopo ... am surprised there is a place I've beaten you to!

Ranges can vary quite widely and a scope could help a lot. Take the scoped double.

Who you going to hunt with? Mafigeni? I think you'd enjoy hunting with either Claude or Gerry.

I shot mine with a .300 WSM at 180 yards with a one shot kill. Proper bullet placement with the proper bullet is the key. Use the gun that you are most comfortable with.

All are more than adequate so the one you have in your hands at the time!

Mike: I'll be hunting with Quagga Safaris; interestingly, I saw my PH & his company last night on the Outdoor channel hunting. Now I'm REALLY excited.

You'll have a wonderful time! Eland are awesome animals ... big.

Envious ... again

In Namibia, I used a .30/06 for 10 animals but for Eland the PH asked that I use my .416 Rigby. The Rigby was for a Zim buffalo and elephant hunt to follow and was sighted in dead on at 100 yds. I shot an eland at 200 yds by holding a bit high. I missed the vitals but broke both shoulders and anchored him. The PH said the 06 might not have been as effective on that particular shot placement. Also, this was the only shot where the PH was ready to back me up as he hated the prospect of an endless chase on a wounded animal.

Great fun!

I vote Tikka or C&H.

I shot mine with a .375 H&H at about 110 yards. I was glad I had a scope because the brush was pretty thick and I need to get the shooting tunnel right. Don't think we could have got any closer because there were a lot of eyes around and we had already had blown stalks because of it.

Dear Sir,

I wish you all the best on your hunt, and look forward to your report on AR upon your healthy return.

As a PH I hunt the Limpopo valley a lot, and the Eland is my favorite PG animal. They are a very difficult quarry, if you hunt them the propper way. That is tracking them on foot.

Your shot should not be outside 100 yards.

Take the rifle you shoot best, with or without telescopic sights. You will probably not have forever when you catch up him.....

To all. Eland is widely spread throughout South Africa. Any calibre in the .300 class and up with 180+ gr bullets is more than enough. It is a big animal and needs propper bullet placement.

If you hunt Eland in Natal in the mountains....prepare yourself for a 300 yard shot, bushveldt, mopane woodland....about 40-60 yards.....So it all depends on where you hunt them.

This animal is very well known for it's very good venison(not unlike beef), and that is one of the reasons why I have hunted them in most of South Africa's provinces......

They might look like tame cattle to some, but man, they are one of the best PG animals to graze Africa, IMHO....

My son used a .375 H&H and 300gr TBBC's.

Frank,

In the Limpopo area I think I would choose your 9.3 but with a low power scope. The light rifles mentioned definitely will kill an eland but if you are tracking and the only shot is going away you'll be much better off with the heavier 9.3 bullet.

Good luck.

Mark

9.3 would be a great cal on eland!

I've shot them with 375H&H running out to 200 yds, with a tail over tea kettle tumble dead at the bullet's empact on the Shoulder! However they can be tough, so put the bullet where it belongs. The 9.3 will take care of business, placed right!. Fun animals to hunt! Good luck!
.............

I shot mmy first eland, a cow here in Texas with my 450 No2.

In Africa I planned on using my Chapuis double in 9,3x74R.

But, when tracking buff we came up on an eland and I shot him up close in some really thick stuff with my 450 No2.

shot one eastren cape eland,with 30,06 180 grn one shot in the nect drop dead on her feets was a female.

I shot this eland in RSA with a .338 Lapua magnum.
The 275 grn Swift A-Frame bullet exited after breaking both shoulders.
I think heavy bullet is the key word when shooting elan

Cheers,

André

Frank, if you haven't left yet - I used my 338WM with great results, but now that I have both the 9.3 and 450/400 I think I would use the 9.3 but we can talk about at dinner Thur eve.