I have had outstanding sub MOA performance in my 9.3x62 with the Nosler 250 Accubond projectile all the way out to 300 yards @ 2,642 fps.

A quick question:

Do you think that projectile would be tough enough for Mature Eland at <100 yards ? or should I stick with Woodleigh 286 Protected Points ?

Your opinion would be valued.

Simply put: YES. More than enough sectional density. Put the bullet where it belongs; pofu kufa. Best of Luck. PHIL

I shot mine with an 8x57 and a 200 gr TSX at 180 yds and I would do it again.

Code4,

There are a lot of facts in your short posting that can be read between the lines:
1 Sub MOA = The rifle + cartridge + bullet is very accurate and [I read between the lines that] the shooter can shoot from a bench, and therefore probably at least reasonably from a field position.
2 Out to 300 yards = This hunter has practiced, and probably knows his trajectory reasonably well, also at closer ranges.
3 At < 100 yards = The hunter does not want to do long distance “take a chance” shooting, but wants to really hunt and get close. Given the two deductions above, I take it that the hunter can place a bullet within a very few inches where it is aimed or should hit at <100 yards.

Now look at the bullet: A bonded bullet from a reputable manufacturer that is designed to hit at velocities between 1800 and 3100 ft/sec. At anything below 100 yards a bullet starting at 2642 ft/sec will certainly be just about in the middle of the manufacturers’ specification velocity range. This also is within my own “gut feel” based rules for velocity of bullets to ensure proper penetration: Standard old type bullets should start at about 2500 ft/sec: Premium bullets can start off at up to about 3000 ft/sec: At starting velocity above 3000 ft/sec you must use a really premium top quality bullet. Your bullet and starting velocity puts you in a very safe middle position, and should be OK!

The other factors: Does the hunter know where the bullet should hit and travel through from any angle? We cannot say how the eland will actually finally present a shot. If standing full broadside on, most hunters know pretty well where the internal vitals are, and can correctly point out the desired hit point. But do you know where on the skin to hit an eland going away from the hunter down a steep slope, or up a steep slope in order to reach the vitals? Same question for an eland facing the hunter at an angle well above or well below that hunter. Do you know where the vitals are then? Do you know where the really big bullet failure inducing bones are in relation to the vitals under these conditions? Do you know where on the skin on the near side the bullet should enter to – assuming straight line penetration – to miss the big bones and still hit the vitals? Treat yourself to some practice in 3D thinking with a good shot placement photo and imagine being presented with high and low oblique facing and going away shots. Do that a few times, and I’m sure you are not going to be searching for blood spoor very far, if at all! I’m sure a 250 grain Accubond started at that velocity will punch enough punch to result in a DRT eland if well hit. If not Dead Right There, it sure won’t go far!

Stick with Woodleigh's? No reason why not use these on eland. They work! But so should the Accubonds.

How should you make the final decision? I'll say that if you do not need any scope adjustment to be able to hit a dinner plate, no, make that a saucer, at 100 yards with a Woodleigh while the scope is set for springbuck with the Accubonds, then by all means bring along a few Woodleigh's for the eland. If scope needs to be adjusted, then just leave the Woodleighs for a dedicated big game only trip. You come here to hunt, not to go do scope adjustment sessions on a shooting range!

Enjoy the anticipation and countdown. I am looking forward to welcoming you here at Mervilla again! Springbuck beware! Code4 is coming with an obsession to kill one of you!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

No, problem at all just dont take a angled shot where you will shoot through the gut to get to the vitals.

Just a reminder eland are very high on the shoulder remember to keep it low most important.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari-Hunt:
No, problem at all just dont take a angled shot where you will shoot through the gut to get to the vitals.

Just a reminder eland are very high on the shoulder remember to keep it low most important.

+1

I shot my Cape Eland with a 358STA and a 225 XFB through the lungs, running, at 250 yards.....he was dead in 100yards.......

Code4: Eland are big and tough, but they are not indestructible and a well placed shot will do them in. I really liked the performance of my 260 grain AccuBond's in my 375 H&H. These were Federal factory loads, at about 2700 MV. My PH's on both trips to Namibia really liked the 9.3x62 on eland. I think your 250's would be great for what you want, and would probably penetrate even better.

You can see the bullet in this picture, and where it ended. The bull was in thick cover at about 60 yards, watching his back trail, and I had to put it about 6 inches higher than I would have liked, because of brush. It went thru the first shoulder, lungs, and then all the way to the skin on the off- side. He ran about another 50 yards, and piled up.



Here are the only AB's I recovered from all my animals. You can see the resulting expansion, and they all weighed somewhere between 60-70% of original starting weight.



To give you an idea of how big these guys really are, I've included the aftermath photo. Do not try an angling shot unless you are very confident it can be held forward of the gut. Just look at the thickness of that chest!

Blank,

That was one of the most informative and usefull post I've ever seen on here. Lovely Eland. I hope mine is as big.

Thank you for that info.

quote:

Looking for the perfect bullet is like looking for the perfect woman. At some stage you are going to have to compromise or you will spend the rest of your life looking for what does not exist.

Dude, I hope your wife doesn't know your board name. My wife is perfect.

quote:

My wife is perfect.

Your wife must know your board name