NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 03/04/16 10:09 PM |
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Re: Elephant culling - what caliber is best?
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Depends if we are talking about culling individual beasts or whole herds. Completely different scenarios.
Harland's comments below are contradictory somewhat ie as in .416 and heavier best, yet names the FN 7.62 (.308) as "top notch". The reason being the semi auto or full auto FN with a large twenty round magazine is useful in a herd situation. Where follow up shots to drop a beast are quick and readily available, or other animals, and magazine changes are quickly done. I guess the military spitzer FMJ ammunition here still worked, perhaps with multiple shots when needed. Even though the same sort of bullet is very much criticised in sporting ammunition and use???
Mannlicher Schoenauer, the "very best" - why?
Interesting he claims the safeties are on the wrong side even though most rights do have the safety on the right side??? Any comments of that?
Customised rifles - "stay clear". Stupid statement as a customised rifles is not "standard" and could be anything of what he either likes or dislikes ...
Quote:
I am right now re-reading the book Ndlovu of Rich Harland. Rich was in plenty of cullings and provide lots of advises.
Of course, no double rifle, because they are to slow to reload et the more ammos in the rifles the better.
Calibers : he insist on calibers from 416 and larger. On a practical point of view, 416 Rigby and 458 WM or 458 Lott. 505 Gibs is perfect but few rifles offer this caliber.
Barrel lenght : 28 inch too long, 20 inch perfect balance and handling in jesse.
Among the makers :
Weatherby : out, the bullets are way too fast and very prone to deflect or explode without penetrating.
Remington 700, lots of jammings and very tricky to reload, too slow when in action
Wincherster M70 : better with controlled feed instead of push-feed. The safety catch is on the wrong side, dangerous in action.
Ruger M77, OK but bedding required. Troubles with the 416 Rigby , it needs a stonger magazine spring.
Browning A Bold : Good, but trouble with closing the floor plate, the safety is excellent.
BRNO ZKK62 excellent
CZ : Good but safety the wrong way and wrong side. The 458 WM softs feed badly, too short for the large receiver, opt for the 44578 Lott. Bedding recommended.
Mannlicher Schoenauer : the very best, no discussion
approved by Don Heath.
BSA : top notch if pre 1967 with the serial number prefixed by 9C.
FN : top notch
English, careful : Westley Richards made “native” rifles very poor built on Mauser action. Same with Cogswell and Harrison with P14 actions.
Mauser : The rare Mauser magnum and Brevex are impossible to find.
Mauser Standard receiver :OK with 404 and 9.3x62. Other calibers are customization where the worst more than the best might occur.
Customized rifles : stay clear.
Reading that I wonder why the Sako insn’t tried.
I suppose that out of courtesy, Rich doesn’t mention Blaser, Sauer, Merkel, Heym……..
Finally some commentaries :
Barie Duckworth : "Had I used a double I'll be a deadman" (during ele culling)
Ivan Carter : " Had I used a repeater, I'll be dead" stopping a charging lion.
The comments on double rifles above are probably the difference between shooting a herd with an FN, no "sporting" attempt at all, just slaughter, including cows and calfs. Shoot multiple times until it drops, versus a sporting hunt or for example following up a beast into thick bush where it is waiting for the hunting.
After all, what do bastard poachers use, or protrayed to use, AK-47's in 7.62x39 full auto. Just blast away until the poor beast dies, even if the pathetic penetration of that inadequate cartridge. Elephant can ne killed with multiple spear hits too. Different story to a sporting and ethical kill.