Hi guys. I read some interesting comments on the 103gr ELD-X's and I thought this should be a good forum to be part of. I am living in South Africa, in the heart of the Kalahari, which is the most exceptional area for medium-to-long range hunting. We also have great field shooting and range competitions. From the little I have read it seems as if we do things a lot differently in this nick of the woods when it comes to hunting.
Because we use the meat of every buck or antelope we shoot, we tend to go for the head and neck to minimize damage to the carcass. From what I have seen you guys look for the maximum amount of damage on the forward part of the body. We shoot small antelope like the springbok (45kg on the hoof) at distances ranging from 180m to 450m. Due to the vast distances in the Kalahari we mostly hunt from vehicles, which helps a lot on long shots.
Another interesting thing I want to mention is that we tend to hunt with smaller calibers than hunters in bushy areas or in thickets. Mostly a 6mm rifle is used, either a .243 or modified calibers like 6mmXC, Ackley, SLR or BR Ackley. We shoot from really small antelope like the steenbok or duiker, right through to the largest antelope in existence, the Eland, with this caliber. Shot placement must be very accurate to bring down such an animal. From there my interest in the ELD-X rounds.
Big game indigenous to our area is the majestic Kudu, the king of the desert - the Gemsbok or Oryx, Sable, Roan, Giraffe, Bluewildebeest and Hartebeest. I will attach some photos of these some time, as well as some hunting pics.
I hope I did not bore you guys to death.
Shoot straight and enjoy your day
Because we use the meat of every buck or antelope we shoot, we tend to go for the head and neck to minimize damage to the carcass. From what I have seen you guys look for the maximum amount of damage on the forward part of the body. We shoot small antelope like the springbok (45kg on the hoof) at distances ranging from 180m to 450m. Due to the vast distances in the Kalahari we mostly hunt from vehicles, which helps a lot on long shots.
Another interesting thing I want to mention is that we tend to hunt with smaller calibers than hunters in bushy areas or in thickets. Mostly a 6mm rifle is used, either a .243 or modified calibers like 6mmXC, Ackley, SLR or BR Ackley. We shoot from really small antelope like the steenbok or duiker, right through to the largest antelope in existence, the Eland, with this caliber. Shot placement must be very accurate to bring down such an animal. From there my interest in the ELD-X rounds.
Big game indigenous to our area is the majestic Kudu, the king of the desert - the Gemsbok or Oryx, Sable, Roan, Giraffe, Bluewildebeest and Hartebeest. I will attach some photos of these some time, as well as some hunting pics.
I hope I did not bore you guys to death.
Shoot straight and enjoy your day