First Sambar kill with 338 EDGE- CONFIRMED

[Down Under Hunter]

A few weeks ago I had a great opportunity at a nice stag as it travelled to its night feeding grounds.

It was about 20 min before dark when I spotted something that didn't look right. Guess what , a big stags rear end from behind a large tree. Quickly ranging the deer at 875 mts and a downhill cos of .96 I quickly dialled the 22.5 up and set the rifle up. Due to there being no wind I allowed zero windage and broke the trigger.

Watching the deer react through the scope he hoped forward as they tend to do with a lung shot and slowly disappeared in the dogwood. Now due to the fact that it was now almost dark and I was 1000 yards away, I decided to wait till first light for the recovery.

Well guess what, it poured rain all night and when I got to the spot everything was completely washed out. I looked for around 4 hours with no luck, but felt sure that he was hit well and I would eventually recover him.

Thankfully the day arrived some 3 weeks later and I found the neat 26 " stag in a nasty tangle of terribly thick scrub about 150 meters from the strike.

On analysing the event I believe the shot was well placed and had I not had all the sign washed out on the night, I'm sure I would have recovered him quickly. I will probably try next time to break the front legs rather than in the pocket behind the front leg. You just cant help bad luck !

This first kill for the rifle illustrates the devastating potential of the 338 EDGE on Sambar deer and what opportunity a quality long range system can deliver.

I'll posts some pics of the head when it gets cleaned up some more.

[Len Backus]

Congrats!

[JAWZ]

You found him thats great mate .
Is he even in the tops and brows.?

JAWZ

[Down Under Hunter]

Jawz,

Cheers mate ! Finally turned him over !

Hes just a nice head without anything over fancy. Small inners, good brows, decent weight and about square for spread.

Whats happening up north ?

DUH

[edge]

Congrats, too bad you could not make a clean recovery.

What are your general weather conditions that time of year?
Here, unless the temps stay below freezing, which is rare, I go after everything asap except gut shot animals.

IMO, most lost animals are due to waiting too long! If I shoot an animal that I know is dead then I will follow up right away unless I can see it. If I see it fall then I will watch for about 5 minutes and if there is no movement then I go an retrieve it.

I have friends that wait 1/2 hour, and others that will do as you did and wait overnight.
My recovery is more successful, but their tracking skills are lacking too.

edge.

[Shawn Carlock]

DUH,

Nice shot. Glad you caught up with him. I have become a big proponent of the high shoulder shot for this very reason. Sounds like all went well with conditions and shot execution just that recovery was tough.

[JAWZ]

Mate not much just got back from Fiji .

I knocked off 2 of the white deer out of my fallow herd and then did some practice , the 240 is shooting sweet .25 after bedding and now Im off to the range with the 300 and the new NF scope.

Congrats again.

JAWZ