Aussie Sambar hunt success

[Topshot]

Just got back from a short overnight Back Pack hunt on the Sambar. Got into camp too late to hunt so got up early and had a hunt.
Found some sign and tracked this stag back to its bedding area.
Missed first shot as it ran away but steadied for the second and hit him at 100 yards on the run as he angled down and away from me.

Very happy with the results, Stag in late velvet, went 28.5"x29.5"x34"

Bullet struck centre of the shoulder and lodged under skin at base of neck.
Instant kill.

Rifle 338WM Sako. Bullet 250grain Hornady HPBT Match @ 2735fps

Not much damage on the outside but different on the inside!!!!!!!!!
3 inch hole through shoulder and 5 inch hole through rib cage.

 

[Down Under Hunter]

Holy mackrel !!

What a stag mate !!


Very well done. Is he hard ???

Was he in country you could have used the EDGE in ?

That sure is a hell of a big deer. And a bloody big hole in him too !!

IS that your biggest so far ?

Well done Norm !!

DUH

 

[Topshot]

Thanks DUH,

Yes he is in hard velvet, would have rubbed out in the next few days if I hadn't shot it. Swainy is doing the head and he gave some formalin to spray it with so that the bugs dont eat the velvet in years to come. This is my first velvet stag and just a tad bigger than my best other Sambar.

The spot I shot him in is one of the spots that I am having the EDGE built for. It would be ideal for the area as it is in very open bluff country rarely ever visited by other hunters. The only problem is the weight of the rifle and the fact that it would get knocked about on the carry out if I shot a deer.

When I shot him I was on a solo hunt and I don't think I will ever go back into that area again solo. It is just too hard, I am still sore from the climb out. I had to strap the rifle, Antlers and cape to the outside of the pack and they got knocked about a bit on rocks on the climb out.

I am pleased with the performance of the 250 grain Hornady BTHP Match pill, this is the second Sambar that I have shot with them in the last two weeks and it performed exactly the same both times.

They penetrate about two inches then destroy everything in their path, as can be seen by the photo. Leaving a small portion of the remaining bullet under the skin on the far side.

I am sure that the 300 SMK would be a better option for my 338 EDGE but for the 338WM these bullets would be hard to beat. I have shot a lot of Sambar with various bullets out of my .338WM and these bullets do by far the most damage that I have seen.

Hey the best thing is the season is just starting and there is plenty more stags out there for the taking. I feel we could both be in for a good year!

 

[Down Under Hunter]

You could be right there mate !!

I'd be out today but the wind is screaming. I doubt they will have their heads out this afternoon. We'll see what happens.

Do you think you could have glassed that stag from distance where he was located and what length of shot would you have needed to make with the EGDE ?

DUH

 

[Topshot]

DUH

Windy alright! It could blow a dog off a chain.

These escarpment type areas are well suited to long range hunting. My main aim at the moment is to locate suitable vantage points and plot them on my GPS for future reference. There is no shortage of vantage points but they also need to overlook an area that contains a large stag. This means climbing down and having a look for large rubs/scrapes etc. This is basicly what I was doing when I found this stag.

The small side gully where the stag was holed up in was just off the main creek. There was stacks of fresh stag sign at the mouth of the side gully so I knew he was in there.

If I had been hunting with the EDGE, my plan would have been to sit on the opporsite side of the main creek and waited till late afternoon when he came out. It would have then been a simple matter of shooting him across the valley from about 250 to 300 yards.

As it was I didn't have my edge or enough time so I had to walk him up.

 

[MDP]

Ripper stag there mate.
Will hopefully be able to head down and chase them in a about a months time. Unfortunately I won't have my edge by then but it shouldn't be too much longer. Getting the export permits has become more costly and a bigger pain in the but than I had anticipated. I think that I will get any future projects built here just to save the hassel
Is your edge being built in the US or here in Aus?
Matt

 

[JAWZ]

Norm Top stag.

That is truley awsome.

Matty Shane is making his gun as well as mine.

 

[JAWZ]

When are you boys going to take us poor NSW sambar hunter out.

I cant live with my 20 inch stag looking at that 1

 

[jimbojeweller]

Ooh me too me too
Bloody ripper stag there. Hopefully you leave some for me when i get there in a couple of months

 

[Topshot]

Thanks fellas for your kind words. I wish you all the best for your upcomming hunts after Sambar.

Ripper stag there mate.
Will hopefully be able to head down and chase them in a about a months time. Unfortunately I won't have my edge by then but it shouldn't be too much longer. Getting the export permits has become more costly and a bigger pain in the but than I had anticipated. I think that I will get any future projects built here just to save the hassel
Is your edge being built in the US or here in Aus?
Matt

Hi Matt,

As Jaws said, I am having my EDGE built by Shane Clancy. I gave up the idea of importing a rifle as the Aussie dollar dived and the taxes were excessive.
I am sure that Shane will build me a quality rifle.

I also plan to have him build me a quality light weight rifle. Most likely in 7mm WSM for the more rugged areas.

Jaws, you will have to let me know how your EDGE turns out! When do you expect it to be ready?

 

[Topshot]

When are you boys going to take us poor NSW sambar hunter out.

I cant live with my 20 inch stag looking at that 1

If you blokes want to come down (or up) for a get together and hunt Sambar then put up a proposal. I am always keen to get out into the scrub.

 

[Coldzero]

Excellent Sambar.... Very Impressive! That 250gr just devastated. What a great mount you'll have, congrats.

Cheers,

CZ

 

[MDP]

Thankfully I paid for most of my build when the dollar was at 93 cents.

Unfortunately the State Department is making it extremely difficult for US

manufacturers and their OS clients. There has been huge increases in export

licence and permit fees. In a time when they should be doing everything

possible to encourage exports to help their economy the Govt is too

preoccupied with its anti gun agenda. I have heard that Lilja has to pay

$250 per barrel that they export and also had to pay the cost for barrels

exported before the rule came in. What a joke. Oh well looks like Shane will be

getting a lot more business as will non US and Aus barrel makers.



When a few more of us get our new toys some sort of get together would be

great. Even if its just to socialise and do a bit of longrange practise.



A quality lite weight gun would be nice. The price of the edge meant that

I had limited funds for another sambar gun and so opted for a Tikka T3 lite in

300wsm. It is not in the league of a custom rig but for a bash around sambar

gun in the thick stuff I am more than happy. I do have a remington in

30/06 that could find its way off to a gun smith in the not too distant future

though. Just have to decide on which caliber. These custom rifles are

becoming very addictive.

Matty

 

[jimbojeweller]

My new lightweight 7mm wsm is nearly finished. Stock turned up yesterday so will post when i get it home gun)
Should be the ticket for those big beasts and still have the legs for a long shot if one presents itself

Hopefully my "longrange" 7mm wsm tactical hunter will be ready soon then i can give that a workout too.....maybe catch up with you blokes for a shot