300 yard eland shoulder shot with a .308 - would you take it?

I'm not supporting a 300 yd shot on an eland. I would advise getting closer.
With a .308, I would give the Sierra GameChanger 165 gr. ammo a try in your rifle. If the gun likes that bullet- good deal. Would also consider a 180 gr. bullet.

I finished off a bad bow shot on an eland with a Brit .303 at about 50 yds- DRT ! The are large animals, but considered "thin skinned", buy African standards.

I realize this is an older post, but my thoughts in general. The reality is that a 300 yard shot is far for most hunters. Yes there is likely a good amount on AH members that are avid shooters and practice at longer ranges. But this is a unique group and i would guess the average hunter doesn’t put many shots down range outside of the pre deer season sight in and hunting season.

I consider my many hunts in Colorado and Wyoming to be the longer range opportunities for antelope, deer and elk. My trips to SA and Namibia not nearly as far shots in general. Maybe that’s because i want to stalk closer, hunt some waterholes and enjoy the Africa experience of an unknown animal approaching while I’m there. It’s not like only a deer or turkey or the once a year bear sighting will happen like in PA. Nothing more exciting then the unknown of Africa. Forget about 300 yards. Do your prep work including shooting on sticks between 100-200 yards and be confident. Your .308 will kill any Eland without question in this general range which likely covers 90% of what a good PH and outfitter will get you.
 
I realize this is an older post, but my thoughts in general. The reality is that a 300 yard shot is far for most hunters. Yes there is likely a good amount on AH members that are avid shooters and practice at longer ranges. But this is a unique group and i would guess the average hunter doesn’t put many shots down range outside of the pre deer season sight in and hunting season.

I consider my many hunts in Colorado and Wyoming to be the longer range opportunities for antelope, deer and elk. My trips to SA and Namibia not nearly as far shots in general. Maybe that’s because i want to stalk closer, hunt some waterholes and enjoy the Africa experience of an unknown animal approaching while I’m there. It’s not like only a deer or turkey or the once a year bear sighting will happen like in PA. Nothing more exciting then the unknown of Africa. Forget about 300 yards. Do your prep work including shooting on sticks between 100-200 yards and be confident. Your .308 will kill any Eland without question in this general range which likely covers 90% of what a good PH and outfitter will get you.
Maybe it is also because a competent PH is going to do everything in his power to to insure every shot is inside 200 yards - 150 if he can manage it.
 
Maybe it is also because a competent PH is going to do everything in his power to to insure every shot is inside 200 yards - 150 if he can manage it.

Agree! PH’s don’t get good tips when clients take 300 yard shots (with any caliber) and pay for wounded game that may not be recovered.
 
I personally would not attempt to hunt an eland with a calibre as small as the .308 Winchester . My preferences would be :
- .318 Westley Richards ( 250 grain Kynoch soft nose )
- .338 Winchester Magnum ( 250 grain Nosler Partition )
- 9.3x62 mm Mauser ( 286 grain Nosler Partition )

The elands are among the largest of the African plains game .
 
Hey guys if you haven't noticed, this thread is from 2013 and my little 308 did just fine. Pics of dead (smallish) eland have been posted.

The PH had no concerns using the 308. The Eland however, had a lot of cause for concern. The bullet did shed a lot of weight, but a part of it penetrated. If i ever go back for more Eland I'll probably use a Barnes bullet instead. Shot placement is key.
 
I was (and probably still am) one of those who think bigger is better on eland - a .375 is great, and a .300 should work well. I think I'm repeating myself here.

The new information is that I just got back from Africa and had only a .275 with me, and as I will relate on another thread, did just fine on eland. For what it's worth, the bullet was a Remmington Core-Lokt - not my usual (I like Barnes) but I'd used up all my own ammo by then and that was all I could get in South Africa!
 
I was (and probably still am) one of those who think bigger is better on eland - a .375 is great, and a .300 should work well. I think I'm repeating myself here.

The new information is that I just got back from Africa and had only a .275 with me, and as I will relate on another thread, did just fine on eland. For what it's worth, the bullet was a Remmington Core-Lokt - not my usual (I like Barnes) but I'd used up all my own ammo by then and that was all I could get in South Africa!
Imagine that, a Core Lokt? I've shot all my elk here with a 225gr. Core Lokt .338 WM. Probably not the ideal bullet for many African game animals, but the elk here never complained.
 
Imagine that, a Core Lokt? I've shot all my elk here with a 225gr. Core Lokt .338 WM. Probably not the ideal bullet for many African game animals, but the elk here never complained.
Well, I imagine they might have complained, but likely stopped by the time you got to them!
 
Not to stir up a rats nest, but I think elk are tougher than most plains game. I’ve been on 3 Africa trips with friends where ~90 animals were taken with an assortment of calibers, muzzleloaders and bows. And the recovery stats on animals hit were far better in Africa then on the elk hunts i have been on or close friends have been on. Eland are certainly big and heavy boned so a tough animal, but my group is 5 for 5 with all dropped quickly. Longest recovery went ~70yds after a pass through shot from a 65 lb bow. As for 300 yards with a .308... it will work with good shot placement, but why not get closer as that’s part of the fun. I’d pass on 300 yds if at all possible and look for another opportunity.
 

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