Minimum caliber for Samba in Victoria

[stihl88]

NSW have the following CoP which starts to cover velocity and energy, for Sambar it starts at a minimum of;
- Calibre: .308
- Bullet Weight: 150gr
- Muzzle Energy: 2649 ft-lbs

NSW Code of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures for the Effective and Humane Management of Feral Deer.png

That's a good guide.
I think 200 yards enough too. Abt 90% of sambar are shot under 100yards in Vic btw.

I think so too despite it creating further control, oversight equalling less freedoms it would probably help clear up some of the anomolies raised.

[stihl88]

You mean the the POCTA Act? It doesn't mention an iota of the word firearm or anything related to it.

It's objective is to provide for procedures conducted on animals, devices used on animals, implements and methods of capture of animals, transport of animals, restraint of animals and other related matters; and doesn't clear up the anomolies or questions posed by the OP.

Yes, the simple answer is shoot them with whatever the table allows for and you will be legally clear, your consience might not be.

The NSW chart, on the other hand, takes a more practical, common sense approach, going further to eliminate these inconsistencies.

It doesn't need to mention firearm or any other device. If a firearm is not the most humane way to kill the animal then don't use one, it is then use the right one.

The NEW chart as far as I was aware is not a Code of Practice or legislation, it was just a recommendation last time I looked at it.

As shooters we are bound by this table which inevitably involves the use of a firearm when partaking in Deer hunting.

By design this table is going at lengths to state that higher energy ammunition is required for larger deer species yet is seemingly devoid of any actual minimum energy level. I think the NSW table is more effective in this space.

[bigrich]

even on pigs 6.5 bore does not have the energy dump that a 308 or 30-06 do . i've loaded various 6.5's and meh, i'm over them . i want stuff that just works and has a bit more leeway with shot placement on running game . i've heard all the stories about 6.5's and 7's on elephant , those guys must've been very patient to wait for that perfect shot. just use enough gun and don't over analyse things in my opinion . my earlier advice to the OP to continue with his 308 or preferably his 9.3 still stands

I think the size of the hole plays a significant role in effectiveness as well. I think somewhere around the .357"/9mm region the hole is large enough that it can't contract closed from muscle spasm or the self-healing effect of the flesh. Small entry holes don't always leak very much. Poke a .45-caliber hole through something and I would expect it to be very effective, even if it's not moving all that fast.

a lot of folks are infatuated with high BC bullets that retain energy and have less drop/drift at long range . but sectional density and bore size impart energy on game , depending on bullet construction. 140gn 6.5 bullets tend to pencil through on pigs i've shot , where as a 150gn 308 bullet tends to dump energy and hydrostatic shock much more effectively causing much more internal damage . i used a 358win with 225 game kings years ago and it was the most effective pig gun i owned , swapping out to 180gn hornady hp xtp pistol bullets was devastating on smaller pigs . i've seen similar results from 8x57 mauser loaded warm with 170gn sst's and 150gn hornady/speer bullets in a mates milsurp . 8x57 sheds speed/energy quick as range increases but , that's the compromise of low BC's i guess, same with my 358. personally. i believe 308 and 30-06 are a nice compromise for range and energy across a broad variety of game , with the correct bullet for the job . with precision a 243 can kill a lot of big stuff , but on running game, especially something like sambar or reds, i want more leeway

[Wapiti]

Geeze, what a lot of facts and assumptions.

I'm not trying to be a smart-arse, but I can't see what all the over-complication is.

I was just thinking of the experienced American hunters, that go Wapiti (Mistakenly called Elk) hunting in the US during their reasons.
Wapiti are the second biggest deer species in the world, under the Moose. These guys routinely choose 30-06 or even better, 300WM with good strong 180gn projectiles, and they can shoot. And they respect the animals they hunt, same as the circle of people we know who hunt Reds in NZ.
Sambar are just another, smaller deer species and are not magically any tougher, but deserve the same respect when their lives are being taken.

I've read so much stuff about how some hunters obsess with theories and try and second guess laws that people felt they needed to set as minimums because idiots will try and shoot up animals with inadequate cartridges and firearms, some even trying to save a few cents on a bullet. There will always be cartridges that fit their guidelines but are inadequate for all situations, or those that have just been invented to make a hopeless hunter or shooter now magically a success at everything.