7.62x39 for Sambar

[Oldbloke]

There are just so many variables.
Bullet design.
Speed
Hits: no bones, rib, scapular, heavy bone
Angle
Distance travelled through the body
Organs hit.
Animal was, sleeping, relaxed, alert, running

[mchughcb]

There are just so many variables.
Bullet design.
Speed
Hits: no bones, rib, scapular, heavy bone
Angle
Distance travelled through the body
Organs hit.
Animal was, sleeping, relaxed, alert, running

I've shot sambar in all of the above and thevresults are the same. The almost always run and die.

[bigrich]

There are just so many variables.
Bullet design.
Speed
Hits: no bones, rib, scapular, heavy bone
Angle
Distance travelled through the body
Organs hit.
Animal was, sleeping, relaxed, alert, running

I've shot sambar in all of the above and thevresults are the same. The almost always run and die.

they can't run with smashed shoulders or hips . was told to hit the shoulder with my 9.3 so buff can't run , then put a finisher into the heart . worked a treat . 9.3x62 is adequate for buff, with the right shot placement and bullet , but it's a little on the small side so a different strategy is used . if i just took a heart/lung shot straight off , buff would definitely run more often than not .
took out the rear hips of a massive boar with my 308 as it ran away from me , couldn't run without working back legs. turned and clacked it jaws at me as i got closer and put a finisher into it . maybe employ the same strategy on sambar for no runners .
the best one shot kill i saw on a buff was a little old man , not much bigger than a gnome , with a well used marlin 45-70 shooting hot handloads with a 350gn hornady projectile. at 80 meters, one shot front on into the chest , and a BIG buff was dropped . coughed blood once and was done . the guy was a retired professional guide who had a wealth of knowledge. he talked, i listened . you can read and assume all you want , but first hand knowledge and experience is gold to me

[Wapiti]

From my earlier experiences hunting with a relative from the Latrobe Valley for Sambar in the forests behind their cattle property, they are VERY skittish, aware animals, constantly on edge. Whether it's because of all the constant hunting pressure they get, or what, but one thing was completely apparent to me when comparing their reactions to any other animal I regularly have to kill.
ANY animal that is alert and afraid will seem unstoppable when shot if not immediately immobilised by a perfect hit that stuns the nervous system, drops all blood pressure immediately and/or destroys the mechanical means of escape, will run until the life runs out.
Mechanical immobilisation requires more energy when the animals are bigger of course.
I'm completely comfortable with the caliber restrictions given for hunting them, in fact it's laughable seeing people trying to weasel around them. It's obvious that they are there because of so many individuals' problems complying with animal welfare issues. Nothing will ever be perfect, except of course the skill levels of the people arguing they are stupid, in their own perfect minds anyway.
These deer aren't any harder to kill than any other similar sized animal. But they are given mythical status for sure. If it makes Sambar hunters somehow better than the hunters of "lesser" animals, go for it.

[bladeracer]

I'm completely comfortable with the caliber restrictions given for hunting them, in fact it's laughable seeing people trying to weasel around them.

I think people are trying to make sense of them rather than weasel around them. How do you determine what is "more" than the minimum when the minimum simply requires a specific bullet diameter and weight? Is a 158gn .38 Special "more" than a 130gn .270Win load based on the metrics provided?

[Oldbloke]

I'm completely comfortable with the caliber restrictions given for hunting them, in fact it's laughable seeing people trying to weasel around them.

I think people are trying to make sense of them rather than weasel around them. How do you determine what is "more" than the minimum when the minimum simply requires a specific bullet diameter and weight? Is a 158gn .38 Special "more" than a 130gn .270Win load based on the metrics provided?

I think it's both.

[bigrich]

if people don't have the common sense to select a caliber of ample energy/projectile weight for the game at hand they probably shouldn't be hunting in the first place
JMHO

[Larry]

The answer to the OP question though is a resounding yes. My favorite rifle a Sako 85 in 243 is the one I normally pick and go out the back of my place to shoot foxes when needed. I was one faced with a Sambar at 300 yards and a decision to make. I had practiced the week before at the range shooting 300 yards with it so was pretty confident of my and the guns ability. I took the shot a head shot and it dropped on the spot the knees just buckle and the animal dropped like a lead weight. I know it was against the rules but as a farmer they are a pest and they make great dog food.