Oldbloke wrote:Sooo, today I looked at Errol Masons Secrets of Sambar. He states the 3006 with well placed shots is capable of reliable 1 shot kills on Sambar out to 300 yards. No further. So I did some Numbers on my 30-06 and the 7.62 x 39. Here it is.
My 3006 Estimated load with 180 gr Interlok .425 BC muzzle velocity 2550 fps 22" barrel. Manual says about 2600 fps but have deducted 50 fps because all data is from the ADI manual and they use 24" barrels. So this is an estimate. People often forget that the ADI and other powder companies usually use 24 or 26" barrels and some allowance needs to be made for this if you are only estimating.
I ran all these through the Federal ballistic calculator.
30-06
Muzzle 2550 fps 2599 ft-lb
100 yards 2348 fps 2203 ft-lb
200 Yards 2156 fps 1857 ft-lb
300 yards 1972 fps 1554 ft-lb
So 1554 ft-lb is considered by E Mason to be the minimum reliable energy for 1 shot kills on Sambar.
7.62x39 Max load with 24" barrel 150 gr .339 BC Interlok 2192 fps, deduct for 22" barrel make in say 2150 fps.
7.62x39
Muzzle 2150 fps 1539 ft-lb energy
50 yards 2034 fps 1377 ft-lb energy
100 yards 1921 fps 1228 ft-lb energy
Numbers speak for them selves- in theory at least reliable to the end of the muzzle. mmmm perhaps 50 yards max. So I would not use it on Sambar. Perhaps Reds to 50 yards.
Just hope I got the numbers right.
Numbers are still somewhat random when it comes to killing an animal, even a well-placed shot may not always kill instantly, and sometimes a poorly-placed shot will. If I had to kill a Sambar and 7.62x39mm is all I had then I'd use it, at very close range. But if I could borrow a .308 with a brake I'd be a hell of a lot happier using that, or something even bigger.
I had a post come through my FB feed last week from a guy that was praising the bullet he used to take a Sambar...except it took two shots to kill it. I can't recall what cartridge it was, but I do remember it was legal.