[LockandLoad]

Most comments on the net indecte 150, 165 or 180gn controled expantion projectiles. I've narrowed it down to Sierra GameKing, Nosler Accubond, Nosler Partition, Hornady STT, Barnes TSX. Anyone got personal experience with these projectiles. Good and Bad.

[mauser]

I upsized now to 9.3x62 after loosing 2 samber from shooting with .270 win there is nothing worse loosing samber after shooting it

[Tikka Tart]

Personally I would use 180 grain Barnes TSX, if I couldn't get them then it would be 180 grain Nosler Accubonds then 180 grain Woodleigh Weldcores in that order. I would also try and get some Alliant Reloader 17 powder as it might give you more than 2700fps with 180 grain bullets.

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[Knogg]

In 308 id be running a barnes tripple shock or vital shock. I buy fereal premium cartridges with these projectiles. They are alot dearer but the expense isnt to bad considering it's a .338 wm which i only use for hunting. So 3 rounds last many deer stalks
Im useing 220 grains in my 338 so for 308 id use a 180g. There are plenty of controlled expansion and very high weight retaining projectiles available.

Possibly If your range for game was a little further out then the lower weights are suitable so your keeping a flatter tradjectory and higher velocity This may help retain hitting energy, Thats for one of the data buffs to spell out, The Tarts always good for some balistic info

[Dylan S]

Consider that plenty of sambar have been dropped (bang flops) using a .270 with 130 grain projectiles. This is outlined in Errol Mason's 'Secrets of the Sambar' quite well.

I also know of a bloke on another forum that uses Nosler ballistic tips in his 7-08 for many kinds of hunting, including dropping a Ssambar quite easily with this load.

A good strong projectile is a good starting point, but placing your shot well is equally as important (if not more so). In 'Secrets of the Sambar', the author outlines that he quite often prefers a shoulder shot ove a direct heart/lung shot for a few reasons. The deer seem to be able to run a decent distance if they're only hit in the heart/lung area whereas a deer hit in the shoulder finds it more difficult to run any great distance after being shot. The shoulder blade also turns into shrapnel and shoots shards of bone into the lung area if you hit it with a good projectile, which seems to put animals down with good reliability.

Keep in mind that I have never shot a sambar, but am just putting to you some information in a book I have read a few times. The quickest death the author has ever witnessed on a sambar was with a .270 on a high shoulder shot. He used to use a .375 H+H for guided hunts but found that people couldn't fire it as accurately and turned to a .30-06. Just keep that sort of stuff in mind.

[Vince]

Take some time and read through the data base of Nathan's website I highly recommend This site to anyone wondeing what projectile / caliber to use.

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[OuttaAmmo]

I haven't shot any Sambar, but I've shot a few buffaloes and scrub bulls with the 308 (and witnessed many more taken with a 308).

One of the the best penetrating bullets by far (excluding FMJ and Solids) would be the 165 or 180 gn woodleigh weldcores. Both seemed similar in terminal performance, maybe the difference in MV offset the difference in bullet weight... 150gn woodleigh are good too, but doesn't penetrate like the other two...

FYI, I have tried, Barnes X, Failsafes, Ballistic Tips, SST's, Core Lokts, Winchester Power Point, Silvertips (old and new) and many others...
Most of these were used on pigs, the Woodleighs, Failsafes and FMJ the only ones I used on the bigger stuff.

Thumbs up for Woodleigh.

[exocet]

 Dylan S, on 16 Jul 2011 - 02:24 PM, said:

The deer seem to be able to run a decent distance if they're only hit in the heart/lung area whereas a deer hit in the shoulder finds it more difficult to run any great distance after being shot. The shoulder blade also turns into shrapnel and shoots shards of bone into the lung area if you hit it with a good projectile, which seems to put animals down with good reliability.

Keep in mind that I have never shot a sambar, but am just putting to you some information in a book I have read a few times. The quickest death the author has ever witnessed on a sambar was with a .270 on a high shoulder shot. He used to use a .375 H+H for guided hunts but found that people couldn't fire it as accurately and turned to a .30-06. Just keep that sort of stuff in mind.

well i have not shot a sambar either. but i have shot lots of other things and i agree that a high-ish shoulder shot is usually quickly lethal.

[Dylan S]

Further following on from what I typed earlier, the author of that book, who guides people for Sambar to make a living, uses factory Remington Core-lokt ammunition in his .30-06.

I think of the standard 'non premium' projectiles, the Remington Core-lokt is one of the most reliable projectiles you can buy.

Again though, it's all about shot placement. I'd be aiming to take out mobility over a heart shot. Smash them in the shoulder/spine!

[exocet]

 Dylan S, on 10 Sep 2011 - 06:25 AM, said:

Further following on from what I typed earlier, the author of that book, who guides people for Sambar to make a living, uses factory Remington Core-lokt ammunition in his .30-06.

I think of the standard 'non premium' projectiles, the Remington Core-lokt is one of the most reliable projectiles you can buy.

Again though, it's all about shot placement. I'd be aiming to take out mobility over a heart shot. Smash them in the shoulder/spine!

the hornady interlock is very commendable too in this regard. i have found the flat based interlocks the equal of the core lokt in terminal performance, but generally a little better through the air.

the core lokt is a little cheaper and i think the best standard/cheap hunting ammo you can get. but as i reload i prefer the hornady interlock.

the sst is good too and shoots very flat but i don't think they hold together quite as good as the interlock or the core lokt.

[vman]

 Dylan S, on 10 Sep 2011 - 06:25 AM, said:

Further following on from what I typed earlier, the author of that book, who guides people for Sambar to make a living, uses factory Remington Core-lokt ammunition in his .30-06.

I think of the standard 'non premium' projectiles, the Remington Core-lokt is one of the most reliable projectiles you can buy.

Again though, it's all about shot placement. I'd be aiming to take out mobility over a heart shot. Smash them in the shoulder/spine!

+1

I have actually spent a few days out with Errol, top bloke he is.

Its all about shot placement.

I personally use Lapua Scenars on Sambar. A high shoulder shot is my preferred shot. Breaks both shoulders and sends secondary projectiles flying into the lungs and heart. Hydrostatic shock also gives a rather large pounding to the central nervous system.

If you botch the shot and go high theres a good chance you will take out the spine, which drops the animal instantly.

If you go low theres a good chance you hit the heart/lungs.

My method of hunting is not really face to face and I refuse to walk around with a cocked rifle ready to go on an animal the runs explosively fast. BULLSHIT to that. I hunt ethically and take the time to use proper shooting skills. If a 30" buck goes flying out of a bush and all I can see is those light patches of brown bouncing around, I will not take a shot.

I would also say the CoreLokt is a good projectile for face to face hunters. Its not as accurate as I like so I dont use them as I typically hunt beyond 300 yards, but Its a good bullet when it lands where it needs to be.