Enough bullet for kudu?

[frog stealer]

Guys,



I致e been working on finding some accurate 7x57 loads for my upcoming plains game hunt in May. I致e found what appears to be a very good load with 140 gr. Accubonds and H414. For velocity, I知 getting into the mid 2700's. I知 getting groups in the .7's at 100 yds.



I致e also tried the Barnes TSX (140 gr.) with the same powder, and while the groups are not as good (1.3's), still decent enough for hunting purposes.



What are your opinions of this load (Accubonds) on Kudu? I know it's a bit light in the bullet weight department, but I致e heard they are relatively easy to put down, and my trip is coming up soon, so I壇 like to stop load development, and focus on shooting in field conditions.



I壇 appreciate anyone with experience to offer some suggestions.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Guys,



I致e been working on finding some accurate 7x57 loads for my upcoming plains game hunt in May. I致e found what appears to be a very good load with 140 gr. Accubonds and H414. For velocity, I知 getting into the mid 2700's. I知 getting groups in the .7's at 100 yds.



I致e also tried the Barnes TSX (140 gr.) with the same powder, and while the groups are not as good (1.3's), still decent enough for hunting purposes.



What are your opinions of this load (Accubonds) on Kudu? I know it's a bit light in the bullet weight department, but I致e heard they are relatively easy to put down, and my trip is coming up soon, so I壇 like to stop load development, and focus on shooting in field conditions.



I壇 appreciate anyone with experience to offer some suggestions.

My one and only Kudu went down in 50 yards with a 180gr TSX that passed through. I've not hunted with the ABs, but have worked up loads for them and get great accuracy too. Of the two bullets I'd prefer the Barnes as you're loading a little on the light side. But with proper first shot I don't think I'd sweat using the ABs either.

I should have some better loads data for a 140gr North Fork bonded core in 7x57 this weekend. Hopefully you have some IMR4350 around.

 

[frog stealer]

Thanks Phil,

I haven't been able to find IMR4350 in a while...but I do have about half a pound of H4350. It seems like I'm getting better accuracy with H414 with the lighter bullets, and H4350 with the heavier ones.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks Phil,

I haven't been able to find IMR4350 in a while...but I do have about half a pound of H4350. It seems like I'm getting better accuracy with H414 with the lighter bullets, and H4350 with the heavier ones.

And you have a M70 Featherweight too, correct?

 

[frog stealer]

Yes, I'm running an FN Featherweight.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I致e heard they are relatively easy to put down.

I imagine they can be but mine went 100+ yards with a great shot from a .338 Lapua with 210gr TSX. They can be tough too.

 

[frog stealer]

I imagine they can be but mine went 100+ yards with a great shot from a .338 Lapua with 210gr TSX. They can be tough too.

Wow, I guess that changes things a little. That's a big rifle. Guess I have to make a good shot, and hope the trackers ate their wheaties that day.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Wow, I guess that changes things a little. That's a big rifle. Guess I have to make a good shot, and hope the trackers ate their wheaties that day.

Other than the 20lbers there is not an animal over there that you can get away with a bad shot.

LOL the trackers were lucky, I had passed this bull earlier in the hunt on the top of the Koppie and we ended up killing him in a spot we could get a Bakkie real close, the ravine he fell in, well that's another story.

 

[frog stealer]

Other than the 20lbers there is not an animal over there that you can get away with a bad shot.

LOL the trackers were lucky, I had passed this bull earlier in the hunt on the top of the Koppie and we ended up killing him in a spot we could get a Bakkie real close, the ravine he fell in, well that's another story.

Just curious, do you have any idea of what your kudu weighed on the hoof? Most of my africa animal books give an average weight of 500 pounds.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Just curious, do you have any idea of what your kudu weighed on the hoof? Most of my africa animal books give an average weight of 500 pounds.

Im not sure, it was an East Cape Kudu so it did not weigh as much as a big Southern Greater but was maybe the size of a cow elk.

 

[frog stealer]

Im not sure, it was an East Cape Kudu so it did not weigh as much as a big Southern Greater but was maybe the size of a cow elk.

That sounds good...I'm hunting in the eastern cape as well. Due to the smaller size of kudu there, I feel a little better about using a lighter bullet.

 

[enysse]

Im not sure, it was an East Cape Kudu so it did not weigh as much as a big Southern Greater but was maybe the size of a cow elk.

I think that is an accurate description.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

This would be accurate for the most part, I have hunted a couple of bulls in Limpopo that slaughtered just over or around 400lbs considering that this weight almost doubles if not double on the hoof, that puts it around 800lbs..

Sometimes you just get big bodied bruts,

IMO shot placement is the single most important factor ti success on any animal with this in mind one should be very aware that, the smaller the calibre and lighter the projectile the more important the latter become..

My very best always

 

[sestoppelman]

That load will work, but I wouldnt expect dramatic results. I used a 250 gr Accubond on a kudu, ran 40 yds, expired.

 

[frog stealer]

Beginning to think I need to bump up my bullet weight a bit! I think they make 160 gr. Accubonds, maybe they'll do as well as the 140's did.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

FS where will you be hunting, terrain and which part of South Africa? This could and should be a factor to consider when selecting bullet weight as well?

My best always.

 

[frog stealer]

FS where will you be hunting, terrain and which part of South Africa? This could and should be a factor to consider when selecting bullet weight as well?

My best always.

Jaco, I'll be in the eastern cape area. From what I can tell in the pictures, it's more or less mountains. That's originally why I wanted to go with a lighter bullet...a bit flatter trajectory.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Makes sense to me! would 200fps truly make such a great difference?

140 will do the job, if that bullet goes through the lungs he is going down, that I'll put money on!

This is as much fun as the safari..

My best always.

 

[frog stealer]

Makes sense to me! would 200fps truly make such a great difference?

140 will do the job, if that bullet goes through the lungs he is going down, that I'll put money on!

This is as much fun as the safari..

My best always.

Haha, I agree...I've spent so much money on guns and bullets for this trip, I could've probably gone on two by now, but I wouldn't have it any other way...I love this stuff!

 

[enysse]

I agree with Jaco, go with the 140 grain bullets. Shots can get long in the East Cape.