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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > Sambar Cooper vs lead paper

Sambar Cooper vs lead paper

08 Dec 2022
@ 11:56 am (GMT)

Matthew Beitzel

First post here but have been watching and have a couple of the books
There has been a bit of research published recently on sambar control in Australia which may be of interest.
Note, I'm not involved with any of the research and while an ecologist by profession, am not a statistician or terrestrial pest expert. I don't hunt in this area and don't want to get caught up in a rec hunting vs pest control.

One paper got a bit of right up in the SSAA magazine recently so I took a bit of a look as they are free access.

https://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/pdf/WR22099
Paper concludes that lead and copper are similar <300m and that efficacy and welfare needs to be considered in animal control with average run distances for single chest shot kills of 22m and 35m respectively. Run distance increased with body size and decreased with energy for both copper and lead.
However, the figures, to my mind, seem to indicate more difference. Fig 3 and 5 show that with the exception of one lead kill which ran 250m there is a higher run distance and variation to copper (as well as higher, but not statistically significant, wounding not recovered).
About 26 of the 33 deer running over ~60m were from copper, even including that one 250m lead shot run.
There wasn't an investigation on terminal performance of the bullet, with exemption of outcome, which Nathan has explored in depth.

Additionally I also found Sambar activity paper and comparison to ecological effect on control.
https://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/Fulltext/WR21147

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14 Dec 2022
@ 11:49 am (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Sambar Cooper vs lead paper
Hello,

Interesting paper, it notes that there is no significant difference in welfare. However I'd disagree based on what you've written above and the below

It does note that animals shot with copper tend to run at least 50% further than animals shot with lead.
It also notes that 15 hunters are responsible for most of the downed animals. I also thought it interesting to see that the 375H&H was the most used calibre. In fact generally larger calibres are used which was surprising, I thought the 308 would be higher up the list.

Similarly, the lead projectiles left less exit wounds; as well being backed by the fact that of the recovered projectiles the lead ones were smaller (calibre matched of course), this indicates a higher rate of energy transfer.

I've personally seen kangaroos jump on for ages and ages after being hit with 303 ex-mil FMJ rounds, copper certainly can have its place but to suggest its on par with lead seems to be a conclusion this article does not support (at least from a wounding/killing potential).
15 Dec 2022
@ 11:45 am (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Sambar Cooper vs lead paper
2 professional shooters shot %43 of the deer in the study of which a high majority would have been shot at night whilst feeding. Using 39% lead projectiles possibly interchanged in their rifles with mono's (ie one calibre?). With a higher level of precision (pro's).

Then a very diverse selection of calibres, power levels, projectile types being wielded by stalkers in general use. Alarmed animals? shot placement skill level?

I cant think of to many options for Mono's in the OZ market but damn there has been countless lead options/constuctions over the years.

Reading Nathan & Steph's teachings will have made you well aware of the different results in a given calibre-cartridge combo by simply changing projectiles and or placement.

So this statement at the end of this study is alarming to me!

"A transition to lead-free ammunition could be considered for
sambar deer shooting without markedly affecting efficiency
or animal welfare outcomes.
"
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