Of Steenbok and Ancient Ammunition.

**TStone** · 03-05-2017, 18:39

A while ago, I received a request for two steenbok, to replace two ruined capes for full body mounts, from a taxidermist. I have not shot a steenbok, or any of the other small ones, for many years, although I have guided clients hunting them.

What to shoot them with, was the first problem, most centerfire cartridges cause a lot of damage to the capes. Due to the thick grass, after the good rains, and the fact that they would probably be shot at ±100m a .22lr is not really a good choice, apart from it being illegal.

I contemplated loading a few impala solids, but then remembered that I had some ancient Kynoch 173gr solids for my 7x57. Closer inspection proved that there were three rounds left. My 7x57 is currently sighted in with 130gr Peregrine handloads. At a hundred meters, the Kynoch solid shot less than an inch from the Peregrines, so I went hunting with the remaining two solids, and bagged two steenbok with clean kills (at 88m and a little over 100m) and virtually no damage to the capes.

**Pirate** · 03-05-2017, 18:54

Careful of doing a job too well, if they need another one you won't have the ammo for it!

Nicely done. Being so tiny, is anything really usable from the carcass?

**Messor** · 03-05-2017, 18:56

Originally Posted by TStone

and the fact that they would probably be shot at ±100m

You just lost your street cred :)

Or you guys torture and then release all your steenbok.

OR, you were looking for one like on the pnp card.

**Raw1** · 03-05-2017, 18:58

Nice one, well done

**TStone** · 03-05-2017, 19:00

Originally Posted by Pirate

Careful of doing a job too well, if they need another one you won't have the ammo for it!

Nicely done. Being so tiny, is anything really usable from the carcass?

A leg makes a meal for two hungry people and is actually quite good.

**TStone** · 03-05-2017, 19:33

Originally Posted by Messor

OR, you were looking for one like on the pnp card.

For one of those I'd take the .300 win mag. It does look almost like an ibex?

**Ds J** · 03-05-2017, 21:09

Originally Posted by Pirate

Being so tiny, is anything really usable from the carcass?

Cook it into a pie. I know two people who clearly state that steenbok is the best by far.

**Pirate** · 03-05-2017, 22:05

Originally Posted by Ds J

Cook it into a pie. I know two people who clearly state that steenbok is the best by far.

Because between the two of them they ate the whole thing?

@TStone: yes I can think that a leg will be just enough for one sitting... maar haai shame! Still you've not told us what you plan on shooting the next ones with? Have you got some old Swedish milsurp rolling around a drawer somewhere?

**TStone** · 04-05-2017, 05:21

Originally Posted by Pirate

Because between the two of them they ate the whole thing?

@TStone: yes I can think that a leg will be just enough for one sitting... maar haai shame! Still you've not told us what you plan on shooting the next ones with? Have you got some old Swedish milsurp rolling around a drawer somewhere?

Unfortunately, I don't have any more solids, I guess I will just stop hunting steenbok.

I will have to look at loading up some Impala solids but to be honest I'd prefer not to hunt the smaller antelope. Which, I realise, is illogical as there is no difference in principle between hunting a steenbok and an eland.

For someone who do hunt them regularly, the .22 Hornet is probably the perfect caliber.

**Ds J** · 04-05-2017, 06:15

I spoke to a ph once about this matter. He generally prefers a shotgun with bird shot for the small bokkies (steenbok, duiker, klipspringer, soenie, grysbok) because the shot does not damage the cape.