Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
So a high shoulder shot with this round won't anchor a 200# whitetail?
Maybe I should consider my second choice, 25-06?
I never shot a deer with a 25-06. I have escorted two people hunting who have. Both opurtunities were under 150 yds ish. One dropped right out the other one ran a short distance. bout 80 yds. shot (both were 1 1/2-2 year bucks). I was just happy I didn't have to track it into the cut over but thought it worked pretty good. It only went about 60-70 yards.
I killed a 4-5 year old buck last Saturday with a 243. First shot low shoulder, he quivered and just stood there like he was going to throw up, so I put another one in him higher but below the spine.
When he ran off towards the larger part of the woods I had to get out of the box blind run out about 80 yds on the tractor road and put another right up its ass. It was when it turned I got a little nervous because I thought he was coming back the way he ran but he went over. Ammo was 100 gr Winchester soft point.
Two maybe three years ago, I had my daughter out and she killed a small six or eight with Remington 90 core locks. First shot the reflex was to take off running, second shot put it down after it was down to a trot. Little back but I was happy that it didn't turn into a shit show.
More than a few years ago I took a kid out for the youth hunt. He was shooting a H&R single shot 243. Remington ammo I cant remember the weight. I just checked the head-stamp and bore- made sure we were straight. He drilled a large, large like above average. Wt buck 100yds right in the starboard shoulder and it was still running around the farm two weeks later with a mortified shoulder.
Last week a woman hunter killed a buck out of one of our tower stands there.
Made a good shot, a doe ran off the property and onto the state woods a pretty good ways before it was recovered. It was nickle plated Winchester brass that was tossed out of the gun. Whatever that means.
On the contrast, I know a few who specifically like 243 and have had much success. One in particular is a hand loader.
I like 277 cal and up to thirty, especially for sika. Doesn't mean they always fall right over dead but most don't go far and often have an exit wound. Always wanted to get a model 7 in 308-7mm08 for deer shooting/hunting.