....Remington 700 with a nice accurate scope. And the deer, which I know I hit right behind the shoulder blade at the elbow at about 40 or 50 yards , has evaporated from the face of the earth. We've spent a total of 14 hours looking for that blinkin' deer and he is just NOT THERE. We found ONE DROP of blood and a chunk of flesh about a third to half inch. We have combed that blinkin' forest and we could NOT find him. I heard him for maybe 5 seconds or so and then it was quiet, so thought "hot dog, I got him" and then later, "ok, I know where he had to have gone to be that quiet". Wrong on the second part of that statement, although absolutely sure of the first.
The buck was 6-8 points, very tall, big guy, probably 3 years old or so, is my guess. Beautiful animal. He walked down the trail toward me (I'd been calling) and I was waiting for him. He presented a straight-on shot, but I'd always heard/read that broadside is better, so I waited. He decided I was no threat and started to turn into the brush, and I got the shot. Right behind that shoulder, just about elbow height, and I watched it hit through the scope. My scope is accurate (I took it back to the range today to make sure) but whatever, he did not bleed and all we found was that one chunk of flesh!!!!!!
Here are my questions:
1) Should I have taken the straight-on shot?
2) Is the Federal Vital-Shok .243 likely to have passed right through him?
Any insight and especially specific answers regarding Federal Vital-Shok ammo will be appreciated.
Springmom the deerless
The buck was 6-8 points, very tall, big guy, probably 3 years old or so, is my guess. Beautiful animal. He walked down the trail toward me (I'd been calling) and I was waiting for him. He presented a straight-on shot, but I'd always heard/read that broadside is better, so I waited. He decided I was no threat and started to turn into the brush, and I got the shot. Right behind that shoulder, just about elbow height, and I watched it hit through the scope. My scope is accurate (I took it back to the range today to make sure) but whatever, he did not bleed and all we found was that one chunk of flesh!!!!!!
Here are my questions:
1) Should I have taken the straight-on shot?
2) Is the Federal Vital-Shok .243 likely to have passed right through him?
Any insight and especially specific answers regarding Federal Vital-Shok ammo will be appreciated.
Springmom the deerless