Range Report on Hunting ML

rafsob · 11-03-2008, 06:56 AM

I went to the range last week to get ready forML season here in Virginia. I have two guns, one a NEF Sidekick .50 cal and a Hawkens Carbine in .54 cal. I only took the NEF this day and had some very pleasing results. And that is 300 gr. my typo, sorry:

I tried the same charge for my Hornaday saboted 300 gr. XTP bullets in the green sabots. I didn't record the 100 yd shots, but they were in the same ball park:

So I am righton at 100 yds. and about 2.5" to3" high at 50 yds. This is very good to me and something I can workwith.

Now If I canjust get a good shot at one of these stealthy protein rich backstrap delicious table fair buggers, I would be very happy.

cayugad · 11-03-2008, 08:07 AM

That is some very good shooting... you should be all ready. All you need is the cooperation of the deer now.

Semisane · 11-03-2008, 08:33 AM

Yep! That'll do rafsob. I kind of favor 300 grain bullets myself.

rafsob · 11-04-2008, 06:00 AM

Well I was out in the woods yesterday and I nailed a small buck. He was about 75 yds away and I made the perfect shot. The SSTentered the left side, just behind the left shoulder. It took out both lungs and clipped the heart. I always remember to bring my camera, but wouldn't ya know I forgot it this time.

I did find an interesting item during the processing of mydeer. I found a piece of the bullet. It was a lead sliver of about a half inch long by about a quarter inch wide and about a sixteenth of an inch thick. The piece was stuck in the opposite side rib.The exit wound was a fairly clean hole so I am a little surprised to find that fragment. I must conclude that the bullet fragmented at this rib on exit. There were no other pieces of bullet that I could find. The killwas clean so I am still happy with the performance of the SST.

cayugad · 11-04-2008, 07:44 AM

Congratulations on the deer. If that deer is in the shed hanging, then that bullet did a great job. Actually a small amount of fragmentation does not surprise me. Especially hitting rib like that. You got perfect shot placement, excellent wound channels, and a pass through. That to me is just what I want my bullet to do.