I normally shoot the 250 grain shockwaves and am 9 for10 over the past two years on shots and recoveries (and three recovered shockwaves). The week after Christmas, I shot a nice 8 point at about 90 yards, knocked it down. Whilereloading, it rolled upright and ran off as I stood there jamming a bullet down the barrel in disbelief. I have only been BP hunting for 2 and 1/2 seasons, but all my kills have been one shot, one kill, usually recovered within 25 to 50 yards (with the exception of this one). Had a good blood trail for about 100 yards, but it trickled to a stop. I know my mistake, shot high and hit it high over the shoulder and back. Hopefully, this deer will survive, we looked over 8 hours trying to trackit down. But, this was in no way a failure of the bullet, totally mine. Had myshot been an inch lower, I don't think it would have ever got up. Makes me sick to think about it.

Last year, after the close of the season, I boughta box of the 200s for five bucks on sale at wally world. A couple of weeks ago, I tested the 200s just to see if the poi was close to the 250s. At 100 yards, there was little change. As I had killed my limit of bucks, 3 and had one doe left out of a limit of 3, I decided I would take one more doe using the 200s.

Because I didn't have the chance to shoot over 100 yards with this bullet and load, 110 grains of 777, that was my distance limit. My intent was to get a head on chest or heavy quartering shot to try to recover the bullet.
I was only able to hunt 4 or 5 times in the past two weeks and although I saw several deer, I never had the shot I wanted to test out the 200s. I finally got a deer in the right position yesterday (the last day of primitive season here in Mississippi) afternoon for the shot but could not tell for shure that it was a doe and not a button buck. So, I passed.

Anyway, I am pretty sure the bullet will perform and will give it a try next year. Totally intend to shoot to 200 yards and maybe 250 to test the balistics. I tried shooting over a chrony, but at 10 yards I got readings all over the place, from 2400 down to 1000 (was a group of 4 shotsbetween 2350 and 2400). I know that this range is impossible because all the bullets were inside a 2 inch group, even without letting the barrel cool. Who knows, 2400 may be accurate, but I doubt it. I'll try the 25 yard trick with a brick in the next couple of weeks.

BTW, I noticed that when the bullet is placed in the sabot that with normal finger pressure the bullet does not seat all the way as you guys did. However, I do think that when you push the bullet/sabot combo down the barrel, the bullet does seat all the way. Don't know for sure, but when I unload my Encore tomorrow, I'll let you know.
R
Hank