My longest shot was two years ago on a nice 7pt. buck. He was walking in some tall grass about 75yds. out when I first spotted him coming towards me. I could have shot him several times, but I didn' t want to chance shooting through the tall grass. I was only seeing portions of him at a time, as he was walking. I figured I' d just let him continue walking towards me, since there was an opening coming up. He got as close as 25yds when the wind swirled and the next sound I heard was him bounding over the hill. My heart sank....I knew I had just blown it. This was the last day of our muzzleloader season.
I was kicking myself in the butt for not taking the earlier shot through the grass as I slowly walked up the hill the buck had just gone over. Little did I know my luck was about to change. Just as I was cresting the hill, I spotted him looking back at me. He was quite a ways out there and he looked like he was ready to bust out of there for good. I knew I didn' t have much time as I pulled the T/C Encore up and took in a deep breath and slowly released it as I squeezed the trigger. At the shot I saw him go down through the smoke and he never got back up.
My luck had changed....not only had I just nailed a nice buck, but he dropped only 75yds from my truck. I didn' t have to drag him a foot. I just pulled the truck up after I field dressed him. It doesn' t get any easier than that!
At the time of the shot I didn' t have time to range him. I did this after I re-loaded and it was a good honest 150yd. off hand shot. The load I was using was 150grs Pyrodex Pellets and a 289 gr. Remington Copper Solid.
I had another long range shot using the same gun and load this year. It was 135yds. on a big doe. I took her through the heart and she ran about 75yds before she went down.
I always hope for closer shots when hunting during the muzzleloader season, but the deer are on high alert and have been educated by the time muzzleloader season arrives here in Illinois.
It sure pays off big time to spend a lot of time out at the gun range!