ORIGINAL: Wiggy
The two deer I got with the 250g yellow tip shockwave were shot at under 50 yards. Neither time did the bullet expand much, it just punched right on through. Blood trails were fair, as in I could follow them but it wasn't easy. I can see how people would have a hard time with these bullets.
I may stick with them just because folks say they do well at longer ranges, and there's a very good chance that I could get a longer shot on my property. Plus, they shoot great out of my Omega.
Matterof time before you loose the "big one" or have an "all nighter" following a blood trail with a big lantern, they are one accurate bullet, I shot this the firsttime I ever shot the SW out of my Savage:
Now with accuracy like that I was tempted to use them, however accuracy is NOT the whole game.
You need Penetration, Expansion and Shoot thru with little or no weight loss to have a good bullet.
I would use them for strictly long range shooting, but not for hunting that I do, mostly under 100 yards. Mostly thick stuff.
I am NOT saying that SW or SSTs are bad bullets, they are excellent bulletfor theirdesignedlong range shooting, if ya gotta take close shot--high shoulder does the trick to expand the bullet and puts the deer down right there.
Chap