Breechplug
Now from what you told me you think a Bullet should drop each and every Deer in it's Tracks, yet the Doe you shot with the Deep Curl went 20yds, that's not in it's tracks.
Re-read what I wrote... everytime I pull the trigger I expect the animal to drop DRT... but as I explained I am terrilbly upset if any of them make it more than 30 yards and that is being generous, but I thought it would cover my behind....
If I lead you to believe that all a DRT - I certainly did not want to that way. What I will stand behing is that when I shoot a Gold Dot/Deep Curl - there never is a thought in my mind that it might come apart of fail in a mechanical way. I can not make that assumption with a XTP - actually most any Hornady. They are produced the old fashioned way by putting lead in a copper shell, the copper is not bonded to the lead. If everyone would shoot them at pistol velocities, sort like slowing a power belt down to keep it together, it probably would never fail.
Both Ron and I have shown you pictures of the XTP coming apart. I will be the first to tell you it is rare when they do, but i have no way of predicting when they will.
Here is another Hornady that comes apart and it is even designed for greater velocity...
I WILL give the Deep Curls a try and post the results next Season. What Bullet and Sabot Exactly do I need to get for My ACCURA?
ONLY if you want to - i would never say you had to change or that you really need to change that is your own personal decision.
I will continue to suggest to that technology has improved that bullets availble to hunters. These bullets I feel are more humane and offer a lot of ather advantages to the hunter. I personally know change is hard especially when you consider the old addage - if it aint broke why fix it? - But you might never know if it is broke if you do not try something new.
Example - why do you shoot your Accura? Did not your older CVA's serve you well? Dis one of those fail you so you moved to the Accura or did you see achance to improve and move in that direction.
Shoot, I can not promise you or anybody else that you will be happy with a Gold Dot/Deep Curl but I really believe that they are a better hunting bullet, as much as I believe some bullets are better for hunting than others, just as I believe the XTP is far better than a round ball or a Power Belt over a much wider range of operation.
Ron suggested the 300 grain, I would suggest the 250 for whitetail to 175 yards, but if your ranges are greater than that then go with the 300. The 250 has a very deep hollow point in it and will open at 10 yards as easily as it does at 175.
Lee has used it on hogs - shot it through the plates and it has come out on the the other side.
You are experianced - i would suggest you try some on paper and see if they will work there. Then if you can find some saturated soil @ 75/100 yard shoot one in there and dig it up (i use those dang water bars in Forest Service roads - that way I can say the water bars are good for something) Just remember it has to wet like thick blood and/or organs to make the bullet show its best.
Each and every Deer shot in the same place with the same bullet never did the same thing after deing shot. Some ran, some fell, some bead a-lot and other's did'nt. I believe more than anything it's the Deer itself that determines how it's going to act after the shot. Some are spooked, some are tougher than other's and some just plain have a will to survive and get the heck out of there
Absolutely true - but if you can create a big enough shock to the animal - it will over ride those responses. That is where the bullet makes a difference... The guys that shoot those big heavy conicals can testify to that.
Think I will stop this has gotten to long already....