Well, its been a hard hunting week. I have hunted sunrise to sunset for 6 day's during our gun season here in Ohio. I only seen a few small deer running full speed on opening day, and since I don't shoot at running deer, that would seem to be my only chance at seeing a deer. What a difference from youth gun day and adult hunting opener in 2010.

I would see an average of 20 deer at dawn before youth day (2010).

Last year (2009), this same time (adult gun week), I seen 70 deer on opening day alone.

So tonight, when I went out, it was the thought of putting meat in the freezer.

I had left BH 209 in my gun this whole week. And i was worried it would not go off sitting for 7 days unfired. Fortunately, my worry's came to an end as, what I thought was a doe at 120 yards, came out to feed broadside.

With my scope on 4 power I focused purely on the boiler room. Bang, and then as the smoke cleared I could see the deers head just above the snow as it crashed its way into the woods.

I knew I hit the deer, but why in the world would it go almost 50 yards to the woods if I hit the lungs? Because it is a deer for one thing.

Anyway, I figure I must have made a bad shot, and I get out of my stand to look for blood. And to my sadness there was almost none. Just a tiny bit of hairspray mist. I was starting to feel low as the blood never increased.

So I just followed the tracks in the snow, into the woods with my light on. After following the trail for another 40 yards I found my deer dead as a door nail.

The shot turned out to be a perfect double lung.

However, I was very concerned why the exit hole was so small. So small in fact my thumb did not even fit in it.

And the only blood found was coming from the deers mouth.

I have never shot a 240g XTP using BH 209 at a deer before. I know that the 100 grains of BH can make the xtp fly around 1,950fps. That would be the fastest I ever shot.

So even though I recovered my deer I am now concerned that the xtp might push to fast for deer using BH.

If it was not for the snow, I don't think I would have found this deer. No, as a matter of fact I would not have based on where I found him. 90 yards with so little blood (that never would have shown up on dirt or grass) would have been a lost deer. Because I would have thought I missed the deer.

After checking in my deer I bought some barnes all copper sabots and slugs.

XTP was always great before using 777, but now I wonder if the new powder pushes it to fast?

I bought the barnes bullets as a backup based on your opinions. Man they are expensive...lol

D

expensive for target shooting but great for the performance they offer in the field.

Congratulations on the deer. Actually the XTP used to be considered one of the premiere deer bullets. Almost everyone was shooting them for a while. I wonder why they got no blood trail. Especially with a pass through.

Snow is good for tracking through. Way to shoot!!

I wonder Cayugad, if it is the higher speeds we are pushing these bullets. I talked to a game official (who also was a sniper in the military) about it at check-in. He said XTP's are a great bullet at shorter ranges and speeds of up to 1200 fps.

Maybe these projectiles were not meant for the hotter loads. It would be nice if someone here could let us know if higher speeds do in fact hinder certain expansion performance.


D

congrats on the kill

I have had the Barns fail to open also at a distance of 30 yds with a 120 gr load of 777. I now use Deep Curl and Lehigh bullets because they have worked for me 100% the only other bullet I use is the Bonded Shock Wave, thats for hunting. For shooting on the range I experiment with many things.

Thanks Onetohunt.

Hey Lee. Where do you get those Deep Curl's at? I may have to give them a try.

D

Nice deer! I think we forget about how tough these little guys are and are quick to discount the bullets or question our shots. The little buck I shot with the Barnes 250gr TEZ is prime example. Deer was quartering to, bullet entered and broken the front shoulder, took out one lung, through the liver, exiting last rib... yet he ran 60-70 yards. Good blood trail and easy tracking, because of where he ran through wet leaves. I've had other deer hit the very same and drop on the spot. Can't explain it!

I just picked up a box of 50 for $16 at:

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

I haven't tried them out yet, but they have a wicked-looking hollowpoint in them. I think they are still listed as on the website as the .452 "Gold Dot" , not "Deep Curl".

Congrats on the harvest!!!

Thanks all,

50 for $16 is what I am talking about! I just paid $34.50 for 24 barns sabots and copper hollow points...lol

However, this week I will see how close they shoot to the XTP. If they are close I will use the XTP on groundhogs and target practice, and the Barnes for deer.


D