Finally... Made it to the Range
 

It's been a long time since I've made a range trip with a rifle in the case. I have lot's of excuses including work, kids and the yard. Below is one thing that was taking up some time:



It was a nice day here in KS with the temps in the 60"s. I had glass bedded my 45 Disc Elite over the winter and have yet to give it a good run.



I changed the scope to a Cabelas Powderhorn since this picture was taken. So off I went with basically a fresh start.

After a couple of shots at 25 to check the scope I went to 50 yards. I wanted to try a few different sabot combos. If you can't read the print the right is 200 XTP's with a Harvester Smooth, the left is the same bullet with Harvester CR and the middle is 200 SST with the supplied tan sabot. All were shot with 90 Grains of BH 209 and Winchester 209 Blues.



I was pretty jazzed with the SST group. I know the purist like 5 shot groups but my range goes live for 15 minute sessions and it's just right for 3 shots.

I adjusted the scope down 2" and moved to 100 yrds. I ended up with larger group.



I had about a 15 MPH wind from 4:00. I'd like to think I can do better than 1 3/4" but time will tell. I was nice to be back at the range. This load with this gun is a sweet shooter. Hardly any recoil to speak of.

That is some good shooting. Nice looking bird too. And a great rifle.

Good shooting and a nice gabbler I bet if you go to 100gr or 110gr it would do better at 100yds

Looking good Josmund. (The bird and the target - not you. :s2: )

I believe if you went up a little like A1smokepole said say 100/110 the old gun will come around your you , My 45 Elite did when I went to 110gr of BH209 and a Barnes 195 bullet.

Josmund,
I assume you are shooting a 45 caliber with the 200 gr hornady bullet?
If so they shoot like a dream with 110 gr of blackhorn but the performance inside the deer is dismal. I have shot two deer broadside at 30 or 35 yds and they did not pass thru. They both hit ribs, exploded
and one exited the butthole of a large doe. These loads cronoed at 2204 fps. If you are going to use 45 cal I would stick with the barnes solid copper for pass thru. Just my opinion. I have since gone to a 50 cal 290 barnes with 110 gr blackhorn.
daddus

On the other hand, I got a complete pass through on a 115 lb. doe with the .40/200 XTP and 95 grains GOEX. It was a behind the shoulder shot at 60 yards. Great exit hole and blood/lung spray on the bush ten feet behind her. The velocity of that load is around 1700 fps. Maybe 2200 is just too fast.

Semi,
You may be correct but I'm not risking loosing a huge deer on the probability. I am 65 and very conservative been hunting a long time.
I'm not taking the chance. There are probably a lot of variables between your shot and mine. In my mind I need to consider a clean quick kill for consideration of the animal. If I have any doubt I just won't do it. Two for two with no pass thru?
Not me
daddus

I hear you daddus1. Confidence in your gear is the name of the game. I've had two clean kills with the .40/200 XTPs & GOEX so the confidence is there for me. You've had two bad experiences, so it's not there for you. It's a funny old world, isn't it?

My second kill with that bullet was an 83 yard neck shot/pass through. Of course, the doe dropped on the spot. But a .22 rimfire might have done the same thing hitting that spot.

Semi,
That deer didn't care if you were sane or not! HaHaha
Nice doe, if I could come thru the screen the tenderloins would be gone!!!! lol
daddus: