Deer with a pistol
09-24-2008, 06:40 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Mid Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 99
Deer with a pistol
Hi.
I have just been given permission to hunt some farm land in my area. Due to the topography of the area, I will not be able to shoot at a deer from any closer than 100 yards. The longest shot possible is a measured 265 yards.
Now the problem. This is in a County that is limited to shotgun, M/L, or pistol during the regular gun season. Keeping the ranges involved in mind, I have decided to hunt this land with an Encore pistol, in .308 Win., with a 15" barrel and 4X scope.
Sierra Bullets offers a 135 gr. single shot pistol bullet just for this purpose. However they also state that the 125 gr. PSP is also a good choice. The 125 shoots 1 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards if I do my part, and I have a couple of hundred of them on my bench. The best I can do with the 135 is 3 1/2 inch groups at the same distance, and will have to buy more if needed.
My question: Given that Iam gettinga true muzzle velocity of 2600 fps with the 125s, do you think that they will penetrate well enoughif a deer is hit in the shoulder? I usually try to avoid shoulder shots, but I want to be prepared for the contingency.
Thank you for you opinions.
I have just been given permission to hunt some farm land in my area. Due to the topography of the area, I will not be able to shoot at a deer from any closer than 100 yards. The longest shot possible is a measured 265 yards.
Now the problem. This is in a County that is limited to shotgun, M/L, or pistol during the regular gun season. Keeping the ranges involved in mind, I have decided to hunt this land with an Encore pistol, in .308 Win., with a 15" barrel and 4X scope.
Sierra Bullets offers a 135 gr. single shot pistol bullet just for this purpose. However they also state that the 125 gr. PSP is also a good choice. The 125 shoots 1 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards if I do my part, and I have a couple of hundred of them on my bench. The best I can do with the 135 is 3 1/2 inch groups at the same distance, and will have to buy more if needed.
My question: Given that Iam gettinga true muzzle velocity of 2600 fps with the 125s, do you think that they will penetrate well enoughif a deer is hit in the shoulder? I usually try to avoid shoulder shots, but I want to be prepared for the contingency.
Thank you for you opinions.
09-24-2008, 08:52 AM
#5
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Mid Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 99
RE: Deer with a pistol
Yes, of course I have scouted the property. As I said, the topography of the land precludes getting any closer. There are other houses in the immediate area, and the law states that I cannot fire a gun within 500 feet of any house. This leaves me only one avenue of approach, and hence determines the distances at which I can shoot.
In the past, I have seen up to 15 deer at a time on this property, but did not have permission to hunt it. Now I can, but I have no intention of breaking the law to do so.
Hope this answers your question.
In the past, I have seen up to 15 deer at a time on this property, but did not have permission to hunt it. Now I can, but I have no intention of breaking the law to do so.
Hope this answers your question.
09-24-2008, 08:55 AM
#6
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seagrove N.C. USA
Posts: 7,281
RE: Deer with a pistol
ORIGINAL: Yankee Doodle
Hi.
I have just been given permission to hunt some farm land in my area. Due to the topography of the area, I will not be able to shoot at a deer from any closer than 100 yards. The longest shot possible is a measured 265 yards.
Now the problem. This is in a County that is limited to shotgun, M/L, or pistol during the regular gun season. Keeping the ranges involved in mind, I have decided to hunt this land with an Encore pistol, in .308 Win., with a 15" barrel and 4X scope.
Sierra Bullets offers a 135 gr. single shot pistol bullet just for this purpose. However they also state that the 125 gr. PSP is also a good choice. The 125 shoots 1 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards if I do my part, and I have a couple of hundred of them on my bench. The best I can do with the 135 is 3 1/2 inch groups at the same distance, and will have to buy more if needed.
My question: Given that Iam gettinga true muzzle velocity of 2600 fps with the 125s, do you think that they will penetrate well enoughif a deer is hit in the shoulder? I usually try to avoid shoulder shots, but I want to be prepared for the contingency.
Thank you for you opinions.
Hi.
I have just been given permission to hunt some farm land in my area. Due to the topography of the area, I will not be able to shoot at a deer from any closer than 100 yards. The longest shot possible is a measured 265 yards.
Now the problem. This is in a County that is limited to shotgun, M/L, or pistol during the regular gun season. Keeping the ranges involved in mind, I have decided to hunt this land with an Encore pistol, in .308 Win., with a 15" barrel and 4X scope.
Sierra Bullets offers a 135 gr. single shot pistol bullet just for this purpose. However they also state that the 125 gr. PSP is also a good choice. The 125 shoots 1 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards if I do my part, and I have a couple of hundred of them on my bench. The best I can do with the 135 is 3 1/2 inch groups at the same distance, and will have to buy more if needed.
My question: Given that Iam gettinga true muzzle velocity of 2600 fps with the 125s, do you think that they will penetrate well enoughif a deer is hit in the shoulder? I usually try to avoid shoulder shots, but I want to be prepared for the contingency.
Thank you for you opinions.
It will do the job and you have 6 shots, instead of just one.
JMHO
09-24-2008, 09:14 AM
#7
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Mid Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 99
RE: Deer with a pistol
I have a scoped Ruger BH in .44 Mag. Not enough accuracy to reach out for long shots. I am not too sure of the killing potential at over 100 yards either. In my opinion, my .308 is a much better choice for the task at hand.
