Forbushman

This question is not about the kill shot. I've knocked down 7 deer all with my .243.

I'm after opinions and experience regarding the blood trail when wounded or the ability for the shot to cut through the bush and still hit the target.

Please limit the discussion to these calibers unless you include the old 30 Remington.

Thanks.

nchawkeye

None of them will "cut through brush", none...

Any caliber can have a sparse blood trail with any bullet used, fat and entrails do a pretty good job of plugging...

If you want to drop them in their tracks, a bullet through the neck or a high
shoulder shot will do the trick...If you want a good blood trail, use a low lung or heart shot and a bullet that will leave an exit...Pay attention to the exit angle so the bullet exits before it hits the guts...

My qualifications???

I've killed over 300 deer with a .243...

I've also cleaned and tracked a few more hundred on our farms where for the past 35 years or so we have killed 40-50 a year with a variety of weapons...

Once you get to a 100 grain bullet in .243, it isn't about the caliber, it's about where you put that bullet...A deer shot in the guts with a 30-06 or 30-30 is just as tough to track and recover as one hit there with the .243...

Forbushman

I just bought a 30-06. I know it is a nice deer gun and good for moose.

I've been under the impression or misconception that the 30 cal bullets have a bit better "plowing power".

I've found that my .243 has not left much blood compared to deer hit with a 30 cal, but that could just as easily have been placement of the bullet

Topgun 3006

A bigger caliber is probably going to make a bigger hole going in and out and should leave a better blood trail in most instances. However, as stated above, no bullet is going to routinely plow through brush, especially if there is any distance between the brush and target, and still be on target to kill an animal.

buckwild41

If you know you will always have time for that perfect shot placement 243. However if your style of hunting doesn't always allow for perfect form or there are hounds pushing him I prefer 06. The 06 will provide the Down range KE the 30-30 just doesn't have. If you are only taking still hunting type shots and don,t want to wipe out whatever quarter you hit 243. If you want to kill regardless what it look likes when it comes time to process 30-06.


Just my 2 cents after 40 yrs unknown first hand accounts and well into the 1000s of tracks, skinning, and processing.

nchawkeye

btw...I grew up in Gates County and that's where our farms are...If you are in Virginia and dog hunt, you know were it is...

Have killed a few truckloads of deer being pushed by hounds with my .243...

Forbushman

... and if I questioned the quality of my shot... I would pass on it rather than risk wounding the deer and not find it later.

So let me rephrase the question. I have knocked down 1 deer in a run in the bush with my 243. Am I over thinking the problem?

I've gone from never missing to missing 3 in A ROW. Perhaps I am blaming the gun instead of me. 35 years ago my father loaded about
100 rounds of 120 gr. shells. They are all gone, and maybe I just don't trust the 100 gr factory. Anyway I appreciate everyone's input.

nchawkeye

He didn't load 120gr bullets for the .243...

As mentioned, that 100gr bullet in a .243 will do all that needs doing to a whitetail...I've simply seen it too many times...

Sheridan

A lot of deer were killed with those 3 calibers because everyone had ONE of those, back in the day !

Us kids learned on .22's and then graduated to a .243 for deer hunting back then or at least a 12 gauge.


A .30-06 was considered the top of the line; and the .22-250 was the new varmint/predator gun !!!

Topgun 3006

***Yep, no way he loaded 120 grainers for a .243 at any time and the 100s, when placed properly, will do a number on a deer.