Would you take this shot?
 

If you have the "buck of a life time" following a trail walking directly toward you and you know he'll detect you as he gets closer, would you take the frontal shot (chest) if thats all it offered? The rifle is a .243 Win

Based on our set-up and the pattern of the deer, my son may be faceed with this scenario opening day. My .30-06 would have no problem. I just don't know if the .243 will do the job from this angle.

What are your thoughts?

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

with out a doubt I would, and have using the .243, but i personnaly would bust him through the neck instead.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

If it is a clear shot, I wouldn't hesitat to take the shot. I've shot a number of deer straight on with my .270 and I don't think the .243 would have any trouble making a lethal shot on a deer from the front.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Like zrex, I'd take the neck shot.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Is this your son's first hunt? He may be an excellent shot at the range but, could perhaps get buckfever when he has his first shot? I shoot a 30.06 and would not trust a .243 as that is not my gun of choice. A walking buck is much different than a still broadshot target with any firearm. If he knows the gun and how he shoots.....perhaps talk with him about what his instincts would direct him to do ie: where to shoot, etc. Good mental practice is half of the battle. :) If he has good instincts and knows his firearm, he should have no problem hopefully.

Zrex, Until last year I thought neck shots were marginal at best, and actually they are NOT the shot for inexperienced shooters!! One must be very comfortable with how they shoot and what they shoot to make it very quick and clean. No Doubt About It.....JMHO.

My buck 8pt 2003 season afforded me a neck shot, his number was up pure and simple. One shot, one kill and he was down for the count. Lucky? I am not sure...What I am sure of is my shooting ablility, but just do not like a neck shot/moving shot unless I have an option that I am sure of.....and unless certain would never take a neck shot as there is way to much margin for error with inexperienced shooters/hunters. I prefer the boiler room for my shots, heart shots at that. Although a buck can run for a bit at times with a heart shot too. I have seen it happen one time, it boggled my mind. Go figure how they do it. What an exceptional instinct to survive Whitetails have........:)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

The straight on neck shot is the easiest shot if your going for the neck, shoot low you still hit neck shoot really low and you hit center of the chest, it's no smaller of a target than the center of the chest as he's looking at you, if you hit a little to the left or right chances it will be a clean miss, if that happens when aiming at the center of the chest your gonna hit one of the shoulders and never recover him, even if hit with an .06.
I have no problem hitting a 50 cent piece at 200 yds so a neck shot at a 100 is nothing, i think you owe it to your game to practice all you can and be very confident in your shots. It's really up to the one pulling the trigger, if you know you can do it go for it, if not pass the shot and hope he turns and gives you a lung shot . I for one will take it, and prefer it. I have been taking neck shots for around 25 years all with the .243 and never have lost a deer, and never had to track one from a neck shot. It's not the only shot I take but is about 85% of the time. It is not a marginal shot, it is the best and most humane way to harvest a deer.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Zrex, Hey my dad was a retired Full Bird and taught me to shoot at a very young age. Respectfully, would you not agree that this is not a shot for everyone? It takes an accomplished shooter, and one that is exceedingly familier with their weapon of choice to pull off shots like this? To the point where it has become second instinct. My one and only neckshot was on instinct alone.....not to mention years and years of range time, practice and hunting. Just curious on your viewpoint..... Thanks.:)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

As you mentioned a buck of a lifetime. Hmmm I'm curious does a hugh racked animal deserve anything less than you'd give any other animal on a ethical shot? Not saying for some hunters and shooters outthere that a frontal shot is not ethnical, but what I am saying is for a hunter with probally less than ten deer under his belt I would instruct him to wait till the day his confidence level gives him 99% capability of making that shot clean.

I'm not in the president's 100 marksman but I can pick and choose shots. And sometimes things happen and 3 inch boo boo on a thin chested whitetail can mean a buck of a lifetime died all alone in the woods with no one to praise his beauty. I say it can be done 99% of the time with a person with lots of experience. But after all these years with clients I'd honestly have to say the average hunter outthere has only a 25% chance of killing the deer clean. Most can't even do this on a elk size game animal. I believe there's some people on this site that could do it everytime. Just not a great shot for a younger hunter. Patience will be rewarded.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

No. Maybe with a 270 or my 6.5x55.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Amen!
Thank you Cherokee Outfitters for your viewpoint, that is my view exactly and what I wanted to point out. The animals that we hunt deserve not only respect, but JMO a prayer for their spirit, and a quick clean kill.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I'm not familiar with the .243, but assuming I owned one and was confident it could do the job, I would most certainly take that shot.

Each person is different. Some inexperienced hunters may be able to keep their cool and put a bullet in the deer's eye if they wanted to (just an example, I'm not saying anyone should shoot for a deer's eye), while others may shake so bad under pressure that they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Just make sure that the young hunter knows not to shoot if he or she is unsure of making a clean shot.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Just a note here, I have noticed that most that have replied are accomplished and experienced hunters from what we know.

Your son may be one himself, but it needs to be second nature for him to take that type of shot. JMHO. I would hate to see his hunting seasons dwindle due to a fatal miss that scewed his hunting for years. ie: bad shot, bad memories, feeling guilt, ......Get him psyched and ready....hopefully he will do fine when the time is right. If not......I hope that he learns the lesson well. Good Luck and Happy Hunting to you both this season. :)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

At 10 yards with a slug gun maybe,other then that I aint that good

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Cherokee kind of hit on what I was going to say. Why is it that people always bring up "A buck of a lifetime" type of a scenario?????? I don't understand. If it's not a shot you would put on a doe, fawn or whatever deer you choose to shoot.....then why would you on a buck of a lifetime?? Take whatever shot the "shooter" is comfortable taking. Plain and simple. If you can't make the shot under real world hunting conditions, you shouldn't be pulling the trigger. There are far too many run and gun hunters out there. If you think this shot is very possible for your son, get him out and start practicing this shot...WITH HIS HUNTING CLOTHES ON! See how he does. Of course shooting at a live animal when it comes crunch is a lot more difficult, but atleast he has some practice under his belt. Teach him breathing techniqies while shooting. Teach him as much as you know and he'll be far better off down the road.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

not even a question, YES

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes, I would take that shot and be very confident in dropping the deer in it's tracks. I would, however, shoot for the neck and not the chest. I realize that you're talking about a trophy buck but I still wouldn't want that bullet to travel back into the stomach/digestive tract...quite a mess.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Without hesitation, I take that shot buck, doe whatever. Yes I am an experienced shooter now, but even starting out I could still hit what I was aiming at. I don't understand all the contraversy there.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Heck yea, id go for it!!!

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I gotta question for all of you posting on this. Im a new guy to hunting only 5 yrs experience,but if you know the pattern of the deer and have a good field of view how come noone mentioned moving the stand. provided its a protable of course.

if you know where they are coming from and going to seems that if you adjust the setup just a bit you can increase the little guys odds a whole lot and prevent a situation none of us would create on purpose. a wounded animal suffering.

just my thoughts, and am curious what some of you more experienced guys and gals think

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I actually had this scenario unfold for me last year twice, heres a link and some pics to the story.
http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=459864&mpage=1&key=

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

There are too many variables in this equation. How old is your son? How good of a shot is your son? How far is the shot? Is there any obstructions in the way?
I don't believe the gun choice will be the problem.
Why not move the stand to get a side shot at the deer?

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I would take the shoot but only if it is a "BUCK OF A LIFETIME"

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Didn't mean to start a debate!

My main quetion was answered - the .243 can kill the deer from a frontal shot at 50 yards.

The reason we can't move the ground blind is, we're set up at the bend of a old narrow logging road with 75 yard shots in two directions. The deer are walking the logging road so the shot is highly likely. The term "buck of a life time" was used just to spice up the post - it will most likely be a doe.

Thanks for the feedback