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John SmithGreetings, On 12 Oct I harvested my deer for 2013. Being (well) over 65in some Washington counties I can take a Whitetail doe, or either a Whitetail or Mule buck if they have three points. I won't go into the details how my hunting buddy messed up my chance for a Whitetail buck. Using my new No. 1 in 6.5x55 I shot a big doe about 150 yards running through the grass. I aimed just above her right front leg, but my 140 grain Partition bullet in front of 46.5 grains of RL-22 hit right at the top of her leg and left a big exit hole on the left shoulder. She skidded about fifty years down the hill and piled up dead in the valley. When I opened her up she was full of blood, but neither the lungs nor the heart were badly damaged. My bullet did a lot of collateral damage to both legs. Since I like using front leg meat for sausage, it took a lot of time salvaging undamaged meat. I don't plan on trying for another shoulder shot on my next deer. Probably just behind the front legs. |
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faulknerRe: 2013 Deer HuntCongrats!!! Partitions are a wonderful bullet. Thanks for sharing, any photos?? Cheers, Aj |
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Nathan FosterRe: 2013 Deer HuntIt is a tough call John because if you use the rifle at longer ranges, the shoulder shot placement can prove the fastest killing. The same can be said on heavier, tougher animals. So shoulder shot placement can be a very good practice, especially in smaller, milder bores.This is one of the major cultural differences between U.S shooters and NZ and Central European shooters. The European shooters who initially influenced NZ shooters, worked towards fastest possible killing. In the U.S, there was a gradual shift towards maximum meat retrieval once game seasons became established. In the UK, the shift has been the same as the U.S but more so. Some game keepers (outfitters) are now becoming very grumpy if they see any meat damage, adding pressure to clients. These are the kind of considerations I have discussed in the next book. I think just being aware of what might happen is enough for you. By consciously monitoring the effects of various shot placement as you are already doing while experimenting with changes in POI, you will always have control. Success is therefore entirely dependent on your decision making, not cartridge power or limitations. A much better situation than being left wondering why X result occured. Sounds like the Partition did its job. Can't accuse it of being tough as some folk do. |
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John SmithRe: 2013 Deer HuntWhen is that book you mentioned coming out?I will keep using Partition bullets in my 6.5x55. I am all for quick killing shots as long as they don't spoil too much meat. I hunt in grass/wheat fields so can see deer coming and going for quite a distance. No trees. With any kind of decent shot, it would be hard to loose a fatally wounded deer. As I mentioned in my message, my bullet didn't exactly go where I wanted it to hit. But on a running deer at 150 yards it wasn't too bad. |
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Nathan FosterRe: 2013 Deer HuntHoping to be live in 3 to 4 weeks. Just editing now.Keep you camera handy please John, would love to see future pics and share them on the wound data base if you are up to emailing them through. |
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John SmithRe: 2013 Deer HuntI took a picture of the exit wound with a non-digital camera. If the photo come our I will try to put them on the forum. Let me know how to order the book. |