Grocery Hunting

[mike243]

Good morning, went grocery/deer hunting yesterday. It was about 27 degrees with overcast sky's and some sleet and snow flurries around but not enough to stick. I was using my 6mm arc and the only ammo I currently have. 108g ELD match, was hunting thick woods so any shot opportunity would be less than 100y. Had 2 come by about 9:30 so and decided to shoot the 4pt. Both deer were 1.5 year olds and was surprised to see bucks running together, suspect being young and possibly brothers they didn't mind the competition. The shot was about 60-65y. I shot a little high for heart so it was a double lung pass through of coarse. busted 1 rib going in and about 1/2 dollar size exit. If I was hunting fields or longer shots I don't know how well the 108g would perform but more than likely it would still kill deer. About any bullet besides a varmit will drop a deer with a high shoulder shot but have seen those go wrong before so not my first choice. Will have some better hunting ammo before next season but will do some water jug testing at 100&200y with these just to find out if they are to hard to expand. I don't think they are too soft for close shots but it bloodied about a 10" circle on both sides and the pass through a good hole. reckon I will look at the ballistics of the 103 and 105g and see which has the best then see which 1 it likes. I really liked seeing the deer in the scope with little muzzle flip. Been shooting my 300wm for a lot of years and you don't see much of the deer reaction when you shoot, season is winding down and that was only the 2nd and 3rd deer I have seen in the woods this season. I have hunted less this year than the last 30 due to health and loss of hunting places. Hope everybody has a Merry Christmas and happy New year, stay safe.

[Rickhem]

Glad that you were able to get out and even better that you found success.
I hunt woods too, and while I can occasionally see deer out at 100+ yards, no way there would be an alley or lane open enough for me to shoot at one that far. My property has enough undulation that sometimes those far deer are only heads over a deadfall or ridgeline.
My load this year is using the Sierra 85 HPBT, and it shoots sub MOA out to 200 yards. As a bowhunter, and shotgun hunter when I was in NJ, I always targeted the heart/lung area and my shots almost always do damage to the heart, but the deer never drop right there, they usually run about 40-50 yards and drop. I may have to rethink shot placement with the rifle.