Thanksgiving buck

[wilmsmeyer]

Well, I wasn't expecting to post any success stories on the Smokeless success stories until ML season. We went to rifles this year but after carrying my 700 rem .243 on opening day, I realized it was a very poor choice for the woods. To heavy, scope too big...very unweildy.

So...been touting the Savage stoked with 70 gr H4198 and 325 FTX. Today after a great show of chasing and sorting out the bigger of 3 bucks, I shot this one. I thought he was a little better then this but the ground shrinkage came into play. Still, it was an exciting morning.

Shot was 70 yds thru a dinner plate size hole in thick cover. Deer was head on. Hit him in the perfect shot just below his throat and tore the top of his heart off. The bullet stopped in the hide just in front of the off side rear leg. Somehow I missed cutting any guts....yet tore thru the diaphram. He hit the ground like a sack of potatoes and twitched once.

Bullet was recovered and I will take a picture of it. It is beautiful and I may have it tig welded to a ring.....perfect mushroom after hitting this deer at probably 2300 fps impact speed. Weighed 230 gr.

OK here's the picture. Not the big one....rough scored him at 116 gross. Wish you could do catch and release with deer....need a stun gun I guess.

[Deleted]

I know he isn't as big as you wanted but a great testament for how you can put a DRT shot on a deer with the 325ftx/sml.
Congrats and Happy Thanksgiving......!!!!!
GH

[Deleted]

Nice deer in my book, and a great shot.
Zen

[tar12]

Very nice Wilms!

[Jon]

I bet he will taste better than the big one. Nice looking dear and a great shot.

[DBinNY]

So where's the picture of the bullet? I'd be very happy with that one but then again, I'm not hunting in your zoo ;D

[orionsoracle]

Congrats Wilms,a very nice buck!! So the bullet lost 95 grains,hmmmm,love to see the pic of it. Nice way to celebrate Thanksgiving!!!

[ET]

Wilmsmeyer

That is a nice buck.
He never stood a chance when that oncoming train (325FTX) collided with him. ;D

Congrats.


Ed

[wilmsmeyer]

Ed,

One of my favorite accessories for my Savage is the aluminum T-handle you gave me several years ago. Other then my speed loaders, it's the only other thing I carry. It works well as a short starter as well.

Yes, the bullet lost about 95 gr. But it did not frag or have any core separation. Autopsy begins in about an hour.

I will try and get the picture of the bullet and some autopsy pix posted soon.....

[spaniel]

I love the 325FTX, just not the recoil that comes with it. But I may have to shoot it next year anyways ;D

Nice buck, I'd have dropped the hammer on him in a heartbeat.

[wilmsmeyer]

[ET]

Wilmsmeyer

Thanks for the kind words and update on the T handle. Nice to know it’s still favored for usage.
Never considered about using it as a bullet starter but then again I never needed one with the chamfer to the bore entrance eliminating such a need.



Ed

[zakjak221]

Wilms,

Nice deer & bullet mushroom/performance.
I haven't seen a deer yet--
Next weekend is our 4 day part of the Illinois split season.
Hope the weather cooperates.
Enjoy that venison! ;D

Mark

[whyohe]

congratz wilms! nice deer. doesnt look to old either. how old do you think it is?

[nwtflogan]

gorgeous buck...great shooting as well!!

[DBinNY]

Nov 26, 2011 19:26:52 GMT -5 whyohe said:

congratz wilms! nice deer. doesnt look to old either. how old do you think it is?

I'd guess it's a top end 2 1/2. The jaw will tell for sure.

[Chris Champion]

Nice buck Wilms. That's one of the most symmetrical set of horns you'll ever see!

[wilmsmeyer]

He was an average size deer. Probably a 2 1/2 year old.

But now he's vacuum packed into serving sized portions and looks nothing like he did 3 days ago. Funny how a few days can change the way a buck looks. ;D