Copper and blood trails

[Siggy]

Don’t know if it’s me, but I’ve had a run of deer leaving no significant blood trails. I’m shooting fox 130grain in .270. This morning , for instance, the only Sign was a tuft of hair at the shot site, for what turned out to be a rib to rib lung shot. The deer went about 20 metres into cover and there was only blood for the last metre, and not a huge amount even then. The dogs happy with all the work and the deer are dropping dead in the usual distances, but I’m curious as to other peoples experience with fox and other copper rounds.

 

[John Doe]

Yep, exactly my experience.

 

[Pete6.5]

Excellent what I e found when I've taken people out that are using fox lead free and I would say they run a bit further

 

[monarman]

Very little if any blood trails... roe and muntjac.... so pin through the shoulders and they run little

 

[Bowland blades]

Don’t know if it’s me, but I’ve had a run of deer leaving no significant blood trails. I’m shooting fox 130grain in .270. This morning , for instance, the only Sign was a tuft of hair at the shot site, for what turned out to be a rib to rib lung shot. The deer went about 20 metres into cover and there was only blood for the last metre, and not a huge amount even then. The dogs happy with all the work and the deer are dropping dead in the usual distances, but I’m curious as to other peoples experience with fox and other copper rounds.

Winchester with that big red tip? Well they aint expanding correctly in the 270 , seen it myself !

 

[stubear]

There’s this awesome substance you can make bullets out of which expands really well even at low speeds like 1200ft/s, and it leaves superb blood trails too because it leaves a whacking great hole on the way out.

It’s called…. Lead.

 

[Siggy]

There’s this awesome substance you can make bullets out of which expands really well even at low speeds like 1200ft/s, and it leaves superb blood trails too because it leaves a whacking great hole on the way out.

It’s called…. Lead.

Lol, I see what you did there... but I stopped using lead years ago, just interested in peoples experience with copper.

 

[stubear]

Lol, I see what you did there... but I stopped using lead years ago, just interested in peoples experience with copper.

Im just messing mate!

 

[nun_hunter]

The only runner I've had with copper was pouring blood out. If you hit nothing but lung and the bullet hasn't fragmented like some copper ones do or traditional lead then you'll never see that much blood as there isn't going to be much bleeding from just the lungs. Not unless you hit the big arteries at the top of the lungs.

These pics were from a 120grain S&B non toxic.

 

[User00040]

There’s this awesome substance you can make bullets out of which expands really well even at low speeds like 1200ft/s, and it leaves superb blood trails too because it leaves a whacking great hole on the way out.

It’s called…. Lead.

It's what happens between entry and exit that matters and copper bullets are severely lacking in this regard.

 

[Pete6.5]

It's what happens between entry and exit that matters and copper bullets are severely lacking in this regard.

Depends which bullet you use after trying different copper bullets I was more negative than you about the situation but I then used some yew tree bullets and they are great and the most accurate thing I've ever shot. I must of shot a hundred deer with them now and haven't noticed any down side yet.

 

[User00040]

Depends which bullet you use after trying different copper bullets I was more negative than you about the situation but I then used some yew tree bullets and they are great and the most accurate thing I've ever shot. I must of shot a hundred deer with them now and haven't noticed any down side yet.

Yew Tree offering factory ammo?

 

[Pete6.5]

No not yet.

Yew Tree offering factory ammo?

 

[Heym SR20]

I have had no issues with Fox, RWS HIT or Peregrines. Put you vertical crosshair on the foreleg, horizontal half way up amd squeeze. Bullet goes below shoulder blade, deer drop on spot and plenty of blood leaks out. Same effect with 223, 243 or 7mm.

Lung shots let deer run and have had roe deer run a long way with lead bullets. One in particular shot with a Hornady 139gn Softpoint at 40 odd yards, showed no reaction at the shot. Just looked at me to say you missed. He bounded off down the tramline. I followed him for a good 50m before finding any sign of blood, and another 100m later found him dead.

Blood trails, distance run etc has everything to do with shot placement and not a lot to do with bullet size, calibre or construction.

 

[Deutsch - Drahthaar]

I'm finding same with 130 grain TSX in 270 with chest shots and the deer a running further IMO. The 130 grain Gamekings killed them more efficiently and left better blood trails. Like you said good experience for the dogs and a cleaner carcass with copper.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

It's what happens between entry and exit that matters and copper bullets are severely lacking in this regard.

Bolloks

Front end and bang, thats all you need, dont think just shoot.

@caberslash once you have shot your first 500 deer with copper you’ll get the hang of it!

 

[Selous]

Move your point of aim forwards a tiny bit. Stay within the vital triangle as named by Kevin Robertson in the Perfect Shot rather than doing the traditional double lung shot Which is just behind the vertical line and risks splitting the rumen.

 

[nun_hunter]

It's what happens between entry and exit that matters and copper bullets are severely lacking in this regard.

You do realise that lumping all copper bullets together regardless of brand, weight or design is no different to saying all lead core bullets are the same? Or do you acknowledge that a lead core FMJ will behave differently to a think jacketed lead core varmint bullet?

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've been using these (GECO .308 WIN. ZERO 8.8 g / 136 gr) since Feb 2022 Products and I find that they work well.
Regards
JCS

 

[Tikka 270]

Copper are not as good as lead in my opinion, don't get the same reaction, longer runs, not much of a blood trail most of the time, none of which are ideal.
They are certainly accurate but just lacking the performance I'd say.