I had a (for me) first-time experience this morning:
Ammo: Norma factory tipped with 120-grain Ballistic Tip
Rifle: Sako Finnlight in 6.5 x 55mm
Range: 75 yards
The thermal monocular picked up two clear targets browsing near the tree line at the NW corner of the big field, just inside my farmer pal’s land. My Swarovski binoculars revealed two munties, a buck and a doe. Range 112 yards. I got up on the Blaser quad sticks, but I was uneasy about the backstop, not wanting to send a bullet into the neighbour's woods.
I picked up the sticks and sneaked closer, using the tree line as cover. Edging around the trees, I saw the 2 deer still browsing unconcernedly and set up again. I selected the doe, as the buck was wandering generally to my left and risked vanishing out of sight behind the trees, while the doe was meandering gently to my right and into better view. Still concerned about backstop I waited until she paused broadside on facing to my right, and in front of a substantial tree.
TIiish-pok!
She dropped as if she'd turned into water. Not even a hoof moved. I presume that the buck ran, though I didn't see.
I stacked the rifle and sticks at my final firing point and walked to the deer. A good entry wound and a massive exit, spoiling the front left leg. The rising sun was to my right rear, illuminating the scene and the tree I'd used as a backstop.
Out of curiosity I looked at the tree, noting what appeared to be a small area of damage about 15" off the ground. Seeing something glint in the dark centre of the area I looked closer, hardly daring to hope...
Yes! The base of a 6.5mm Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet flush with the tree trunk! I considered trying to prise it out as a souvenir, but decided to leave it in situ as a memento.
Pretty miraculous, considering how many factors were involved: Range, orientation of deer, anatomy through which the bullet travelled, toughness of the wood...
maximus otter
Ammo: Norma factory tipped with 120-grain Ballistic Tip
Rifle: Sako Finnlight in 6.5 x 55mm
Range: 75 yards
The thermal monocular picked up two clear targets browsing near the tree line at the NW corner of the big field, just inside my farmer pal’s land. My Swarovski binoculars revealed two munties, a buck and a doe. Range 112 yards. I got up on the Blaser quad sticks, but I was uneasy about the backstop, not wanting to send a bullet into the neighbour's woods.
I picked up the sticks and sneaked closer, using the tree line as cover. Edging around the trees, I saw the 2 deer still browsing unconcernedly and set up again. I selected the doe, as the buck was wandering generally to my left and risked vanishing out of sight behind the trees, while the doe was meandering gently to my right and into better view. Still concerned about backstop I waited until she paused broadside on facing to my right, and in front of a substantial tree.
TIiish-pok!
She dropped as if she'd turned into water. Not even a hoof moved. I presume that the buck ran, though I didn't see.
I stacked the rifle and sticks at my final firing point and walked to the deer. A good entry wound and a massive exit, spoiling the front left leg. The rising sun was to my right rear, illuminating the scene and the tree I'd used as a backstop.
Out of curiosity I looked at the tree, noting what appeared to be a small area of damage about 15" off the ground. Seeing something glint in the dark centre of the area I looked closer, hardly daring to hope...
Yes! The base of a 6.5mm Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet flush with the tree trunk! I considered trying to prise it out as a souvenir, but decided to leave it in situ as a memento.
Pretty miraculous, considering how many factors were involved: Range, orientation of deer, anatomy through which the bullet travelled, toughness of the wood...
maximus otter
