Invincible deer?

[Sol]

Not sure how this roe managed too be on its feet for over 5 minutes with not a single reaction too being hut, ended up having too be shot again obviously not sure what ones mine, and what Is his but the exit on the other side (he took quartering, exited at the neck) Is pretty small with very minimal blood on the coat, tighter too the shoulder too so lungs being damaged shouldn't of been an issue.

no green spilt or anything both shots entirely within the diaphragm, another friend suggested the bullet pencilled through? pretty unusual for .222

I've had higher shots (if mine Is left) take a little longer expiry as gravity Isn't in your favour but even those have been within 45 seconds with obvious reactions too being hut, I've never had one be on its feet for so long looking around alert like nothing happened.

 

[DMc88]

Change to a Vmax round. It will smash the internal organs. I have been using in .223, very impressed. Was using Sako, Gamehead 55gr before that and it would sometimes pencil like that and the last straw was when it pencilled through but a petal broke off zipped along the ribs and burst the gut. No issues with the Vmax 50% of the time there is no exit but they don't make it past 15 yards if they run.

 

[JH83]

What bullet was this with?

Things happen, no two reactions are exactly the same on H/L shots, it’s very possible to miss ribs and have a delayed kill-but 5 minutes is excessive. Is the photo exit or entry?

I recall a while ago some very slow kills on red and sika with 25-06 federal fusion, big stags frozen on the spot for what seemed like ages. Speaking to some highland stalkers at the time they were getting similar results with the same brand in .270-the deduction was that they were a bit ‘hard’. A change of brand sorted it-certainly if the problem persists this needs a look.

I personally like .222 for roe, but it’s a wee calibre and as much as there is an advantage with recoil, cost etc -the trade off is less margin for error in the event of some kind of mishap.

 

[Chris Richardson]

id strongly advise against v max for body shots , used 50 gr gameheads for years through a .222 , no issues as already stated these things happen from time to time had a doe last season shot with my 7mm 140 gr showed no reaction to shot for a good 20 seconds then keeled over ( high lung shot )

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Bullets do strange things - Geco Zero in .308 - usually pretty destructive on muntjac

 

[HonestJohn]

Seen that many many times with the .222. They either die very instantly, or run 60 yds

Love the .222, but that’s why I moved on despite having used it since 2014. I know ‘start’ at 6.5x55, and finish at 7x57

 

[Jh1986]

Shot a CWD at 200m with 150g copper Federal powershok. You heard the hit but the thing got up, trotted off 20m or so, then just stood. A second bullet had it on the deck but when I got there it was still breathing. Bullet through the lungs but still breathing.

 

[DMc88]

id strongly advise against v max for body shots , used 50 gr gameheads for years through a .222 , no issues as already stated these things happen from time to time had a doe last season shot with my 7mm 140 gr showed no reaction to shot for a good 20 seconds then keeled over ( high lung shot )

What extensive experience do you have with a VMAX for body shots? if you hit a shoulder it makes a hell of a mess, but that can be said for many rounds. If you shoot them broadside rib to rin the damage isn't any more than any other round if it actually exits. Head and Neck shots with them are phenomenal, instant death. Having shot a few with Game heads in the neck and it pencilled through leading to unnecessary suffering and a quick folow-up needed.

The 53gr Vmax is a great round for Roe, but same rules apply as for any round, you have to hit the correct spot. A keeper often posts his shots using 22.250 Vmax on facebook and always has the same criticism even after showing photos of lack of carcass damage.

 

[Camdig]

Having shot Roe with a .223 for nearly 20 years i would not use Vmax shooting heart and lung shots, I would always favour a soft point for that, too many runners in cover with vmax.
Just about any round will put a deer down shooting them in head or kneck.

 

[DMc88]

Having shot Roe with a .223 for nearly 20 years i would not use Vmax shooting heart and lung shots, I would always favour a soft point for that, too many runners in cover with vmax.
Just about any round will put a deer down shooting them in head or kneck.

What round are you using as a Vmax and the Roe have ran on? never had one make it past 15 yards with destroyed lungs alone. Ones I shot through Heart and lungs fell instantly. I'm using Hornady 53gr Vmax .223 and finding it great. I must be lucky

 

[Camdig]

What round are you using as a Vmax and the Roe have ran on? never had one make it past 15 yards with destroyed lungs alone. Ones I shot through Heart and lungs fell instantly. I'm using Hornady 53gr Vmax .223 and finding it great. I must be lucky

55g Hornady Vmax was the culprit, won't use them on deer at all, messy and unpredictable the 55g game points are the preferred option.
Out of curiosity how many deer have you shot with Vmax?

 

[Freeforester]

A lot can be to do with whether the deer senses danger prior to being shot. The Adrenalin will carry them over 100m if they are alerted and had a pump of adrenaline as a result. Equally, they can fall in the spot if not alert, and anything between the two possible scenarios.

 

[Chris Richardson]

What extensive experience do you have with a VMAX for body shots? if you hit a shoulder it makes a hell of a mess, but that can be said for many rounds. If you shoot them broadside rib to rin the damage isn't any more than any other round if it actually exits. Head and Neck shots with them are phenomenal, instant death. Having shot a few with Game heads in the neck and it pencilled through leading to unnecessary suffering and a quick folow-up needed.

The 53gr Vmax is a great round for Roe, but same rules apply as for any round, you have to hit the correct spot. A keeper often posts his shots using 22.250 Vmax on facebook and always has the same criticism even after showing photos of lack of carcass damage.

Used v max a lot in the past I agree head and neck shots they’re great for but for body shots I much prefer the game heads

 

[DMc88]

Used v max a lot in the past I agree head and neck shots they’re great for but for body shots I much prefer the game heads

I have had questionable results from game heads with all kinds of shots and too often for me to be comfortable using them as my go to round. Honestly for me body shots with Vmax have been great and no more damage than anything else.

 

[DMc88]

55g Hornady Vmax was the culprit, won't use them on deer at all, messy and unpredictable the 55g game points are the preferred option.
Out of curiosity how many deer have you shot with Vmax?

I have shot the past 12 Roe with the Vmax. 2 being neck shots. Everyone of the 10 rib to rib have been flawless. I was told prior to using them it has to shoot rib to rib otherwise there will be a hell of a mess so I have stuck to that so far and it's been awesome. I also weighed my choice watching another keeper who has used them for years and shot hundreds and he hit's them in the right spot without issue.

 

[Smellydog]

I wouldn't worry, it just happens sometimes.
Sol, years ago thanks to D I had a doe shot perfectly at 60yds or so but then run in an arc 100yds or so and stop now 80yds away looking untouched. The second shot made it fold. At first I thought I had missed but I hadn't. That was on the Gas Forrest.
Another up high mark was a buck that ran barking his head off with another perfect shot. He did about 100yds before giving up.
Tracking him was easy, it looked like someone had walked throwing red paint everywhere.

 

[Camdig]

I have shot the past 12 Roe with the Vmax. 2 being neck shots. Everyone of the 10 rib to rib have been flawless. I was told prior to using them it has to shoot rib to rib otherwise there will be a hell of a mess so I have stuck to that so far and it's been awesome. I also weighed my choice watching another keeper who has used them for years and shot hundreds and he hit's them in the right spot without issue.

A Varmint round works best on Varmints, the original design is to preserve pelt quality with minimal exit damage, it will kill deer but imo there are better choices.

 

[Smellydog]

Give me two holes in a game animal any day over the risk of exploding on a rib or other bone before reaching the vitals.

 

[Buchan]

Obvious statement time - the vital structures were not damaged enough.
An unexpanded .222 (5.56mm) could go through the lung and miss some of the larger vessels. And while a cut with a knife of a small artery will bleed, anything which tears it produces an elastic recoil effect in the vessels that will partially seal it.

 

[DMc88]

A Varmint round works best on Varmints, the original design is to preserve pelt quality with minimal exit damage, it will kill deer but imo there are better choices.

I know the original design reasons mate, I read up on it, checked reviews, watched many videos before going with it. I'm just saying that in my experience and that of others it is a fantastic little round for Roe. I have yet to hear of it not punching through the first Ribs and wrecking the vitals though as designed. So nothing I would be worried about to be honest.