Texas Big Game Finale (Long Post)

] Now, I know this doesn't sound like a light load as far as guns go, but it has bordered on ridiculous in times past...which makes it difficult to determine what to carry! The 338XP was first up to bat, having not had any field time since load development in late November. The sidearm of the .357 would prove to be a good counterpart to the long-barreled thumper.

Saturday AM broke cool and clear, relatively pleasant with a forecast of a cold, blustery front pushing in that evening. The sun broke over the horizon, illuminating the distant green fields...which were loaded with deer! Instantly the spotting scope came out - deer were counted, bucks evaluated, wishes made

The urge to fill the freezer was immediately tested as the does began to file past, picking their way through the cactus flats and heading back from the fields to their daytime beds. Despite the calendar date, the bucks appeared to still be engaged in some rut activity - checking does, bristling up against intruding bucks, some casual sparring, etc. (when we were there in Nov, the chase was on and strong). While checking out the amorous efforts of some smaller 8 points, I noticed some horns far out front, ghosting through the mesquite. A quick check through the binoculars showed an older 7 point, with all the physical attributes of a mature deer. Hmmm - first morning, but should I squeeze the trigger? As he approached closer, the decision was made - muffs on, range finder out, sand bag up, and FA in the lap. XP or FA? Leaning towards the scoped FA...The range finder read 122 yards - I knew the wheelgun was up to the task, given the 100 yard practice results with the 140 Barnes. Wait for broadside and let him hold it. And then I catch movement off my left shoulder - tines bobbing just over the ridge, another buck skirting this buck and the group of does. My attention then turns to this new deer, glassing to evaluate - good tine length, decent mass, but a smaller deer. back to the original target, but where did he go? There he is, moving off to the Left, trying to intercept the intruder. Maybe a little farther than earlier, hammer back, control the breathing, adjust for range, and squeeeeeeze. The FA recoils after the trigger breaks clean - the buck kicks and jumps into the air, offside shoulder broken from a complete pass through. The buck runs off a short ways, R leg flailing and rear end listing to the side as he tries to get his feet under him. He pauses further out, wobbly, trying to stay on his feet,but the XP was already on its way to acquiring a sight picture, safety off, slight pressure on the trigger and the big gun barks. And he takes off like a deer unhurt and disappears over the ridge...

Everyone that has hunted has experienced the creeping doubt. Did I make a good shot? Will he be laying just over the ridge? I know I have a pass through on the first, but why didn't he bowling pin on the 185 gr TSX? A quick check on the rangefinder shows 145 yards at the first shot (gulp), and just under 200 for the "anchoring" shot.

After a nervous wait, I got down to inspect the scene and trail the deer - of course I couldn't resist the urge to see if he was laying in the open just out of sight (he was not), so I went back to the impact and started the CSI process. Standing here, blood spatter there, blood trail then, cactus splashed with blood there plus a .40 cal plus hole in the cactus where the TSX had sailed through

Now on path, the trail was quick - it appears the wait was unnecessary as the 2 Barnes bullets were grouped less than 2 inches apart in his vitals.





Now before I get flamed for this shot, let me preface...I argued with myself, but posted the distance so fellow hunters can see the field results of the .357 with this load...did it work and achieve full penetration? Yes. Would the deer have gone down and expired there had I not fired a second shot? I believe so, but I've been taught to keep shooting if the game animal presents a followup. Would I knowingly take a 145 yard shot with this gun and load going forward? Despite the results, I realistically think it's pushing the envelope on the cartridge at factory loadings. But Barnes XPB has a very deep HP with fairly thin walls at the top, lending itself to rapid expansion, even at subdued velocities. YMMV

Dressing the deer, the damage done was impressive - I think the internal bleeding caused by the initial shot, followed up by a hit with the big hammer on a fluid-filled cavity = significant hemorrhage and trauma. Wow.

The first evening was topped off by one of my friend's son shooting a nice mature 6-point, his first buck! Dad got it on video, and captured a memory that will last forever.

Day 2 had our group switching gears and chasing ducks...all of the cattle tanks on the property were loaded with ducks of all varieties, mallards, gadwall, pintails, wigeon, ringnecks, scaup - a duck hunters variety delight. Winds out of the N at 25 and spitting freezing rain? That's a duck hunting day! Waders, dekes, and ducks! All we were missing was a retriever, which was subbed out for a Walmart-purchased Zebco 33 with a Zara Spook

Jalapeno-wrapped duck appetizers...delicious.

Fast forward a couple days - the group decides have a doe-thinning evening. I was sitting on a field location, and with the cold weather and deer movement (it seems from all adjacent properties), it was not uncommon to see 100 deer...AT ONE TIME. Not counting over the hunt or sit, but at one time, in view, in a single field. Truly amazing.

As shots began to ring out across the tract, and deer began to be on high alert, I readied my gear. The 353 FA was up at bat again. I had been watching a large alert doe for nearly 20 minutes as she fed closer to my tower stand in the open field - with light fading, I readied my muffs and grabbed the rangefinder. 64 yards...hammer back, 4X Leupold tucked behind the shoulder and squeeeeeeeze. The herd closest to me scatters at the shot, and the intended target begins to drop behind the fleeing group. After a 50 yard run, she piles up in the field. A quick examination of the deer in the field shows a complete pass through of the 140 gr Barnes with good expansion, with good wound channel through the lungs.



After sufficiently filling the cooler(s), we sought to target a couple of older bucks that we had patterned over the prior days hunts. An ancient chocolate 8 that we had nicknamed Roman due to his telltale Roman nose, plus an old warrior that we had termed the Busted 8, because of his snapped L main beam. One evening, after watching countless does pour into the green field and working on my arithmetic, the Busted 8 showed up and wandered into Whisper range. Hammer back, no muffs necessary

At just under 70 yards, there was a noticeable pause between the Pffffttttt and the Thwack of the the 208 AMax hitting home, just behind the shoulder. The buck jumped at the shot and ran 10 yards, pausing to see what the fuss was about...wobbly legs, he turned and sprinted another 30 yards and cartwheeled in a cactus patch. White belly in the green flat is a beautiful sight in the dusk!



The tumbling 208 gr Hornady performed well again, with a pencil-in, sideways out, and destruction in between.

Once again, a great end of season trip to Texas, with good friends, great memories, and returning to the Carolinas sleep deprived and with coolers filled with game!