Posted By: Dan B.
I took pictures!! - 12/04/2009 3:34 AM
When I imagine our PA deer season it always has fresh snow, 25 degrees and calm winds. This will allow me to hunt any style I wish...long range, still hunting or just sitting. Well this year has had light winds, high winds, light rain, hard rain and frost...terrible weather in SWPA. Because of that I've been sticking to my treehouse...a dry seat and propane heater are VERY inviting!! I can shoot to nearly 200yds (top of the blurry field) and see some great deer funnels and bedding areas (blocked by the bench). This place HAS deer, and some BIG ones, but you can only see them when they venture out...and with the comforts offerred, it's easy to wait!
On Tuesday I could not wait any longer and shot a doe at 180yds. Wednesday brought only more doe. Today was dismal...nothing was out until 4:15PM. Three deer (one mature doe and two yearlings) crept from the briar thickets at the very top of the field. When the large doe offered a 190yd shot, I raised up 2MOA and let her have it. She stepped just as the trigger broke and the shot impacted 4" from the POA...but still easily hit the lungs. She jumped, scurried 40yds and piled up. The pic shows the exit side, which was about 4" to the rear of the entrance.
The XP-100 .300 Savage did awesome. The load is 43.5gr Varget, WW brass, CCI 200, and 150gr Rem PSP. The Rem bullets are doing GREAT internal damage but giving very "blah" exit holes and very little blood trails. Thankfully the three deer I have shot with them have dropped after no more than 40yds. Next year I may try my favorite 150gr .30 cal bullet, the Hornady #3031. If not that, then I may try a 125-130gr bullet.
Now that the doe tags are done, I need to find Mr. Horns. Hopefully snow and calm winds are coming and I'll break out the Lil'Monster.
On Tuesday I could not wait any longer and shot a doe at 180yds. Wednesday brought only more doe. Today was dismal...nothing was out until 4:15PM. Three deer (one mature doe and two yearlings) crept from the briar thickets at the very top of the field. When the large doe offered a 190yd shot, I raised up 2MOA and let her have it. She stepped just as the trigger broke and the shot impacted 4" from the POA...but still easily hit the lungs. She jumped, scurried 40yds and piled up. The pic shows the exit side, which was about 4" to the rear of the entrance.
The XP-100 .300 Savage did awesome. The load is 43.5gr Varget, WW brass, CCI 200, and 150gr Rem PSP. The Rem bullets are doing GREAT internal damage but giving very "blah" exit holes and very little blood trails. Thankfully the three deer I have shot with them have dropped after no more than 40yds. Next year I may try my favorite 150gr .30 cal bullet, the Hornady #3031. If not that, then I may try a 125-130gr bullet.
Now that the doe tags are done, I need to find Mr. Horns. Hopefully snow and calm winds are coming and I'll break out the Lil'Monster.
