2017 Deer summary
#188156
01/01/2018 10:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048
wvhitman
OP
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048 |
What a pathetic year. WVs deer population has really deteriorated the past decade. We've gone from near 100,buck kills to 41,000 this year. Why? The DNR wanted dead deer to lessen complaints of farmers (crop damage) and insurance companies (WV is #1 in US in auto kills). I've done 40 in past 42 years. I saw 0 bucks in 13 days of season and got 3 does in 14 days of season. I really didn't learn much this year, but reinforced beliefs on guns/loads. The 23 deer I took this year were exclusively taken with my single shots. None were taken with revolvers. Single shots- 23 (lifetime 2083); revolvers/autos -lifetime 286. Total 2379 handgunned deer. My #1 deer gun is the 6.5/.284 cal.(14 this year). I have an XP that's taken around 375 (shot the barrel out at 2200 rounds) and a Encore that's done 20. There's not many bullets I haven't tried for these guns. The Encore has a 8" twist and only shoots 140, 130 gr. bullets. The XP won't do the 140s. I was a little down on the 143 ELD-X last year because a 581 yd. kill showed about a 4" exit and 7" of internal damage. The front part of the bullet is very soft. It hit ribs and they increased the damage. I took 7 deer with it this year. All bullets that missed or barely hit ribs , including the longest shot of the summer at 401 yds., caused 3-4" of internal damage and 2" exits. A rib shot at 222 yds. Massive internal damage and a 8" exit with all the stomach and half the small intestines laying on the ground. Wicked little bullet. Hope to try it on bear next year. The XP took 6 deer with the 130 AB, the longest at 389 yds. All showed around 3" of internal damage and2" exits. None ran more than 40 yds. Hit both shoulders or under the spine and they drop. The one deer I took with the 6.5 129 LRAB reinforced my thoughts on it. Super accurate, perfectly useful on broadside shots. Angled shots are garbage. A doe at 279 yds. was sharply angling away. Only one lung was hit. She ran 80 yds. A jagged exit hole showed poor bullet integrity. I use this bullet mostly on groundhogs. No other gun took more than 2 deer this year. Of interst, is the .308 HS shooting Lehigh Defence 115 gr. fracturing HP bullets. The nose is scored causing 4 pedals to break off and the base keeps trucking, giving 5 paths of damage. I played around with powders and found a load so the 115s shoot exactly the same as 150s out to 400 yds (my longest kill with it). A double shoulder hit showed 3" of internal damage. A severely quartering away hit in front of one hip, exiting in the opposite ribs showed a jellied insides (big mess). Oddly, the 140 gr. Lehigh did not do as well as the 115s in damage and performance. As far as I'm concerned, with Lehighs, lighter is better. Dave Frickie makes good bullets. Another pleasant surprise is the Nosler 85 gr. PT in my 6mmAI Encore. I never was big on PTS, because I thought the flatter nose would mess with the trajectory. I used the same Plex on my 3-12 Burris BPlex with the 85 gr. as with the 70 gr. bullet on a 352 yd. doe. She dropped from a double lung hit with 1 1/2" of damage and 1/2" exit. Same results on a 90 yd. shot. I hope to use this on a smallish animal this year. Didn't want a lot of damage. Other interesting finds. Lehigh makes a 250 gr. .375 bullet with a massive HP and scored nose. I literally cut a groundhog in two with it last year. A 110 yd. doe was violently thrown to the ground from my .376 Steyr Encore. Both tenderloins were torn in two from a too high hit. There was 5" of internal damage and a 3" exit. Love to see what this would do to elk and big African plains game. Accurate? I put this, one 260 AB, and one 250 Hornady GMX in .4" at 100. I do love .375 guns. Many guns of past use did not get the call this year. Who can doubt the effectiveness of the 6.5 JDJ, .309 JDJ, all the .338 JDJ Contenders and Encores. Too much for deer? Sure, but perfect practice for up coming hunts. Hopefully, 2018 will be a little friendlier and I can share more adventures. Thanks for "listening".
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: wvhitman]
#188157
01/01/2018 11:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,821
45MAN
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,821 |
THANKS DOC, I NEEDED THAT
"ADAPT OR DIE". I USE ALL CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD HABIT FROM MY ARMY DAYS, PLUS IT IS EASIER TO TYPE AND READ.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: 45MAN]
#188161
01/02/2018 12:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 417
Seminole Wind
addict
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addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 417 |
Even Doc's slow years are amazing to me. Sure would like for Doc to write a book.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: Seminole Wind]
#188162
01/02/2018 1:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 860
karl
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 860 |
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: karl]
#188167
01/02/2018 4:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715 |
Think you were reading The Sixgunner....
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#188211
01/03/2018 1:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 53
HHI6818
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 53 |
Great write up. I too thought I was reading the SIXGUNNER
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: HHI6818]
#188239
01/03/2018 2:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105 |
Thanks, Doc, for the information. Always a great read!
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#188256
01/04/2018 12:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Think you were reading The Sixgunner....
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: wvhitman]
#188257
01/04/2018 12:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920 |
Doc. Thanks for the annual summary. Your slow years are still amazing when compared to the rest of us. Thanks.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,... " Matthew 28:19
Handgun hunter since 1979 - haven't used a rifle since! HHI member #992, NRA, SCI.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: wvhitman]
#188259
01/04/2018 12:31 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
We have a tremendous resource in the Hitman. I am glad this forum is filling in for the Sixgunner.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: cmnash]
#188267
01/04/2018 2:35 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
We have a tremendous resource in the Hitman. I am glad this forum is filling in for the Sixgunner. Exactly!
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: wvhitman]
#188342
01/05/2018 5:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461
pab1
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461 |
Always good info! Thanks!
Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce. Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: cmnash]
#188363
01/05/2018 11:55 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596
racksmasher1
veteran
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veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596 |
If It was easy Doc, everybody would be doing this thing we do.
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Re: 2017 Deer summary
[Re: FROSTY]
#188470
01/08/2018 9:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 228
Ramjet-SS
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 228 |
Thanks Doc I am really happy I still get to read your adventures and real life experiences different format but still great information.
You can't fix stupid!
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