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Got my first handgun buck this morning! #166361 11/21/2015 4:48 PM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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We stepped outside into a light drizzle as the first rays of sunlight began to illuminate the eastern horizon. After putting the dog in his pen, my dad and I went our separate ways to different ends of the property, him with his Mark V 300 Weatherby Magnum, I with my T/C Encore 300 Winchester Magnum on my shoulder and my Smith and Wesson Model 460 on my hip. About ten minutes later, I was in my blind overlooking my 1 acre clover plot from its southeastern corner.

Before I even had time to get comfortable, I saw movement not even fifty yards away. A doe was walking down the northern treeline. She approached to within revolver range and stopped. Although I had decided to take a doe, there wasn't nearly enough light to make a shot. She evidently wasn't afraid, because I heard her trudging around just out of sight on the neighbor's property for the next thirty minutes.

Just after shooting light, I heard the distinctive sound of a 300 Weatherby bullet finding it's mark about a third of a mile to the east, where my dad was. More on that later.

I soon saw the doe again, this time in the neighbor's field, and she eventually wound up in my plot over 100 yards away. As I put the Encore on the tripod, I realized how unsteady I was, especially considering I was shaking like a leaf. I quickly figured out to put my foot on one of the tripod's supports so I could rest my elbow on my knee. However, the doe wouldn't stay still for long, and due to the slight curve in the plot, her vitals remained somewhat obscured. She soon vanished beyond the trees, and I saw her run off to the north.

For the next 45 minutes or so, I saw nothing. Then, while glancing toward the far end of the plot, I saw antlers ducking down. Big ones. I quickly got into position and put the Encore on the tripod to look through the scope. Nothing. I put the Encore down and raised my binoculars. Nothing. The buck must have been walking away from me when he put his head down, and I only caught a glimpse. I blew two grunts with my grunt tube, but nothing responded. Kicking myself for letting him escape my attention, I glassed the rest of the plot to ensure nothing was sneaking up on me. There wasn't, needless to say, so I looked one more time down the plot.

There he was, his rack and massive neck giving him away as a mature buck. I quickly got into position again when he put his head down to sniff at the ground. The crosshairs flew all over the place as buck fever took hold. He was slowly coming my way. Even the sight of a broken brow tine didn't deter me. This buck was going down.

I paused for a second. If he continued walking like that, he'd be within revolver range. Should I take him now, or should I wait? I estimated there was about a 50/50 chance he would either get within revolver range or leave the plot. The question was quickly answered when he turned north, toward the neighbor's field. I cocked the hammer back and took aim, the crosshairs still flying wildly all over him. I used two more grunt calls in a vain attempt at stopping him. It was only when I yelled "Hey, buck!" that he paused, perfectly broadside.

It's funny. While practicing, I have to force myself to inhale, slowly exhale, squeeze the trigger, and follow through. Now, though, I can't even recall doing so, it came to me so naturally. The crosshairs steadied as I exhaled, and I slowly began squeezing the trigger.

BOOM! I lost sight of him as the gun recoiled, the muzzle blast rattling the fabric of the blind. By the time I caught sight of him again, the buck jumped up and ran - all of two yards. I was out of the blind as he collapsed, throwing the Encore on my shoulder while drawing the 460 from its holster. There was no need for a follow up shot.







I was calm during the entire walk up to him. I was calm while I marveled at the size of both his body and rack. I was calm while I ranged my blind while standing over him - 98 yards. I was calm while walking back to the blind.

Then, the realization of what I'd done hit me. I had finally accomplished something I've dreamed of doing since taking the hunter safety course back in '07. I realized I just took my first deer with a handgun. I fell to my knees, nearly dropping the Encore because I was shaking so badly. Just typing this made me relive the lightheaded feeling I felt right then.

I would like to once again express my thanks to pab1 for selling me that amazing barrel, and to Zee for recommending the A-Max bullets for it. I would also like to thank each and every one of you on this forum for making this the best place on the internet to discuss our passion. You daggum enablers.

Combine this deer with my squirrel kills, and I can now say that, without a single shadow of a doubt, I am a handgun hunter!






P.S. My dad got this buck at almost the exact same spot as my sister's monster 9-point two weeks ago. I finally convinced him to try my handloads for his Weatherby, and I think he's quite pleased with them.



Formerly TN Lone Wolf

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166363 11/21/2015 4:57 PM
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nytracker Offline
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Way to go. ..


Save liberals from them selves, stich their sphincter closed so they cant talk out their arse
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: nytracker] #166364 11/21/2015 5:03 PM
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Ernie Offline
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Great story!
So pleased for you-Congrats!!!


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Ernie] #166365 11/21/2015 5:24 PM
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Gregg Richter Offline
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A big congratulations to you, Chance, on your first handgun buck! And a real nice one to boot!







Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Gregg Richter] #166366 11/21/2015 5:34 PM
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Oh that's cool. Great job and congratulations. That's a beautiful buck.

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166367 11/21/2015 6:21 PM
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Zee Offline
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Most excellent! Very proud of you! I haven't been here long, but I've deemed you a determined sort from all I've read of/from you. Well done!

I'm glad the A-Max worked for you. Did it exit or stay in the deer? If it exited, what was the exit wound like? Hit any bone?

Again, well done.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166368 11/21/2015 6:22 PM
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Should have shot the doe. Now you'll never be able to experience shooting your first handgun buck again!!??
Way to go.

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166370 11/21/2015 6:25 PM
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Congrat's, Chance. Good thing your cuz couldn't make it, eh ;-)


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: s4s4u] #166371 11/21/2015 6:51 PM
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Congrats. Great deer!


Kentucky….no place like home.
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: KYODE] #166372 11/21/2015 7:11 PM
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rlb Offline
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So, did you make sure nobody filmed your "Happy Dance" for us to see later on youtube?

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166373 11/21/2015 7:28 PM
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SEAK Offline
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Good job on your first, look out Alaska and Africa.


Enjoying to circle of life
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166374 11/21/2015 9:03 PM
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Congratulations - nice looking deer !

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166376 11/21/2015 11:38 PM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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First off, thank you all for your kind words.
\:\)


 Originally Posted By: Zee
I'm glad the A-Max worked for you. Did it exit or stay in the deer? If it exited, what was the exit wound like? Hit any bone?


I found what was left of the bullet lodged in his ribcage on the opposite side. The estimated impact velocity was 2565 fps.




I think the only bone it hit was rib. Didn't see any evidence it hit his shoulder. We also found the jacket to the 150 grain SST my dad used out of his 300 Weatherby:





 Originally Posted By: s4s4u
Congrat's, Chance. Good thing your cuz couldn't make it, eh ;-)


Well, I'm not disappointed he couldn't come. He might be, though.




 Originally Posted By: wvhitman
Should have shot the doe. Now you'll never be able to experience shooting your first handgun buck again!!??
Way to go.


I can still look forward to my first handgun doe. Honestly, I really want a doe. That'll be much better eating.




 Originally Posted By: rlb
So, did you make sure nobody filmed your "Happy Dance" for us to see later on youtube?


\:\(
Sorry everyone, no video. He would have been a good one to film, though. It's not like he was in a hurry, so I could have gotten the camera on him with little trouble. Hindsight's always 20/20.




When we were at the check in station, the three game wardens and about a half dozen other hunters came up to get a good look at our bucks. They all thought it was the coolest thing when I said I got him with a handgun at about 100 yards. One kid in particular was quite amazed when he found out you could even hunt with a handgun.

Edit: Almost forgot to add: While inspecting him, the game wardens determined he was a 4 1/2 year old. You don't see a mature buck like that everyday, especially here in Tennessee. I would have thought my sister's buck was older than this one, but hers was only 3 1/2.

Last edited by TN Lone Wolf; 11/21/2015 11:42 PM.

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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166377 11/22/2015 12:16 AM
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Darrell H Offline
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Congratulations, great shooting and great buck!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Darrell H] #166378 11/22/2015 12:23 AM
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Congratulations on your harvest, and on a great buck! That's awesome!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Boot] #166381 11/22/2015 12:47 AM
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Ernie Offline
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168 grain A-Max?


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Ernie] #166384 11/22/2015 12:54 AM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: Ernie
168 grain A-Max?


155 grain.


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166385 11/22/2015 12:57 AM
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Ernie Offline
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Thanks. Couldn't remember.


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166386 11/22/2015 12:59 AM
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Congratulations on a Great Buck. I'm sure he is the first of many.


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: REDHAWK1954] #166389 11/22/2015 1:05 AM
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Great job Chance! That is awesome! Very happy for ya. Nothing like getting it done with a handgun.

CONGRATS!!!!!


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Raptortrapper] #166393 11/22/2015 1:32 AM
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Good job man! That's some awesome stuff right there.

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Brenden] #166397 11/22/2015 1:54 AM
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WTG Chance,AWESOME BUCK!!!!!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166401 11/22/2015 2:42 AM
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Heck of a nice deer! Hopefully many more to follow. Congrats


Bigger ain't always better....according to who???
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Raptortrapper] #166402 11/22/2015 2:44 AM
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Zee Offline
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The bullet did well.

I was concerned at first that you might be pushing the bullet a little fast, but in reality, you're probably around .308 velocities with the shorter barrel.

I would have been surprised if it had exited.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Zee] #166404 11/22/2015 2:54 AM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised with it, especially considering that's the shortest distance I've ever had a deer run.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166405 11/22/2015 2:57 AM
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Zee Offline
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A-Max bullets are awesome! Just gotta tailor weight to velocity.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166406 11/22/2015 3:24 AM
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Congratulations! That's a nice buck! Glad to see that barrel being used!


Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce.
Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper


Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: pab1] #166412 11/22/2015 5:17 AM
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Congrats on your first; a very nice first!


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: KRal] #166414 11/22/2015 10:54 AM
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Great job!!!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: dhom] #166420 11/22/2015 1:14 PM
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Congratulations Chance - great deer!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Zee] #166421 11/22/2015 1:22 PM
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Ernie Offline
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Agreed.
I would consider the 168 or maybe the 178.
Again, depends on the MV.
 Originally Posted By: Zee
A-Max bullets are awesome! Just gotta tailor weight to velocity.


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Ernie] #166423 11/22/2015 2:23 PM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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I'll probably try out a heavier bullet next year. Anything in the 165 to 180 grain range would be ideal.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Chance Weldon] #166434 11/22/2015 8:55 PM
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Good job on getting it done on a great buck!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: cmnash] #166439 11/22/2015 10:58 PM
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Way to go Chance.... Good for you...


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: jamesfromjersey] #166449 11/23/2015 4:00 AM
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Congrats brother that is a very nice deer, whether it's your first with a handgun or not!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: eastex] #166453 11/23/2015 8:50 AM
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Awesome!

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: MIHunter] #166458 11/23/2015 1:33 PM
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Nicely done! Congratulations!


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: Whitworth] #166461 11/23/2015 2:02 PM
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Congrats Chance. Your family has had a heck of a season already.

Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: rlb] #166466 11/23/2015 7:46 PM
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that is an awful nice first one! congrats!


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Re: Got my first handgun buck this morning! [Re: BBwheelgunner] #166471 11/23/2015 9:00 PM
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Chance Weldon Offline OP
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Thanks, guys!

I got to looking back through my older hunting pictures, and I noticed something interesting. Here's a picture of my 2012 rifle buck, my personal record:

Compare him to my handgun buck:

Not only is he my first handgun buck, I think he's also my biggest buck ever.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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