favorite aiming point on deer
#173090
09/20/2016 1:58 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
OP
Gun Slinger
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OP
Gun Slinger
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Posts: 2,502 |
I love a broadside shot right through the aorta. catches both lungs. What about you fellers?
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: reflex264]
#173091
09/20/2016 2:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Imagine a line along the back of the leg going straight up across the vitals. I try to aim just behind that, centered between the bottom and top of the chest.
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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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: reflex264]
#173093
09/20/2016 2:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 228
Ramjet-SS
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 228 |
I love a broadside shot right through the aorta. catches both lungs. What about you fellers? Yes punch them through the pump its lights out.
You can't fix stupid!
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Ramjet-SS]
#173094
09/20/2016 2:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048
wvhitman
old hand
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old hand
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This is not a deer, but The shot applies to deer and similar animals. It's straight up the leg, 4" below the top of the back. It's the spine and they are instantly dead. I use this almost always unless I'm testing bullet performance. It does not apply to most any of the large African animals. Their spines are funky shaped, so you'll miss. Plus most carry vital organs very low in their body.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: wvhitman]
#173097
09/20/2016 4:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 650
wheeler45
addict
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addict
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 650 |
That is a nice bushbuck. I come straight up the foreleg 1/3 of the way up from the belly line. They drop at the shot.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: wheeler45]
#173103
09/20/2016 5:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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That is a nice bushbuck. I come straight up the foreleg 1/3 of the way up from the belly line. They drop at the shot. I prefer this shot, although on bull elk I have twice intentionally put the bullet through the center of the shoulder to try and break them from running off. Sometimes a lung shot bull can go a long long ways. But for this shot you have to have a very tough bullet that can break bone and keep on going. Partitions work, ML Black Belts and Power Belts DON'T.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#173108
09/20/2016 9:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
See above ^^^ wvhittman shot placement.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: reflex264]
#173109
09/20/2016 9:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006 |
I love a broadside shot right through the aorta. catches both lungs. This is my choice with jacketed handgun or rifle bullets. If I'm using hard cast handgun ammo..........through the shoulder/spine.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Zee]
#173110
09/20/2016 10:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861 |
Shoulder, heart, lungs....all have worked great for me
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Franchise]
#173119
09/21/2016 1:02 AM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596
racksmasher1
veteran
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veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596 |
Shoulder, heart, lungs....all have worked great for me x2
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: racksmasher1]
#173126
09/21/2016 1:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
Too many variables to just pick one placement. Shot angle, gun and bullet style, distance, rested or not. Whether standing still, walking, running, or lying down, looking at or looking away. I have not had many deer just stand still broadside waiting for me to plant a slug in the boiler room, but if that shot presents itself that is where it will usually go as I hate to waste venison.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: s4s4u]
#173133
09/21/2016 2:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601
PsTaN
addict
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addict
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Posts: 601 |
I've always aimed for a heart shot behind the front legs, but I've always used jacketed bullets as well. With my hardcast handloads I think I'm moving my aiming point forward to break some bone and penetrate vitals as well.
PsTaN
-Smith & Wesson Model 69 -Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter -Encore Pro Hunter
"Hold your horses, the elephants are coming, and out stamped Alabama"
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: PsTaN]
#173140
09/21/2016 3:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 169
abner
member
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member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 169 |
Ditto on what s4s4u said.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: abner]
#173150
09/21/2016 12:19 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
OP
Gun Slinger
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Guys I absolutely agree that it depends on the position of the animal and such like. I was just referring to my favorite shot being the aorta as my favorite target but once again there are many variables.
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: reflex264]
#173157
09/21/2016 12:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 89
SGalan
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 89 |
I love a broadside shot right through the aorta. catches both lungs. What about you fellers? What he said. I shoot hard cast and soft point. If I'm using hard cast I also try to break a leg/shoulder when I can.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: SGalan]
#173165
09/21/2016 3:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
I'm a high shoulder shot kind of a guy.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Whitworth]
#173168
09/21/2016 4:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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I always take the first good shot I get because weird things happen and you may miss your opportunity. I once had a crow fly out of the top of a pine tree just as a good buck was about to step into the open for a twenty yard shot.
The buck took off and did not stop until he was out of bow range.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: REDHAWK1954]
#173169
09/21/2016 4:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 860
karl
old hand
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old hand
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Posts: 860 |
I always take the first good shot I get because weird things happen and you may miss your opportunity. x2 A deer in the freezer is worth 2 in the bush.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: karl]
#173170
09/21/2016 4:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: racksmasher1]
#173173
09/21/2016 5:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 76
bullsi1911
journeyman
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journeyman
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Posts: 76 |
I usually go for the spot between the eye and the external auditory meatus (ear hole) if I don't want the head for a mount.
If not, then the heart.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: bullsi1911]
#173177
09/21/2016 8:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
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Being a bow hunter I usually go for the "double lunger". Not much meat loss. I am fortunate to have a timber surrounded by corn and bean fields, so if they do a death run after the shot, I don't worry about other hunters stealing my deer.
I have shot many doe's in the head, but that is with shotgun slugs. At close range on a doe with my handgun I would take whichever presents itself of the two.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: ruger4570]
#173603
10/03/2016 9:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 70
High Tide
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 70 |
I prefer to take a quartering-away shot with aim at the opposite front shoulder. Usually works pretty well if I place it correctly.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Whitworth]
#173614
10/04/2016 11:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 750
bluecow
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 750 |
I'm a high shoulder shot kind of a guy. +1 not a big head shoot fan. you only have to see a couple of animals dying a slow death with it's jaw/ face shot off before you state thinking there is a better way to take game. then maybe i've got too soft a heart.
Everything before "but" is B.S.
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: racksmasher1]
#174663
10/29/2016 5:28 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 9
Montana Lee
stranger
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stranger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 9 |
Im usually a meat hunter and like clean hides so the looking at me throat shot is a favorite just under the head shuts them off and drop straight down. If im chasing the mount or need to save the cape behind the front shoulder bottom half the chest.
you can never have to much ammo unless your swimming!
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Montana Lee]
#174838
11/01/2016 5:47 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
old hand
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old hand
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Posts: 1,155 |
Where I hunt I normally get a broadside shot. I go for a double lung shot when possible so I do not waste a lot of meat. They do not go far hit with a 480 Ruger, or a 35 Bullberry 180 grain bullet. The longest I have had one run was almost 100 yards hit with a 129 Hornady Spiral Point from a 6.5 X 30 JDJ Contender. I would have bet money it would have went down sooner than it did.
Bob
See You At The Range
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: racksmasher1]
#189368
02/04/2018 12:19 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 212
bscott
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Posts: 212 |
Neck shot or a 2x lung shot does it every trip of the boat for me!
"THEY FALL LIKE DEAD WEIGHT!"
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: bscott]
#189371
02/04/2018 1:01 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818 |
Very seldom do I get a true broadside shot because of hunting in the mountains. There's always some kind of angle to deal with so I take the best shot they give me & make sure the vitals are lined up on the back side. Sometimes that's both lungs, sometimes it's the shoulder shot. I hate taking head shots but have done it a few times & held my breath.
Dick
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: bscott]
#189379
02/04/2018 12:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,821
45MAN
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Neck shot or a 2x lung shot does it every trip of the boat for me! WITH WHAT? WHAT WORKS WITH A RIFLE, OR EVEN IN HANDGUNS WITH RIFLE TYPE CARTRIDGES WILL OFTEN FAIL MISERABLY WITH REVOLVERS. WITH REVOLVERS IT IS SHOULDER SHOTS FIRST FOR ME.
"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: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: 45MAN]
#189384
02/04/2018 1:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920 |
I think the best general rule for a quick kill and anchoring game is to aim for the far shoulder with the lungs in between me and the shoulder. Try to avoid face on and face away shots. As 45MAN says, it depends on the gun. I like to use a big one!
Woods hunting sometimes presents a shot quickly and you cannot over think it. If the shot is close I usually aim about 1/3 to 1/2 way up. On a longer shot I usually go 1/2 to slightly higher. The older I get I find myself liking higher shoulder / spine shots. It usually puts them down DRT.
Being the hypocrite that I am I have successfully taken both face on and Texas heart shots although I do not recommend them unless you have enough gun to get full penetration. These shots can be messy and shooting too low can make for a long and possibly unsuccessful track. I have also killed quite a few meat does with well placed head shots but there is risk. You must have a solid rest and be able to hit the golf ball like wvhitman. As I said I do not recommend it.
"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: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Whitworth]
#189388
02/04/2018 5:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
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I'm a high shoulder shot kind of a guy. Whit, I am familiar with that high shoulder shot; that is what I tried on my muzzleloader bull elk (see story on home page); it was the only shot I had available. However, as I relay it in my story, the big slug hit a bit too high. I have always thought that high shoulder shot has little margin for error compared to the more forgiving "boiler room" shot. Soooo...other than the "need" to break the animal down as in the case of a "dangerous beast," I prefer the more forgiving chest shot. When I wanted to anchor my big bull elk Rocky Mountain Elk I intentionally put the .475 400 grain XTP bullet in the center of his shoulder and it busted him good and broke his shoulder plus wrecked both lungs so he couldn't go more than a few feet. Not to mention that "no man's land" is waiting right there if you hit a bit above the shoulder. Just wanted to get your opinion on why that is your preferred shot.
Gregg
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Re: favorite aiming point on deer
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#189417
02/05/2018 11:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765
wheelguns
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765 |
I'm like 45MAN and Greeg, I prefer center of shoulder shot.
Quartering away off shoulder, quartering too point of shoulder.
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