Deer Stalking… reliable word of mouth recommendation from someone you know has undertaken such stalking being offered by a specific syndicate is best. Like other walks of life, stalking has its scammers. E.G., make sure there is deer, of the species sought, on the land being made available; that appropriate insurance is in place; that there is recourse for recompense if it all goes wrong. In addition, obtain and understand terms and conditions; consider the implications of allowing a syndicate leader to be a FAC mentor; make sure ‘coaches’ are suitably qualified; consider the quality of deer management, the construction & execution of a shooting plan and safety; determine if the land is over-shot.
Dougan wrote:When it comes to 'shot placement', I would obviously have to concede to those with experience - But I think that very careful thought should be given to the type and quality of the rifle and caliber used...to make sure of accuracy.
Accuracy is paramount - you only have one shot - it has to count. BUT nobody is perfect and sometimes a shot goes astray - which is why I get frustrated at the amount of people who stalk without a dog (Or easy access to one) - I've not long got back in after nipping out to help an experienced stalker who placed a round a little too far back - Bambi made it to the woods and he couldn't find it. Luckily I was only 30 mins away and 10 mins later the dog had located the downed beast - which is now in his larder - he got his ear bending for not taking his dog, which is a damn fine blood tracking dog. Was quicker for me to go to him, than for him drive home and get his dog, drive back and find the bambi.
We all have a responsibility to what we shoot, to ensure it goes it the bag swiftly and humanely.
Dougan wrote:When it comes to 'shot placement', I would obviously have to concede to those with experience - But I think that very careful thought should be given to the type and quality of the rifle and caliber used...to make sure of accuracy.
if it will put a shot into a 3-4in circle every time at the range you are happy to shoot at then thats the rifle for me other than that, the legalities are more important than the ballistics as almost any centerfire from .22 up will do the job if they hit in the kill zone.
I struggle with the use of a cannon on quarry that doesn't need it. I know people do have a .375 H&H for deer, but seriously - if you have that calibre, go find an elephant to shoot at!
The laws of the land are set in such a way as to assume the shooter is distinctly average. TBH, I think they're set for a shooter who can't hit the proverbial barn door...
Simple fact is if you put the bullet in the right place, the quarry will fall down, lights out, game over. Terminal ballistics are important - make sure the bullet carries the energy to vital organs and then preferably not out the other side. It's all trade off - my old 243 with 58gr V-max ammo felled a deer so effectively that we recovered the fragmented bullet on the far side of the deer (broadside shot). Deer was extremely dead because it got the full shock value of the bullet. Flip side is that shoulder and surrounding area were not good. No major issue - deer are pests on that particular piece of land so any meat is a welcome by-product but not the reason for shooting.
However, a 100gr SP bullet will do less damage but also have less shock value. Those considerations are far more important than calibre IMHO. A 308 FMJ will, by and large, do a lot less damage than a smaller expanding bullet.
However, a 100gr SP bullet will do less damage but also have less shock value. Those considerations are far more important than calibre IMHO. A 308 FMJ will, by and large, do a lot less damage than a smaller expanding bullet.
all the deer I have shot have been with a 100grn softpoint in .243 they all went down like they were poleaxed and I really don't see the need for more than a 11/4" exit on a Roe? FMJ of course are illegal to use on game in this country. to me meat damage is important, as I hunt for meat not vermin control.
Kenny I think you missed my point, which was that Heavier calibres matter less than having the right bullet with a smaller calibre.
There is no need for a bigger exit wound on a roe; but my point is that 243 with a fragmenting bullet does far more damage and puts them down quicker than the heavier bullet, assuming proper initial penetration. All that and with less muzzle energy too - flies in the face of the argument which says you need a cannon to kill a squirrel!
Mr_Logic wrote:Kenny I think you missed my point, which was that Heavier calibres matter less than having the right bullet with a smaller calibre.
There is no need for a bigger exit wound on a roe; but my point is that 243 with a fragmenting bullet does far more damage and puts them down quicker than the heavier bullet, assuming proper initial penetration. All that and with less muzzle energy too - flies in the face of the argument which says you need a cannon to kill a squirrel!
I think you are right, I may have misinterpreted your point, sorry for that. however I still prefer not to destroy my dinner (well not before its on the plate)
other than that, the legalities are more important than the ballistics as almost any centerfire from .22 up will do the job if they hit in the kill zone.