shooting deer in the shoulder
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
Shoulder shots can be risky. You use a bullet not up for the task or the bullet really up for the tast but changes direction while in the cavity, or you hit a tad low, and you got a tripod on your hands. And a tripod can go far and not leave a great blood trail. Its a silly shot IMO. One gun that is up to the task is a 45-70 with 405gr hard cast. Not too fast, won't break up, and bet ya will usually will not shift direction. I shot a sika last week with a muzzleloader broadsided in the lungs, and that crazy bullet came out near the front of the shoulder. I was shocked. It fell instantly. But that goes to show how a bullet can tumble and change.
#13
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Waller Texas
Posts: 113
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
I have shot deer in the shoulder by accident, and yes its a mess, but they dropped on the spot. I always try a lung shot on bucks if possible. I have not loss a deer or had them go more than 50 feet after a lung shot.On does, theneckabove of the shoulder, or aheadshot if its less than 75yds. The 30-06 in 180 grain is way to much bullet for the smaller deer common to our region,the 150 is great. The 243 is not a good bullet for a shoulder shot. The 7 mag i shoot now armed with 140 gr. does a real clean job, but it is all about shot placement regardless of the rifle.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: illinois buck land
Posts: 202
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
after blowing the leg 'lower"off a doe with a very poor shoot from my 12ga.last fallthe deer ran all the way across a 40 ac corn field before it droped still alive any ??????? aim fo the vitals and make a good shot
#16
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 360
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
ORIGINAL: lethalconnection
Holy smokes how far of a shot was it and how much of the deer was left. I know i shot a deer with a 30.06 with a 180grain bullet at 50 yds and i thought i blew the thing in half thats why i stick to 150 now.
I used a 30-06, 180 gr. bullet
#17
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
My son hit a deer 2 years ago in the shoulders, he was aiming just behind the shoulderbut this was around a 220 yd shot. He was using my 243 with 100 gr hornady's. The deer ran about 80 yds. It blew through both shoulders breaking both bones and the deer still ran that far. It did leave a blood trail a blind man could follow though. Deer do some wired things sometimes. Other deer we have taken with the same gun with behind the shoulder shots have only ran from 0-40 yds. The only other deer that has gone this far was one I shot with the .243, it was a perfect heart shot and she went 100 yds. My younger son took one last year with the same .243. He made a high shoulder shot at a 190 yds and anchored the deer immediate. Broke the spine but needed a follow up shot as the deer couldnt get up but was still trying too, I just couldnt see it suffer anymore. By the way after 25 years with the .243 I nor we have ever lost one, these are just some of the weird examples.
#19
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
Holy smokes how far of a shot was it and how much of the deer was left. I know i shot a deer with a 30.06 with a 180grain bullet at 50 yds and i thought i blew the thing in half thats why i stick to 150 now.
As far as the high shoulder shot, it is a grapefruit sized target. Hit boththe deer won't take a step but may twitch a little. Only get one and they'll probably run. On a broadside I prefer the lower 1/3 behind the front leg. 1/4 away I like the high lung out the opposite shoulder.
#20
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 321
RE: shooting deer in the shoulder
ORIGINAL: lethalconnection
Holy smokes how far of a shot was it and how much of the deer was left. I know i shot a deer with a 30.06 with a 180grain bullet at 50 yds and i thought i blew the thing in half thats why i stick to 150 now.
I used a 30-06, 180 gr. bullet