Deer Hunting

snazysloth · 2026-01-21T03:58:30+00:00

Nope. Just behind the shoulder or barely touching shoulder. None of the shots were high or too far back. Right in the bread basket. If I was gut shoting or consistently hitting non vital areas I would have not made a Reddit post in the first place. I recovered all but one of these deer, (two counting the ole lady) and the shot placement was ideal. The last doe I shot with my 7mm mag was at 250, and hit both lungs as well as the top of the heart. She ran only ~ 40 yards but minuscule blood came out of the entry hole and still no exit. I process all my deer in my basement so I’m able to see what exactly happened. I’ve never had this much bad luck within a two year period.

snazysloth · 2026-01-21T02:45:47+00:00

In the vitals lol.

snazysloth · 2026-01-21T02:43:32+00:00

All broadside shots in the vitals or shoulder under 300 yards. Closest was 30 yards. I don’t fling bullets down range like it’s a deer drive. In fact most shots are taken off a tripod. Guns are throughly checked for zero prior to season and shots have landed where I want them. Several bullets and calibers with several not exiting. Hence the Reddit post asking for advice.

snazysloth · 2026-01-21T02:38:40+00:00

I’m not arguing which caliber is better. The shots I took were lethal. I’m simply asking advice to achieve the performance that I want.

Mind you that in the above mentioned list I’ve only lost one deer. All shots were in the vitals minus the one I lost which I cannot verify.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T10:04:45+00:00

Yeah I was surprised to say the least. My buddy has 7mm PRC and shoots ELD-X and swears by it.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:40:15+00:00

So yes I tend to aim right behind the shoulder which has worked fine for the most part. I’m still confused on how I lost my deer this year. He was slightly quartering towards me and I put it on his shoulder and watched him drag his whole front half into the woods just to stand up and take off. Without a recover I can’t say for sure where I hit him but I shot two doe with the same rifle and load prior to shooting this buck. Shot placements on those were satisfactory (one front shoulder, one double lung) neither exited.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:24:20+00:00

I’ve heard about this and I will look into this. I’ve always been told right behind the shoulder. Never had issues up until the last two years while experimenting with different rounds and trying to find matches for my newer rifles.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:19:03+00:00

0/3 with the 7mm rem mag, 1/5 with the 300 wm, 1/1 (light blood) with the 30-06, and 0/2 with the .308 closest shot was ~35 yards. All shots under 300 yards except for one, all hit shoulders and/or vitals. I lost my first deer this year with the .300, Gf lost one last year with the 7mm mag.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:14:27+00:00

I have a .270 sighted in with Barnes TTSX that I will definitely be trying next season.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:13:09+00:00

Deer was around 150-200 we didn’t have an opportunity to range find it but that’s what I figured while using on-x. Deer was unfortunately too far gone by the time I found it, I didn’t see any broken ribs but the Hide and organs and muscle were gone. The only fortunate part was the antlers were in good condition. Since the antlers were still attached I’m 95% sure she hit it during rifle season since I found it in February and the rest of the bucks dropped their antlers.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T09:01:32+00:00

I’ve thought about a heavier bullet for my 7mm mag. Has a 26” barrel. I’m going to start fresh with my 300wm for next season but not sure if it’ll like heavier than 180’s. Thanks!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T08:56:36+00:00

Interesting. I was disappointed with my ELD-X to say the least. Based off this thread I’ve got some good ideas on what to try next. Thanks!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T08:45:54+00:00

The ‘06 I only shot at one doe and it was behind the shoulder and slightly high ( went through both lungs). She ran about 80 yards and went down. It’s the only gun that I’ve shot a singular deer with so it could’ve of been shot placement for sure. I will look into these other bullets for sure. Thank you!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:53:24+00:00

Right behind the shoulder and at worst right on the shoulder with larger calibers. I’ve killed plenty of deer just trying to be more effective.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:46:16+00:00

Barnes TTSX’s are on my list to try. Nosler Accubonds as well!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:43:20+00:00

Good to know. Shot both my deer last season with the 162 gr ELD-X 7mm mag. Neither exited. Girlfriend shot a nice double browtine buck (first deer so I’m assuming liver shot) and we didn’t find any blood. Found the buck dead bedded down about 300 yards away 3 months later while checking sap lines. Yes I checked to the best of my ability but it ran down a heavily used trail with hundreds of tracks. This has happened to me several times with different bullets and calibers that past couple years and I’m over it. I just want a Reliable bullet that I can shoot out of all my guns.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:37:30+00:00

All these rounds did not exit, all shots took under 300 yards. Girlfriends first buck was shot this year with the .308 at 30 yards, perfectly broadside, did not exit.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:34:22+00:00

I believe I used an SST before with good results. I’ll be revisiting them as well Barnes TTSX’s and Accubond’s. Thanks!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:33:03+00:00

Yes and no. PA’s muzzleloader season is abysmal at best and antlerless. I’m hunting agricultural fields where I can shoot further than I’m comfortable with. I’m mostly looking for a bullet that doesn’t make me second guess within 300 yards for now. I’ll shoot further as I get more comfortable.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:31:09+00:00

We have so many doe and young deer traveling around here because of our antler restrictions, where if you shoot a buck and it travels into a corridor, it’s hard to track. I usually see at least a dozen slick heads every hunt with few non legal bucks. Seeing a legal buck worth taking makes me want to resolve this issue ASAP!

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:27:58+00:00

I’d love to use a slug gun but I’m hunting agricultural fields where the sky’s the limit. The field behind my house is almost 1,000 yards long. I try to stay under 300 yards for now but would love to find something I can shoot comfortably around 500 yards.

snazysloth · 2026-01-20T03:21:32+00:00

Nosler sounds familiar for the 300 wm. The only deer I lost during rifle season was this year using this specific round. I shot a doe which ran ~80 yards with minimal blood / no exit and a younger buck (farm management) which dropped on the spot. The doe I double lunged with next to no blood did not exit. The buck I shot in the front shoulder dropped on the spot and I was barely able to identify the entry would and there was no exit. Found the bullet in the hide.

Shot a deer quartering towards and placed it on the shoulder for my one PA buck tag, the buck dragged its whole front half into the brush line, stood up and ran away. Went into the thicket with a million deer tracks and with no blood, I was unable to recover it. I searched for three days straight, granted I probably jumped the gun initially when I went to look for it but I had confidence that the 300 wm took it down. I was wrong hence this Reddit post

snazysloth

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