7.62x39 vs. deer results...

[trstafford]

mtter of inches

Just like most things in life it appears to be a matter of inches. If you had been over a few more inches and struck the heart, we would be posting to congratulate you on a fine shot.

PS

I also use a CZ carbine in 7,62x39

 

[J23]

Update!!!!!!!!!

So sickened with the performance of the Hornady 123 grain on deer, I loaded a few Graf's Hornady 123 VMax and shot a group, same load, with the expection of the seating depth, which wasnt as deep. [28.5 grains AA2015BR, CCI200 primers, WW cases..] Fired three, 3 shot groups at 100 yards from the bench. Same groups as I was getting with the Hornady IL's.. approximatly 1 to 1.25" at 100 yards [keep in mind, that is with the hunting scope I use, Burris Short Mag 4x20.] Any any rate, the POI was the same... I shot 3 of the VMax Load and 3 IL's that I had loaded, and I couldnt differentiate which were which, as they all were bunched together in the same inch-inch and a quarter group.

Took them out to collect a doe for the pot the next day... after several hours of still hunting, I happened upon a average sized WV doe [approximatly 150 lbs on the hoof] which trotted upon me and stopped just in time to look my way, broadside, UPhill this time at about a 30 degree angle, standing approximatly 40 yards away. I put the crosshairs about 1/3 of the way up on her ribs, just behind the shoulder and squeezed off a good one. She bound over the hill, out of sight, and I heard her crash about five seconds later. Of course she ran downhill into a creekbed, covering about 30 yards... most of which I think was momentum carrying her downhill. Dead when I reached her about 3 minutes later.

As I gutted, I performed the post Mortem:
THe bullet entered exactly where I aimed... missed the heart, shooting just about it, collapsing both lungs with fairly extensive damage, with bullet fragments (copper and lead) scattered throughout. I found no exit, and no bullet at that time.

Upon butchering her up this evening, I found the bullet, logged underneith the hide, on the opposite side in the ribcage. The bullet retained 81.1 grains as says my BBKII digital scale, demonstrating a perfect little mushroom, as you would see in the magazines (ill try to post pictures later if anyone is interested...) The bullet appears to have expandd back to the canniture on the 123 grain Hornady VMax and stopped abruptly, all the way around the circumfrance on the bullet at the canniture.

Though it is only one example, it is a promising load to say the least. I loaded up several more and hopefully Ill gather up one or two more, and will post the results on here ASAP.

BTW... a friend tryed talking me into the .308 Nosler Ballistic tips in the CZ carbine. I tried several powder/weight conbinations... and thats a big no. The .310 diameter bore wanted nothing to do with those bullets... the best group I got was about six inches at 100 yards... just FYI.

Sorry so long... just wanted to provide a little bit of bullet performance info.

Joe

 

[nathan]

Yesterday i was hunting in thick brush, I brought my Rem 243 youth with scope. On a shallow depression in the ground looks to be a deer bedding area, I settled quietly around 930 am. It was cold and I ve walked a long ways . Around were thick brush and pine trees. You hardly can see maybe past 40 yds. So there I was and suddenly i heard rustling sounds and a deer jumped in front of me above the depression around 20 yds. I had my rifle in the ground. I slowly pick it , heart pumping so fast and i slowly stood up . I made some noises and the deer looked back straight at me. Those big ears I remember. I took aim and what i see was plain dark bec there were brushes obscuring the view. Seconds ticking the deer still looking , I look off the lens to see wheres the deer. I see it was still looking at me, I aim again and when i did, the doe bolted out with a bleat. I heard another deer bolted out to safety at my back . There were two of them. The first deer runned another 20 yds , stopped and looked at me again, I tried to aim but it jumped fast into the woods. It was a closed encounter. Oh boy !!

I missed . I dont know but it happened. To think back, I should have remained quiet and slowly stood up but the rust got me. Or I should just have shot it with my Glock pistol that close. NO scope to aim. Or I should have a handy SKS with open sights . That would have me see the target right away.

Oh well theres always a second time . LOL

 

[NCsmitty]

nathan, a scoped rifle in the brush at 20yds is really tough to use. If you knew you were hunting in thick stuff, a 30-30 lever open sight at hand makes more sense or maybe the SKS with good soft points.
Hopefully you get another chance.

NCsmitty

 

[d2wing]

It is normal for deer to not die instantly with a fatal shot to the heart or lungs or neck, even with a better bullet and weapon like an 06 or 7mm. I would have waited more than five minutes. Anyway you did the right thing.