J-Bar
Member
Over the past few weeks, I have posted a couple of topics on THR, which lead me to try downloading my .270 Winchester for hunting Missouri whitetails while reducing recoil pain in my aging shoulder. I settled on a handload using the Hornady 110 grain VMax bullet and 29.5 grains of H4895, which virtually eliminated recoil and gave me 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards in my Ruger #1 Light Sporter. The Missouri regular firearms season opened Saturday during record breaking cold weather for this time of year. I saw one deer on Saturday, no shot.
Today was my second hunt, still cold with a north wind but with enough sunshine to make sitting in a tree stand bearable. About 3:00 PM I shot fat spike. It was a poor shot, hitting too far back. He went about 30 yards, stopped, and stood there. I have no doubt he would have collapsed in a couple of minutes, but I put a second shot into his chest. He flopped in his tracks and it was all over. I don't try to make excuses for a poor shot. He came into view behind me on the right side and I am right handed, so I was twisted into a very uncomfortable position. He spotted me as I raised the rifle so I hurried the shot. He moved to a location more in front of my stand, where I could place the second shot more accurately. No excuses, that's just the way it went.
There were no exit wounds for either shot. The only visible blood came from his mouth and nose after the second shot. Internal hemorrhage found when he was field dressed was impressive.
So my conclusions: Those who prefer complete penetration to produce a blood trail for tracking will not like this load. On the other hand, even a poorly placed shot caused enough internal damage to prevent the deer from going far. The second, better placed shot, caused instant collapse. And recoil was negligible. Those who want a usable load for deer sized game for hunters who may be recoil sensitive can confidently consider this kind of combination.
This combination is satisfactory for my hunting needs at this time. If it fails me in the future, I would still use a light bullet, but perhaps of different construction.
My thanks to those who offered guidance and their experience in my other threads. This has been an enjoyable and educational experience. After using only commercially loaded cartridges in the past, it's handloads for me from now on! And my missus is pleased that we have a table trophy. We are looking forward to enjoying this fellow.
Today was my second hunt, still cold with a north wind but with enough sunshine to make sitting in a tree stand bearable. About 3:00 PM I shot fat spike. It was a poor shot, hitting too far back. He went about 30 yards, stopped, and stood there. I have no doubt he would have collapsed in a couple of minutes, but I put a second shot into his chest. He flopped in his tracks and it was all over. I don't try to make excuses for a poor shot. He came into view behind me on the right side and I am right handed, so I was twisted into a very uncomfortable position. He spotted me as I raised the rifle so I hurried the shot. He moved to a location more in front of my stand, where I could place the second shot more accurately. No excuses, that's just the way it went.
There were no exit wounds for either shot. The only visible blood came from his mouth and nose after the second shot. Internal hemorrhage found when he was field dressed was impressive.
So my conclusions: Those who prefer complete penetration to produce a blood trail for tracking will not like this load. On the other hand, even a poorly placed shot caused enough internal damage to prevent the deer from going far. The second, better placed shot, caused instant collapse. And recoil was negligible. Those who want a usable load for deer sized game for hunters who may be recoil sensitive can confidently consider this kind of combination.
This combination is satisfactory for my hunting needs at this time. If it fails me in the future, I would still use a light bullet, but perhaps of different construction.
My thanks to those who offered guidance and their experience in my other threads. This has been an enjoyable and educational experience. After using only commercially loaded cartridges in the past, it's handloads for me from now on! And my missus is pleased that we have a table trophy. We are looking forward to enjoying this fellow.