First Handload Deer!

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TenDriver

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Proud moment for me, a small- mid size doe. Marlin XL-7 in .270 Win, loaded with 130gr Hornady SSTs over 52.2 gr of Ram Hunter.

Deer ran about 20 yds after the hit and expired within a minute of hitting the ground. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1390082981.173837.jpg
 
Sure is. Gotta check things out though. I shot through both shoulders when I thought I was aiming just behind. Could be I pulled the gun off, but that's usually not something I do.
 
I will always remember my first game taken with my own loads, what a feeling! It's awesome to know that your own assembled load put game meat in the freezer.

Congratulations!!

GS
 
Arch, the SSTs worked well, and I'm not pushing them very hard either.

I just need to make sure I'm sighted in properly since I shot through both shoulders when I thought I was aiming at the vitals.

The shoulder meat being shot through is going to take me more time to bleed out, but will be used for some good sausage. I think some would have discarded it unfortunately.
 
Congrats. I remember my first with my own.

I tweaked and tweaked to get the best long range accuracy...................................and my first one with a handload stepped out at 12 steps. :) Go figure.
 
Congratulations! I just took my first deer ever last Saturday, a nice big mulie doe. And come to think of it, I also used a handload. Mine was a .44 magnum, 210 gr. Winchester Silvertip bullet, with 27gr. of Win 296. Rifle was a Winchester 94AE Trapper.

I knew I'd used a handload, but never really thought about it. I just knew how accurate they shot, so that's what I used.
 
I did the same thing this year. Took two dear with the very same gun, X7 but i was using IMR4831 at Max charge with a 150gr RN. I also took another with a 30-30 load.

It's awesome to know you took a deer with something you assembled. Even better when you process it all yourself and then eat it everyday.
 
tcanthonyii said:
I did the same thing this year. Took two dear with the very same gun, X7 but i was using IMR4831 at Max charge with a 150gr RN. I also took another with a 30-30 load.

It's awesome to know you took a deer with something you assembled. Even better when you process it all yourself and then eat it everyday.
Click to expand...


I take that part as far as skinning and quartering. After that, this one is headed for a processor to fix me up some summer sausage and grilling sausage. The tenderloin and back strap won't make that trip though.

I tried a hot load with these bullets and my gun hated it. It seems to like that light charge and with the slow powder it's a joy to shoot. It seems like it sounds off a little deeper than when I've got factory loads, but the recoil seems a lot less.
 
Congrats!

I remember my first quite well. A nice doe at ~110 yds that crumpled on impact.
Couldn't find what I wanted in 30-06 - accuracy with a 180 gr bullet. Now I have it.

Only had one deer go more than a couple steps - about 40yds actually. I have no idea how with no heart and the trail it left.
 
I killed all my deer this year with my 308 reloads using the SST bullet. I started reloading in October and it is very satisfying watching the deer drop in their tracks.

My girlfriend even scored the biggest deer this year using my 308 and reloads on the last day. Deer ran 20 yds and dropped. Great feeling. Good for you TenDriver
 
Congrats on your first "handload" deer. The first time is allways the best, but I still get that feeling every time I take a deer with a new or old handload recipe. :)

firstshot
 
Reloads ...your own reloads...seem to enhance the experience. You've put a touch more thought and effort into the planning.

You plan the hunt. You choose the site. You make the shot and your ammo is your reload. That makes the day!

You did it right.

Mark
 
I'm in the same boat, Ten. I shot my second deer ever, the first in 11 years, last Thursday. The first was with borrowed equipment. I gut shot a small spike. As bad as that was, I was enthusiastic enough to go out and buy my own "deer" rifle. Not long after I got my rifle, I started handloading to "make cheaper deer ammo". I started reloading for my 308 six or seven years ago, and ended up shooting several hundred rounds at targets, but never deer.

Thursday, I took my 308 in the woods with my handloads. Hornady Match brass, Sierra 165 Gameking, and 43 grains of IMR 4064. I had two does walk out of a thicket not 10 yards from me and picked the one I wanted. I waited until she was about 40 yards out and pulled the trigger, sending that 165 straight through her heart. She jumped once, kicked, and fell not 10 yards from where she was hit. It felt great to FINALLY get to use the gun and load for their intended purposes. I got alot of good meat off of her, too. I think I will pick a few recipes floating around the hunting forum and try some out.
 
Wisconsin just allowed rifle hunting statewide. I have used shotgun in my area forever, so I was hoping to fill a tag with my .270 reloads. Passed on a fork horn opening day and never got another chance. Maybe next year....
 
Miata Mike said:
Wisconsin just allowed rifle hunting statewide. I have used shotgun in my area forever, so I was hoping to fill a tag with my .270 reloads. Passed on a fork horn opening day and never got another chance. Maybe next year....
Click to expand...

That's an awfully short season! They split ours down here. We have another week (I think) in the north part of the state where I am, and until mid-Feb in the southern part where I hunt. One deer is a year's worth for me since I'm the only one in the house that eats it, so I am done.

Nice to hear about you other guys with the same experience. I always enjoyed my time in the woods no matter what I see, but using my own handloads certainly added an element to it.
 
Awesome! I really like my 270 for deer. Accurate, fast and deadly with the right bullet. I will confess, I am a meat hunter and will go for the head if the critter is within 150 yards and standing. Hate messing up any good eatin meat. :) Now a big buck is another story. His horns are maybe worth more than a couple of steaks. Congrats!
 
Congrats TenDriver!!! This year was my first for hunting too.

Shot my first deer with the first deer rifle I've ever owned and used handloads that I loaded myself. I'm like you guys seeing that deer fall from your gun AND your bullets you custom made for that exact purpose is a feeling I'll never forget.
 
TenDriver said:
Arch, the SSTs worked well, and I'm not pushing them very hard either.

I just need to make sure I'm sighted in properly since I shot through both shoulders when I thought I was aiming at the vitals.

The shoulder meat being shot through is going to take me more time to bleed out, but will be used for some good sausage. I think some would have discarded it unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Hey, none of us place a shot perfectly every time for one reason or another, the main thing is you didn't lose the animal and it didn't suffer. Even if you lose a little meat there is still plenty for the freezer! I have never used SST bullets, do you recommend them?
 
Taken in December with my Rem 700 .270....130gr SIE GK SBT and 58.5gr IMR4831SC.

mnl5.jpg
 
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