'Nother beautiful day on Maunakea. I havent gotten up there to sheep hunt in 3 or 4 years so when the wife said i had a free day i ran off to the mountain.
Got on a couple nice rams just after day break, but they ducked into a ravine or some brush before i could get set up for the 400yd shot they gave me.
Half hour later i drove over a rise and a herd of about 20 animals ran up out of a ravine to my right. Jumped out of the truck and loaded up my as of yet unbloodied .250AI.
The whole herd stoped at a little over 200yds just as i got the rounds into the gun, so instead of trying to set up a kneeling or prone shot, i just leaned against the front of the truck (hood was too hot to rest on). The lone ram was in or behind a bush, so i took a shot one of the darker ewes. She went over without a twitch.
The 115 Berger hit her about 4" right of point of aim, square in the base of the neck. The sound it made actually made me pause, im used to a meaty "WHACK" or no sound, this one made sort of a loud "Plop" sound.
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The rest of the herd ran back into another ravine, then came up a rise at what i later lazered at 300-310, and the ram stopped for a split second as the other sheep blocked his path. Like an idiot id started to unload the gun and the round I launched at him was rushed and free hand. It went just over his back and exploded a rock behind him. That scattered the whole herd, and i quit trying to pick up another shot.
After moving the truck to a spot where I thought it would be easier to get back to, i headed out to pick up the first ewe i shot. As i wandered around in circles for a half hour (yeah i was always one ravine or ridge the wrong way, and end up walking back up to where i shot from to look for the white belly) a second ewe back tracked down a ravine in front of me and offered a quartering away shot at about 70yds. The bullet entered behind the ribs and exited the center of the chest right at the throat. Again same "plop" sound.
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The damage from the 115 bergers was significant as one would expect, the neck shot entrance being nearly as large as the exit i attribute to the bullet exploding the spine basically on impact. the bullet that went thru the quartering away ewe penetrated about 2ft of animal and blew a fist size exit wound out of her chest.
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The rest of the day was about 6hrs of pleasant driving, i may have seen a couple pigs, but i wasnt that interested in trying to shoot them, so didnt check. I also saw tons of game birds, little annoyances must have bird season marked off on their calendars cause they werent here a couple weeks ago when we went out on the last day. Anyway it was a fun day, and a beautiful drive....
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