Tonight I missed a nice buck...?

Question

Tonight I missed a nice buck and I dont know how this could have happend.... Here is what I need to know.

I sighted my Sako .243 w/ 3.5x10 Leupold scope using 65 gr Remington loads. Went hunting, but could not find the same load so I settled for 100gr Winchester loads...

This AM i had a nice buck come in and missed it at 50 yards... What could have happend? Could the load difference have been that drastic??

I'm so confused.. I did not have buck fever... help!

Answer 1

Absolutely the load difference. Even a few grains of bullet weight difference will make everything change. Also, every gun is different. You can take 3 very similar loads, shoot a group with each, and every gun will "like" something different. That's one of the things that makes hand reloading so great, you have the flexibility to really figure out what will work best with your gun. There's such a huge difference in bullet drop between a 65 gr. and a 100 gr. Regardless, it always makes you feel like crap when you miss. But don't beat yourself up too badly, everyone who's ever hunted has missed a few times, and if they say they haven't either they're lying or have no experience. Hopefully you'll see an even better, tastier buck tomorrow. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I'm not a hunter, but I see 2 possibilities:

If the 65 grains vs. 100 grains refer to bullet weight, and the amount and type of powder was the same in both loads, then the lighter Remington probably had a higher muzzle velocity than the heavier Winchester. That means that the Winchester rounds dropped more for the same distance, and you might have shot lower than where you thought you were aiming.

If the grains is a measure of the amount of powder in each load, and the bullets were the same, then the Winchester had more powder and so had a higher muzzle velocity, so it dropped less than the Remington rounds - ie, you shot high.

Either way - buy several boxes of whatever you're going to hunt with, and sight it in and hunt with just those rounds.

Answer 3

First, a quality100 grain hunting bullet is better for deer than a 65. At fifty yards your 100 grain bullet should not have dropped enough for a clean miss unless you were trying for a neck shot. Perhaps your point of impact did change enough, but I doubt it. Someone else suggested your scope could have been 'bumped' out of sight. Is that a possibility? Check it out first.

One year my hunting partner and I were taking turns rattling horns (antlers). I had the horns and he had his .243 when we rattled a buck to within fifty yards of us. I started to worry the buck was going to charge us when my partner fired. Time stood still. The buck stared at us. We stared at the buck. Then the buck fled running faster than any buck we'd ever seen. We couldn't believe he had missed, but there was no traces of a hit--no blood, no hair, nothing.

Walking back to get our equipment in the direct path that the bullet had taken I found what was left of my friend's .243 bullet. It had struck and severed a green mesquite branch about as big around as my little finger. The bullet had disintegrated half way to its target. All we found was bits of lead, copper and the copper jacket. This was an eighty grain, brand-name quality hunting round.

H

Answer 4

At fifty yards, I cannot imagine a clean miss unless there was something bad wrong with your shooting. The difference between 65g and 100g should not cause a miss at 50 yards. I know it seems unlikely, but I have seen deer get hit (albeit not a good killing shot) and run off, leaving no trace of blood, only to be found dead at a later time. I witnessed this a few years ago when I friend of mine shot a whitetail buck and we thought he had cleanly missed the animal as the deer ran off and we watched it head striaght toward the top of a steep mountain. About a week later, while hiking this mountain top, we found the dead buck.

Answer 5

At fifty yds, the different bullets would not have made any difference. Where were you aiming, what was your shooting position? How was the deer positioned? That info might help lead to a reasonable answer. I know you don't want to repeat the mistake whatever it was.

But let me relate an experience of mine,, and you tell me what happened. I was shooting a 7mm magnum, a doe came out about 25 yds away. She was facing straight at me, I had a solid bench rest, held the cross hairs right below her chin, pulled the trigger and she ran off untouched. With a bench rest, I can shoot 3 shots at 100 yds you can cover with a quarter!!

That same afternoon I was walking the pasture and spotted a buck watching me about 80 yds away, facing straight towards me. I figure I have about 3 seconds before this guy snorts and heads for the hills. I know I would not be able to crouch to a kneeling much less prone position, and I know I am not the best shot from standing unsupported position. I raise the rifle and squeeze off a round, same aiming point, right below the chin. The deer drops in its tracks. You see, some things in hunting just don't make sense!!!

Answer 6

The difference in grains on the 2 bullets would make no difference at all at 50 yards. Many things could have affected you missing the target. Trigger squeeze- did you jerk the trigger? This will cause a miss guaranteed. Your scope, what range did you zero it in at? If you zeroed it in at a far distance, like 200-250 meters/yards, then shooting at 50 meters/yards will cause you to shoot high, probaly over your target. Breathing affects your aim as well, we are taught in the military you exhale and squeeze the trigger as soon as your done exhaling. This will give you a steady sight picture. Never shoot while inhaling, you will miss for sure.

Answer 7

I've always been told that if you sight in your gun with a certain bullet, do not change it. Especially during season. When you sight in a gun, you have to train yourself to do the same thing time after time. First, steady yourself. I always step ahead with my left foot, then exhale, I squeeze my hand so it pulls the trigger normally, and do not jerk the trigger. Learn how to expect the shot so you don't flinch.
I even practice loading the gun so I can do it fast if need be. I would consider taking your gun out again and make sure it's sighted in to the bullets you have now.

Answer 8

you're literally not incorrect. you do not even may supply him any income any respect. He really gave you one hundred of his 500 winnings, remember? So in case you needed to provide him one hundred or 2 hundred then he will be very fortunate! clarify that to him. He has no reason to freak out. Frankly, he sounds immature for appearing that way and also you deserve better. It feels like you spend lots of money on him already, why do you try this? shouldn't he be putting a similar quantity into you? you mustn't could pay for his issues. do not enable every person take income of you! get up for your self lady!

Answer 9

First thing in the morning go put a few rounds on paper and see where you're at. There's a million reasons why we miss shots.

Answer 10

Most ans. here are good,not the bullet,I liked tmarschal ans. best,at 50 yards U could have flicked the gun at it without missing. Do as reccmike suggests ,check Ur gun.