6.5 creedmoor blood trail

[Blacklab1]

Best reply in the thread. If the op isn't willing to learn tracking and doesn't want to perform at least a cursory review post shot to ascertain likelihood of a lethal shot or non Lethal shot than op shouldn't be shooting game that close to dark. Learn a basic protocol like marking a flag where the shot was taken and where the hit occurred. Learn to make mental notes after a shot like which way did it run. Bring a headlamp with you. Bring some food and water with you. Get to work systematically locating tracks and marking them. Investigate if blood is left on the brush. With lung hits often there will be small globules of blood and lung on the brush. Also sounds like a different bullet should be used. Too many guys using price to select ammo. It may be that the bullet did what it was designed for though, but still up to OP to decide if that works or not for his needs. I grew up shooting deer in northern MN with .308 win and 180 grain soft points. Sometimes the damage was immense and those deer would run up to 70-80 yards and we had found them next to rock ledges and under fallen trees. Even when they couldn't run they could still crawl apparently. This was in wolf country. Hunting is an big adventure and I wish guys were more willing to embrace the entire spectrum. Were it me I would chose a different bullet

Thanks for your reply but I don't remember asking for advice on tracking game. I've shot hundreds of whitetail in my days and I honestly don't remember the last time I didn't recover one. When I shot this particular deer there was around a dozen or so standing on the edge of thick brush and when I shot they all scattered to hell and back disappearing into the cover. With all the existing tracks in the snow and the scattering of the deer, following one specific set of tracks with no blood would've nearly impossible if not completely impossible. I've blood trailed in the dark in thick cover before and through the course of my life I've learned a few things……what takes 4 hours of tracking in the dark takes 1 hour of tracking in the daylight. The temperature was in the low teens, coyotes in the area are minimal and she held just fine overnight. She's quartered out in my cooler and will be in my freezer soon.

I sit in my stand all day, I always have food, water, excellent Flashlight, ribbons for marking and buy whatever ammo the gun prefers regardless of price. This particular gun shot Winchester the best pushing a tad over 1/2 MOA which I think is pretty good for factory loads so that's what I used. Since it has the name whitetail on the box I assumed that it would work fine for whitetails, I guess that's on me though for assuming, I'll know better next time.

 

[Blacklab1]

I don't believe it was mentioned here, but having your scope on the right power (assuming you're using a scope with an adjustable power). Usually it's lower than you think you need. Having the scope at a lower power/higher field of view allows for a better "wobble zone," allows you to spot your shot when you miss, acquire the target initially and reacquire after shots…and lastly, but important for this thread, you can see where the animal goes post shot to start your tracking process (if needed).

Thanks for the advice, I shoot in matches and I'm constantly practicing so my wobble zone is pretty small and I know the importance of spotting hits and quick, accurate follow up shots. Unfortunately sometimes when you're hunting in thick cover with shooting lanes not even Lee Harvey Oswald could get off a follow up shot before they disappear.

 

[Mtn Dawg]

Thanks for your reply but I don't remember asking for advice on tracking game. I've shot hundreds of whitetail in my days and I honestly don't remember the last time I didn't recover one. When I shot this particular deer there was around a dozen or so standing on the edge of thick brush and when I shot they all scattered to hell and back disappearing into the cover. With all the existing tracks in the snow and the scattering of the deer, following one specific set of tracks with no blood would've nearly impossible if not completely impossible. I've blood trailed in the dark in thick cover before and through the course of my life I've learned a few things……what takes 4 hours of tracking in the dark takes 1 hour of tracking in the daylight. The temperature was in the low teens, coyotes in the area are minimal and she held just fine overnight. She's quartered out in my cooler and will be in my freezer soon.

I sit in my stand all day, I always have food, water, excellent Flashlight, ribbons for marking and buy whatever ammo the gun prefers regardless of price. This particular gun shot Winchester the best pushing a tad over 1/2 MOA which I think is pretty good for factory loads so that's what I used. Since it has the name whitetail on the box I assumed that it would work fine for whitetails, I guess that's on me though for assuming, I'll know better next time.

Re reading your post it sounds like the bullet performed fine but not the DRT hoped for in the situation. It didn't include any details you just shared with us in this post. That would have been helpful to know. Sounds like you handled the situation the way you needed to. Sorry for the presumption of your expertise or lack thereof. When a guy says things like it got dark and I started to get nervous, it belies inexperience and indecision. It's also true that writing short paragraphs about an experience doesn't always include all the details. Maybe next time go make your recovery and then report to us what YOU think of the bullet performance and see if it lines up with our experiences. Wouldn't invite pointless replies like my original.

 

[KHawk66]

Shoot them in the shoulder/shoulder blade they'll drop 99% of the time. If you've lost confidence in that particular load try the 129sst, 130 or 140 eldm. The eldm have preformed exactly like the older hornady a-max which are my favorite deer/target bullet in a 308.

^^^This is where I aim ^^^ My reasoning is that the shoulder blade will cause the bullet to expand before it goes through the chest cavity, giving the bullet a bit more punch and transfer more energy to the lungs. Use the back portion of the front leg as alignment for the vertical crosshair, about midway up the body. They will drop in their tracks, for me. I use the Nosler ballistic tip 140gr. handloads, and always get a pass through. There are occasions where only a 3/4 away shot is presented, and those deer can run a few yards, but not far. When you hunt the thick piney woods of North Louisiana, and are color blind, blood trailing deer can be challenging.

 

[jeep351]

Everyone's experience will be different, even with the same bullet/ammo. You can be guided by your experience, which is 3 deer getting 80+ yards after the shot. Unlike many of the previous posts, I'm not too big on shoulder shots, especially if you want to eat shoulder meat. Shoulder shots work but they make a nasty mess out of a deer's shoulder.

I think you should try using ammo with a Berger bullet. Bergers & whitetails result in very short runs or DRT in my experience. Blood trails aren't usually necessary when a deer drops quickly. I think a Hornady 147 ELD-M would work just about as good and save you a few bucks.

BTW - nice buck you got there - Congratulations.

I'll second this. It's crazy to me how many people destroy two good shoulder roasts! I remember at my deer camp guys would always just give me the shoulders because they were going to chunk them in the gut pile... then I made the mistake of cooking a good braised shoulder recipe at the camp one weekend for everyone. Now everyone wants to keep their shoulders!
I suggest you guys look up Steve Rinella's (Meateater) basic braised venison shoulder recipe, it's super easy and will end up being one of your favorites. (works well with shanks too) I pull the meat and make street tacos, it's delicious.

 

[Jon Bischof]

I'll second this. It's crazy to me how many people destroy two good shoulder roasts! I remember at my deer camp guys would always just give me the shoulders because they were going to chunk them in the gut pile... then I made the mistake of cooking a good braised shoulder recipe at the camp one weekend for everyone. Now everyone wants to keep their shoulders!
I suggest you guys look up Steve Rinella's (Meateater) basic braised venison shoulder recipe, it's super easy and will end up being one of your favorites. (works well with shanks too) I pull the meat and make street tacos, it's delicious.

I couldn't agree more. Yesterday I took all the meat off a shoulder so my good wife could use it in a casserole. Folks who throw away deer shoulders, or intentionally shoot bullets through them because they believe that's the best way to put deer down are not only wasteful, they are ignorant. Ignorant of how many good meals they are missing. Ignorant of other shots they could easily take to put deer down quickly.

By shooting a deer any angle where the bullet passes above the brisket; especially an angling shot, front or away, you can put a deer down instantly and do no damage to shoulder meat which is yummy when cooked right.

You often hear it repeated that 'you have to take their wheels out' to put them down quickly. But it is ignorant. The high shoulder shot is wasteful and unnecessary if you know deer anatomy.

As for any who say shoulder meat is not worth much...guess what I am eating that is better than what you are eating? You won't know until you get an education--not only in deer anatomy but especially in deer cooking.

I might not be able to help you. But a good wife or a friend to a good wife sure could.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I couldn't agree more. Yesterday I took all the meat off a shoulder so my good wife could use it in a casserole. Folks who throw away deer shoulders, or intentionally shoot bullets through them because they believe that's the best way to put deer down are not only wasteful, they are ignorant. Ignorant of how many good meals they are missing. Ignorant of other shots they could easily take to put deer down quickly.

By shooting a deer any angle where the bullet passes above the brisket; especially an angling shot, front or away, you can put a deer down instantly and do no damage to shoulder meat which is yummy when cooked right.

You often hear it repeated that 'you have to take their wheels out' to put them down quickly. But it is ignorant. The high shoulder shot is wasteful and unnecessary if you know deer anatomy.

As for any who say shoulder meat is not worth much...guess what I am eating that is better than what you are eating? You won't know until you get an education--not only in deer anatomy but especially in deer cooking.

I might not be able to help you. But a good wife or a friend to a good wife sure could.

Depends. Losing a roast or two is better than losing the entire animal.
I typically go for lung shots. However, this year my shot opportunity for my elk was a 600 yard shot on the boundary of private. I chose a high shoulder shot and the elk went nowhere and I didn't have to deal with chasing game on private property.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I'll second this. It's crazy to me how many people destroy two good shoulder roasts! I remember at my deer camp guys would always just give me the shoulders because they were going to chunk them in the gut pile... then I made the mistake of cooking a good braised shoulder recipe at the camp one weekend for everyone. Now everyone wants to keep their shoulders!
I suggest you guys look up Steve Rinella's (Meateater) basic braised venison shoulder recipe, it's super easy and will end up being one of your favorites. (works well with shanks too) I pull the meat and make street tacos, it's delicious.

I cut one roast or chunk or grind the front per shoulder. I usually lose a little meat on one shoulder unless using a Berger then more but don't aim at shoulder with a Berger. Better than chance of losing an animal.
A grizzly could find your animal before you do. At long range more chance of hitting stomach if aiming behind shoulder. Bad enough cutting up and packing out an elk or deer when you have your head on a swivel looking for grizzlies. To each his own. My freezers are full. Not worried about losing a pound of meat. I take heart , liver. Kidneys and tongue. Makes up for that lost pound.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I'll second this. It's crazy to me how many people destroy two good shoulder roasts! I remember at my deer camp guys would always just give me the shoulders because they were going to chunk them in the gut pile... then I made the mistake of cooking a good braised shoulder recipe at the camp one weekend for everyone. Now everyone wants to keep their shoulders!
I suggest you guys look up Steve Rinella's (Meateater) basic braised venison shoulder recipe, it's super easy and will end up being one of your favorites. (works well with shanks too) I pull the meat and make street tacos, it's delicious.

I put shanks in oven on 350 degrees for 1.5 hrs. after basting with onion soup mix. Half way thru add carrots and onions. Makes tender and edible.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I'll second this. It's crazy to me how many people destroy two good shoulder roasts! I remember at my deer camp guys would always just give me the shoulders because they were going to chunk them in the gut pile... then I made the mistake of cooking a good braised shoulder recipe at the camp one weekend for everyone. Now everyone wants to keep their shoulders!
I suggest you guys look up Steve Rinella's (Meateater) basic braised venison shoulder recipe, it's super easy and will end up being one of your favorites. (works well with shanks too) I pull the meat and make street tacos, it's delicious.

While I don't generally advocate for shoulder shooting, I do recognize that there are scenarios where it makes sense. At times, it's more important to get your deer down on the spot, than it is to salvage some shoulder meat.

I worked with a guy who said that his wife made the best shoulder roasts in the world. He told me that they save the shoulders that I gave him for thanksgiving. They would forego the turkey whenever I had a shoulder or two to spare.

 

[birddog 68]

I like a good braised deer roast but I agree with the last couple posts and shoulder shots are the best I have found for anchoring deer on the spot. Head and neck shots are just as effective but I choose not to do that.
I usually only use bonded bullets for shoulder's. I used a Berger once for this and it was ugly.

 

[YZ-80]

Many interesting posts. I have absolutely no blood trail issues with my 6.5 ("you know what") rifles. It's because of these boolits. They make the crime scene look like an episode of Dexter.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I like a good braised deer roast but I agree with the last couple posts and shoulder shots are the best I have found for anchoring deer on the spot. Head and neck shots are just as effective but I choose not to do that.
I usually only use bonded bullets for shoulder's. I used a Berger once for this and it was ugly.

I still have 3 rifles zeroed for HamBergers. Transitioned 4 to mono's. Waiting to hear story on new Hammer.

 

[WYO300RUM]

Many interesting posts. I have absolutely no blood trail issues with my 6.5 ("you know what") rifles. It's because of these boolits. They make the crime scene look like an episode of Dexter.

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I've shot their 30 cal 180 TSX and TTSX for many years. Never lost an elk or deer. DRT. Have used 150 TSX 7mm on elk and deer . Xlnt results .257 gr. 100 gr. TTSX and 101 LRX sane thing. 6.5 127 gr. LRX Same thing. Been using Hammers in all of above. I think a quicker death but I have faith in Barnes and Hammers to penetrate anything. Plenty of proof for me.