An August afternoon harvest
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:25 pm
Yesterday afternoon, I was fortunate enough to have time and go hunting Fallow for a bit of venison. It was a mongrel day with the darn wind blowing a gale, however where I was hunting there were pockets of relative calm.
I came over a ridge and saw a Buck grazing at distance out in the open. Unfortunately, other than a few old fence posts there was no other ground cover which made stalking rather difficult. Fortunately, I had my small sand bag with me. I ranged the Buck at 328yds, estimated the crosswind at ~40km/h and knew the 85gr HPBT bullet drop was around 10". The crosshairs were placed on his backline, at mid length between the legs – the projectile struck the Buck in left shoulder dropping him instantly!!!!
The Buck
RX-III ranging
I was chuffed, this was the longest shot I have ever taken on any deer, and it was done with a 243!!!!! As I was taking the meat, an autopsy was carried out – the bullet made a mess of the shoulder and heart with the remnants found in the far lung. Although there wasn't much left of the projectile, which I was disappointed with, it did the intended job. The retained mass (including meaty bits) is only 26.8grs or 31.5%.
Taken with a single 85gr HPBT at 328yds
The recovered 85gr HPBT
The rack wasn't much, but that didn't matter as I was after meat.
I watched another six Fallow in an adjoining gully; three big Bucks with worn antlers and three smaller animals. I opted to leave them alone and harvested a Spiker at ~120yds.
On the way home I called into the Out-Laws, hung up half the meat, had celebratory ale with the Father-In-Law while reminiscing the shot.
BBQ Bambi next week!
I came over a ridge and saw a Buck grazing at distance out in the open. Unfortunately, other than a few old fence posts there was no other ground cover which made stalking rather difficult. Fortunately, I had my small sand bag with me. I ranged the Buck at 328yds, estimated the crosswind at ~40km/h and knew the 85gr HPBT bullet drop was around 10". The crosshairs were placed on his backline, at mid length between the legs – the projectile struck the Buck in left shoulder dropping him instantly!!!!
The Buck
RX-III ranging
I was chuffed, this was the longest shot I have ever taken on any deer, and it was done with a 243!!!!! As I was taking the meat, an autopsy was carried out – the bullet made a mess of the shoulder and heart with the remnants found in the far lung. Although there wasn't much left of the projectile, which I was disappointed with, it did the intended job. The retained mass (including meaty bits) is only 26.8grs or 31.5%.
Taken with a single 85gr HPBT at 328yds
The recovered 85gr HPBT
The rack wasn't much, but that didn't matter as I was after meat.
I watched another six Fallow in an adjoining gully; three big Bucks with worn antlers and three smaller animals. I opted to leave them alone and harvested a Spiker at ~120yds.
On the way home I called into the Out-Laws, hung up half the meat, had celebratory ale with the Father-In-Law while reminiscing the shot.
BBQ Bambi next week!
(for some reason, that's what they call a .243 in Aus, I haven't gotten THAT translation figured out yet 
) BTW, good shooting!