I won’t say it’s impossible, but the blood on the ground suggested more than a spine clip.I'd say there is a 99% chance you just clipped the top of the spine-stunning him for a bit. Been there done that!
Nice buckI got to WV for rifle season after spending all bow season an opening day of gun season taking my daughter hunting her first year. Got lucky on Monday, opening morning and this guy took the dirt nap.View attachment 238635
There are all kinds of plastic tipped bullets suited for different purposes ranging from light varmint bullets to the deep penetrating Barnes TTSX. Lack of expansion should almost never be a problem with them as long as you match the appropriate weight bullet with the appropriate cartridge. Lack of penetration can be a problem if you use those intended for varmint hunting for larger game or if you use a very light for caliber bullet with a powerful for caliber cartridge. The Grendel is on the low end of 6.5 cartridge power and Nosler does not make a 120 grain varmint BT in the 6.5 so I think we can rule out the bullet failure or at least the kind of spectacular bullet failure that would cause extremely shallow penetration.Has/does anyone used Nosler Ballistic Tips before? I loaded some 120 gr BTs for my 6.5 Grendel to try something new during deer season this year, and had an odd experience that occurred over the weekend.
On Saturday, I shot a doe at around 80 yards that was quartering towards me and dropped her in her tracks. Bullet did a complete pass-through, and upon field dressing, I could see that the heart was completely destroyed. Not much blood from the exit wound, but the bullet seemed to have done its job well.
The next morning, I shot a small-racked buck that came in nearly the same shooting lane, only he was around 50 yards away and standing broadside. I aimed behind his shoulder and he dropped instantly, but I could see that he was trying to crawl away with his front hoofs. There was brush in the way and I couldn't fire another shot, so I climbed down from my stand to try to get a better angle on him. Once I got to about 30 yards away from him, he stood up and bolted, running probably 400 yards through adjacent farmer's fields only stopping once briefly. Once he was out of my sight, I heard two close shots from that direction seconds later, so I was confident that someone else got him. I checked the area where I hit him and saw some blood on the ground. Not a lot, but a decent amount. It sucked, and I hated to see a wounded animal get away.
I shoot a lot more than I hunt, and I can confidently say that everything about the shot felt great. It's always a possibility that I somehow missed the vitals, it just seems so unlikely is all. Prior to this, I've never had a deer make it more than 30 yards after being hit with a classic cup-and-core bullet or even a slug. All I can think is the bullet didn't expand right or didn't penetrate well or something like that. I've also heard that a lack of a blood trail is common with plastic-tipped bullets. Anyway, I think this is the last time I use those bullets. Anyone have a similar experience?
I know folks who hunt elk in Colorado. They cut it into 5 pieces (front and rear quarters and head) and pack each out. A lot of work.Having grown up in a non-gun household in the city, I've never been hunting and other than a 5.56 AR & a 12GA have no firearms capable (legal in IN) for hunting. I'm not sure if I really want or not but it seems like something I should experience at least once just to know how it's done and learn how to harvest my own food - just in case.
Watching the sportsman channel I've seen hunts for Moose, Elk, etc. and wonder how you get a 500lbs+ animal out of the bush, they never show that part.
May next year I'll find someone willing to take a newbie along to watch and learn.
Watch meateater. They show pack out quit alot. Guys doing solo elk usually make 4 trips for everythingHaving grown up in a non-gun household in the city, I've never been hunting and other than a 5.56 AR & a 12GA have no firearms capable (legal in IN) for hunting. I'm not sure if I really want or not but it seems like something I should experience at least once just to know how it's done and learn how to harvest my own food - just in case.
Watching the sportsman channel I've seen hunts for Moose, Elk, etc. and wonder how you get a 500lbs+ animal out of the bush, they never show that part.
May next year I'll find someone willing to take a newbie along to watch and learn.