The Sherriff got it done!

[Daytime Smoker]

Congratulations!

 

[Tim_IA]

Well done!

 

[Commodore Swab]

I have plenty of both. We rarely buy meat. But I also provide meat for my mother, a local children's home, and another local family. Between what I hunt myself and what is given to me by other hunters I usually process 10-15 deer per season.
But then again, can you really have enough of either? Lol!

Still getting setup here, no freezer yet.

 

[Sparkplug]

Guess it's worth the chance if your deer are the size of a big house cat. Worked this time but hopefully you don't make a habit of it. Its post and hunters as this that make wounded suffering deer. It's he done it (with a bit of luck) so can I. Don't care how much you practice or what loads you use still a poor decision.

I understand and respect your concern. And to save you worry, that was a one time thing.

I couldn't agree more. I spent a LOT of time practicing and removing variables as much as possible (verifying consistent weights and dimensions of the cast bullets, inspecting bullets for any defect, how I measured my powder, how I made my caps, etc...).

As I stated before, I would have stuck with the rifle if it had been a bigger deer. In fact, I was considering letting him walk when I decided he was a good one for my pistol shot.

I definitely wouldn't recommend someone just taking any gun out to shoot a deer until they understand the limits of both themselves and the weapon they are hunting with. I guess I should have added that in the original post.

 

[Sparkplug]

Holy manure, you shot a baby ....

The deer are thick where I live. I could legally shoot a deer per day for the season if I wanted. Of course I don't, and usually don go for one that small. But he was the right size for the shot I wanted to take. He was tender and tasty!

 

[azmntman]

I am looking for that very gun. I see a deal on muzzlelosders.com for $329.00. Gonna have to pull the trigger (so to speak). I have a .36 and it is back from Goonerization but no time yet to shoot it yet. I will say the action etc. is beyond what I expected.

SUPER COOL! I will follow your footsteps soon. Could have used the .36 on many squirrels this year but not sure a .36 is big enough for deer, probably our cous deer but a muley??? I dunno. Bless you for providing meat to the other folks too. Happy turkey day!

Not sure of the spanking post. MANY folks hunt deer with pistols? Seems you did your homework. Now an Elk? I wouldn't even try that with a .454 Casuel, they have an incredible will to live.

 

[Sparkplug]

I am looking for that very gun. I see a deal on muzzlelosders.com for $329.00. Gonna have to pull the trigger (so to speak). I have a .36 and it is back from Goonerization but no time yet to shoot it yet. I will say the action etc. is beyond what I expected.

SUPER COOL! I will follow your footsteps soon. Could have used the .36 on many squirrels this year but not sure a .36 is big enough for deer, probably our cous deer but a muley??? I dunno. Bless you for providing meat to the other folks too. Happy turkey day!

Not sure of the spanking post. MANY folks hunt deer with pistols? Seems you did your homework. Now an Elk? I wouldn't even try that with a .454 Casuel, they have an incredible will to live.

A small whitetail is definitely the limits of my .44 even with doing my homework. I have other unmentionable revolvers, but I wanted to start with BP and progress through my guns as the season progresses.

It was a bucket list shot. Now that I've made it, I hope I never have to again.

 

[azmntman]

and as for me, I refer to the posted photo on the OP to rebut your claim of poorly thought out and executed. Your credentials have convinced me you are superior to the OP and myself in all matters related to launched projectiles and thus I am removing myself from the conversation (with you). Dont wanna further embarrass myself. BTW My pop was in charge of qualifying for his local LE dept and he was unable to teach me to shoot (I am totally self taught as a left eye prominent right hander which threw him off and he, like you, knew EVERYTHING and just flat out said I would never shoot) so not all of ya are as bright as you. Thank goodness for you!

 

[Sparkitoff]

In one State I mostly deer hunt in, AIRGUNS are perfectly legal for deer hunting and quite popular. The State did a lot of deer shooting at one of its facilities and determined that

• Pre-charged pneumatic air guns must fire a projectile of at least 30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot pounds of energy.

They strongly recommend a maximum range of 75-yards. The OP's revolver is at pretty close to those parameters if not more! I would like to take one with my .45 single shot handgun, shooting a .440 ball at 128 grains and right at 800 FPS with 30 grains of FFFg. My stand is set-up so the deer come into a very small opening at 20-yards. A good doe might weight 85 pounds and a decent buck 120 pounds. I think the OP put enough thought, restraint and planning into effect and that inspired me to do the same with my set-up. Same deal, a one-time thing.

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

My shot was with a Lee R.E.A.L. 200 grain. Just make sure to do some penetration testing to be sure you can get an ethical harvest. I tested mine out to 35 yds successfully and could have made the shot at that range. Then I moved my limit back to 25 to give me some buffer. I could have easily done a heart or double lung shot. But there would have been little or no blood trail. That is why I went for the high shoulder to drop it in its tracks. Just know the gun and it's capabilities. Then wait for the shot to present itself. I hope this info helps. I want to help someone else be successful!

Good luck!

thank you

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

A small whitetail is definitely the limits of my .44 even with doing my homework. I have other unmentionable revolvers, but I wanted to start with BP and progress through my guns as the season progresses.

It was a bucket list shot. Now that I've made it, I hope I never have to again.

ýou did good.

 

[Grumpa]

The bullet struck high shoulder, in the brachial quadrant, dropping him where he stood. The shot was dead on.

I had a friend years ago who used his "Super Fantastical" .30 cal Magnum on a broadside shot at a standing deer...literally sucked the lungs out the exit hole. The deer still ran 30 yards.

You did yourself proud!

Richard/Grumpa

 

[mikesto44]

After reading through all the replies. The O.P. knew his weapon of choice and he knew it well. Plus he absolutely knew his effectiveness at that range !
I would rather see hunters like him in the woods. Than the overpowered gun people who can't shoot their weapons accurately and only shoot them a couple of days before season. These dudes wound far more animals than the SKILLED people who know their weapons limitations.
Oh and as far as certification. It really doesn't take much effort to get them..!
Last but not least it's his tag NOT yours and he is entitled to shoot what he wants. Long as they follow their states regulations. JMHO

 

[Skychief]

THIS ∆∆∆∆∆

 

[Mike in FL]

He knew he could do it and he did. A good ethical kill IMO. No few deer have been taken with less powerful guns. Nicely done. My only negative in the story is his need/desire to take a deer with every gun he owns. I don't get that. Maybe that's a bit disrespectful to deer. Although my sick grandmother can kill a deer, they are not test targets for our ego.

 

[Sparkplug]

He knew he could do it and he did. A good ethical kill IMO. No few deer have been taken with less powerful guns. Nicely done. My only negative in the story is his need/desire to take a deer with every gun he owns. I don't get that. Maybe that's a bit disrespectful to deer. Although my sick grandmother can kill a deer, they are not test targets for our ego.

Thanks for the kind words.
Since you were more than respectful I will answer your question. Or, rather, rephrase my statement and tell you why.

I want to hunt one with each of my capable guns this year. The weakest of which was my BP revolver. I have a lot of small caliber unmentionables and pneumatics that I wouldn't even consider dropping a deer with. I am very proficient with all that I own, and wouldn't hesitate to take a shot with any of them, so long as an ethical shot presented itself. I practice precision shooting on a regular basis and will only take a one shot drop on game. I hunt squirrel with airguns because there is no longer a challenge any other way. It forces me to practice both precision and patience.

As for the why? I just wanted to see how far I can get through my collection just to do something different for myself. It's not egotistical as another insisted. It's just something to do that is well within my skills and abilities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Edm]

My brother has done something similar in trying to use every firearm he has. If I hunted still, I’d probably try to do that too.

 

[Dude]

Thank you for exiting the thread, Appalichian.

Well done Sparkplug! It says a lot about a person who sets out to do something difficult or unique and makes it happen. Yeah, there are others less practiced who might muff it up, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do our best, practice up and go for it.

Some of the mentality in this thread takes me back to grade school and hall-monitors. That, and "If I let you go to the bathroom, Johnny, I'd have to let everyone go". LOL

 

[azmntman]

Thank you Lord that the guy that knows all about my ignorance has ceased to share his thoughts.

(when ya think he will figure out I am not the guy that made the excellent shot and killed a fine specimen of dinner, hence forth named "the Apalachin Deer".....lol)

 

[azmntman]

Three pages of posts and a single negative know it all. That says it all. Happy Thanksgiving all. Now off to prefect a .36 load out of my own sheriff for next year. Maybe I can draw a moose tag.

Lol we don't have moose and cannot use a revolver in muzzleloader season.