Well, it's "doe days" from now through Sunday, and the general license allows two antlerless in this county. So I put the 24"/1:8 MGM Contender barrel to use early this morning.
With a front pushing through, the day dawned gray and a bit blustery at times, but the deer movement was good. Right off the bat, there were three bucks within my sight. In less than a minute, I saw an older doe emerge from the brushline and decided to try and take her. She was with a yearling and a 2.5 year-old. As soon as she turned broadside, I planted the #40 reticle of the Zeiss Diatal Classic 7x50 where I hoped to place the bullet and touched off a round.
At the shot, the doe bolted in the direction she was facing and made 27-28 yards before crashing hard to the ground. The other two ran a short ways, circled and stopped before looking back in my direction. Because they circled, they still were only 145 or 150 yards out. I could have filled my second tag but chose not to as I prefer to take the older does.
From 130 yards, the 55 grain Barnes TTSX -- which leaves the muzzle at 3294 fps -- worked its magic and absolutely obliterated the doe's heart (no venison heart tacos this time!). The lungs showed damage as well. The hydrostatic shock was enough to rupture the liver as well, though the bullet's path was several inches away from there. The Barnes exited the opposite side after breaking a rib. I did find what amount to perhaps half or quarter of a petal in the hide at the exit. Overall, I'd say it was textbook performance as the bullet did exactly what it was designed to do.
Should I get a chance to fill my other tag, the .270x.225 Van Horn (aka 270 JDJ) is on deck. With the current wind direction, opportunity will likely be to the west and at a bit longer range than what I encountered this morning. But the 95 grain TTSX at 2920 fps should be up to the task. I just hope that I am...
Nice shootin Tex, I am glad I did not, But sometimes like now wish I had collected more of the 225 win improved (aka JDJs) when they did not of cost north of 600.00 SSKs ridiculous pricing
Looking forward to the next post showin off the 270-225 Imp's performance
Thanks. .225 brass prices are crazy as well. A while back, a guy e-mailed me to ask if I wanted any. So I asked the price and details. He had 60 pieces and had no idea how many times they were fired but said he saw "maybe a couple cracked necks." He wanted $200 for them! I wouldn't have bought them regardless since I don't anneal and would only consider new brass. But that was pure insanity.
I have 100 pieces, don't shoot much anymore and should be fine with that. But I am still hoping that Starline eventually decides to add .225 Win to their lineup. I'm sure I'd pick up a few...
When it hit a dollar a piece I could not help my self and sold about half of what I had I grinned really wide making 90 cents apiece, Wish I had held out a little longer who knew what was coming. Starline would be my hero company if they did, I panicked and started buying more when I really got the JDJ bug I then paid as much as 1.75 each taught me a lesson. If you need some of yours annealed let me knowOriginally Posted by Bobby Tomek
Nice doe and shot. What are your temps down there now? Have a decent place to hang your deer awhile? We finally have temps in the upper 30’s as the highs. Hoping to get out tomorrow afternoon for a hunt. I have this weird thought to take the TC Compass in 6.5 Creed instead of one of my handguns. I’ve only shot paper with it and if I remember correctly, it’s sighted dead on at 100 yards. If I can get to the range for a bit late morning, I’ll rezero it at 200 first.
I have a scope on the Compass that I intend to sell, so I’m thinking that if my friend I’ll be hunting with tomorrow sees the scope, he’d be apt to buy it. Sometimes he just can’t resist and I can play into that. haha
Thanks. It's been in the 50s much of the day and should be around 40 in the morning. I've actually already deboned the meat and have it dry aging in an ice chest (above the ice level). From the slice of meat I grilled a few minutes ago, this one doesn't need much aging. It was nice and tender with no prep other than seasoning it. I'll leave it in there a few days and finish the process as soon as I am feeling up to it.
Those TC Compass rifles have quite the enviable reputation for accuracy. I've yet to talk to anyone who was anything other than thrilled with theirs. Good luck on the hunt. I hope you get to use that Creed tomorrow!
Yes, we’ve got a couple of them and they are both accurate. I got to the range at noon today and confirmed mine was already zero’d at 200. We saw 9 deer this afternoon, one of which was a smallish buck, another we couldn’t tell what it was. Only saw the back half. Had I taken the 357 revolver, I would have shot one of the 2 does that were within 40 yards. But, I only had the Compass. I was holding out for an impressively racked buck with the rifle. Hopefully I can get out again tomorrow afternoon. My buddy was able to dispatch a coyote that came into the pasture at last light.
Congratulations!
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