Shot Placement/POI question

I have found that there a vertical target line on most animals or big game. That being the line on the back of the front shoulder., or you can call it the crease at that the back of the front shoulder. To me that the magic line on a broadside shots. I also visualize where the heart lung are at, That way placing the bullet to make a shot at different angles. Or placing my shot I look at where that bullet is going to pass through, making sure the bullet is going to pass through the vital area. I have taken enough deer and antelope to determine where I have hit them if I don't lose sight picture. Deer being hit in the heart will go from dropping in there track to running a 100yds or so. The deer will kick like a mule, don't bounce and there head is level with there back. not held high. If deer and antelope if hit in the liver will run several yards, stop, drop there nose to the ground, and back up. I haven't use Hammer bullets yet (I do like there shape). I do use AccuBond bullets in my rifles presently. I do drive my bullets in the 3200fps+ velocity. My bullet weights are in the 165gr for 308 Norma Mag, and 200gr 338 W. Mag. I hold my range down to 500 yards.
The picture above are what I am looking for damage to the animal. Not bloodshot to hell. Great bullet placement. I have had partition blood shot the entry side of the animal. I don't use them.

baldhunter said:

I aim 1-2" above center of the chest,tight up against the shoulder.Sends shock to the spine usually breaks the large thoracic artery and drops them on the spot everytime.Notice the two little strips of meat right below the spine and the big white artery.You see damage to them,you got your drop on the spot shot and blood everywhere too.Used a 7mag,150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip,mv 3100fps.View attachment 303985View attachment 303986View attachment 303987

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That's the sweet spot....

I've always preferred to take out a shoulder not matter what bullet. They either drop or they can't run far and it's harder for them to jump a fence.

Partitions always gave me blood shot meat.

For me, monos driven fast go IN the shoulder. Preferably a bit low of center. Partitions, Accubonds and HVLDs will make a huge mess if they hit there. For those bullets, I try to sneak just at the back of the shoulder. If it's it's anything but a true broadside I aim either between the shoulders or for the shoulder on the far side. True spine shots waste too much meat and neck shots are more risky than many people realize.

orifdoc said:

For me, monos driven fast go IN the shoulder. Preferably a bit low of center. Partitions, Accubonds and HVLDs will make a huge mess if they hit there. For those bullets, I try to sneak just at the back of the shoulder. If it's it's anything but a true broadside I aim either between the shoulders or for the shoulder on the far side. True spine shots waste too much meat and neck shots are more risky than many people realize.

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I tend to agree with the entirety of this, but I have never lost or even had to look for an animal that I neck shot. I often suspect "this might not be a good choice" and move to the double lung shot, but those are generally near 200 ads or its windy, hot enough for mirage... stuff like that. These are also Texas Whitetails. The neck is a pretty small target. Its hard to miss the goods if you hit the neck. But, I agree

Over 400 yds with Accubonds I shoot center line of shoulder, less than 400 behind the shoulder in the crease.

I shot the crease at any range.

Sort of depends on position of target, range, & type of bullet. I have done little big game hunting but favor mono type bullets for my small caliber .22's & 6mm's. A friend who has killed 100's of big game (deers & bigger) advised me to go for the shoulder. An ideal bullet hit would be on the mid scapula & damage spinal column & break shoulder & anchor target. Broadside targets are ideal but often some of the target's body needs to be penetrated, in this case mono bullets for small calibers would work best.

Center of mass works good for all rodents.

Here ya go.

For clarity, I have, when shooting the chest, tried to avoid the bones of the shoulder. See the red arrow above. My projectiles of choice have a reputation of coming undone if they impact at high velocity or dense bone.

If I get what I like from the Hammer bullets, I will try to hit the shoulder. I'd prefer to anchor the animal on impact, always.

Slightly quartered towards me,onside shoulder,exit behind offside shoulder.DRT

I agree on the run part hitting the animal in the heart. Less meat damage too.

Mike Matteson said:

I agree on the run part hitting the animal in the heart. Less meat damage too.

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A great killing shot, with minimal meat loss.... unless you hit a bit low, and lose the entire animal! While not a great internet story of "shot him right through the heart".....behind the shoulder gives a great deal more room for error! JM extremely biased opinion! memtb