Buckys
Well-Known Member
I was fortunate to harvest my first elk on a cow only hunt recently.
Range was less than 200 yds. I was hunting with my 7RM using Federal Premium 160 Partition ammunition ~2950fps.
I was able to make a double lung shot and managed to keep my eyes on target at impact. Saw an impressive shock wave centered around POA and was certain I did my job.
Found my quarry no more than 50yds from where she stood but she dove into some thick brush that made the tracking job harder than the distance implies.
Blood trail was off and on - troubled me that my eyes had deceived me.
What I found on the meat pole was what looked like an exit wound that had created a chasm between the ribs and hide - I did not find a lot of blood because most of it was in this chasm.
I'm wondering how common this is and opinions on what I might have done differently to have a better chance at a better blood trail? I know partitions are considered bad medicine for elk and that many LRH folks might prefer a bullet that would expend more energy inside the chest cavity.
Range was less than 200 yds. I was hunting with my 7RM using Federal Premium 160 Partition ammunition ~2950fps.
I was able to make a double lung shot and managed to keep my eyes on target at impact. Saw an impressive shock wave centered around POA and was certain I did my job.
Found my quarry no more than 50yds from where she stood but she dove into some thick brush that made the tracking job harder than the distance implies.
Blood trail was off and on - troubled me that my eyes had deceived me.
What I found on the meat pole was what looked like an exit wound that had created a chasm between the ribs and hide - I did not find a lot of blood because most of it was in this chasm.
I'm wondering how common this is and opinions on what I might have done differently to have a better chance at a better blood trail? I know partitions are considered bad medicine for elk and that many LRH folks might prefer a bullet that would expend more energy inside the chest cavity.