It is kind of like tree stand hunting, but as you notice without the trees. I had some new loads that needed testing so four rifles for four deer. My first curiosity was the 175 gr SMK out of my 308 at 2650 fps. I have read that SMK's are not good for deer because they shoot through like full metal jacket. Then I have read that they are to explosive. I needed to find out for myself. I shot one deer at 700 yards which was a little far for a 308, but it did fine. I shot another at 115 yards and although I hit three inches behind the left front shoulder and took off the top of the heart there was more meat damage than I found acceptable. The 165 Game King hit's the same spot for me and does a much better job. Although I brought along four rifles it was windy gusting to 23 mph at times so I didn't take the long shots I would liked to. The 700 yard shot was ten minutes before sunrise (we can hunt ½ hour before) while it was still calm. So now I have loads that will have to wait for next year to try. I could buy more tags, but I don't think I can eat more venison.
My son used my 300 Win Mag for a couple shots, but both were high. I noticed that it is on at 100 yards, but rises about ¼ inch (at 100 yards) for every 200 yards. At 1000 yards it was shooting about 12 - 13 inches high.
The thing I noticed most between the 308 and 300 mag was resistance to wind drift. While shooting in 20 + mile an hour wind it took me, I think it was six shots, to hit a six inch swinging target at 600 yards. The 300 Win mag hit the first shot, hit the support arm two inches high the second shot, and hit again the third shot.
Anyway, it was perhaps more of a family, friends get together as well as a coffee, coke, cookies eating activity as it was hunting.
[ 11-17-2004: Message edited by: Prairie Ghost ]
[ 11-21-2004: Message edited by: Prairie Ghost ]
