Shoulder shots

[Onesock]

First off just want to ask how many guys here try to shoot animals in the shoulder? Secondly I want to know why? Not trying to be a edited just would like to see the reasons behind this.

 

[Jud96]

Shoulder shots often anchor deer where they're standing, if they do run, they don't run well with one or two shoulders blowed out. The shoulder bone can also help bullets open up at extended ranges.

 

[338edge]

High shoulder shot is always my aiming point for elk and deer. With Berger bullets works very well.

 

[Jluck]

I shoot base of skull or in the ear when conditions are right, farther back than most when not. I go for the liver and have always thought intentional should shots are asinine. One member did educate me on needing the animal to go down right where shot or not far due to hunting right/land/lease type issues. I don't have that problem so never considered it. That was the only good answer I felt was in the entire thread. YMMV.

 

[Wolf76]

I only shoot shoulders if the situation calls for it. Like the only shot available. It certainly breaks them down quick.
Lungs shots leave deer and elk very dead while having a huge kill zone. Also saves a lot of meat.

 

[motrapper]

High shoulder shots Deer and Elk here for 10 plus years. Works really well with Hard Cast bullets out of 45/70, 444, rifles. Had an elk go down so fast it bounced off its chest. Also with cast you can typically eat up to the hole. Jacketed bullets same shoulder shots just loose a little meat but DRT. When Hunting out west if it does not go DRT you may very well be in for a Journey out of a canyon you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. LOL

 

[338edge]

Have you ever watched the Beyond Belief videos with John Burns. He is one of the first to go high shoulder shots with the Bergers. Absolutely puts them down. I have experienced this as well with lots of o bvb e shot kills on elk and deer

 

[bigngreen]

I will take a shoulder shot IF needed but i always plan on another round through the lungs if they so much as twitch. Deer I dont worry about a bullet getting through cause anything will bit an elk is a whole different game, shoulder shots that failed to be lethal is the most common wounds Ive seen, i watched so many elk get going again or crawl themselves of with shoulder shots not to mention the meat which is a primary concern!!

 

[Pulpwood]

High shoulder shots waste a little meat but no tracking

 

[shooter7]

I prefer to stay off the shoulder. There's edible bits attached to it. If I have to I will break a shoulder to help anchor the animal if the situation might require it, but I really prefer to have a bullet that will expand and go through the chest cavity just behind the shoulder.

 

[HARPERC]

I've found it generally takes more than most realize to reliably reach the vitals through much bone.

Construction, shape, terminal velocity, sectional density, and sheer mass all play a role.

The question needs more specifics than a yes or no answer.

 

[corey suir]

I only take shoulder shots if im hunting in an area with lots of water which would make tracking really hard. Other wise ill take a lung shot

 

[BountyHunter]

This is the shot IF you absolutely must anchor the deer right there with no tracking.

 

[johnnyk]

High shoulder shot for me. I want them to go down. I know heart and lung shots are terminal but a whitetail can travel 30-45 seconds after these parts are blown out. They seem to go to the thickest, nastiest stuff they can find to expire and there are some cut-downs, thickets and bays around here that you have to machete your way in and out of, plus moccasin's, copperheads and rattlesnakes.
If the deer is close enough, I have a solid rest, and it's to fill the freezer, I'll shoot it in the head. Messy but highly effective.