What do you use to put down livestock?

heretohunt · #1 12-23-2018, 10:39 AM

I have been using a 3030 which has worked well to the brain but the last steer i shot for meat, the bullet traveled down the spine to the neck meat. Any suggestions about what other people use? I’m new to the cow killing game. A .22 behind the ear makes sense on something smaller? I am shooting them in a feedlot where there is animals and equipment and people around so straight in the brain makes sense. I defiantly don’t want to wound, a quick kill is best.
Suggestions from experienced people please.

Talking moose · #2 12-23-2018, 11:02 AM

Have only seen it done with a .22, but isn’t there a bolt gun that you can hold up to the forehead?

amosfella · #3 12-23-2018, 11:07 AM

Killed several hundred with a 44 mag carbine. Works well from about 800 pound live calves to 1800 pound live cows and steers. Bulls over 1800 pounds are better dealt with with a 45-70.

Under 800 pounds, a 357 mag carbine works pretty good.

All bullets used are hollow point. I used a lot of 240 gr JHP American eagle in the 44 mag. Hornady Critical Defence (I think that's the name) 240 grain worked well. Neck shooting generally resulted in the bullet stopping just inside the hide on the opposite side the shot was from. It would fall out while skinning many times.

45-70, Winchester grey box 300 gr jhp worked best. and were the most consistent.

357, I used the hornady critical defence jhp. Those seemed the most readily available. They work fantastic on pigs from the side as well.

As for where to shoot, straight into the brain stem from the front works good. I didn't have problems with over penetration. Most of the time, I'd find the bullet still in the spine while splitting. If shooting from the side about level, aim for the bottom third of the ear and just behind.

I've seen a lot of stuff go wrong in a feedlot situation with a 22. Bad idea. It's ok if the animal is restrained. Highly not recommended. Especially if the animal is strong for size.

I had a pig that was 300 pounds on the rail, and had been raised on pasture survive 3 shots into the brain stem with a 22 mag with 50 gr federal game shock bullets. I had to finish it off with a 357 mag.

Grizzly Adams · #4 12-23-2018, 11:13 AM

Had to do a horse a few months ago and a cow for the neighbors. .303 bear gun, handy and adequate power. Draw an imaginary X from ear base to opposite eye, where the lines cross, is where the bullet goes. Actually found it worked better than some veterinary euthanasia I've seen. 22 will do it, but why quibble ?

Grizz

barsik · #5 12-23-2018, 11:13 AM

draw an imaginary line from right eye to left ear and left eye to right ear. where the lines cross is where you put your bullet. a 22 will do the job. some people will shoot between the eyes and completely miss the brain.

Grizzly Adams · #6 12-23-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Have only seen it done with a .22, but isn’t there a bolt gun that you can hold up to the forehead?

Watch No Country for Old Men.

Grizz

Twisted Canuck · #7 12-23-2018, 11:20 AM

I use a 17 HMR with 17 gr ballistic tip.

That's to shoot the 3 pounds of tannerite under the cow. Saves the whole process of having to dress them....

(Couldn't resist, plenty of good advice on the thread but felt compelled to add something....

The only heifer I shot in the corral was a bison. 7mm-08 right between the eyes with a 140 gr partition at 25 yards, and it looked like someone yanked the earth out from under her. Very effective).

Talking moose · #8 12-23-2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Watch No Country for Old Men.

Grizz

This? Lol
https://youtu.be/8xyvOCNCXdU

buckbrush · #9 12-23-2018, 11:28 AM

For pigs I always us .22LR. Stuns them then cut the heart.

I tried a 9mm once, bullet went right through and pig started running around the pen, had to shoot it 'gangster style' as it ran by. I felt horrible since that was one of the first pigs we raised.

After that .22LR in the melon, no issues.

Battle Rat · #10 12-23-2018, 12:03 PM

22 with solids not HPs.
Aim for where the lines would cross from the horns to the eyes.
If the gun is scoped, aim 2"higher.

Lefty-Canuck · #11 12-23-2018, 12:04 PM

Don’t try a 17hmr...don’t ask how I know. .22lr or .22mag between the eyes and up 3-4 inches, never directly between the eyes.

LC

cody j · #12 12-23-2018, 12:19 PM

22 centerfire works good, 22 lr can work but more room for error. Little bigger is better.

amosfella · #13 12-23-2018, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckbrush

For pigs I always us .22LR. Stuns them then cut the heart.

I tried a 9mm once, bullet went right through and pig started running around the pen, had to shoot it 'gangster style' as it ran by. I felt horrible since that was one of the first pigs we raised.

After that .22LR in the melon, no issues.

9mm doesn't work nearly as well as 357 mag. Ask VCMM.

Eagle Trapper · #14 12-23-2018, 01:39 PM

357 mag for beef 38 special for pigs. It's what I used while I was mobile killing anyway with good results. Too many rodeos with the 22.

mac1983 · #15 12-23-2018, 01:51 PM

We used to use a post maul and knife, quite efficient back in the day.

Grizzly Adams · #16 12-23-2018, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1983

We used to use a post maul and knife, quite efficient back in the day.

I know a guy who had to put a horse down in the park, after it broke a leg. All they had was an axe, not fun.

Grizz

1899b · #17 12-23-2018, 02:03 PM

6.5 Creedmoor

buckbrush · #18 12-23-2018, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1899b

6.5 Creedmoor

Was waiting for it...

Talking moose · #19 12-23-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1899b

6.5 Creedmoor

Not a fan of the sectional density on the bullet. And go!!!!!

Talking moose · #20 12-23-2018, 02:16 PM

Was hoping op would ask in the title thoughts on creedmore for close up cow shots.

Chewbacca · #21 12-23-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barsik

draw an imaginary line from right eye to left ear and left eye to right ear. where the lines cross is where you put your bullet. a 22 will do the job. some people will shoot between the eyes and completely miss the brain.

This right here. I’ve seen some big bulls put down with the .22LR.

Gade81 · #22 12-23-2018, 02:45 PM

.22lr is all you need. More will kill em too

IronNoggin · #23 12-23-2018, 03:10 PM

22 Magnum.
Works every single time from lambs through pigs & steers.
All you need.

Cheers,
Nog

dgl1948 · #24 12-23-2018, 03:29 PM

I use a 250 Savage. Take your time and wait for the proper moment. I like to have them looking directly at me with their head up in the air.

calgarychef · #25 12-23-2018, 04:06 PM

There’s lots of folks using handguns...a good use for that kind of gun. The smart ones don’t mention it on a public forum.

cody j · #26 12-23-2018, 04:11 PM

Some people own rifles chambered in handgun cartridges.

sako1 · #27 12-23-2018, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody j

Some people own rifles chambered in handgun cartridges.

Not some. A lot.

1899b · #28 12-23-2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody j

Some people own rifles chambered in handgun cartridges.

Yuppers.....

roper1 · #29 12-23-2018, 06:21 PM

44 mag carbine
357 mag carbine
12 gauge slugs
12 gauge buck
20 gauge slugs
20 gauge buck
.22 LR solids
.22 LR HP
22 Hornet

For sure some others I can't remember or didn't use much.

Some several thousand now with the .22 Mag HP, the only thing I would ever consider using regularly.

Grizzly Adams · #30 12-23-2018, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarychef

There’s lots of folks using handguns...a good use for that kind of gun. The smart ones don’t mention it on a public forum.

Hand gun is the logical choice, knew a vet who had a permit for that reason. Then there's the l vet, I saw, headed across the parking lot of the auction market packing an SKS.

Grizz