Quote:
Originally Posted by k.poholka
Haha, ya for sure peaceful is a good thing. I hope I'm that cool when my time comes.
I guess at 200+ yards I was hoping for an indication that he was hit. I thought I was missing him. His chest was lung soup when I opened him up, so the first shot was probably enough. When he didn't go down, a bunch of thoughts went through my head about my rifle/scope/bullets, as well as my own skill set.
I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their similar experiences. Although, it's making me regret selling that rifle.
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A couple years ago a I drew a antler less elk tag in 304. Gray Cup day accompanied by two younger hunters I climbed a snowy fenced cut line to a ridge where we had spotted a herd. After a very physical climb to the top a small band of elk came out below us and crossed the fence. All eyes were on us but I must have heard them coming (I don't know for sure) because my scope was settled on the sweet spot of a big cow.
The range was less than 100 yards and it should have been a bang flop. There was the BANG! But no PLOP? In the small amount of time it took to recover my sight, the elk had reversed , through the fence and were last seen going back where they came. No elk on the ground! I couldn't have missed!
One of my companion said “I did not hear the hit” and the other said “I did not see you hit”.
One of the younger guys said he would go down and look for blood. I was tired! The young guy jogged down! Hate those young guys! I went \with the other young guy and took up the trail. It was easy to follow. No blood! The other young guy jogged up and reported no blood. “I could not have missed” They sort of nodded but the look they gave me said “Sure you could have! This sort of thing happens when you get older” This story is getting long so I will shorten it. We trailed the herd for about 2 hours and even saw it a few times but saw no wounded animals I ticked the two young guys because I would not take one. Wiped out tired I just wanted to go home but first go back to where I shot. “I could not have missed”
Found my elk! Piled up in the snow! About 40 yards from point of hit Double lung! Lots of blood! The elk must have dropped within the time I lost my sight picture and no one saw. No one heard because the distance was short and the bang covered the plop. My fault! I should have checked for the blood myself.
Nosler Accubond 140 grain! Larger than 243. Right where I wanted it! Until I found my elk I was starting to believe that I missed. Not all clean kills look the way we expect.