Born2hunt

I’ve run into similar issues with my daughters shooting centerfire rifles. I’ve found 3 things that were game changers for them - 1 - double up on hearing protection. I know this isn’t recoil but it does add to the PERCEIVED recoil. Don’t ask me why but changing this has been huge. 2 - got a limb saver slip on pad and put it over the pad already on the stock. It cushions the recoil a lot and that’s what has allows my kids to start (and enjoy) hunting. Totally worth the cost I never would have guessed it would help that much. 3 - if you handload, you can do severely reduced loads with h4895 for a centerfire rifle. Loading the lightest bullet I can find with a reduced load has been a dream. They’ll shoot non stop for hours without fear of recoil. I know it’s not black powder but you could use that to work up to it, or use the same thought process with BP. Lightest projectile you can find with a light target load. Also the last time we went shooting before my daughters elk tag last year she shot and freaked out because it recoiled. A quick and calm discussion about how yes the rifle will recoil, but if you pay attention it doesn’t actually hurt. If you expect it to move you and let it sway you back that helped her a lot. Good luck. That would be a shame of a tag to give back, but maybe she could draw rifle later and find something lighter to shoot.

Well no elk tag so I figured I’d get my mind off of it by working up a new load for deer/antelope sized critters and I’m trying to decide what bullets to try. I like two holes so I’ve always shot partitions or Barnes but I’m thinking of extending my range a little to maybe 400 or 500 yards. I planned to use the TTSX since they shoot so well, but I won’t have enough velocity beyond about 350 yards to know for certain that I’ll get good expansion. Partitions don’t group as well for me at the longer distances. After doing some reading and researching I’m finding good info on the Hornady ELD X and Berger. Sounds like Bergers generally explode on impact which gives great results if you hit in the ribs, but less consistent results if you’re a little far forward into the shoulder. The ELD X is pretty new so I mostly find info about accuracy, but not a lot of detail about performance on game. Although what I have found about on game performance has been mostly very positive. Do any of you have recommendations for a solid performer for these conditions? I might have enough points in the next year or two to hunt the strip which was another reason I was thinking about Barnes but I’d want something that I know will expand as the velocity drops off. If it performed well on elk that would be nice, but not my main focus right now. Another plus to the ELDX is they cost about the same as standard rounds so I could afford to practice with my actual hunting load. Thanks for any input!

Thanks everyone for your input, especially with elk results taking attention today! Found out my bro drew the late rifle bull tag in 22. I’ll be living through him this fall... Sounds like I’m generally hearing Accubond, TTSX, Berger and ELD X. I think I’ll pick up some of each and see how the loads develop. Sounds like terminal performance for each should be pretty good for smaller game. I shot a cow elk once from 28 yards with a Sierra Game King and it did the job, but it didn’t hold together too well and left no blood - I found her by walking tight circles until I almost stepped on her (thick country). I know that’s a lot to ask of a bullet but if I ever draw another elk tag I’ll be sure to load partitions or something solid. Thanks everyone and happy hunting

I’m thinking I’ll develop some loads with these bullets and see how they do at different ranges, thinking each should have similar on game results - 150 grain .308 TTSX 165 partition 178 grain ELD x

Loading up for a .308 I should have said that before. What I’m reading online is that the TTSX should expand down to 1800 FPS (per Hornady) but people in the field tend to need 2000 FPS for consistent expansion. I could step down to a 130 or 150 grain bullet but that would still drop under 2000 FPS at 450 yards. Thanks!

I’ve hunted with one before in 30-06 awesome rifle. Shot well and felt perfect on the carry, off hand or off a bench. For those interested. Wish i needed. 6.5 x 55 it’s tempting.

This is the first I’ve heard of a rule to ban archery hunting within any distance of a building (firearms aren’t allowed I know). What rule just passed this is news to me?

So my buddy shot a deer this afternoon and I was curious if anyone has run into a similar scenario before. 45 yard broadside shot, and he felt the shot was solid right behind the shoulder and in line with the heart. The buck jerked its front legs at the shot and ran fast straight out of there. My buddy went to where the buck was standing at the shot and the back 12” of his arrow was sitting on top of a bush. No sign of the rest of the arrow yet. I’m wondering if the arrow lodged in the far shoulder, and when the deer jumped forward if the front shoulder might have sheared the arrow? Anyone run into something like that before? 65 lbs, roughly 30” draw length with a 3 blade muzzy fixed blade. We didn’t find any blood at the shot or writhing the first 75 yards. It was getting dark so he decided to pick up the trail in the morning. Thankfully it will be a cold night. Also there seemed to be something clear on the part of the arrow - almost like saliva no clue what that might be. Any help is appreciated hopefully we find t early tomorrow Thanks!

The front of the arrow was about 20 yards uphill behind a boulder so we didn’t see it yesterday. The tip of the Broadhead looked blunted and there were some dulled edges on the blades. The thing I don’t get is he said the impact sounded like a punch in the stomach, not like an arrow hitting a rock. Also can’t figure out what the clear liquid could have been that was on the arrow. Thanks again everyone.

Found the other half of the arrow this morning and it looks like a clean miss after all. Never found any blood and did a grid for 1/4 mile before we decided to restart and that’s when we found the second half. Thanks everyone really appreciate the help. Good luck this season!

Thanks AverageJoe that makes a lot of sense. The way he reacted to the shot it sounded like a solid hit to the vitals and what you said explains the light blood trail. Luckily it’s fairly open country broken up by cuts which I think will help to find him when we spread out and grid for sign. Hoping he didn’t run too far. I agree the best thing is to keep looking which we’ll do in the morning. The broken arrow seemed odd so I thought I’d ask the group thanks for the quick responses hopefully I have a better update tomorrow.

My daughter took a cow elk this fall and I have the hide in the freezer. I wanted to tan it but not finding a lot of clear info on how it’s done. I’m thinking about sending it to a tanner. Does anyone have experience sending hides direct to a tannery, or doing the tanning yourself? If so any recommendations on how to do it? I’ve spent time on google but like I said nothing really clear and I don’t want to mess this one up. Thanks in advance!

Where are you located? Does the phone scope case fit over the life proof case or do you need to switch them out to use the phone scope case? I tried sending you a note but it wouldn’t go through

Same got tags today. Good luck everyone.

Thanks everyone! I’ll give them a shot

The bog pod has worked well for my kids. Pretty light but still sturdy and adjustable to the terrain. Good luck it’s fun taking the kids hunting.

I’m sure he’s proud of you and sharing some of the same memories. My grand dads both hunted but my dad didn’t and I started later in life. I always feel connected to them when I’m chasing elk in the aspens or deer in the desert. Neat story and I’m glad it ended with since a nice deer. Congrats!

My daughter drew a cow tag this year and Im trying to decide what to have her shoot. .243 seems much too light to me but I know plenty of people who have had success in cows with .243s. My other daughter shot her mule deer with a .243 last year which blew through both scapulas and exited the far side. That said .243 seems plenty good for cows but curious on everyone elses thoughts. I can also borrow a 7-08 but my daughter already doesnt like the .243 recoil. Right now Im leaning toward having her shoot what shes most comfortable with (243 - she can consistently hit a soda can at 100 yards with it), and limit shots within 200 yards or so. Let me know what you think.

Thanks! It was amazing and she’s definitely hooked on elk now. I appreciate the feedback from everyone and hope you all have great hunts this fall. She he placed the shot an inch behind the front leg and centered on the lung. Didn’t get a pass through but the 100 grain partition did the job. I was really glad to find out my buddy was filming during the stalk and the shot. Made for an awesome memory.

In the end we opted for the 243 which resulted in a cow down within 30 yards of the shot. It was an amazing hunt with aggressive bugles and lots of elk. We got her out in front of the herd and they all came in 40 yards away. Tons of elk and it was awesome. My buddy put together this video - it gets really good at the 2:00 mark. Enjoy! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eaB1k1kLkZk

That’s a great ending I still remember my reaction when I first read this post. Maybe not totally closed but at least you found those!

To answer your question it would be good to know what she’s hunting. A 7-08 covers a lot more game than a 243 depending on what she wants to hunt. If elk is in your mind a 7-08 is a good idea if she can manage the recoil. My daughters prefer the 243 but sometimes I wish they were shooting something a little bigger. I agree with the comment on cheap rifles. The savage axis is a nice shooter but the stock is light and flimsy I’d look into a real stock that fits her right.

Im making a trip north of Santa Fe soon up into the area above Terrero soon. Im doing some research into the area for good fishing (both for me to hike in and also places more kid friendly). Does anyone out there have experience with the area, and anywhere youd recommend trying?

Thanks thats a lot of good info Im glad I reached out! I have the Reel Life on my list of calls to make before I go hopefully they know the latest. I think the forest has been closed until this last week but hopefully they will have gotten out by now. Ive never been in the area so Im trying to take it all in as fast as I can to make sure I hit the best spots while I can. Planning some hikes too looks like some really nice country. Thanks again!

I’ve archery hunted in unit 1 quite a bit and I’ve never had to worry about rain or dew. I’d keep it simple.