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Texas Pronghorn pics (2nd pic added 12 October)

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08 October 2008, 00:01
Doc
Texas Pronghorn pics (2nd pic added 12 October)
My antelope: 200 yards, Ruger 270/Hart bbl, 110 Barnes TTSX, 58gr H4350.



Pete's first rifle big game animal: 234 yards, Rem 700, 308, factory Hornady 150gr SST.



Entry hole from SST:



Incidently, a 210 Berger VLD from a 308 is devastating on a hog at 110 yards. Sorry, no pics.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
08 October 2008, 07:30
jb
entry hole? Eeker what would the ball park velocity be on that,I wonder?


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08 October 2008, 07:40
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by jb:
entry hole? Eeker what would the ball park velocity be on that,I wonder?


Don't know. It was not Hornady "light magnum" loads. It was their regular factory load.

I think it is more a function of the SST slamming into the shoulder bone.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
08 October 2008, 08:22
jb
I just loaded 60 rounds of 150 308 dia SSTs for my 30-06 to about 2700 fps.Isnt that a lttle slower than a 308 can push it?
Did that shot get complete penetration?


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SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM
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08 October 2008, 19:16
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by jb:
I just loaded 60 rounds of 150 308 dia SSTs for my 30-06 to about 2700 fps.Isnt that a lttle slower than a 308 can push it?
Did that shot get complete penetration?


Slowing this style of bullet down is the key in my opinion.

No, that shot did not get complete penetration. It blew up when it met the scapula. Shot placement was perfect. The bullet was inadequate on this particular hunt.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
08 October 2008, 19:28
Reloader
Doc,

That's one of the reasons I gave up on .308 150 grn SSTs. Several years ago I loaded several for 30-06 at 2950 fps and some for 300WM at 3200 fps for a relative. On our small whitetails they were absolute bombs and would not even make it to the off side on broad side rib shots a few times. Sometimes they did fine and gave large exits on rib/lung shots, but they failed about as much as they didn't. The best luck I've had with .308 SSTs was with the 165s loaded to 2700 in 308 win. The SST seems to do well at lower velocities.

Nice Bucks, Congrats!

Reloader
08 October 2008, 20:07
Atkinson
That bullet is bound to fail sooner or later and I sure wouldn't take any going south shots with it..It is apparantly exploding on contact.

Where in Texas did you hunt..I was raised in West Texas around Alpine, Marfa and Marathon.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
08 October 2008, 20:29
Doc
Ray, we hunted the antelope about 11 miles west of Texline in Dallam county.

I've already got another place lined up for next year in a different county.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
08 October 2008, 21:12
hoghunting
Congratulations, Doc,

You obviously had a great hunt and hopefully had a great time. On my trips through the panhandle to Colorado, I've seen many very nice antelope bucks in that area and also in NE New Mexico.

Hogs are always fun, no matter what bullet you use! Glad the hunt was a success.
08 October 2008, 22:04
Doc
Thanks, it was a great time and I'll be doing it again.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
09 October 2008, 07:26
Bobby Tomek
Nice going! thumb


Bobby
Μολὼν λαβέ
The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri

09 October 2008, 07:41
Doc
Thanks Bobby. Just so you know, I tried to get a pig with my 270/110 TTSX combo but it just didn't happen. Had my 308 instead when I finally got a pig in the scope.

I really wanted to see what the 110 would do. Guess I'll have to go back.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
09 October 2008, 08:17
vapodog
I've killed more than one deer with that same bullet in a .30-06 and didn't have that kind of entrance hole......as a matter of fact the bullets performed admirably and mushroomed beautifully and I found one on the far side hide.

It makes me wonder if the bullet may have struck something prior to hitting the pronghorn.....

IMO the .30 cal 150 grain SST is a fine deer/antelope bullet.


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09 October 2008, 17:00
GrayDuck
Nice work. That first one has great mass.


"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" - Robert Burns
09 October 2008, 20:40
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
IMO the .30 cal 150 grain SST is a fine deer/antelope bullet.


I'm guessing this is one of those "ballistic tip moments." I told Pete that had he hit behind the shoulder, it would likely have been a different outcome.

This is my first experience with a bullet blowing up on an animal. I cannot tell you whether or not the bullet hit something else prior to the buck.

What I can tell you is that when Pete and I both approached the buck, it lifted it's head and watched us, then at about 100 yards, it got up and started a slow run. It made it about 30 yards and fell again. He put 2 more shots in it to kill it.

He's decided to use the rest of the SSTs for paper and is going to the regular interlock for hunting, or the interbond, as he prefers Hornady bullets for the time being.

I'm taking him to KY for deer season and he doesn't want a repeat of this. Who knows, maybe it was nothing but a dud bullet or it did strike some prairie grass in route to the buck.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
09 October 2008, 22:10
oupa
Geez, don't let the "ban the lead bullet" guys x-ray that critter or we're done for sure!
stir


An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams.
11 October 2008, 18:54
Rob1SG
Nice goats sounds like you had a great hunt. i just got back from Colorado monday took a nice goat in the Craig area. We drove thru the Texas panhandle on the way up lots of Antelope in that area.
Just a hunter we stopped in at Laura's Corner in Rangely while driving around looking at unit 10
11 October 2008, 19:25
Outdoor Writer
Way to go, Doc. Good job. -TONY


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
11 October 2008, 19:27
Outdoor Writer
quote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
It makes me wonder if the bullet may have struck something prior to hitting the pronghorn.....



From the looks of the terrain -- a farm field -- it doesn't appear there's too much around for the bullet to hit other than the 'lope. -TONY


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
11 October 2008, 19:40
Bob in TX
Hey Doc,

Congrats to you and Pete!! That is one nice speed goat!!

Bob


There is room for all of God's creatures....right next to the mashed potatoes.
http://texaspredatorposse.ipbhost.com/
11 October 2008, 22:42
Doc
Thanks everyone.

I had a discussion with Pete about the possibility of anything between his muzzle and the buck. His answer was "yes....air."

So, I'll chalk this one up as a bullet fluke I guess.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
12 October 2008, 07:19
Fish30114
Great buck Doc! It sounds like you guys had a fun trip. I hate that the SST did that, I agree with you it's like some of the Ballistic Tip experiences out there, I've shot a bunch of critters with both, and no so (bad) luck yet.

I will start burning up my SST's at the range though after seeing that.....

How big is your 'lope, he looks awesome!

Congrats!
12 October 2008, 07:59
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by Fish30114:
Great buck Doc! It sounds like you guys had a fun trip. I hate that the SST did that, I agree with you it's like some of the Ballistic Tip experiences out there, I've shot a bunch of critters with both, and no so (bad) luck yet.

I will start burning up my SST's at the range though after seeing that.....

How big is your 'lope, he looks awesome!

Congrats!


Yea, Pete wants me to work up some stuff for his 308 and told me to "burn up" his other 2 boxes of the stuff so I can use the brass. Again, this was his very first experience with a big game animal kill and a firearm. So, after all of the joy of collecting his buck was over, the mood turned to a bit of disappointment as he may have to get a new cape. That really changed things for him, as he wants to mount the buck HE killed.

After talking with the taxidermist, he will be able to use some of the rear hide ( we kept most all of it), and patch it up, and Pete's having it mounted on a "wall pedestal" where the patchwork will face the wall.

What is so ridiculous about my buck, is I never really studied his prongs. I never really knew how decent he was until I picked him up into the back of the truck, and then later looked at the pictures.

I'll have him scored. He's got good length and curl, but his cutters are lacking. I could care less actually. He's my best one!


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
12 October 2008, 08:09
Crazyhorseconsulting
quote:
Ray, we hunted the antelope about 11 miles west of Texline in Dallam county.


If you were 11 miles west of Texline, you were in New mexico, not Texas.

Unless they have moved the town, the last time I was thru there it was on the state line, hence the name.

Great looking antelope no matter where they were killed.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



12 October 2008, 08:50
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
quote:
Ray, we hunted the antelope about 11 miles west of Texline in Dallam county.


If you were 11 miles west of Texline, you were in New mexico, not Texas.

Unless they have moved the town, the last time I was thru there it was on the state line, hence the name.

Great looking antelope no matter where they were killed.


OOPS!!!!!

I MEANT EAST! SORRY.

Good catch there. You are absolutely right, we'd be in NM if west.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
12 October 2008, 18:22
Outdoor Writer
quote:
Originally posted by Doc:
I'm guessing this is one of those "ballistic tip moments."


Speaking of such...

It looks like you blew the guts out of your 'lope. Eeker


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
12 October 2008, 20:20
Fish30114
I think Doc's lope had been field dressed when they took the pics Tony--or else Doc needs to tell us the scoop!

You're buck looks really good Doc, that he's your best one IS all that matters! Just out of curiousity, what did the TSX do? I had thought that would be a great, flat shooting Antelope rig, and the TTSX would be really accurate, but I had wondered what they would do at some longer yardages.....
12 October 2008, 20:26
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by Outdoor Writer:
quote:
Originally posted by Doc:
I'm guessing this is one of those "ballistic tip moments."


Speaking of such...

It looks like you blew the guts out of your 'lope. Eeker


I did, with a gutting knife. Big Grin


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
12 October 2008, 20:35
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by Fish30114:
I think Doc's lope had been field dressed when they took the pics Tony--or else Doc needs to tell us the scoop!

You're buck looks really good Doc, that he's your best one IS all that matters! Just out of curiousity, what did the TSX do? I had thought that would be a great, flat shooting Antelope rig, and the TTSX would be really accurate, but I had wondered what they would do at some longer yardages.....


Correct. The buck was field dressed in my pic.

The TSX and TTSX are among my favorites as I have mentioned in the past. Until they give me a reason not to use them, I will continue to do so.

I worked up a load in the 270 with the 110 TTSX and H4350. My max was about 60 grains. 58.0 grains did so well that I decided not to even monkey with seating depth changes with the higher powder charges.

Moreover, the bullet impacts and groups were unaffected by the different temps and sea levels from here to TX.

So, what did the bullet do? In short, it left a small hole in, small hole out (maybe a nickel size), and turned everything in between into a soupy mix.

Since the 110 TTSX has come out, I've had a few emails from other hunters who have now taken big game at longer ranges with stellar results.

My brother doesn't want me to load anything else for his 270.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
12 October 2008, 21:33
Crazyhorseconsulting
quote:
OOPS!!!!!



No problem. beer thumb

I killed mine North East of Texline up on the Rita Blanca Grasslands on one of the drawing hunts TP&W does.

It measured 75 4/8ths. and cost me a grand total of $42.00 not counting what me and my hunint partner spent for gas for the trip up and the 4 we spent on food for the trip.

Got mine with 1 shot at around 350, maybe slightly more, with a 150 gr, Barnes "X" out of my Mark V 300 Weatherby Mag..

Those are still great looking goats you guys killed. beer beer


Even the rocks don't last forever.



12 October 2008, 23:12
trouthunterdj
Great buck. What did he score?

ddj


The best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back - Robert Ruark
13 October 2008, 00:07
Doc
quote:
Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
Great buck. What did he score?

ddj


Don't know yet.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
13 October 2008, 01:14
Fish30114
Sounds like good stuff TTSX performance wise, a nickel or quarter size exit is ideal IMO.

Thanks for the intel.
13 October 2008, 05:58
Doc
Pete emailed me the semi-profile pic, so you can get a little better view of the cutters:




Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
13 October 2008, 21:27
Outdoor Writer
Doc,

Oh, now I'm disappointed. I was ready to ask what caliber and bullet works best to avoid having to gut a critter the old fashion way. Big Grin


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
13 October 2008, 22:53
Doc
Well Tony, I have a video where a friend and I killed 2 pronghorn Does at the same time. I loaded up some Btips for him and he opened his doe right up and the bulk of her guts were hanging out.

If I knew how to upload a video, I'd post it and you can see first hand that a Btip is the bullet for the job!


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
14 October 2008, 07:18
HerrMesser
Doc
You can upload video to photobucket.

Nice antelope.

Rad


NRA Benefactor Member
14 October 2008, 19:09
Doc
What site has better resolution? Photobucket or Youtube?

I have a photobucket account.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
15 October 2008, 07:07
HerrMesser
I have a friend in Alaska on another forum and he posts video on photobucket but I don't know how good his camera is as the videos are not very good. He does a lot of moving while videoing is part of the problem. It would really depend on the quality of your video.

Rad


NRA Benefactor Member