I've been working up some loads with the recently released IMR 8208 XBR powder for my Encore in 270 Winchester and, I believe, have been pretty successful. With the availability of the 25/06, 280 Remington and 30/06, I see little need for the 270 Winchester (sorry Jack) but I acquired enough once fired brass that I now have enough to wear out several barrels. I also got some 130 grain Remington Core-Lokts at a fire sale price and, being the frugal sort, I've felt the need to use them. Suprising, to me at least, accuracy as illustrated in the photo of a sub 1 inch 200 yard group has been quite adequate.

This time of year, especially during soybean years, deer come through my property browsing on various plants including soybeans and my fruit trees. In the fall, if my trees aren't protected, and sometimes even if they are, the bucks come through and rub them until they die. and so, this year when I found my cherry trees being dined on, I got some nuisance permits.

Yesterday was hot and I decided to get my rifle and sit out on my stool looking over the back 50 to see what would show up. During the summer, when on my stool, it's rare that I don't see some wild animal show up in the course of the evening. Yesterday, the first visitors were a couple of feral cats and then a couple of racoons probably looking for bird eggs out in the field.

It was starting to get fairly dark when I saw movement of a larger animal at the edge of the field and when I glassed it saw it was a doe probably a good 300 yards away and heading toward the far end of the field. It was hard but I held my fire. If I had shot it then, it may have jumped over the fence into the next field and I wouldn't have been able to retrieve it.

In the course of time, the doe came a bit closer and I decided to take a shot. You would be surprised to find you can see adequately for shooting with a good scope, a full moon and no artificial light. I estimate the range to be about 300 yards so held just a little bit over it and fired using my homemade shooting sticks for support. It was bang, flop, dead right there.

I know that 116 of my paces is equal to about 100 yards on level ground; this is fairly consistent and does change a little bit depending on whether I'm going down hill or up. I stepped the distance off at 310 paces which would translate into about 267 yards.

My wife, aka Sweetsums, is a city girl who believes she lives in a very remote place since it takes her 15 or 20 minutes to get to a major mall and 35 minutes to downtown Columbus, OH in her "Benz." The night's adventures from her point of view were as follows and taken from an e-mail to a couple of her friends:

Tales from The Farm...05/26/10

I was peacefully watching the American Idol finale and MJ was out behind the barn on his stool watching for farm critters on the Back 50!!! Suddenly at dusk I hear a serious boom...just one! Shortly thereafter MJ appears to get the deer tag for tree damage and the search light since it is now getting dark.

He takes off at great speed on foot to tag this deer half way back in the field. I suggest the ATV but that of course takes a few minutes and he was having none of that.... He is back in short order... the deer had dropped where hit and now the job of calling THE LIST of supposed takers for any deer anytime day or night!!!

He leaves messages (not a good sign) and now takes the ATV keys to go collect his kill....I am now put into play (in my nightgown) to get the camera and take pictures of the Hunter and his very nice hefty Doe with one shot in the neck....This is a wonderful specimen for eating for SOMEONE other than the hunter and his wife that is!!

At 11 PM a taker for this fallen one is on the phone and apologizing (are you kidding) for calling so late (just got home from a horse show)....things are quickly looking better...he will be here in 45 minutes.....YEA!!

I went to bed and the happy hunter put all his toys away while waiting for the deer recipient...Peace returns by midnight....

Nice shot, great story!

I just learned something, I didn't know you could get nuisance permits here in the worthless nut state. That is some good shooting. I have shot a few out west at 300 yds but not in the neck.

Rad

pull the tenderloins
marinate in lite italan salad dressing
brown with garlic,rosemary,in olive oil
slice thin,serve with good cheese
uncork a bottle of pinot noir
and you will NEVER give away another...
cograts on your hunt

Good job on the control work.