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6.5 CM as a hunting cartridge... why?

View attachment 357288It’s a Sako L-579 that I bought brand new in 1978. It was a factory chambering at the time.
My wife’s grandpa killed everything with a 220 swift, including a giant mule deer he shot right between the eyes at what they say was 300+ yards, I touched the hole in the skull. Been trying to get my hands on it
 
If I told you how many coyotes that rifle has accounted for you’d think I was totally full of BS……;)

I’d love to hear it and all about the hows. Did you use it aerial gunning as well or something different for that?
 
I’m curious @psinclair and I’m pretty sure I know the answer - if you had to point to a single factor of why you were so successful with that rifle, would it be because of the rifle, because of the chambering, or just to the fact that you spend so much time shooting in general?

In short, is it the rifle, the cartridge, or just tons of practice?
 
IMG_4161.jpegSame rifle, same load. I’d killed a nice six point bull the day before and was on my way back in for load of meat. It was the last day of the season, and I still had my deer tag..it was a running shot, and when he tumbled he broke off the G4 point on his left side. Dammed if I could find it. I even went back in the spring and looked for it.
 
I’m curious @psinclair and I’m pretty sure I know the answer - if you had to point to a single factor of why you were so successful with that rifle, would it be because of the rifle, because of the chambering, or just to the fact that you spend so much time shooting in general?

In short, is it the rifle, the cartridge, or just tons of practice?
Probably the most important factor was confidence in shot placement. I know I just mentioned taking a running shot in a previous post, but it was a close one and not that difficult.
Precision shot placement is always the biggest piece of the puzzle.
The fast time of flight, with very little drop to 300 yards, made that rifle very easy to place lethal shots.
No laser range finders back in those days…;)
 
I’m curious @psinclair and I’m pretty sure I know the answer - if you had to point to a single factor of why you were so successful with that rifle, would it be because of the rifle, because of the chambering, or just to the fact that you spend so much time shooting in general?

In short, is it the rifle, the cartridge, or just tons of practice?
The inherent ability to shoot a rifle. Any rifle. mtmuley
 
Missouri Breaks, about 35 years ago.
220 Swift, 55gr Hornady.
It wasn’t uncommon to see bucks like this back in those days.
Good stuff Pat - you're in keeping with a long tradition of Montana "Swifties" lol.

Back in the early-mid 1950's my dad was a pilot flying for Lynch's out of Billings. In the winter he'd have his plane kitted out with skis to deliver groceries and mail to isolated ranches. Over coffee in the kitchen at any given ranch he said there was inevitably several huge mule deer racks stuck to the wall. When he'd ask what they were shot with, the answer was usually "220 Swift." Makes you wonder how many B&C bucks are stashed away all over West Dakota (Eastern MT).
 
All three of the boys were together for Shane’s whitetail buck about five seasons back. He’s holding the antlers. The old Sako again. It was a 22CM by then. 300 yard shot with one 88gr ELD-M.
Ever use eldx? Have eldms always worked well?
 
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