The ethics of proper bullet choice

[The Hedgehog]

Let your rants go here. @SaskHunter this one's for you. What are the big no-no bullets? When are you a complete unethical moron? Back it up with evidence..

Here's a black bear taken with a .223. 62 grain TTSX. Died an instant death, lungs and broken shoulders.

 

[ignorethefringes]

 

[Irrelevant]

Let your rants go here. @SaskHunter this one's for you. What are the big no-no bullets? When are you a complete unethical moron? Back it up with evidence..

Here's a black bear taken with a .223. 62 grain TTSX. Died an instant death, lungs and broken shoulders.
View attachment 206921

I thought you just denounced monos? I'm so confused.

I'll admit, I didn't know there were different bullets and that they actually "performed" differently until after college. I mean, there were core-loks and... core-loks?

 

[ignorethefringes]

I thought you just denounced monos? I'm so confused.

I'll admit, I didn't know there were different bullets and that they actually "performed" differently until after college. I mean, there were core-loks and... core-loks?

 

[SaskHunter]

@Greenhorn I've killed plenty of animals with TTSX, phew, finally something we can agree on.

Someone needs their sugar checked today!

- A moron, clearly

 

[woods89]

Exit. 130 Sierra TMK. Impact 2700ish fps.
Shot at 50 yds in the timber. 156 Berger. Impact 2600ish fps. Exit. 156 Berger. Impact 2550ish fps.
Lungs out of a whitetail doe. 73 Berger OTM. Impact 2500ish fps.

 

[Hem]

Great picture Greenhorn.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Little early isn’t it? How many days until September?

 

[JLS]

What if the bullet comes from a modified Savage M99, home drilled for scope mounts?

 

[SaskHunter]

What if the bullet comes from a modified Savage M99, home drilled for scope mounts?

The more bubba'd the better! X'ed FMJs only for them bad boys! The off-center scope adds that Wanted "bullet-curve" effect!

 

[The Hedgehog]

What if the bullet comes from a modified Savage M99, home drilled for scope mounts?

Even better to lob them with..

 

[MTTW]

When I was a kid, some old guys told me about pulling fmj bullets from 30-06 surplus ammo and putting them in backwards. They said it worked pretty well. They killed some big old mulie bucks with them. They were mostly using open sights, so range was surely kept under 500 yards, so it was ethical.

 

[SaskHunter]

Back on subject before I get the paddle again. All TTSX kills in 308 or 25-06. Farthest retreive was maybe 60 yds on the bear, with a blood trail my 3 yo could follow. All others dropped on the spot or were dead within 15 yds.

Worst bullet I've used were ELD-Xs, long retrieve with no blood.

 

[88man]

does peer group research pay good?

I shoot berger I shoot better

fixed blade only

no trail cameras

since things have got so busy in the backcountry Please Please " NO LLamas"

 

[FI460]

What if the bullet comes from a modified Savage M99, home drilled for scope mounts?

Depends on the bore. Most of the 99's are gape limited to .30 cal. Need to find you one of those rare .375 Winchesters.

Alright, I'm done with this one for now.

 

[JLS]

Depends on the bore. Most of the 99's are gape limited to .30 cal. Need to find you one of those rare .375 Winchesters.

Alright, I'm done with this one for now.

They work on ?

 

[SaskHunter]

They work on ?

On the gapest of !

 

[JLS]

On the gapest of !

Nasty,,,

 

[Durango Mike]

I think the choice is more nuanced than how you present it. Can an excellent hunter who is dedicated to taking an ethical shot kill an animal with what might be considered a marginal caliber, absolutely. You chose a bullet, Barnes TTSX,that shoots well above its weight in penetration, and are someone who is a formidable and dedicated hunter. Note you did not use a 62 gr 5.56 with a steel core that tumbles when it hits a car windshield let alone a deer or bear shoulder. I would put you in the unusual class of dedicated and disciplined hunter who has a good handle on his personal capability to avoid any marginal shot for whatever equipment he is using.

I think taking a shot that is beyond your capability (for range,angle or possible obstruction) regardless of caliber is a bigger ethical issue. Inuit hunters shoot polar bears with 22 Hornets and 223's apparently with regularity, but REALLY close and usually going for an eye (never been there, but have seen reliable reports of it being done). It is equally unethical to shoot a 300 RUM at elk when you can't hit a pie plate from a bench rest at 100 yards being afraid of recoil. Having been a range officer at pre season sight in days I have seen guys who decided that the caliber/bullet was going to compensate for a gut shot, that is extremely unethical in my view.

Then again after waiting for your sheep hunt to unfold it has been a little boring here lately so a Greenhorn challenge might be just the ticket to liven things up. How did the selfie taking daughter do this year?

 

[SaskHunter]

no trail cameras

Alright, I didn't come here for a fight, but gosh darn it, that's too much! @JLS hold my while I drop my hockey gloves!