Texas Update.

I know, the hunt is over, so what else can there be? A good ending to an incomplete part of what I spoke of in the post. My Daughter had gotten a shot at one that was never found after a lot of searching. The day of the miss, there was2 other hunters and the guide in the truck. They all spent 2 hours scouring the area for any sign or the animal. All that was found was 3 drops of blood, and Megan found those. The next day, She and I hunted the same area and the guide spent another 3 hours looking for any sign that might have been missed. Found Zilch except Coyote prints. Fast forward to yesterday when I get a text from her saying that someone had found her buck. Chasing does and seemingly unhurt. Saw him right before he put him down and started doing a happy dance. It seems that her round had hit in the bottom of the chest, just enough to cause a small loss of blood. Guide said he would have survived fine had he not gotten taken down. She feels better that the animal wasn't a run off and that the hit wasn't any worse than it was. She's also talking with her Husband about a size upgrade from the .243 She was using. Just thought some of you might feel better knowing all this, I know I do. The animal deserves the respect of a clean kill, and She also says that was the last time anyone is going to hurry her. If She isn't ready he just gets to walk. Here's the pic, he's real nice.

Thanks for lettin us know. Nice buck for sure!

It all worked out in the end. Happy end to a great story. Good deal, thanks for sharing. And yep, that is a great looking deer.

Thats a beautiful buck right there. And I am not one to suede someone from purchasing a new firearm, but the same hit with anything, even a .300 Win mag would have likely provided the same results. That out the way the 7mm-08 and .308 are fine calibers. If recoil is a problem at all a quick trip to Petersons Guns in Mt Dora for a muzzle measurement and 2 weeks later return the gun and have a Gentry muzzle brake installed. Gentry is touted as the quiet muzzle brake and is noticably quieter to the shooter than a KDF or others I have used or been around. Had one on my .270 that was stolen and one on my .308 now and wont be without again most likely. And no, I am not recoil sensitive to a point, but shot a 300win mag with a muzzle brake and was impressed enough to try on the .270 I had. They help in other ways than just recoil, down side is you really need hearing protection, especially if in a closed blind. If she would like to shoot one I could arrange to meet at Stricklands and let her shoot my .308 A-Bolt with it. Oh, and Petersons can work magic on triggers:)

Howard used to be their gunsmith and he is very good. Contrary as the day is long but a good man. Mike's Dad has a Kimber 270 with a brake and it is a pleasure to shoot with almost no muzzle jump, and a 4lb trigger. This and other things are all in the talk about it stage now. The problem out there is distance. Agreed, this hit would not have been any different with a larger bullet. Out there, 400 yds isn't unusual and small caliber magnums really shine. Mike shoots a 264 win mag and Gary, a 256 Weatherby magnum. The Weatherby took a big Muley at 300 plus. It's all about placement and she wants one to become intimately familiar with and carry only that when the time comes. I can't fault that line of thought. Always beware of the man with one gun for he knows everything it will do. The Family on Mikes side does a hunt in Arkansas and this Texas hunt every year and his Dad is doing a Canada bear hunt this coming spring. Whatever she gets will not be a safe queen and needs to have better energy at distance. She isn't recoil shy like her old man but doesn't like the 300 Win mag Mikes Dad has. I imagine this time next year she will be shooting something besides her old mans old 243. Thanks for the input Mike.

PS........256 yds to their back fence and tiger bay beyond.

Nuttin wrong with that at all. I drooled over a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight in .257 Weatherby mag for quite some time. Sweet rifles for sure.