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Bottleneck Buck

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 12:10 am
by Spitpatch
]50 years now hunting on the same ground in Montana since I was 12. Went through the eloquently described "stages of a hunter", arriving some 12-15 years ago at a point where I take greatest pleasure in guiding a newcomer or challenged person to do what I love best. Hunting for me solo, I carry various weapons of either limited range (archery, handgun, blackpowder), or "stuff that's weird" (unusual calibers, guns, etc.).

This nice goat was taken with a .40-50 Sharps Bottleneck chambered Shilo Farmingdale.

For loading skills and knowledge, I was a greenie past anything .45-70 where lead and black go. This gun taught me what dramatic changes can happen in load development, by seemingly small changes in components or procedure.

Eventually, a 400g Snover style bullet, supplied by Buffalo Arms was the darling: Very streamlined, it rocketed out of the .40-50 muzzle at a blistering 1186 fps. Where accuracy was considered, this gun was horrid when bad. This bullet made it full of grace, and is now in my category of "boring rifles".

This was done at 110 yards, nearly broadside. the bullet entered perfectly behind the left shoulder, and exited through the right shoulder. (You may notice a slightly "blemished" section of hair just under the forearm of the gun: yes, Virginia, you can eat right up to that hole.) Honestly, I fully expected the pointy space-ship shaped nose of that bullet to be a problem on game. I think soft alloy mitigated that.

Ate some tonight. Best meat on the planet ('cept for Dall's Sheep).

Image

Re: Bottleneck Buck

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:15 pm
by pete
I can't see the photo so by "goat" I don't know if you mean an antelope, mountain goat or some other kind of goat but in any case congratulations. I shoot a 45-70 with a pure lead bullet with .200 meplat and there's usually some bloodshot area around the holes. There rifles add to the experience don't they.

Re: Bottleneck Buck

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:52 pm
by pete
Reread the title of your post so it must be an antelope. :roll:

Re: Bottleneck Buck

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:43 pm
by pacecars
Excellent! I shot a Whitetail doe last year with a .40-50SBN, great little round with no recoil.

Re: Bottleneck Buck

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:43 pm
by pacecars
Excellent! I shot a Whitetail doe last year with a .40-50SBN, great little round with no recoil.