Thread: Shooting through stuff.

Most recently had a 6mm projectile deflect so badly through what I though was very fine brush that I clean missed an animal from about 10m and was absolutely sure of a steady shot.

Was a 70gr 6mm projectile though so quite short, which seems to align with experience from others being that longer projectiles deflect less.

These might do it.

not according to some ..its round nosed and heavy and slow......I would happily say it will work just fine.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

not according to some ..its round nosed and heavy and slow......I would happily say it will work just fine.

Well one of my old load for the 416 remmy had 340 gainers nudging just past 2700fps.
Big heavy and fast would work too I reckon lol

freight train comes to mind.

Back in the 80’s I run a muck with my 243. I had found an area ploughed up by a big stag and had found several freshly used rut pads (this was in June) I retreated out of area with the intention of returning for evening hunt and came prepared for a late night with spotlight. It was only a few minutes walk into the area that had the rut pads back in the pines in a clear area. I sat back against a tree and waited , listening to the trees rattling in the average breeze. Half an hour before dark out stepped a massive stag beautiful antlers that almost formed a circle and white tips every where. He walked around to my right then stopped behind a light screen of scrub but still visible enough for a good shot. I fired , he launched and in a bound was gone, no blood and I could hear him disappearing towards the gorge. I went to where he was standing at the shot and found the screen of scrub was about 10 meters in front of him and my 243 bullet just didn’t make it through.
On the morning hunt I had my 30 06 but decided to take the 243 in the evening as I new the shot would be close so figured the nice accurate 243 was the ticket, I think the out come would have been better with the 30 06 but I will never know now.
I remember reading a Norma catalogue and they set up a test shooting through willow sticks and tried various cartridges and the one least affected was the 222 REM.

Standard issue for it and the old 416 Rigby which had a major hand in its development was 400grs at 2400 fps

Originally Posted by john m

These might do it.
Attachment 217625

My guess is that SD has something to do with it also. A 45 cal 500gn has a train load of SD (.34). On the other hand the 100gn 243 is .24 which is still reasonable. .22lr is crap, 0.11 or there about.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

My guess is that SD has something to do with it also. A 45 cal 500gn has a train load of SD (.34). On the other hand the 100gn 243 is .24 which is still reasonable. .22lr is crap, 0.11 or there about.

Yes. Exactly the reason I have never thought you need premium or bonded bullets for 6.5 caliber. They penetrate so well anyway 'cos of their high SD.

170grn .277 has better SD than a 180grn .308 think back to when 200-220grn was usual load for 303 and 30/06 they were considered very good penertrating loads and ok at brush busting..same thing,heavy and long..an arrow is the extreme of this
many many years ago the BS tv programme thats incredible did a demo that has always stuck with me....sand bag stopped rifle and handgun bullets but an arrow went right through it...I believe its because the arse is still pushing the front and momentum keeps it going where as the bullet is short and all getting slowed up at same time.
think of a train crash.....the rear carrages keep pushing the front.

Also, an arrow is designed to expend as little energy as possible in order to achieve the most cutting area possible. Where as a bullet is designed to expend its energy rather quickly. Two totally different methods of killing. You really do not want to get a deflection of any sort with an arrow. it will ruin your day.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Well one of my old load for the 416 remmy had 340 gainers nudging just past 2700fps.
Big heavy and fast would work too I reckon lol

The 416 will have great penetration due to momentum. Interestingly, although there are tables for calculating momentum no one ever considers it, only referring to foot pounds of energy. It is the ability to maintain a straight path after hitting scrub that is of interest.
I had an instance two years ago where with a good rest and time I gut shot a two year old stag at about 140 metres. I then stood up and shot another one in the chest at 200. I pondered that first poor shot for a long time and went back for some forensics. There was some fine Manuka about six metres in front of where the stag had been that the bullet must have clipped. He was moving forward slowly feeding and I was trying to time things to get two. Even though shot in the guts, he only went a short distance before collapsing. That was a 140 gr Accubond and I doubt a cup and core would of stopped that deer. So the AB did not keep a perfect straight path, but it did hold together to anchor the deer

Had been following this thread with interest. Friday just gone spent a few hours goat shooting in reasonably tight scrub, 10-15m visibility at best, using 223. Anyhow, 5 goats were shot with intervening light scrub in front of animals. One animal was trotting across gap in front of me. Took a shot and got animal in the chest but also dropped 40mm sapling that was directly in front of animal. Wasn’t pretty but it worked. Anyhow my point is that some people get to hung up on waiting for perfectly clear shots and maybe lose out on an animal. Admittedly the odd follow up shot is required but that can happen any time. No photos as generally can’t be arsed with goats, take token or gps waypoint and move on. Just my 2 cents.