First Blackpowder kill and first mule deer

[Bbell]

Just got back from a quick hunt. I burned 9 preference points this year thinking I had more time to hunt. Due to a trip that got moved I ended up with only 2.5 days to hunt. I made the best of it and ended up taking this doe the last morning. Nothing to exiting cause spotted them off the road. I got out and got off the forest service road and tried to get into position. Missed my first shot when I used a sapling as a rest. Bad idea, I think I would have been steadier off hand. They stayed put so I reloaded and dropped to a stump. That shot took her right on the shoulder and passed through the offside rib cage. She walked about 10yds and fell over kicking. I ended putting another one in her cause she wasn’t quite finished yet. Something I learned was that the .54 is not a good finisher for shooting them in the head.  Overall we saw more than 50 deer and I put a stalk on a buck that was around 26” but he pinned us down 130yds out with only his face showing. It was a fun hunt! I used a Lyman GPR .54. 90gr of Swiss FFFg with a mink oil patch and a .530 ball. Also added the pic of the car because everyone thinks Subaru drivers are hippies Thanks for listening.
Brandon






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[wattlebuster]

Congrats on a couple of first's Should be some good eats there

[snapper]

good job!

my wife drives an Outback, and no there will never be the typical bumper stickers you normally see on them as long as we own it.

Fleener

[OldMtnMan]

Good job on the doe. She'll eat good.

Pretty stout load for deer. I'd only use 70gr of 3F Swiss for elk.

[Osprey]

Congrats!!

[thelongrifle]

Congratulations on making great memories.

[Bbell]

I think I am hooked on this blackpowder stuff! I plan on trying to fill my cow elk tag with it in January so that is why I’m shooting that load. Plus a bit flatter trajectory. I would love to put together a Chambers Virginia rifle in .62. Someday maybe.

[OldMtnMan]

You have to be careful with a round ball expanding too fast and not getting the penetration. That's why I don't shoot too heavy of a load. A half inch hole through both lungs is a kill. That would be with no expansion.

Swiss 3F is a strong powder. It doesn't take as much as someone using 2F Goex. I understand a flatter trajectory is handy, but terminal performance is more important.

Good luck with the cow hunt. My favorite meat.

[Bbell]

That makes sense. Seems 90gr is pretty popular with the Lyman’s, but being swiss and fffg to boot would make it pretty stout.

[smylee grouch]

Nice job on the deer. If it were me, I would switch to 2f swiss or even 1&1/2 swiss and bump up to 100 grs. in the 54 for elk. 110 grs. + in a 58 or 62.  This would happen only if the rifle still shot good groups.

[hanshi]

Congratulations!  Nothing like the first BP deer.

[Daryl]

Congratulations, Brandon! Well done.

[Matthew1969]

Excellent! Well done! Very frustrating to acquire so many points for the opportunity to hunt. But when you get the tag....!
Matthew

[Longwalker]

Congrats to you  Brandon. Some good venison there! I am still looking to close the deal on some venison this season too! We Will See!
Harry

[Vomitus]

Congratulations!

[HAWKEN]

Congratulations Brandon, you have done well!  Any venison flavored with black powder tastes better.  Keep yer powder dry..........robin 

[Joe S.]

Congrats on filling your tag,good eats there and good luck on your other hunt.