I missed

[Rubberhead]

I've missed two deer clean in the past 15 yeards. I almost never shoot more 100 yards and both of these were inside that...I missed them both from the same stand...I won't go through all the mental gymnastics but it turns our that particular stand's front shooting rail is about 6" further out that the side rail so I was resting the rifle on the barrel instead of on the forearm. The results are high by about 6" at 100 yards and very repeatable. I haven't missed since...

 

[Miletic]

@Flbt - what a rare post - even though many (all) of us miss sometimes….damn few start a post about it. Your honesty, No excuses, is certainly a Quality many don’t have. As to why You (and many other) Good experianced shooters miss ? I don’t know but for ME - if I’m excited, heart pumping, then I know I’m not going to shoot as well as when I’m calm - I try to take an extra second and concentrate on Cross hairs steady-steady and Squeeze-squeeze-squeeze” that trigger. Another reason I’ve missed “rushed the shot”, worried the animal was about to leave, wind me, become obstructed by brush etc.. And lastly “flinch” which for me is also tied into excitement/adrenaline - was a problem earlier in my hunting career and has almost been eliminated as I became more experianced….but it’s directly proportionate to the size of the trophy, and If a 200” whitetail ever walked in front of me I am Certain a “flinch” would be possible again !!
But, if I NEVER missed then I don’t think hunting would be as exciting, I wouldn’t appreciate all the good shots if they became “routine”….unless there is always a chance of a “miss” —- a Hit just wouldn’t be as exciting.

Beautifully written. I could hunt with you my friend

 

[Nyati]

It happens, I missed a great warthog who was just posing, waiting to be shot !

Just hope your dog wasn´t too hard on you

 

[Art Lambart II]

A clean miss is much better than a bad hit.

 

[Flbt]

It happens. I've had some shots that I made that I thought to myself, "Wow I can't believe I did that!" And I've had some misses where I thought the exact same thing. In reliving those misses, I'm all but 100% certain I was a bit excited and pulled my head at the shot instead of staying down on the gun. Perhaps that's what's happened here?

It could have been.
But o don’t remember lifting my head and the x was on when the trigger broke.
Idk
Looked this morning still no buzzards in the air.

 

[Flbt]

I once belly crawled over hot rocks toward a bedded mule deer buck on a scorching September day during Kansas muzzleloader season, got struck at by a rattlesnake, dodged it, kept crawling, sat on the buck at 20 yards for about 40 minutes, he stood, and I fumbled the shot and shaved a tuft of hairs off the bottom of his brisket. One of my best memories.

I think I would have shot at the snake.
Hate those things.

 

[Flbt]

Hi friend. It's nothing terrible, it happens to everyone, just that you have the courage to write. Misses are an integral part of hunting. If every bullet fired hit an animal, they would have long since disappeared from our hunting grounds. The most important thing is that you did not injure the deer. The reason for the miss: since you are an experienced hunter and your nephew says that he has never seen you miss, the following is possible: 1. that you shot without a rest 2. that you accidentally touched some part of the rest with the barrel of the weapon 3. that you had a lamp attached to the barrel 4. that the bullet touched something in flight and 5. that you drank at least one beer more than usual

Was using a rest.
I don’t thing it tuched anything
No light
Cant see anything that the bullet could have hit ( hay field)
Don’t drink beer (and have not had whiskey since Christmas Day)
Idk my best guess is o rushed the shot.
He came out head high nose in the air like he was chasing a doe

 

[Miletic]

You probably rushed the trigger. Well, it just wasn't meant for you. The next one you see will be with bigger antlers and he will be yours

 

[Sailfish9453]

With a 6mm I had the bullet blow up 3 times Remington Corelock and Hornady Interlock.Changed to Nosler Accubond with no problems.

 

[Miletic]

It's a pity that Accu in 6mm does not have 100gr. I used Inter a few times on weights of around 100 kg and everything was fine. Fusio is also good

 

[Miletic]

Sorry,i thoug Fusion Federal

 

[Flbt]

Sorry,i thoug Fusion Federal

I like there 80 gr load but from what I can tell federal stoped making them.
And I have not found either of there other 2 loads in 6mm since they sold out 100ge blue box and a 100 gr partition

That’s why I bought the stuff for my brother in law to load for it.

 

[Miletic]

The Partition is excellent and retains a lot of mass, but I often have the lead tip get damaged as the bullet enters the barrel.

 

[Miletic]

For me,the best in 6mm is the Norma Oryx 100gr. Is not for longe range,but for distance to 300m is perfect

 

[Tex .416]

I flat out missed a good buck yesterday afternoon.
I waited till today to post because I wanted to check everything.
Deer came out still had good light. Cross hair on the shoulder. Less than 100 yds.
Ran out of the woods stopped in the field.
No blood hair or bone.
Got the dog out he did not find anything they came back this morning nothing.
Check the rifle 2 in high at 100
Shot it at 50 to make double sure.
It might have been a bit higher than 2 in but no more than 1/4 higher.
It’s a new bullet that I am trying a 6mm 100gr hot core
I have used hot core in other cal. Never had a problem.
The way the dog acted I honestly don’t think I touched the deer.
It was as hot enough last night by this afternoon buzzards should have been in the air if it would have died.

I think I just missed and don’t have excuses or explanation.
The reason I am posting this. The youngest nephew was with me looking over the sight while we were hunting.
Uncle I have never seen you miss. Told him it does happen.
He asked would I post my mistake here.
Told him I would. So I did.

I spent my day looking around saw no sign.
Took him this afternoon we saw a doe but the rut is starting here so he just watched it.

What a rare and refreshing post.

“New bullet” catches my eye as suspect. Working out new loads needs thorough testing in all temps. The possibility of a flyer is rumbling in the back of my mind.

Shoot enough, a miss or a wounded and lost animal will happen sooner or later.

A cold bore shot when tired, cold, bleary eyed, in an awkward shooting position with the heart racing and adrenaline flowing is far different than warmed up and comfy on the bench at the practice range.

Truly, your honesty and integrity is the most valuable lesson that young man learned. Well done.

 

[Flbt]

What a rare and refreshing post.

“New bullet” catches my eye as suspect. Working out new loads needs thorough testing in all temps. The possibility of a flyer is rumbling in the back of my mind.

Shoot enough, a miss or a wounded and lost animal will happen sooner or later.

A cold bore shot when tired, cold, bleary eyed, in an awkward shooting position with the heart racing and adrenaline flowing is far different than warmed up and comfy on the bench at the practice range.

Truly, your honesty and integrity is the most valuable lesson that young man learned. Well done.

It’s hard to shoot here in different temps.
Hot most of the time few cold or cool days like today 46f and everyone but me is saying it’s freezing lol

 

[Flbt]

For me,the best in 6mm is the Norma Oryx 100gr. Is not for longe range,but for distance to 300m is perfect

I want take a shot on a unwound deer over 300yds with the 6mm

 

[ftrovato]

As my dad used to say "So, you found out there is a lot of space around them!"

 

[Miletic]

I want take a shot on a unwound deer over 300yds with the 6mm

Eld-x and Accu is good choise (my opinion)

 

[Bonk]

A clean miss is much better than a bad hit.

^^^^^This^^^^^

I’ve missed a few times over decades of hunting but what really gets me is not knowing whether or not I injured an animal. I’m old enough that my ego is certainly capable of accepting the fact I missed but I absolutely hate the thought I might have wounded an animal. On the occasions it appears I missed I spend an inordinate amount of time and effort scouring the area looking for blood or fur to make damn sure that I did in fact miss. It’s one of those times I sincerely hope I don’t find what I’m looking for.