Input sought on .300 wsm trajectory

[saylean]

Due to my recent cougar miss at close range (13 paces), I wanted to get insight on the situation and possible causes.

Situation:

Target was 13 paces away..so about 10-13 yards.
Was shooting a 165 grain, Federal Vital Shock
Scope was on 10 Power (3.5X10 Leopold B and C)
Aimed dead center between the eyes of the head of the cougar, while at ground level.
Night Time, no wind.
Rifle is sighted in, dead center, 100 yards.

The question is...how much of a rise would I get from the bullet at such close ranges (if any)? I was told that since the scope was on 10 power, that could have been the issue as well. I had to have it on 10 to make out the face of the cougar....and once it wouldnt leave, the shot was taken without thought of the power of scope (due to nerves on the situation).

I looked up the logistics of the round, etc, but wanted other thoughts from hunters.

Of course, I could have just plain missed....which does happen to the best of us.

Thanks for the thoughts.

D~

[Mike450r]

I have to say you just missed is all.  At 13 yards sighted in dead on at 100 the bullet should still be slightly rising from line of fire.   You would have point balnk accuracy though holding dead on from the muzzle to 100 yards.

Magnification effects shot placement somewhat I guess,  but I have a bad habit of always being set on 9x and don't find it being a problem.

[Bofire]

  Just a miss, you were prolly 1.5 inch low. same as the bore is below the scope, at 10 yards trajectory is non existant. 10 yards/10X??? sumthn seems wrong here.
Carl

[Gutpile]

I agree. What a bummer though.

[GEARHEAD]

just a miss, it happens, at that range your bullet should hit an inch and a half low maybe

[Intruder]

At that range trajectory wasn't a factor... prolly just pulled it.  I did the same thing on an elk at 60 yards.  Slam dunk shot 99% of the time.  It happens

[runningboard]

as others have said since your scope is mounted OVER the bore the bullet has to travel up to the line of sight, crossing it at about twenty-thirty yards. being that close it will shoot low and you shot right under him. I did the same thing once and my partner threatened to kick my butt for trying a head-shot! I had my scope for ground squirrel shooting and it was also a 10x with an Adjustable objective and at the close range I could barely see crosshairs.

[GoldTip]

Saylean, not an answer to your wuestion but a question as to your set up.  Why do you have the gun sighted dead on at 100 yards?  I too have a 3.5x10 B&C reticled VXIII by leupy and from what I read sighting the gun in as you have totally negates the benefits of having the B&C reticle?

[Ray]

I don't have the answer but I missed a coyote at short range before. Then I went to the range and shot my rifle at 25,50,100,200 yards to make sure I knew exactly where my rounds might impact. That particular rifle has iron sights and a scope. I prefer to use the iron sights at short range because target acquisition is much easier for me. I zero the scope a couple inches high at 100 yards. At 13 paces dead on with my iron sights as long as I do my part I would expect a kill for a broadside shot. I don't think I would aim between the eyes in most cases but am not knocking you at all for taking an instinctive shot at a smaller target.. It might be the reason you missed though. It could be possible that you just squeezed the trigger too hard or breathed too much or had too much adrenaline to get that kill shot.

[saylean]

Saylean, not an answer to your wuestion but a question as to your set up.  Why do you have the gun sighted dead on at 100 yards?  I too have a 3.5x10 B&C reticled VXIII by leupy and from what I read sighting the gun in as you have totally negates the benefits of having the B&C reticle?

Hey all, thanks for the responses...
I guess a cougar at night..who wouldnt be a bit pumped up?!

I have the B&C reticle...pretty much, just cause I could (I guess). Rarely do I ever take a 100 yard+ shot on anything...but as I recall, I got it just in case I wanted to start taking longer shots...