shot placement, close range, firearms restricted

[Dbax129]

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were for someone using a .357 and/or 12 gauge. I drew a 2nd deer tag and would like to take one with each. The deer in this area are not very shy, and they are everywhere. Also, its "any deer" otc and "antlerless only" for the 2nd.  My goal is to have very little wasted meat and not have to track too far. The range will be pretty close, maybe 10-30 yards. I will be using 00 buck in the 12 gauge.  The plot of land I will be hunting is about 300 acres, so hopefully they will stop before crossing property lines.   
Was thinking the neck after reading some other posts, what would yall do?

[Jonathan_S]

Why not slugs?  Put one of those through a heart and I doubt the track would be far.

If 00 it's gotta be then neck or shoulder would still put it down quick. 

With the .357 I would not shoot for a neck shot.

[Russ McDonald]

  or just use a bow if you have one available.

[jackelope]

Right behind the shoulder.

[Dbax129]

Never shot a bow.  00 because the shotgun my dad left me has a choke on it that I don't know how to remove. No tool required, you just twist the choke to adjust it, and I was told it was a bad idea to shoot slugs through it.   
Advising against the neck *censored* with .357, next best place would be just behind the shoulder through the ribs and double lung, plus maybe heart?
What if I have one within 20 yards, facing right at me?  Ideally I would like to take broad side or quartering away, but if the situation arises, would that be a good neck shot with 12 gauge or heart shot with the .357?

[Mike450r]

I shot a decent blacktail buck with .357 158 grn Buffalo Bore at about 20 yards.  right behind the shoulder, he turned and took off like he thought he was going somewhere but only made it about 5-10 feet.

At close range 10-20 yards a head/neck shot with 00 should sit the deer down right where it was standing, past that I would recommend aiming at the shoulder so you are more sure that vitals will catch something.

[FLIZZ]

That's a bummer you can't get that choke out, slugs would be the way to go for sure, I wouldn't even heave 00 buck out to 30 yards without knowing there was a good tracking session in the my future.

[lokidog]

I shot a decent blacktail buck with .357 158 grn Buffalo Bore at about 20 yards.  right behind the shoulder, he turned and took off like he thought he was going somewhere but only made it about 5-10 feet.

At close range 10-20 yards a head/neck shot with 00 should sit the deer down right where it was standing, past that I would recommend aiming at the shoulder so you are more sure that vitals will catch something.

Personally would not do it unless I had patterned the gun a lot and knew it had a tight pattern with no "brain" sized holes in it.  Just go for the lungs, four or five of those balls through there and it won't go far as well as a chance to break one of the front legs.  You will ruin very little meat as a shotgun does not explode everything like a highpower rifle bullet, from my experience.

Slugs do great and shoot fine out of all but full chokes.  Is your shotgun a Sears or JC Higgins with the choke on the end that you turn to different settings?  If it is, you can just adjust it to an open setting.  I have shot rifled slugs through mine with no problems.

[Russ McDonald]

I shot a decent blacktail buck with .357 158 grn Buffalo Bore at about 20 yards.  right behind the shoulder, he turned and took off like he thought he was going somewhere but only made it about 5-10 feet.

At close range 10-20 yards a head/neck shot with 00 should sit the deer down right where it was standing, past that I would recommend aiming at the shoulder so you are more sure that vitals will catch something.

Personally would not do it unless I had patterned the gun a lot and knew it had a tight pattern with no "brain" sized holes in it.  Just go for the lungs, four or five of those balls through there and it won't go far as well as a chance to break one of the front legs.  You will ruin very little meat as a shotgun does not explode everything like a highpower rifle bullet, from my experience.

Slugs do great and shoot fine out of all but full chokes.  Is your shotgun a Sears or JC Higgins with the choke on the end that you turn to different settings?  If it is, you can just adjust it to an open setting.  I have shot rifled slugs through mine with no problems.

Mossburg also had that style choke to and Loki is right.  Shoot the slug through it on open not full.

[jackelope]

00 buck at greater than 15-20 yards should be patterned 1st before any shots were attempted. Who knows where those BB's will end up.
That choke was probably made that way as part of the barrel. Not designed to come out.

[Dbax129]

Loki it sure is. It's a Sears Robuck 200 or something like that.  Great to know, I will open it up and try out some rifled slugs when I go pattern this buck shot next week.  I've got 100 paper plates to burn some holes through.  Maybe even some 4" dessert plates if the slugs work out or I can choke the shot well enough.

[Dbax129]

Also, any thoughts on these weapons for a straight on chest shot or is that too risky?

[lokidog]

Loki it sure is. It's a Sears Robuck 200 or something like that.  Great to know, I will open it up and try out some rifled slugs when I go pattern this buck shot next week.  I've got 100 paper plates to burn some holes through.  Maybe even some 4" dessert plates if the slugs work out or I can choke the shot well enough.

Be sure to NOT use the sabot slugs as they won't spin.  The nice thing is the rifled slugs are cheaper too.  My old gun is a bolt action.

Rifled slug is an ounce of lead, it will penetrate the brisket on a straight on shot, the problem is it will probably also penetrate the rest of the gut cavity as well and could even make it between the heart and lungs.  Broadside shot is still the best bet as it will leave a good exit hole for the blood to flow.

[jackelope]

Also, any thoughts on these weapons for a straight on chest shot or is that too risky?

Same rules apply. It's a low % show IMO. Stick to broadside.

[BsB]

or just use a bow if you have one available.

or a cross bow. Legal during modern season in restricted units. Me personally, I run truball slugs or 00buck. I've had good luck bear hunting out to 30/40yrds with 00buck and mod choke in my mossy 28" 12G. Need to get more target practice with the truballs. Rise and fall is crazy with slugs I've noticed.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4