Author Topic: Anatomical Shots (Read 6743 times)

billythekidrock · « **on:** March 12, 2009, 07:19:30 PM »

Below is part of a post I found on predatormasters by stiff neck. It is a great thread and the whole thing can be read here http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=53011853&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1 but I wanted to share part of it here.

~
Coyotes offer us a million different shot angles, so let's just take a typical broadside shot to use as an example to keep things simple. Before we continue any further, look at this first picture and tell me where you'd put your shot.

Ok, now that you have chosen your shot placement, you may continue reading.

There are a thousand warnings on hunting forms like this one to stay away from the front shoulder or else the bullet will "splash" and you'll probably end up with a runner. However, there are a lot of coyote hunters, especially new hunters, who do not know where the shoulder really is. Many incorrectly think this is the shoulder due to the coyote's shape and fur color:

So they pick a spot "just behind the shoulder" and aim somewhere around here:

I bet a lot of hunters here chose that yellow dot at their aiming point. Yes? That is probably a lethal shot, but it may not be the best location to aim at. If you could peel the skin back, this is what you'd see below your aiming spot:

If you aim "just behind the shoulder" like the above diagrams show, you're really aiming at the very rear portion of the lungs and the liver. Clipping the lungs results in spins and runoffs.

If you're having problems with dogs that run away, perhaps you should consider altering your shot placement.

Let's go back and start over. Here's the same coyote standing broadside.

Where is his shoulder? Right about here:

I don't have as many kills under my belt as others do, but I do have an extremely high rate of DRT's. That's my goal every time I go out. I credit very careful shot placement combined with caliber/bullet selection.

Where do I aim? I draw a line down the neck and another line up the front leg. It is very simple to visualize these lines in the field. The spot where those lines meet is the magic death zone.

Why is that the magic spot? That's where all the goodies are! Look under the skin:

With a fragmenting bullet, you'll destroy the heart and severely damage at least one lung, probably both. I've found that even slightly quartering to, or slightly quartering away, this shot is lights out with my 223 and 40gr Vmax reloads. Bang-flop, lights out! When I pick them up, you can hear the vitals sloshing around.

Even if you hit the front leg (femur) on a shot quartering towards you, you'll still blast right thru it and destroy the heart even with a light bullet. I'd still recommend staying away from the shoulder blade, but I have never hit one yet so I don't have any personal experience there.

You never know how a coyote is going to approach you, or what angle you're going to be presented with for a shot, but there are things you can do to better your odds. Practicing with your equipment from field positions, knowing your limitations, careful stand selection and your position on the stand, and stopping coyotes for the shot are helpful.

Don't aim "at" a coyote, aim smart, aim for his vitals. Now, let's go out there and DRT some coyotes!
~

Gutpile · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2009, 07:27:10 PM »

Me and MHWASH aim here;

littlebuf · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2009, 08:01:39 PM »

i swear i didnt cheat, and ive yet to get a yote but i picked the exact spot that he highlighted as the right shot

rasbo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2009, 08:11:35 PM »

1 INCH ABOVE CENTER OF BOTH EYES

shoot-em-dead · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:28:59 PM »

I went out wensday and had two runners. 1 kept on going and I went down to find the second and he was still alive in the weedy part of a lake. I couldn't see him but I could hear him gasping and gurgling. It was already getting dark and I wasn't about to get wet in 17 degrees to get a yote that was still alive. Anyway the spot on the first pic is where I've been aiming all year. I thought the shoulder was straight above the leg. If it is will my 22-250 break through that bone. Shooting 50 GR SP Hornady bullet #2245. With 34.5 grains of H4895. Maybe this is why I've been having so much trouble putting them down- aiming too far back?

Gutpile · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:30:30 PM »

Where'd your pic go 10 gauge? Yer right. When I take the AR I can't hit a damn thing. When I take the swift it's a done deal. Thank god for 30 round mags, not that they help me any.

Big10gauge · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:33:55 PM »

Quote from: Gutpile on March 12, 2009, 09:30:30 PM

Where'd your pic go 10 gauge? Yer right. When I take the AR I can't hit a damn thing. When I take the swift it's a done deal. Thank god for 30 round mags, not that they help me any.

I didn't think you would see it since you went offline, well since you're back.

Gutpile · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:36:44 PM »

My daughter needed the PC for homework. I was surfing on my phone but can't see pics so I was waiting to see it. I went to your profile and saw it there. You are correct. Thats a good one!!!

shoot-em-dead · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:41:05 PM »

So you guys are recommending a thirty plus clip to increase my odds. I'll check with the wife and see if I can convince her.

MHWASH · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:44:41 PM »

No comment!

Gutpile · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:46:09 PM »

Quote

So you guys are recommending a thirty plus clip to increase my odds. I'll check with the wife and see if I can convince her.

It doesn't help me any.

That bullet your using should be fine. I used to use the hornady 50 grn SXSP and they were awesome but always passed through.

GEARHEAD · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2009, 11:25:43 PM »

i have shot most of my yotes with a .243 58gr V-MAX, AT 3750fps. if i hit 'em in the toe, half the body blows

up

ICEMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:01:09 AM »

Great article Willie.

Big10gauge · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:10:28 AM »

Quote from: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:01:09 AM

Great article Willie.

Yep,

Kind of got sidetracked. The scapula blade does rotate up and down some depending on the humerus (upper leg bone)position.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:20:28 AM »

Just remember, it is not my post. I stole it.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:23:01 AM »

I take it back then.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:28:45 AM »

Quote from: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:23:01 AM

I take it back then.

Quote from: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:01:09 AM

Great article Willie.

Now you can't. Besides, I stated it at the top of the article and by reading it and replying you consented, agreed and became part of everything.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:30:59 AM »

Okay.

Anyway, those pics are fantastic. Very cool job by whomever.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:34:07 AM »

Quote from: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:30:59 AM

Okay. Anyway, those pics are fantastic. Very cool job by whomever.

Yea, he did a great job. The original post even has some photos of bone structure and vitals on cats.

Gutpile · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:40:30 AM »

Now we need one for a bear.

Big10gauge · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:45:06 AM »

Here's one.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2009, 04:50:25 PM »

I have posted a few for bear in the past. The one posted above and a couple more I think. I will look for them.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2009, 05:39:37 PM »

News:

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Author Topic: Anatomical Shots (Read 6743 times)

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