7-08 expert on GS?

[Silent Assassin]

I asked for an expert advice on the shot I made on Spike on my other thread but since it was a long read so I decided to start new thread on the 7-08's.

I use Rem Core Lockt 140 grain. When I shot the spike, It didn't have any blood, hair or whatsoever at the spot where I shot 'im. Not even on the trail where it took off.

Hunter, my dog, picked up the scent real quick after I let him out, led him to the area where I shot the spike. He went for the trail. Approx. 35-40 yards, Hunter found him piled up. Blood all over the area where it piled up. Nowhere else did I find the blood.

Let's see if someone can tell me why that has happened? As you can see from the picture. The side where the entry wound is, has a very little blood, I think it may have been a Double Lung Shot? The shot is probably 45 degree angle. Exit wound seems not to be too much of damage, just looks like it was hit in the shoulder area, maybe an artery? I do not know Deer's anatomy very well. This is my 2nd deer.

Shot was made approx. 165-175 +/_ yards.

While cutting him up, the shoulder area looks to be "liquified" and constantly bleeding when I skinned him, cut him. I can not explain that makes more sense but I am trying my best from what I remember when I skinned him.

Appreciate the feedback I can get from yall.

I would like to learn more about this shot so I can understand the scenario. I was lucky enough that he didn't go that far or go deep inside the woods. I am sure Hunter would've helped me find him but what if I didn't have Hunter with me and I couldn't pick up the blood trail. I wonder if I would find him? He laid up just few yards before my property line ended. So thankful for that.

Thank you so much for reading and offering up your expert advice or past experience.

[cattlelackranch]

sounds like one of two things.
bullet hit opposite shoulder and did not leave an exit wound (this is where most of your blood trails come from)
or bullet did not expand and exited or expanded little. Core locks usually do a good job expanding.
Sometimes things happen that you can't explain too. We shot a deer this weekend, huge blood splatter on ground where he shot (1 ft diamater) no blood trail after that. shooting 7 mag. found him 40 yds dead.

[Silent Assassin]

sounds like one of two things.
bullet hit opposite shoulder and did not leave an exit wound (this is where most of your blood trails come from)
or bullet did not expand and exited or expanded little. Core locks usually do a good job expanding.
Sometimes things happen that you can't explain too. We shot a deer this weekend, huge blood splatter on ground where he shot (1 ft diamater) no blood trail after that. shooting 7 mag. found him 40 yds dead.

I had thought the same thing what you said about hitting the shoulder/bone. I will know for sure when I bone out this week.

I guess the scenario you had and what I had would mean that every scenario would be different every time. It's not like it's a guarantee blood trails after we shoot our deer?

[PondPopper]

Not trying to lecture, just help. Shoot a different bullet. No core-lock.
I've seen a core-lock enter and exit on the same side before. Not a very reliable bullet. If your are going to shoot factory loads shoot the 140 gr. Federal fusion. They perform very well.

[Huntindad]

I shot a doe with a .50 cal muzzleloader. 300 grain sabbot. No blood trail at all. Blew right through her. If the shot is a high lung shot, most times I have seen sparse to no blood trail... bow or gun. They bleed... just into the cavity.

[Silent Assassin]

Not trying to lecture, just help. Shoot a different bullet. No core-lock.
I've seen a core-lock enter and exit on the same side before. Not a very reliable bullet. If your are going to shoot factory loads shoot the 140 gr. Federal fusion. They perform very well.

Thanks for the advice. I did have fusion at one point but never bought another box after that. I will do that from now on.

I shot a doe with a .50 cal muzzleloader. 300 grain sabbot. No blood trail at all. Blew right through her. If the shot is a high lung shot, most times I have seen sparse to no blood trail... bow or gun. They bleed... just into the cavity.

That's what it looked like when I cut im up, it was bleeding a lot more from the inside.

It did bleed a lot on the ground when I picked him up from the spot to the gutting station though.

[Huntindad]

I have used core lock from .223 to 30-06. I've never had any issues with them. including the 7mm-08. Shoot what you are comfortable /confident in. Just like broadheads. Congrats on the deer.

[BoneDigger]

Not trying to lecture, just help. Shoot a different bullet. No core-lock.
I've seen a core-lock enter and exit on the same side before. Not a very reliable bullet. If your are going to shoot factory loads shoot the 140 gr. Federal fusion. They perform very well.

I agree that every gun tends to shoot a round differently, but I can't blame this on the Core Lokt. I have been shooting Core Lokt in my 7mm-08 for several years and have never had this issue with them. They expand very well and leave a good blood trail (when necessary, usually they just drop though).

I had bad experience with Winchester (especially Silver Tips) in my 7mag, so I shy away from them. But, others have reported good results. I use Core Lokt in my 30-30, 243, and 7-08 with no issues.

Todd

[jbird77]

I always use 140 gr core loc's too and experience the same thing. The deer never go more than 20 yds but there is definitely no blood trail. Shot a small buck the other day and he dropped in his tracks and then stood back up. Shot him again and he went right down again for good. I've shot some does that just cut a flip. You never know what your gonna get. But the core loct's always seem to group better out of my gun. They're priced right and I haven't lost a deer yet with them so I'll keep using em

[Smart]

The Corelokt bullet is fine...they have been killing deer for years.

Every deer bleeds differently. It just happens. It looks like you entered in his liver and shot angled away which gives the bullet more time in the cavity and lodged in the offside shoulder. The shot is midlevel so the chest cavity probably filled up before it started leaking. The deer was dead in 40 yards. Sounds like a great shot to me.

Had you let the deer get broadside, I bet a passthrough at 175 would have yielded the blood trail you demanded.

[Silent Assassin]

I have used core lock from .223 to 30-06. I've never had any issues with them. including the 7mm-08. Shoot what you are comfortable /confident in. Just like broadheads. Congrats on the deer.

Thank you. Ive used same ammo for all hogs Ive hunted wout any problems, too. I do like corelokts and does group real well. I guess its different scenario then.

I agree that every gun tends to shoot a round differently, but I can't blame this on the Core Lokt. I have been shooting Core Lokt in my 7mm-08 for several years and have never had this issue with them. They expand very well and leave a good blood trail (when necessary, usually they just drop though).

I had bad experience with Winchester (especially Silver Tips) in my 7mag, so I shy away from them. But, others have reported good results. I use Core Lokt in my 30-30, 243, and 7-08 with no issues.

Todd

Good to know.

I always use 140 gr core loc's too and experience the same thing. The deer never go more than 20 yds but there is definitely no blood trail. Shot a small buck the other day and he dropped in his tracks and then stood back up. Shot him again and he went right down again for good. I've shot some does that just cut a flip. You never know what your gonna get. But the core loct's always seem to group better out of my gun. They're priced right and I haven't lost a deer yet with them so I'll keep using em

Yes, I like em for price as well.

The Corelokt bullet is fine...they have been killing deer for years.

Every deer bleeds differently. It just happens. It looks like you entered in his liver and shot angled away which gives the bullet more time in the cavity and lodged in the offside shoulder. The shot is midlevel so the chest cavity probably filled up before it started leaking. The deer was dead in 40 yards. Sounds like a great shot to me.

Had you let the deer get broadside, I bet a passthrough at 175 would have yielded the blood trail you demanded.

Yeah, it was mid level shot and quartering away from me. Ure probably right about chest cavity which makes a lot more sense now.

Both spikes started to walk away from me and it was do or die moment for me because I had only hour left before I have to start pack up and go home. I waited for it to walk across to the feeder or at least eat off of the trail where my front g.b. is at for me to shoot broadside. This is why I had to take that shot when they started to walk away further from me.

Appreciate the insight.