Huntsman + 285gr spitfire=WOW

[coop2564]

Brought some t7 3f loose and some barnes 285gr expander mz spitfires man this combo shot like a dream in my huntsman. Had been shooting the t7 pellets and xtp 250gr getting good groups mostly 1.5'' Found a local store that had t7 3f on sale for 8$ I had wanted to try the barnes bullets so I brought them also and some remington kleenbore primers. They were a little hard to load in 45 degree temp but man did they shoot. After a couple of sight adjustsment and different charges I settled on 90grs and a quarter would cover my 5 shot group. 1st three were basicly one hole I thought I had missed 2nd & 3rd shot looking through scope walked to target and all three had just made a bigger hole with 4 and 5 cutting the edges. Dont know if primers or loose powder helped with crud ring but it was not a problem with this combo. I'm Pumped had to share.  

[slayer]

Great combo indeed!! I bet alot of people try this combo now. I wouldn`t want to be a deer in front of that load :grin: Jack.

[mangulator]

That's great shooting. The Sidekicks/Huntsman muzzleloader can shoot most everything that's loaded into them with great results.

[Bob W.]

thats great news.  I also have been thinking of using the barnse bullets after seeing what they looked like when my son shot a deer with his .12 ga.  Have you shot a deer yet?  Wondering how the pointed bullet will expand in the muzzle loader.

[coop2564]

Not yet, been afew times but I think the deer are scared of them. I have shot several deer with the rifle tripple shock version a 10pt the bullet broke both front leg bones passing through heart, deer plowed ground about 10yds, doe I gut shot at 200yds didnt allow for cross wind she went 20yd and fell, she was dead in less than 3 minutes. those pedals are razor sharp. I have never seen a gut shot deer die that fast. They will pentrate a deer from end to end, in the south in thick pine plantations  a exit wound is a must for me, it takes a lot of blood to trail a deer in pine straw a drop falls through the needles to ground were you cant see it, only marking the needle in a very small spot the needles are very thin. And its to thick to just walk around and hope to see the deer. With other ML bullets I have had pentration problems, a bullet that doesnt make it out the other side is a failure to me. Hunting from tree stands my entry hole is high a lot of times making the exit very nessary. I'll update when I get one.

[Tcallbuilder]

Wow! thats good shootin!  sounds like you found your load.
That barnes should make for a good load. but if you are looking for more penatration....my load is a 300gr horndy XTP mag. its a .45 cal (.452) with a sabot.
I have lost track of how many deer ive killed with this bullet and have never recovered one.....they have all passed through and exited.
One a 4-point I shot in the chest....the bullet passed through and broke its hind leg before exiting.......and was only loaded with 85grains pyrodex.

TCB

[coop2564]

Used the 285gr spitfire today on a cull spike 9'' beams. Broke near shoulder exited behind other shoulder. He stumbled flipped and flopped about 20yds. Shot was 60yds. Lots of blood but he wasn't moving very fast he was having severe difficultlys. I would give the bullet a A+. By far the most accuracte bullet I have shot out of my huntsman.

[mspaci]

Why would you call a spike a cull? Just aking as it has been proven many times spikes can & often become awsome bucks if left to grow. Every hunter wants to shoot a big buck & if they say they dont they are flat out lying, but many hunters can not grasp the FACT that you have to let the little ones GO. Just my opinion Mike

[coop2564]

The great spike debate. Depends on were you are and what biologist you talk to and what management goals you have. While its true just because a young buck is a spike he can grow into a buck that most hunters would be happy to take say a 130'' 8pt or even better under some circumstances. In Texas were this deer was shot our studies show that if a spike has 6'' or longer beams with avg body size that this buck will only reach that 8pt 130'' size on avg, on highly managed clubs and ranches this is not exceptable. While I know most hunters would be happy with such a buck, we are not, he is taking up range space and food that a buck of higher quality could occupy. Its what we call a cull and a 8pt with 130'' or less is also a cull at maturity. We have grasped the fact that you have to let the little guys go to get big. We just take that to a higher level and chose the best of the little guys to get bigger. Most of our club members have passed 10-25 bucks a piece this year. And yes I do want to shoot a big buck and have 14 mounted that score over 130''. Its just our management plan, works for us. Were on the same page let the little ones grow. We just want the best of the best

[coop2564]

The spitfire and huntsman teamed up on a large doe this morning. She was 75yds shot was tight behind shoulder, had complete pentration she went 40yds, a blind man could have followed blood trail. There was a piece of lung bigger than a silver dollar about 5 yds passed were deer was standing on impact and found another 20yds down blood trail about half that size. Its a copper buzz saw.

[Busta]

Congratulations coop! What is the story on that dandy buck in your avatar? Got a bigger picture, sure looks nice and high.

[coop2564]

It's from East TX. 8pt 21'' inside spread, gross 151'' weight was 215lb.

[Busta]

Thanks, very nice!