First one got away?

[ruger243223]

Well this morning me and my 5yr old son went in search of the elusive monster whitetail for saturdays opener and a yote sitting on his honches at 150 was just to enticing. I laid the .22.250 on the mirror and sent 52gr of inert lead and copper his way. Bulled him over and then to my suprise he jumped up barked at us and ran into a field 200yrds away. If I only had another round, sight in session the day before left me with only 1 round Anyway we went out to the spot where it should of been laying and a pile of blood and bone was all over looked like a hit from a 06. Any way I was just alittle :BLEEP: in the performance or in the shot placement but either way he got away. |oo I guess I will sulk in my sorrow until another day. HAPPY HUNTING

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Rug... I've heard of the "Shattered Coyote" syndrome before. They can sometimes be hard to kill. Question: were you using Sierra bullets? I've got nothing against the brand and they are very accurate in most rifles. Still, I've heard that they will either "vaporize" or shatter like glass if driven too fast, causing 'yotes' to shed parts all over the countryside while still running off -at least for a while.

 

[ruger243223]

you guessed it matchkings, I have never had this before in my older 250. I just purchased this one last wed. To me they all have seemed to be a great pelt bullet i have never had a big hole most in and outs. Not this time. Think I will switch to the TSX and the 50gr BT. Too bad cause fur buyer said the dogs are worth 25$ for a big one. Good thing season is still young. HAPPY HUNTING

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Right back at 'ya Rug. It has something to do with Sierra's tin to copper ratio of the bullet jacket, making it pretty brittle. Usually this makes for a great fur bullet that really holds together well and usually zips right on through. But, there is a sharp cut-off point when the velocity gets around 3700 to 3900 feet per second and terminal performance isn't quite what it should be and the bullet flies apart.
I used to use a really popular bullet that everyone raves about -until I almost lost a deer with them. I wacked him pretty well in the chest THREE TIMES and would have lost him if I hadn't started running after him. REALLY nasty looking entrance and exit wounds... bad bullet performance. I'll never say what brand it was :it always starts arguments that last for weeks. (Hint: It's the most popular custom bullet made.) Lesson of the story: Don't use stuff that doesn't work properly.