Margin of error is greater with .270.

I get your point but the only drawback with the .270 is recoil. That's it.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Yeah, shouldn't be aiming at the shoulder. Behind the shoulder and you have a giant target of vitals with no lost meat... especially if you wait for both shoulders to be clear for the shot.

I would still take a .270 over a 22-250 on a deer any day.

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That's the plan when I go back in a couple of weeks. It was my first deer. So I was just happy it was quick and ethical, I didn't have to chase it, and I didn't gut shot it. I'm sure I'll be more prepared and will practice as much as possible before then and won't hit the shoulder again.

You did nothing wrong for your first deer! Congratulations, again!

I always shoot through both shoulders if I can. There's not enough good meat on one to put on a cracker. Plus, you break both shoulders and they don't go anywhere.

Not enough meat in a sholders? On does that dress close to 130/140 lbs ... There is over 10-15 deboned meat per a side.

We talkin' 'bout sausage here, padre!

Thank you! The ranch manager said both of them were about 7 years old, exactly what he had asked me to shoot. So I got the invite back for the management hunt. Looking forward to a hobby I can enjoy for many years.

I appreciate all the input everyone has given me as well.

NW80 said:

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I always shoot through both shoulders if I can. There's not enough good meat on one to put on a cracker. Plus, you break both shoulders and they don't go anywhere.

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Wasteful

Surprised no one brought up 308. Cheap to shoot. Good caliber.

JR

With a big bruiser you can get at least 5 lbs of ground off the neck and shoulders

Why dont people shoot the heart? If you can hit high shoulder, you can hit the heart. Its by far the best option imo. Bleeds the deer out and kills just as fast.
This is One of the reasons i like 22-250. Can pop that grape every time.


LOL.
That had to be a troll. Nice work. I took it like a fish

I've taken rib meat before

I took a truly massive bodied buck on a south texas high fence ranch last season wirh a ruger american compact 22-250. Biggest boddied buck i have ever killed. Animals that grow up eating protein feed year round are different beasts. sumbeesh had so much meat on his front half. Got physically tired by the time i was done deboning him Took forever.

Nobody takes neck shots anymore?

BlueSmoke said:

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Nobody takes neck shots anymore?

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Thank you.

Enjoying my popcorn here reading replies on calibers that weren't asked for and by folks that most likely havent had to guide inexperienced hunters and track their deer afterwards....

The deer isn't always standing perfectly still at 100yds in zero wind shooting from a blind that's a glorfied bench rest folks.

Of the calibers asked, 30-06 and yes, shoot them in the shoulder, if you have to. I've had to track 6 deer from one of those "death dealer" calibers that were all shot behind the shoulder because someone wanted to "save the meat". (t was a guy on my lease, nice guy but knew nothing about hunting/killing things) Well, contrats because the coyotes will thank you for it. Once the deer made it off the property, it was gone.

No way no how there is more than one way to kill a whitetail.

Nope

As a kid at age 6 (56 years ago and I have no idea how many deer) an old man taught me to line the vertical crosshairs up with the front leg and horizontal one in the middle... then squeeze.
If you miss back, no big deal!
Likewise missing forward.
Behind the shoulder and you miss back ... likely lost deer ( especially with the lighter CARTRIDGE)!

Just left Cabelas with the Ruger American .270 with the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12 glass.

If you guys want to keep talking shot placement I'm all ears though.

Hell yeah! Congratulations

Honestly That's why you keep a German Shepard around. He's 17-17 in the past 2 years (no not my kills)
The oldest track was 24 hrs after a deluge... trough thick thick brush.

I honestly think he could find about dam near anything you he was put on.

TxSquarebody said:

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So much hate for .22 caliber bullets in here! If you can't place your shot, what difference does it make?

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That's the exact point. A bigger round with more energy is more forgiving and produces more damage. Especially for a less than ideal shot.

Anywhere from just behind the shoulder all the way up to the brain. 270 will work just fine. All around hunting rifle. Can take an elk someday if u want.

But what NW80 said about lining up the front legs and midline is a good start. You can miss 4" in any direction and still get the kill.

Just learn to shoot 1" groups at 100yrds and minimize mistakes. Then you can take more precise shots and play the give and take game that was debated on this thread.