3” to happiness......

[Rieber]

How far was the deer behind the tree?

[islandhunter]

Ballistic tip probably blew up in the tree? That bullet would be close to my last choice, especially in a 7mm manglem

[j270wsm]

If the deer was within a few feet of the tree then I could see your concern of it being wounded. I’m betting the ballistic tip disintegrated.

[Rieber]

I'll bet at 80yards that 7mag bonded bullet mushroomed so much that it started fragmenting. I recently shot a mulie at about 200 yards with a 130gr Accubond out of a .264WM and dang if I didn't find a petal peeled off that bullet stuck on the offside hide.

Accubonds are tough nuts for sure but your 7mag at 80 yards is downright explosive with the speed of that 140gr.

No blood evidence and you looked for a couple hours? Well if that deer was 6' or so beyond that tree, fragment deflection will go anywhere. I think you satisfied yourself that hitting the dang tree resulted in a complete miss.

Oh, I just read the previous post - I missed the Ballistic tip part - I had Accubond in my mind. Oh I'm certain now that that NBT totally grenaded at 80 yards.

[mooseknuckler]

Try stepping up to a TTSX

[Farmer]

If the deer was within a few feet of the tree then I could see your concern of it being wounded. I’m betting the ballistic tip disintegrated.

I would agree.

[250 sav]

I would think that ballistic tips fall apart through 3" of tree. Probably just fragments exiting the other side.

My thoughts too.

[whognu]

Thanks everyone

number one concern always for not leaving a wounded animal

- deer was say 25’ past the offending vegetation so hopefully he’s a-ok

- funny enough I always used fed premium nosler partitions yet could not get any so took a box of BT- I have another new box of accu bonds so given your responses I’ll use the BT for target practice

hey mr albravo:

back in the bat cave; just a three day jaunt with the mrs to kammy; 30 does 2 moose (including a unicorn immy); let a small buck go yesterday, let a beauty go today ...... lotsa grouse, shot none

good luck all

chris

[whognu]

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Maglic]

Good job. Poplars are the best tasting of all the trees imho. And a nice young one to boot.

LOL
this is the best one I've read on HBC.