So, I thought I would pop back in here to report my results from using my new .360BH and my reloads for deer season this fall. As some may remember, I had settled on the 180gr Speer JSP as my bullet of choice, using Accurate 1680 powder, at about 2300fps.
To cut straight to the chase, the results were extremely disappointing. I connected on both a buck and a doe, at distances of less than 100 yards. In both cases, the deer mule-kicked and ran off, leaving a relatively minor blood trail. Shot placement for both was my typical behind-the-front-leg shot, which usually results in a short run but avoids meat loss. Indeed, the same shot placement dropped two deer during our muzzleloader season. In the case of the .360BH, neither deer was recovered, despite hours of searching. We followed the doe's trail as she circled the hillside opposite me, and the blood petered out and we could not determine where she had gone. In the case of the buck, we followed his trail down into a bottom and up the hill on the opposite side, until it was approaching the property boundary. In both cases, it was evident that both deer were still moving quite well after being shot, and neither showed any inclination to bedding down.
In almost 50 years of deer hunting, I have never had two wounded deer run off and not be recovered, in the same season. That, to me, is extremely disappointing and I only hope that they both recovered from the wound. I hate the thought of a slow death.
In a post on another site, another user warned me about slow velocities with the Speer 180's, and at 2300 fps I would think that would be enough. But based on the results, I believe that in both cases the bullet just penciled right thru without doing much damage.
https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/360-buckhammer-first-hand-loads.658596/post-8786810
So, I'm now going back to the drawing board. Some bullet tests are in order, and I'm going to do some experimenting with 200gr cast GCHP as a possible replacement for the Speers. Maybe look at the Hornady 200gr RN, as well.
I would be interested to hear thoughts, suggestions, or results that anyone else had with the .360BH this fall.
Cheers,
Brian
To cut straight to the chase, the results were extremely disappointing. I connected on both a buck and a doe, at distances of less than 100 yards. In both cases, the deer mule-kicked and ran off, leaving a relatively minor blood trail. Shot placement for both was my typical behind-the-front-leg shot, which usually results in a short run but avoids meat loss. Indeed, the same shot placement dropped two deer during our muzzleloader season. In the case of the .360BH, neither deer was recovered, despite hours of searching. We followed the doe's trail as she circled the hillside opposite me, and the blood petered out and we could not determine where she had gone. In the case of the buck, we followed his trail down into a bottom and up the hill on the opposite side, until it was approaching the property boundary. In both cases, it was evident that both deer were still moving quite well after being shot, and neither showed any inclination to bedding down.
In almost 50 years of deer hunting, I have never had two wounded deer run off and not be recovered, in the same season. That, to me, is extremely disappointing and I only hope that they both recovered from the wound. I hate the thought of a slow death.
In a post on another site, another user warned me about slow velocities with the Speer 180's, and at 2300 fps I would think that would be enough. But based on the results, I believe that in both cases the bullet just penciled right thru without doing much damage.
https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/360-buckhammer-first-hand-loads.658596/post-8786810
So, I'm now going back to the drawing board. Some bullet tests are in order, and I'm going to do some experimenting with 200gr cast GCHP as a possible replacement for the Speers. Maybe look at the Hornady 200gr RN, as well.
I would be interested to hear thoughts, suggestions, or results that anyone else had with the .360BH this fall.
Cheers,
Brian
