01-02-2020, 01:27 AM
FWIW I've shot one deer with a 123gr. SST- a 155lb. doe. 125 yards quartering away and downhill. Hit it through the third rib from the back. That rib and the ribs on either side of it had 2" of bone missing, it shredded both lungs, detached the heart from everything (I just lifted it out with my hand after opening the diaphragm), and exited between the far shoulder and the neck (two more ribs missing significant bone). She dropped in her tracks and slid 20' downhill until bumping up against a log. The blood in the snow was a sight to see. I found most of the jacket caught in the hide at the exit hole. Since there's not enough meat on deer ribs to mess with, I didn't lose much.
Some might say the bullet "failed" because the core and jacket separated. My perspective is that it hammered the deer and dropped her for a very quick and humane kill with over 20" of penetration and a golf ball-sized exit hole. I know what bullet I'll be using the next time I shoot one with a Grendel.
My load for this rifle is Hornady brass, CCI-450, 27.0gr. IMR-8208XBR at 2450fps. 20" Hanover Armory Upper on a PSA Lower, Rock River Match trigger and a Vortex Diamondback 4-12X Scope.
Some might say the bullet "failed" because the core and jacket separated. My perspective is that it hammered the deer and dropped her for a very quick and humane kill with over 20" of penetration and a golf ball-sized exit hole. I know what bullet I'll be using the next time I shoot one with a Grendel.
My load for this rifle is Hornady brass, CCI-450, 27.0gr. IMR-8208XBR at 2450fps. 20" Hanover Armory Upper on a PSA Lower, Rock River Match trigger and a Vortex Diamondback 4-12X Scope.