1 shot, 2 deer!

[fireman 9731]

So today was the last day of modern rifle season in Kentucky. I hadn't been in the woods much and hadn't really planned on taking a deer this year. But this afternoon, from my front porch (I live in the woods), I saw a few deer...

I went inside and got my H&R Buffalo Classic chambered in 45-70. Lined one up and squeezed the trigger...

After the thunderous boom, I heard a deer hit the ground. I then went to examine my work when I found not one, but TWO dead deer!

Two large does, taken with a single shot, by me, from my front porch.

I used a handloaded cartridge with a 350 grain lead hardcast flatnose bullet in front of a case full of IMR 3031 powder, at a velocity of approximately 2,400FPS. The shot was taken from my front porch, at a distance of about 75 yards. The first deer dropped where it stood, the second one ran about 15 yards then dropped.

The bullet traveled completely through the first deer, and about 3/4 the way through the second, I amazingly hit the first deer dead center in the heart, and the second I hit cleanly about 2 inches from the center of its heart.

I realize that this is pure luck, and probably the shot of a lifetime.

The picture isn't that great, because its from my cellphone, but you can clearly see both entrance wounds in both deer, not to mention that they are both fairly large specimens!

 

[Rain Dog]

So do you think the .45-70 was enough?

 

[schlockinz]

clearly you need at least a 458 lott from now on, or, if you're staying classy, a 45-110, could have gotten the third deer behind the last one.

 

[chas08]

Congratulations, you now have a story that will last a lifetime.

 

[fireman 9731]

So do you think the .45-70 was enough?

I think its fair to say that it was sufficient

 

[Rob96]

I was out with my 45/70 today for the first day of the gun season. Pouring rain all day. A total wash.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Congrats. I've hit a second deer with the same shot, but had to finish it off. It was a 140 grn ballistic silvertip from a .280 Rem at about 40 yds. The first dropped in it's tracks but the second was shot just forward of the hips. That's awesome man. One shot and two deer dead in their tracks. Good job. You'll be telling that story for years.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Much awesomeness!

 

[wyohome]

I have a different opinion about not knowing what is behind your target. You could just as easily gut shot one of those little guys.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

From the location of the hits it is easy to see why the second doe wasn't seen. They seem to line up perfectly. Congrats on a nice double.

 

[Fremmer]

Good shot! And that looks like an interesting rifle, too. Well done, enjoy some good eatin'!

 

[countertop]

Had a chance at a double last year, but passed it up. The other deer was a button buck and didn't want to shoot him. I knew if I hit the doe with one of my explosive .280 Rem rounds, he'd go down too.

That's a gorgeous looking rifle.

 

[627PCFan]

Congrads. A friend got 2 with a 300 WSM and a handloaded Nosler Accubond last year. Through 2, no bullet recovered. And they say theres such thing as overkill.......

 

[Rembrandt]

Brother shot at a nice 10 pt with his 50 cal blackpowder.....got up close and found it laying on top an 8 pt buck, killed them both. It happens more frequently than one might think.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I've knocked down two does with my .243 (Federal 100 gr. Sierra Gameking--of all loads). As I was 13, nervous, and really green, the shot really got away, hitting the first in the spine. The second doe had to be finished off.

But yeah, you've topped my story.

 

[rondog]

What are the legalities of that happening? I mean, if you only have a license (tag, whatever) for one deer, and you accidently kill two with one shot, what happens then?

Sorry, I'm not a hunter, so I don't know such things.....

 

[jbkebert]

You had better go on and call the game warden if you only have one tag. Hope their in a good mood and explain what happened. More than likely you'll get a good chewing and it will be there discretion wether or not you get to keep both deer. Nice rifle!! by the way.

 

[stiab]

Congrats!! I'm pretty sure you could have done that with a .223 also......

 

[nathan]

Double whopper. Congrats

 

[fireman 9731]

What are the legalities of that happening? I mean, if you only have a license (tag, whatever) for one deer, and you accidently kill two with one shot, what happens then?

Luckily here in the great state if Kentucky, if you are on your own property you don't even need a hunting license. No tags or anything like that, just a four deer limit per season.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Good thing you were using light bullets...a 500 grain slug would have passed clean through at least 3 or 4 deer.


Gotta love those old 45-70's...its neat how they turn cover into concealment. (there ain't no such thing as cover when you have a rifle that will shoot through large trees)

 

[SheepNutz]

Luckily here in the great state if Kentucky, if you are on your own property you don't even need a hunting license. No tags or anything like that, just a four deer limit per season.

I assume that you live in zone 2, 3 or 4. I hunt in zone 1, and there is no limit on antlerless deer here. I just have to keep buying bonus doe tags for each two does I get after my first 2 antlerless / 1 antlered 1 antlerless.

 

[Leaky Waders]

Congrats...now we know why savvy deer follow single file

 

[gglass]

Is that your official story?

 

[fireman 9731]

Is that your official story?

Yep!

My hunting stories don't end up like my fishing stories!