Sakos Afield 2024

[stonecreek]

People sometimes misjudge the frangibility of a bullet by the damage to the carcass. Damage like that is typically not due to too-rapid expansion, but from the bullet striking a bone solidly. The bone turns into flying shrapnel, sometimes causing extensive carcass damage even though the bullet held together well. Had the shot missed the bone then the bullet might have slipped through the small body -- and resulted in the little roe traveling a number of meters before falling over. Such are the vagaries of terminal ballistics.

 

[Arian]

true but this was unbonded lead and one known to be particularly soft. Anyway, certainly not the best shot i could have taken for my freezer but definitely the best for the deer, i dont believe it even realised what happened.

Also that bone hit is the exit as i hit the right side of the deer. shot angle B in the picture, hitting right side of the chest just in front of the leg, shattering the opposite side leg and showing a diagonal exit hole leaving near the back ribs.

None of it matters as next season il have my handloads to try

 

[HelSako]

I recoment using 8g fmj or 6,5g hp for roe deer in 30-06. The expansing bulletts are little bit too much for such small animal

 

[Arian]

I recoment using 8g fmj or 6,5g hp for roe deer in 30-06. The expansing bulletts are little bit too much for such small animal

that would be illegal, FMJ is banned for anything bigger than a hare and the 6.5hp are a varmint bullet. What i might do is load 180gr tarvas very slow. Maybe 690-720 m/s if possible. Those dont expand mutch at all but somehow are legal

 

[Arian]

pop pop

 

[Arian]

my daughter got her hands in my phone

 

[HelSako]

Fmj are legal to roe deer in Finland

 

[Arian]

Fmj are legal to roe deer in Finland

really? I was told beaver and roe and anything bigger require an expanding bullet. does my local RHY person know nothing?

 

[HelSako]

It is tru

2. luokka

• Luodin paino vähintään 3,2 grammaa
• Osumaenergia 100 metrin päässä E 100 vähintään 800 J
• Kaliiperit; .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .22 PPC USA, 6 PPC USA, .22-250 Rem, 7x33 Sako ja 7.62x39
• Sallitut riistaeläimet; luokkien 0 ja 1 riistaeläimet sekä metsäkauris, kirjohylje, itämerennorppa, halli, susi, ahma, ilves, majava ja mufloni

Edellä 2 momentin 3 ja 4 kohdassa mainittujen eläinten ampumiseen on käytettävä laajenemaan suunniteltua luotia.

 

[Arian]

checks out. I think i need to start getting my information from a different source. I struggle reading finnish so i double check with my local RHY person when in doubt. They said DONT use non expanding bullets on beaver or roe deer.

Il have a great job for those non expanding fox monolithics then, Altho those seem to be in a loophole to begin with if "jacket" is mentioned.

 

[Spaher]

I like full metal jackets on think skinned game when the goal is minimal hide or meat damage if that is the goal. They are also useful on predators and common for large dangerous game. I try to remember to carry 1 or 2 full metal jacket or “milled” bullets in my pocket to interchange with soft point or hollow points if the opportunity presents itself. The milled type are harder to find & I have them as reloads, photo attached.

 

[stonecreek]

The FMJ's are also good for turkey hunting -- but Spaher doesn't like for his pet turkeys to be hunted! I think that Sako designed their 7x33 FMJ for capercaillie and fur seals.

I once went prairie dog shooting with a friend who brought only .223 FMJ ammunition. Other than being a bit of a hazard to ricochet and go somewhere you'd prefer they not go, the FMJ's worked well and did surprisingly extensive damage to the little squirrels. It seems that at that terminal velocity on a target that small extensive trauma is inflicted regardless of the lack of expansion.

 

[Arian]

The Fox iam loading for next season come in a trainer version. Identical weight, shape etc but solid brass. They just lack the hollowpoint and instead have slightly deeper grooves to compensate. They claim you can interchange them 1 to 1 with the expanding one, same load, same zero. I havent tried them yet but of thats the case il be carrying a few of those around coming season. Just gotta be careful about ricochets, some of my areas are more prone to it. That does ofcourse still beg the question how far will a ricochet be dangerous. there is unlikely to be anyone within a kilometer from me. But if such a bullet can bounce up and kill 3km away il need to pay very special attention

 

[Spaher]

2024 field report from S Texas & hunting predictions for upcoming season. Ended May with a bumper crop of mesquite beans (photo) in the millions of pounds as yield estimate is 2,500-3,000 lbs per acre. Just started our “dog days”, July 14-Aug 24 with rains & old timers predict this knocks the temps down 5-10 degrees (Fahrenheit) & more rain predicted. Grasses tall & thick for expected 90-100% deer fawn survival as predator control effective. 75% of fawns already on the ground. Cactus pear apples abound versus none last year (photo). Preferred browse, guayacan & granjeno protein levels increase in the heat to 24-28% & blooming. Texas Persimmon/Chapote fruit bountiful (photo). All means this years fawns will be big for next 7+ years with no need to catch up body size wise.
This is the best habitat for forbs & browse in the last 12 years, so the prediction is the best hunting ever in S Tx as game has all they can eat for big antler growth with no excuses. Top body weights equal bigger antlers, so if ever thought of Tx whitetail hunting this coming season is the one. Dilemma is which Sako & caliber to use?

 

[bigcountry4me]

This is the best habitat for forbs & browse in the last 12 years, so the prediction is the best hunting ever in S Tx as game has all they can eat for big antler growth with no excuses. Top body weights equal bigger antlers, so if ever thought of Tx whitetail hunting this coming season is the one. Dilemma is which Sako & caliber to use?

Such a great example of game and land management. You and your team/friends should be proud of the work and example set. I wonder if Texas game biologists are in tune with the practices you and yours have implemented. In any event, and once again, you should be proud of the work you’ve done.!!

 

[gowyo]

Ive got 100 of those pointy milled bullets for ny .338’s, in case i need to perforate several something’s stem to stern. Ive never loaded any. They were on a clearance table.

 

[Spaher]

Bigcountry, thank you. Many landowners & their biologists do, but the majority tend to follow “newer” practices & what we try doing is lots of work. Some are impatient & although they look around, they don’t see the signs or keep records of seasonal shifts, small changes or past effects from those to anticipate rather than just hope for rain. Population numbers are a key to anticipate the worst conditions & thus in good times for bounty. 30 years at it & still fun.
Cheers.

 

[Bucktote]

Bigcountry, thank you. Many landowners & their biologists do, but the majority tend to follow “newer” practices & what we try doing is lots of work. Some are impatient & although they look around, they don’t see the signs or keep records of seasonal shifts, small changes or past effects from those to anticipate rather than just hope for rain. Population numbers are a key to anticipate the worst conditions & thus in good times for bounty. 30 years at it & still fun.
Cheers.

A beautiful thing!
When nature & learned men & nature work in unison. God bless & best wishes !
B/T

 

[Spaher]

I believe the predictions for STx Whitetail are not going to disappoint. Cool photo of melanistic (black) trait in doe passed to fawn. Look at her face, neck & along her back. They look in great shape.

 

[gowyo]

Just getting into winter over here and most if the fur bearers are getting a decent coat on them.
Here is a pic I took last night after a run around a friends sheep farm before they start to lamb.
Rifle is an AI HB in 17Rem. Fitted with a Leupold 4.5-14 x 50 in optilock rings and bases.

Your aussie foxes are almost the size of our coyotes! Nice setup.