125's on deer?

[L_Kilkenny]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm getting ready to reload some more 125 HP's for coyote. That's what the gun is sighted in for. But at the same time I'm going doe hunting in a couple weeks for Iowa's only rifle deer season (doe only). What is everyone's experience on the Sierra 125 hp's on deer in general, doe's to be specific? Remember, Iowa deer run on the large side. Daylight and time are at a premium here the next 2 weekends so I'd just as soon not have to re-sight in next weekend and the set them back the weekend after if I don't have to. Stick with the 125's or go buy some 150's for reloading tomarrow?

Thanks, Chris

[tman]

lung, heart, neck, head shot,no problem. i'd like a 170 grn. for anything else,but that's just my humble opion. i shot turkeys with the 125gr. factory load, no deer. only use the 170 corelock on em.

[86er]

I have seen the lung shots work pretty well. Right in the shoulder is inconsistent, so I'd avoid it. I think you are better served with a 150 gr soft point or a 170 gr soft point than a 125 gr HP if you are shooting past 100 yds and cannot get a perfect presentation. Put th e125 HP's tight behind the shoulder with the one side leg extended forward and they should do it.

[Hobie]

I think placement is the key. I know one fellow who has used ONLY the 125s since they came out. I loaded 300+ for him in the 1981 and when those ran out he had somebody else load those cases with the same bullet and load.

[getitdone1]

I have some hot 125 gr 30-30's loaded up. I'm sure they'd be very deadly for self-defense use and great on varmits as well as deer.

A wonderful old cartridge that is very, very popular and economical to shoot.

Don McCullough

[2ndovc]

I've taken about a half dozen white tail with Sierra125 Gr GameKing SPs
None of them got more that 50yds befre they dropped.

jb

[cshold]

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... 37#p269537

[L_Kilkenny]

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... 37#p269537

I actually posted on that one but didn't remember seeing much personal experience on using the 125's on deer. The one my nephew shot was in OK and MIGHT have been the size of a large dog for all I know. The Seira 125's have a nice large HP in em and they open up quick. But I'm hoping the back half is fairly solid and holds together. Never recovered one myself to know.

LK

[octagon]

I have killed a fair pile of Texas whitetails with 125 gr sierras HP's, mostly neck shots but quite a few heart shots, and a few shoulder shots that broke both shoulders no problem on 150# deer. All were shot with a 26" barrel, most were well inside 100 yards with a few inside 150 yards, with none of the 125's failing to exit. I always thought the 125's to be more than enough for Texas deer....How heavy might your does dress out at?

[Tumbleweeds II]

If Iowa deer are anything like those corn-fed north Missouri deer, I would want a little more gun. I would at least load some with the 125 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip spitzer to use in place of the hollow points. They should shoot pretty close to the same place and you might like the penetration.

[geobru]

I am sure that 125's that are properly placed are up to the job. The problem is that we don't always make the perfect shot. Personally, I advocate using 150 grain bullets for deer size game. That compensates for any mistakes I might make. The farthest I have ever had a deer go that was hit with a 150 gr coreloct was 25 yards. Most were DRT.

[Scott Young]

I loaded 15 boxes of them for one guy and tested them pretty seriously for myself. I found they are consistently good performace. I would reiterate what others have said shot placement is alway key.

I no longer load them due to finding them to be more expensive than the 170s.

[mescalero1]

Shot them in a Contender, I would do it.

[Bullard4075]

As already mentioned good shot placement is the key. And also mentioned is that sometimes we goof.
So now we have made the shot (poorly) and the deer is running straight away. Will those 125s shoot
clear through end to end.
An exit wound and if need be complete end to end penetration is my goal for whatever game I hunt.
I have always been a fan of heavy bullets for calibure for that reason.

[JerryB]

I remember JimT using them for Missouri deer with great success, you might be able to find his post on this.

[shooter]

I killed a 225 lb. Mule deer and a small whitetail doe last year with 100 gr. bullets from a .243, one shot a piece. I think as long as shot placement is good you won't have a problem on deer. I actually shot the Muley on the run at 100 yds. He dropped like a rock. Thought I'd made a good shot, but I hit him square in the rear haunch. If the bullet hadn't clipped the artery running along the spine I'd have had to track him for God only knows how long. Did the job, though. The doe, however, I shot right through the heart at about 125 yds. The 100 grain bullet went straight through.

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

First, it would be helpful if you had said what cartridge. For some reason everyone seems to assume .30-30.

Try loading some 150 gr. bullets and take the gun out and shoot it. Chances are at 100 yds. it will shoot within 2" of your current sighting for the 125s. If it does everything is good just as you are without any sight adjustment. At reasonable Deer ranges there isn't any point in getting too anal about precise sight adjustment. If it is centered within 2" horizontally and from dead on to 4" high at 100 yds it is plenty close.