Manny, I could be wrong, but I think the hog situation in Texas is different than in Hawaii. In Texas, they are invasive pests. They're destroying habitat and competing with farm animals and native wild species.When I shoot a pest animal in my back yard and it runs off, I look for a few minutes and that's it. I won't lose sleep over a pest that might go and bleed out somewhere else.That said, I agree he was unprepared and should learn from it. Rule #1 before going out on a hunting trip is to check zero with the ammo you'll be using, and to know your trajectory. I'm sure enazle knows that, but sometimes, life gets in the way and we end up rushed and botch things up. It's the kind of thing that makes us into old, experienced hunters.
there is also a major difference between a 60lb hog and a 200lb hog.i have shot(with a recurve crossbow)and had whitetail deer run off never to be found,did I not prepare?did I not know my quarry?*(&^ no I was prepared as one can get and there aint too many folks that know more about whitetails than I do.i studied and worked with them for over 30 years and still have them.........sometimes when hunting things don't go your way.so to blast a man for not filling his tag so to speak is not right.that is why it is a challenge.i do know one thing for sure that a 25 mrod is under powered when shooting a 200lb hog I don't care where you hit it...yep and know someone gonna jump in and say this or that but it is what it is...I been there and done that...
Manny, I do take what you say to heart and appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and experience.In my defense I have shot and killed hogs with this very gun on 4 separate occasions, one of which was at 113 yards. My confirmed ballistics for these .257 80 gr Ranch Dogs are 0=60', 1.125"=90', 1.875"=150', 0"=240'. This Apex Thermal sits 3" high which accounts for what some may think are wonky ballistics. So when I aimed right between the eyes I was expecting the bullet to hit just about where you suggested. While the video from a modern thermal is much improved, in mine it still doesn't give a perfect representation of the hog's positioned or posture. I plan on being super prepared on my next trip in a couple weeks. This time I'll film the hunt and hopefully get some good video out of this thermal.Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and i look forward to reading about your next hunt.
Quote from: Smaug2 on October 17, 2017, 10:06:46 AMManny, I could be wrong, but I think the hog situation in Texas is different than in Hawaii. In Texas, they are invasive pests. They're destroying habitat and competing with farm animals and native wild species.When I shoot a pest animal in my back yard and it runs off, I look for a few minutes and that's it. I won't lose sleep over a pest that might go and bleed out somewhere else.That said, I agree he was unprepared and should learn from it. Rule #1 before going out on a hunting trip is to check zero with the ammo you'll be using, and to know your trajectory. I'm sure enazle knows that, but sometimes, life gets in the way and we end up rushed and botch things up. It's the kind of thing that makes us into old, experienced hunters. If you take a headshot and it runs away it will not bleed away somewhere, it either drops or runs away for good, that is why I was suggesting getting a big bore and take the safe/standard body shot.Use small bores for more controlled situations when you can take your time and make sure you take the right shot,....I've taken all kinds of abuse on one of my videos on Youtube because I waited 10 minutes to take the shot, but that is the reality with hunting hogs with a headshot from a small bore, gotta make sure it's perfect.
Well, perspectives differ.enazle, you're not in a competition, nor depending on the ‘outcome’ to feed your starving family..Eventual mistakes and "buck fever'' are usual ingredients of the amateur hunting recipe. The actual and essential outcome is a bunch of emotions. So, I think you enjoyed, and that’s what really matters.
You said 3 guns share one scope? I try to marry one sight system to each gun and leave it for a while.
Quote from: Horatio on October 18, 2017, 06:39:23 PMYou said 3 guns share one scope? I try to marry one sight system to each gun and leave it for a while.I am using a Pulsar Apex xd38a Thermal scope with a (QD) quick detach mount. You can take it off and put it back on and retain the zero. If it moves it is fractions of a inch at 100 yards. It also has 3 separate zero profiles it stores in memory. Basically guns 1, 2, 3 or distance 1, 2, 3. So I have a profile for my .257 Talondor and another for my A10 .308. I have tested it with live fire and it is dead nuts when you take it off and put it back on. Yes it is expensive but you can use it on 3 different guns so it is like having 3 thermals.
Next hunt I will do video. I just was a little frazzled getting to camp so late and didn't layout doing video. I have a pretty decent wireless filming setup but requires even more preparation.