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My first game animal with the 6.5-284 Winchester
Blackbuck Antelope
Went out to the ranch this morning where I've been eradicating hogs at night. I'd been seeing this buck as I scouted out locations for the hogs during the day. But, I never had anything with me to take him with and he was skittish enough to split every time he saw me from a distance. Well, today I was ready.
Dropped off in a low spot from where I'd been seeing him in the wheat fields. Stalked up a bar ditch along the two track road that paralleled the fence to the field. As I topped the rise, i saw him out in the field. Kept crawling along the ditch until I reached some trees that provided cover to pop out of the ditch. Ranged him at 133 yards and set up to shoot between a gate post and gate but he was partially obscured by close vegetation to me. So, I waited for him to walk forward a bit. Finally, he did and I sent the 140gr A-Max on it's way.
On impact, he tensed up and froze. Then, his back end sank to the ground slowly and he fell over on his side. It was over.
The last Blackbuck I've taken were back in the mid '90s. Both of those were taller and more mature (Black). But, this one is wider and heavier (bases) than either of my other bucks. I'm pretty happy.
I was sorely tempted to bring a handgun and take him that way, but I'd never taken an animal with my 6.5-284 that my friend built me and it had been a few years since I'd gotten it. Figured, it was time for that rifle to fulfill it's duty.
The A-Max performed perfectly as always. Excellent terminal performance. Can't ask for better.
Went out to the ranch this morning where I've been eradicating hogs at night. I'd been seeing this buck as I scouted out locations for the hogs during the day. But, I never had anything with me to take him with and he was skittish enough to split every time he saw me from a distance. Well, today I was ready.
Dropped off in a low spot from where I'd been seeing him in the wheat fields. Stalked up a bar ditch along the two track road that paralleled the fence to the field. As I topped the rise, i saw him out in the field. Kept crawling along the ditch until I reached some trees that provided cover to pop out of the ditch. Ranged him at 133 yards and set up to shoot between a gate post and gate but he was partially obscured by close vegetation to me. So, I waited for him to walk forward a bit. Finally, he did and I sent the 140gr A-Max on it's way.
On impact, he tensed up and froze. Then, his back end sank to the ground slowly and he fell over on his side. It was over.
The last Blackbuck I've taken were back in the mid '90s. Both of those were taller and more mature (Black). But, this one is wider and heavier (bases) than either of my other bucks. I'm pretty happy.
I was sorely tempted to bring a handgun and take him that way, but I'd never taken an animal with my 6.5-284 that my friend built me and it had been a few years since I'd gotten it. Figured, it was time for that rifle to fulfill it's duty.
The A-Max performed perfectly as always. Excellent terminal performance. Can't ask for better.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Replies
I'm smiling on the inside.
Thanks.
26"
Looking at the photo I was thinking 28''.
Mind you, I am used to seeing you with something short and stumpy in your mitts.
It may be 27". I'd have to check.
Oh, and whose been sending you this OTHER pics? CPJ said he'd keep them private.
Without a doubt.
Life member of the American Legion, the VFW, the NRA and the Masonic Lodge, retired LEO
They are an open country or space brush animal. Much akin to pronghorn. And apparently, they have decent sight as well.
He's quartered and in a cooler. Last time I ate one was in the mid '90s. But, if I remember correctly, it was good. It's a nice dark meat with no strong smell like an pronghorn. Hope to cook some this weekend.
AKA: Former Founding Member
Dad 5-31-13
I'm not much for high fence or game reserve places.
Hardy har.
:-)
Sorry. I'm running a fever, and it seemed REALLY funny to me.
Nice animal, great hunt!
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
And I'm really groovin' on that rifle.
BTW.....I see you finally got that facelift.
Mike
N454casull
Thanks.
Thats ta probably my favorite "hunting" bolt action rifle. It's just built right. Weight/balance/scope are all perfect and it's exceptionally accurate.
I'm going for the whole, "Man with no Face" thing.
Yes.
No tags, limit, or season on introduced species. Just need a hunting license.
Don't know how much he weighed. But, I could load him in the truck easily. Maybe 75-85 pounds.
I just remembered that I've taken 2 free range Oryx as well. Don't know how I forgot those. One skull is on top of my entertainment center in the living room and the other in the rock garden by my front door.
Nice looking rig for sure.
No surprise on the A-Max performance.
That and an aoudad are two animals I have always wanted to hunt in the states.
"The Un-Tactical"
Thanks.
Yes, the A-Max did as expected. I have the autopsy photos. Just haven't edited them yet. I'll get them up tomorrow. The Aoudad hunt was likely one of my most memorable hunts. Absolutely awesome with breathtaking scenery and a serious kick in the nuts before it was all over. Good times that liked to have broke me.
Yeah. Not sure the correlation with the shitzu or whatever lap dog that is.