Another first Cast Boolit kill

[Bodean98]

First deer taken with a cast boolit for me. Also the first taken with a handgun.
I would like to thank all those who contribute here that made this year a success for me. My first attempt at casting nearly 25 years ago ended in failure and a sound conviction that "it couldn't be done" with cast boolits. My what I have learned since!
Ruger Redhawk 44 mag., Lee 429-310 boolit over 22gr. H-110, FWFL for loob. I had prepared for shots up to 100 yards and could hit a 6" dot with every shot, first to last in the cylinder. This opportunity presented itself at at mere 30 yards and was a chip shot. About as close to a "textbook" kill as I have ever acomplished.
I have another tag to fill and will try to make another first next weekend by taking a buck with my 1893 Marlin 38-55 shooting, what else, CAST BOOLITS!

[richhodg66]

Good shot! I need to take up handgun hunting soon, most of my shots are within realistic handgun range anyway.

I'm not going out at all this weekend. I hunt public land here and it's always a madhouse the first weekend of rifle season. I'll try next weekend, but still have some time with the bow and then the Fort Riley season will start.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

They say you need to bring enough gun. You definitely did that! Congratulations! I had almost the exact same experience yesterday on a deer just that size (my first with my own cast and my first with an open sighted handgun). Mine was shot through the heart as well (not intentionally though).

[Bodean98]

I am very fortunate in that I have private land to hunt. My FIL owns approx. 600 acres near Thayer, Ks. It is somewhat landlocked as well and there is very little human activity(road hunters). Only one or two other hunters for several miles. There are some REAL nice bucks that are there. My son has seen a dandy while archery hunting but has not gotten an arrow in him yet.
I am only waiting for next weekend to hunt because my grandson gets to come visit and go deer hunting with grandpa! He's 6 years old and is very interested in hunting already. I take him every chance I get!

[Thumbcocker]

Congratulations. Rugers and boolits make a lot of meat around here it seems.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Sounds like a dream scenario. Good for you.

[Wasalmonslayer]

Good job and good luck next weekend with your grandson!

[Wolfer]

Congratulations
For me a doe with my pistol is more of a trophy than a pretty good buck with my rifle. Where I hunt the brush is thick and most deer are in pistol range by the time I can see them. I haven't got one this year yet with my pistol because I was trying out my 34-57 but today is the last day of antler less season here. I guess it will have to feed on coyotes now.

We still have alternative weapons season coming up so I may get one with the pistol yet.
Good hunting with the grandson. Mines 3 and hunting with him is an effort in futility. Still fun though!

[tdoyka]

congrats!!!

[missionary5155]

Greetings and Congratulations !
Ain't it Marvelous ! Simple lead boolits whacking corn crunchers onto the dirt ! That will be a good eater. Welcome to the ever growing group of those who hunt with their home made cast boolits.
Mike in Peru

[cherokeetracker]

Congratulations !!!!! Job well done.

[Anschutz]

Very nice. Let's see if I can get one with my Blackhawk. Outside 25 yards it's a job for the 45 Govt though.

[Pereira]

Congrats on that. It sure is a rewardin feelin knowin you cast it, and loaded it yourself.
Got my third deer last year with a hand gun, 240 gr.fn 44 & 10.0 grs. Unique out of a 4 5/8" Vaquero.
About 20, 25 yds. a complete pass thru. He never made another step.

[Crawdaddy]

Congrats!

[Bodean98]

Nice!
Yes it is very rewarding to DIY. The best accuracy I had achieved previously was greater than 12" at 100 yds. That was with j-words. The cast boolits I had shot in this gun wouln't consistently hit an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper at 25 yds! With much help from this forum and the individuals here I can now hit 6" at 100 yds. with my cast boolit loads.
An update to the OP. I was going to take my 1893 Marlin 38-55 out and try to get a buck. Again I was prepared for 100 yd shot but this time the oportunity came at 200! Came up with an empty sack. I need to do some more practice and study with this rifle to be prpared for a longer shot.
Our extended doe season opens on the first and I hope to take a doe with it.

[krems]

Congrats on the first CB kill. I shot a RedHawk for a number of years and really liked it. Got caught in a weak moment and sold it. Never killed anything with it but I could ring the 100 yard gong consistently. I'm like you... I have a virgin 38-55 as well. Never have found a great load for it yet. I may have to give it another go this winter. I really like the Marlin 1893.

[Bodean98]

I bought the Marlin a couple of years ago. It needed a reline. Barrel slugged out at .386 and it wouldn't shoot for squat. Sent it to John Taylor for relining and now it is a solid 4" @ 100 yds. I think it can be better with a bit of boolit tweaking. I settled on the Lee 279/250 and 24 gr of IMR 4198 @ about 1450 FPS(going off of memory here). Load is in the Lyman handbook. I had tried the Lyman 380 266?(trying to rely on memeory again) and I couldn't get it to shoot well unless it was seated way out. Not good in a lever action. Contemplating going with a custom mold from Accurate that will fit my chamber more precisely.
Rifle is the Deluxe takedown model. Fairly rough exterior but she sports the figured wood and checkering and is truly a handsome old girl! Serious KOOL factor in my book.

[EMC45]

Well Done!

[nagantguy]

Very nice shot, feels good when you do it with home brewed/home rolled isn't it? Is that knife a old timer skinner? Had one just like it, it was stolen with a bag of hunting stuff about 8 years ago, mine was easy to get razor sharp.

[Bodean98]

nagantguy,
Yes it surely is. I purchased that knife at the tender age of 15(me not the knife). It has been with me on every hunt. IMHO it is the best hunting knife ever made. I own 3 others as well as one of the older Walden originals. It is tapered from butt to tip and from top to bottom. You can get it razor sharp easily and it will split the sternum of an elk with ease. It has just enoungh curve to make it a good skinner and enough spine to do the heavy work. It cuts through flesh easily too due to the dual taper design. It doesn't make a very good hatchet though!
One story I have of that knife is I left it stuck in a log on the side of the mountain after eating lunch while elk hunting in Colorado. Didn't notice it missing until I needed it back at camp. Too late in the day to go get it but next day, first thing, up that treacherous slope I went to retrieve my knife. Took me all day but I found it.