143 ELD-X blew up on the shoulder?

[pathnz]

Unusual results, insufficient information to draw any conclusions. Doesn't mean much who cares. Plenty of 143s in the world that have done what you'd expect.

 

[Timberline001]

View attachment 782985

There’s zoomed in pictures showing there’s no holes in the cavity.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

After more thought, the squib load theory is the most plausible presented so far. If that bullet hit at like 1200 fps the whole thing makes sense.

 

[Bowfinn]

He said zero tissue damage to lungs or vitals, the lung from the impact side looked bruised but there were no holes or lacerations.

My opinion is that the bullet traveled parallel to the rib cage, and was not a perpendicular impact into the rib cage as described. I believe this due to the elongated horizontal intercostal muscle contusion, rib contusions(bone bruise) on the 1st-7th ribs(circled on rib pictures), possible fracture of the 5th rib(thin line), and the stated bruising on the lung tissue without lacerations by the OPs friend. These cannot happen without significant trauma.

I wonder if a small hole on the front of the shoulder was missed because the tissue damage behind the shoulder was so obvious.

Also if the bullet actually hit broad side as described. When looking at the location of the heavy damage is not around or through any areas of heavy bone (humerus and the spine of the scapulae). I find it unlikely that a bullet would fail to penetrate the body(thin) part of the scapula and a ribs.

To wrap this all up my opinion is that the deer wasn’t as broad side as thought by the shooter. It’s happened to me several times.
Edit-deleted duplicate picture

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My opinion is that the bullet traveled parallel to the rib cage, and was not a perpendicular impact into the rib cage as described. I believe this due to the elongated horizontal intercostal muscle contusion, rib contusions(bone bruise) on the 1st-7th ribs(circled on rib pictures), possible fracture of the 5th rib(thin line), and the stated bruising on the lung tissue without lacerations by the OPs friend. These cannot happen without significant trauma.

I wonder if a small hole on the front of the shoulder was missed because the tissue damage behind the shoulder was so obvious.

Also if the bullet actually hit broad side as described. When looking at the location of the heavy damage is not around or through any areas of heavy bone (humerus and the spine of the scapulae). I find it unlikely that a bullet would fail to penetrate the body(thin) part of the scapula and a ribs.

To wrap this all up my opinion is that the deer wasn’t as broad side as thought by the shooter. It’s happened to me several times.
Edit-deleted duplicate picture

Bowfinn looked harder.

 

[Wrench]

I've seen enough critters catch bullets to know that it takes more than 2" of soft tissue to disrupt a bullet like that. If he had a piece of rock stuck to his side, I might buy it or if the bullet had literally exploded....but a perfect mushroom, you lost me.

 

[svivian]

My opinion is that the bullet traveled parallel to the rib cage, and was not a perpendicular impact into the rib cage as described. I believe this due to the elongated horizontal intercostal muscle contusion, rib contusions(bone bruise) on the 1st-7th ribs(circled on rib pictures), possible fracture of the 5th rib(thin line), and the stated bruising on the lung tissue without lacerations by the OPs friend. These cannot happen without significant trauma.

I wonder if a small hole on the front of the shoulder was missed because the tissue damage behind the shoulder was so obvious.

Also if the bullet actually hit broad side as described. When looking at the location of the heavy damage is not around or through any areas of heavy bone (humerus and the spine of the scapulae). I find it unlikely that a bullet would fail to penetrate the body(thin) part of the scapula and a ribs.

To wrap this all up my opinion is that the deer wasn’t as broad side as thought by the shooter. It’s happened to me several times.
Edit-deleted duplicate picture

This was along the lines of what I was thinking based on the bruising. It’s also, in my opinion, the most reasonable explanation.

 

[Southernfried]

If not a squib load, then my theory is just as plausible with the photos uploaded. First shot was a Texas heart shot that momentarily paralyzed the deer. Hence the hole in the butt, and bloodshot meat around both sides of the spine, 2nd shot actually went in one side and out the other at 30 yards, only bullet found was the first one shot in the rear end. Photos only show 9 sets of ribs instead of 13, to hide the fact the first shot was a bad one, and its easier to blame the bullet......Im no expert but I have slept at a Holiday Inn....once. lol How'd I do ? lol

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

If not a squib load, then my theory is just as plausible with the photos uploaded. First shot was a Texas heart shot that momentarily paralyzed the deer. Hence the hole in the butt, and bloodshot meat around both sides of the spine, 2nd shot actually went in one side and out the other at 30 yards, only bullet found was the first one shot in the rear end. Photos only show 9 sets of ribs instead of 13, to hide the fact the first shot was a bad one, and its easier to blame the bullet......Im no expert but I have slept at a Holiday Inn....once. lol How'd I do ? lol

 

[Drenalin]

View attachment 781965

May as well - @Billy Goat @svivian @fwafwow @Drenalin

I got nothing on this one brother…I’d love a good meme thread, but I’m kinda over the incessant bickering. Glad your buddy recovered him.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I got nothing on this one brother…I’d love a good meme thread, but I’m kinda over the incessant bickering. Glad your buddy recovered him.

It was going in a "friday night fire" direction, then some sensible redirection kinda re-railed it. I agree.

 

[S-3 ranch]

This crazy bickering never ends!
I don’t use eldx or eldm on game , they just are to explosive imo
The old factory stuff may not be high B.C , but they didn’t have many other problems with killing medium game and having a good blood trail or DRT
I will stick with my Norma oryx, federal classic, Remington core - lok
Barnes LDX
“ now carry on with the bickering;( )

 

[DangerRanger]

That sucks, glad he got his deer!

 

[Hnthrdr]

This crazy bickering never ends!
I don’t use eldx or eldm on game , they just are to explosive imo
The old factory stuff may not be high B.C , but they didn’t have many other problems with killing medium game and having a good blood trail or DRT
I will stick with my Norma oryx, federal classic, Remington core - lok
Barnes LDX
“ now carry on with the bickering;( )

Well hell I’ll be shooting 140 eld-m’s next week, if I can find a buck that fits the bill, which is a big if. I’ll let you know if they bounce off

 

[S-3 ranch]

Well hell I’ll be shooting 140 eld-m’s next week, if I can find a buck that fits the bill, which is a big if. I’ll let you know if they bounce off

That’s mighty white of you

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Would you be able or willing to post photos of your “detailed autopsy” please? I’d be very curious to see the detailed report.

Well JFC this thread has been beat to death..
That happened a couple years (and cell phones) ago so unfortunately I don't have pics.

Just imagine a shredded jacket in the shoulder muscle, with a flattened lead core against the onside ribs.
And I guess you'll have to trust a decade long Hornady fan boy.

I still love, and hunt with eldms I just avoid elk shoulders.
Bergers are more forgiving with those types of shots.

 

[Tylsmith33]

2023 buck 525 yards exit wound 6.5 prc 143 eld-x