2025 Blacktail Bucks

[NWBLKTAIL]

Here is my CA buck from September. Not a bad shot but I had a hard time tracking him. Seems to be a pattern with my .308 since the switch to copper.

That’s a stud very cool

 

[sbutton88]

Great looking buck. Which copper bullet?

Factory rounds (unfortunately). Barnes VOR-TX which use a 150g TTSX BT.

Haven't had much luck with 168g either. Maybe it's in my head but the six bucks that I have taken since the switch have all caused me issues. Either requiring follow up shots or tough recoveries with little blood trail.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Factory rounds (unfortunately). Barnes VOR-TX which use a 150g TTSX BT.

Haven't had much luck with 168g either. Maybe it's in my head but the six bucks that I have taken since the switch have all caused me issues. Either requiring follow up shots or tough recoveries with little blood trail.

What about McGuire copper rose bullets, or DRT which uses tungsten core I believe?

I have no experience with these or any non lead offerings but seems like guys in your position where you don’t have a choice, these seem like offerings worth at least testing.

And going light to get as much velocity out of them as possible

 

[sbutton88]

What about McGuire copper rose bullets, or DRT which uses tungsten core I believe?

I have no experience with these or any non lead offerings but seems like guys in your position where you don’t have a choice, these seem like offerings worth at least testing.

And going light to get as much velocity out of them as possible

Worth a try. Honestly, I haven't done as much research as I should have for finding a great non-lead offering. I do know that with leaf, my Tikka would eat just about any factory ammo at under 1 MOA. I tested a few copper options at various weights and to my shock. Some of the groups were pushing 5-6 inches!

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Worth a try. Honestly, I haven't done as much research as I should have for finding a great non-lead offering. I do know that with leaf, my Tikka would eat just about any factory ammo at under 1 MOA. I tested a few copper options at various weights and to my shock. Some of the groups were pushing 5-6 inches!

Yeah my tikka 308 hasn’t disappointed yet but I have not tried any non lead offerings.

Another option I missed that a lot of guys use them seem to really like is hammer bullets.

Nice buck anyway though looks to be pushing 20” spread

 

[sbutton88]

Pic is a little deceiving. He's has a big ol body. Width was 22.5"

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Pic is a little deceiving. He's has a big ol body. Width was 22.5"

Badass, good on ya!

 

[roosiebull]

Worth a try. Honestly, I haven't done as much research as I should have for finding a great non-lead offering. I do know that with leaf, my Tikka would eat just about any factory ammo at under 1 MOA. I tested a few copper options at various weights and to my shock. Some of the groups were pushing 5-6 inches!

I visited copper for a very brief time years ago, and it seemed like some copper bullets were very fickle, I had a sako 270 at the time, and a couple of the copper ammo was the only ammo I shot in that rifle that didn’t shoot well

I shot 1 buck with a ttsx and went right back to lead, it was an unnecessary path I took for a season at the time it seemed like everyone was raving about copper ammo

Dandy buck by the way!!!

 

[longrangelead]

I visited copper for a very brief time years ago, and it seemed like some copper bullets were very fickle, I had a sako 270 at the time, and a couple of the copper ammo was the only ammo I shot in that rifle that didn’t shoot well

I shot 1 buck with a ttsx and went right back to lead, it was an unnecessary path I took for a season at the time it seemed like everyone was raving about copper ammo

Dandy buck by the way!!!

same here. Coppers either shot or they didn't.
I will say though, the new LRX line has been a lot less finicky. haven't dabbled with anything else outside copper subs like Makers.

 

[MN_kurka]

My first year blacktail hunting and my 6-year-old's first day hunting with me... Setting him up for unrealistic expectations.

 

[sbutton88]

View attachment 977800
My first year blacktail hunting and my 6-year-old's first day hunting with me... Setting him up for unrealistic expectations.

Looks like an amazing hunt. Can't beat hunting with the kid!

 

[MN_kurka]

Looks like an amazing hunt. Can't beat hunting with the kid!

I grew up hunting 160-640 acre tracts of public land in MN corn country and that kid in me cannot believe the country I get to hunt now.

 

[JRay]

Love the chocolate antlers on that buck.

 

[Rogue Bay]

View attachment 977800
My first year blacktail hunting and my 6-year-old's first day hunting with me... Setting him up for unrealistic expectations.

Congrats on an incredible blacktail. That’s a stud of a buck and is about as pretty as they get.

 

[roosiebull]

View attachment 977800
My first year blacktail hunting and my 6-year-old's first day hunting with me... Setting him up for unrealistic expectations.

That’s awesome! Great buck!

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Great buck, with your boy no less. The way it should be. Good job dad.

 

[Mr.Ktm]

My first black tail

 

[Pwb199]

Beautiful colors on that hide

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Great buck!!

 

[bricketts]

Congrats to everyone on some beautiful bucks this year!! I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the success every year.