back_at_it
FNG
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2023
- Messages
- 8
A few months ago I shot two audad ewes at ~375 yards with Berger 7mm 190-grain LRHTs loaded to 2,840 fps in my 280 AI. Both shots penciled through. The first ewe nevertheless dropped where she stood; the other fell after a few steps, but got up and struggled downhill for maybe 50 yards before expiring. I had drilled the meplats to 0.0465" and trimmed them a few thousandths with a benchresting meplat trimmer for uniformity, hoping the drill/trim treatment would aid expansion. It didn't. I'm trying again next weekend on wild boar, having drilled the same projectile to 0.055". If I don't see much better expansion, I won't hunt this particular bullet again.
I've had very good luck drilling and trimming 20-caliber 220-grain SMKs with the smaller drill bit. Two nilgai at around 200 yards. Both dropped where they stood, softball-sized exit wounds. Also a cow elk at 611 yards, again DRT.
Drill and trim at your own risk, of course. I'm not recommending the practice, just reporting my experience.
I've had very good luck drilling and trimming 20-caliber 220-grain SMKs with the smaller drill bit. Two nilgai at around 200 yards. Both dropped where they stood, softball-sized exit wounds. Also a cow elk at 611 yards, again DRT.
Drill and trim at your own risk, of course. I'm not recommending the practice, just reporting my experience.
