Muzzy Blood Trails?

[SloppyJ]

^^ Your pictures actually prove the point that it is likely dead if the OP actually hit it and the bullet didn't magically explode. A milk jug is what? Roughly 6" across? The higher MV actually had more penetration and didn't "blow up" too.

Both tests show penetration to at LEAST 12" with some pretty nasty fragmentation blowing out the last water jug on each test. The last test showing at least 18" of penetration. Not to mention, if it's a lung shot, there isn't as much force against the bullet as there is with a filled water jug.

 

[ElDiablito]

Your pictures actually prove the point that it is likely dead if the OP actually hit it

I agree - likely dead if he hit it (by now).

 

[ElDiablito]

This would be an ideal elk muzzy bullet in my book

Nosler Partition

The bullet is the 300g Nosler Partition. The plywood sandwich was added to the front of the jugs, and knowing from past experience that the Nosler is a deep penetrating bullet, an extra jug was added to the back. The load was 80g Blackhorn, short black Harvester sabot, W209...

www.modernmuzzleloader.com

 

[highcountrymuley]

Entirely possible that mz soft lead bullets fragment at close range/ high velocity. Powerbelt Aero platinum 330 gr at 40 yds exploded on impact on this buck. This pic is entrance wound! Luckily recovered him and quit using power belts. My brother shot a bull at 35 yds with Federal bor loc 350 gr lead with 100 gr by volume of BH209 and no blood or signs of a hit. Dead 75 yds away. Common to have no blood trails. No idea what happened with your bull. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Sandhills]

Not an expert on black powder, I only shot 4 deer with one. First was a spike whitetail with a power belt using a hundred grains of pyrodex at around 75-100 yards. Lost him, pulled or something and didn't hit him good. Saw him later that winter walking stiff legged. Other 3 have all been with White Super slugs, I think 480 grain bullets or maybe 460s and 100 grains of pyrodex. All three of them were through the shoulders and the deer were DRT or incapacitated enough for me to get on em and shoot again.

The common factor is though that none of the deer really bled. As previously stated it was hard to even find the entry or exit hole even where I shot one in the neck at point blank. Internally they were soup though.