Glensman Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) Myself and Ollie are going deer stalking sunday. I normally use PRVI or Hornady SST 130gr for my shooting. But I've loaded some Berger 140gr VLDs. How do you guys think these will perform for neck shots? I read somewhere they make a very neat hole and expand After 3" That doesn't sound like what I'm looking for for neck shots... Calibre is .270WIN Edited October 14, 2011 by Glensman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbit Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Just use a bullet 'designed' to do the job and leave the target bullets for shooting targets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Just use a bullet 'designed' to do the job and leave the target bullets for shooting targets. It says on the box 'Recommended for Hunting, Also excellent for Target' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 No worries Bud the VLD will do nicely anywhere from the center mass forward. Anyone that isn't familiar with VLDs has no idea the shock they impart when they shed their jackets. I am betting you will be amazed at the outcome. Do let us know!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackley Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 (edited) Myself and Ollie are going deer stalking sunday. I normally use PRVI or Hornady SST 130gr for my shooting. But I've loaded some Berger 140gr VLDs. How do you guys think these will perform for neck shots? I read somewhere they make a very neat hole and expand After 3" That doesn't sound like what I'm looking for for neck shots... Calibre is .270WIN the VLDs work better over distance when they have slowed down a bit,close shots you may struggle as the bullet may pass straight through,if you neck shooting why not hit the head instead its a lot more solid to help expand the bullet I have tried them and couldnt get on with them,great over distance though,but really they ar a match bullet,the best of the west relly got them into the lime light as a hunting bullet,but they dont shoot anyhting under 500 yards which in turn the bullet has slowed down and when penertrated wil expand and break up nowerdays I only use a premium bonded bullet,let us know how you get on Edited October 15, 2011 by Ackley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Hi Guys, I'm getting put off the idea of them... I have some PRVI and Hornady's that basically shoot to the same POI. The ground I will be stalking on will not offer long-range shooting and I have no deer dog so I would rather neck shots when available. The Hornady SSTs and PRVIs have been devastating on anything they've hit and really do instil confidence. I think I must have got caught up in the hype of the VLDs from the States I have 100 of them so I will hopefully get them tested and possibly try them when stalking in Kerry/Donegal where 300+ shots often present themselves. Thanks for the advice guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 The problem with high neck shots is that part of the deer can move very freely. To go out with the intention of high neck shots is going to seriously limit the shots you can take if you behave sensibly. There seems little point in going VLD over a deer specific bullet- it wont ever be the deciding factor, if anything its more a gamble hence your question. There are equally good ways to stop Deer well, When it does go wrong High neck aimed shots have the poorest recovery rate next only to head shots and thats with trained certified Deer dogs as for no dog you on a near total looser "when one goes wrong". Main woundings are damage to the asophagus or Jaw leading to a very protracted period prior to starvation or blood poisoning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 The problem with high neck shots is that part of the deer can move very freely. To go out with the intention of high neck shots is going to seriously limit the shots you can take if you behave sensibly. There seems little point in going VLD over a deer specific bullet- it wont ever be the deciding factor, if anything its more a gamble hence your question. There are equally good ways to stop Deer well, When it does go wrong High neck aimed shots have the poorest recovery rate next only to head shots and thats with trained certified Deer dogs as for no dog you on a near total looser "when one goes wrong". Main woundings are damage to the asophagus or Jaw leading to a very protracted period prior to starvation or blood poisoning Very good point Kent, although I have had excellent results with the VLD, it is senseless to risk maiming an animal with a risky shot and doubtful recovery. I don't ever take neck/head shots as that area can move rather suddenly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Very good point Kent, although I have had excellent results with the VLD, it is senseless to risk maiming an animal with a risky shot and doubtful recovery. I don't ever take neck/head shots as that area can move rather suddenly. In Ireland neck shooting would be the most common shot taken. Less meat damage and the belief here is that you have fewer runners. A deer shot in the heart/lungs Will die, but it may run 100yards and get lost in cover- I have no deer dog, so was going to take a neck shot to Avoid runners... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackley Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 In Ireland neck shooting would be the most common shot taken. Less meat damage and the belief here is that you have fewer runners. A deer shot in the heart/lungs Will die, but it may run 100yards and get lost in cover- I have no deer dog, so was going to take a neck shot to Avoid runners... I will back you on that mate as i have shot in Ireland several times and the guides certainly like the head or neck shots,I must say though "you are not pressured to do this if your not confident" some of the best stalking Ive ever had was over there,its a shame it got so expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 (edited) I will back you on that mate as i have shot in Ireland several times and the guides certainly like the head or neck shots,I must say though "you are not pressured to do this if your not confident" some of the best stalking Ive ever had was over there,its a shame it got so expensive It's the poaching that's wrecking it over here. I've got 2 good permissions this week full of fallow. But I need to get on them early before the lampers destroy it! Only stags until 1st Nov so hopefully we get a nice trophy for the garage/reloading room/man-pit By the way: I'm giving the Bergers a miss for now, went with the Hornady SST 130gr Edited October 15, 2011 by Glensman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Nice trophy to go alongside the Billy goat when I get round to doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glensman Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Nice trophy to go alongside the Billy goat when I get round to doing it You mean when you grow the balls to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 In Ireland neck shooting would be the most common shot taken. Less meat damage and the belief here is that you have fewer runners. A deer shot in the heart/lungs Will die, but it may run 100yards and get lost in cover- I have no deer dog, so was going to take a neck shot to Avoid runners... Blood tracking 100 yds aint too hard without a dog to be fair if the deer is totally unaware of your presence they dont go that far from a good high heart shot anyway, touching the edges of the lungs will of course take them further. I am sick of hearing "i missed it" when a high neck shot/ brain shot failed (clean misses are very much more rare than many imagine)Like i say they carry very low recovery rates indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 The Berger VLD hunting bullet is just that - a hunting bullet, designed to kill animals. It has a slightly different jacket construction IIRC than the normal one. As it's sold and marketed specifically to kill things, I really don't think there is a problem using it to kill the size of animal it was designed to kill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 I suppose as a bowhunter blood trailing has become second nature to me. It is one of the things I had to learn to be a competent bowman. I would bet that a whole bunch more deer, elk whatever would be found if they were approached with the idea that they had been hit and could be found. Many gun hunters think if it didn't drop and thrash they missed and go on. I stick with what I believe to be true, neck shots are risky and it is a small target in relation the the heart/lung area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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