Anchoring the Bull

bowhunter223 · Sep 9, 2009

First of all...Nice pics and stories guys. I really enjoyed them.

Question: I recently listened to a bowcast episode on shot placement (they mostly talked on deer anatomy), and it got me thinking about my upcoming spike bull hunt (hunter orange with guys everywhere festival). Anyway, I shoot a .270 and have not had the privelage of punching an elk yet. My question is, where would/do you aim with this caliber size?? My guns likes the 130 gr. I have read on here that some will say "just on front of the shoulder" to anchor a bull where he is, and yet I hear and read behind and try for the heart/lungs etc. It's a bo brainer where the vitals are, but with this caliber do you hit the frontal area? I'm intruigued because my dad shot his Book Cliffs bull on accident in front of the shoulder/chest area on a broadside shot and it put him down where he stood.

Help me out guys. I'd like to hear what you think.

Thanks!

-223

SneakAttack · Sep 9, 2009

If they are talking about the high shoulder shot...They are saying you crush the vertebra when the bullet strikes, paralyzing the animal. Never done it myself. I did hit my deer last year in neck in front of the shoulder, upper neck. SLEDGE HAMMER! 270? not sure it will crush the scapula with enough force to bust 'em down. But then again you see guys throw an arrow into the high shoulder and deer fold like a lawn chair. Alot of times good things come from mistakes (mistakenly hit the high shoulder), but I'd hate for you to find out otherwise. When it doubt go for the vitals. Good luck

Bates7 · Sep 9, 2009

I've shot bull elk with my .270 J.C. Higgins (Sears & Roebuck).

My first was a 4x5 nontypical in unit 6a in AZ. I hit him behind the left shoulder just below the spine with a 150 grain core-lock. He dropped like a sack of taters dead. When I opened him up his heart & lungs were one big blood clot. We found what was left of the bullet and apparently about 3/4 of the mushroom had fragmented from deflecting off of the spinal bone. We figure that's what chewed up his vitals.

My advise to you is; don't doubt the .270. It is by far the most versitile big game caliber out there. At least that's my opinion. If I was you I'd shoot it enough times to get real comfortable with shot placement and also to build your confidence in your weapon.

I'm a one shot one kill guy and I take that aproach extremely seriously. If I have to take multiple shots to kill an animal I'm very dissapointed in myself. Then you can find me out at the range burning up ammo. Good luck on your and be sure to post some pics.

bowhunter223 · Sep 9, 2009

Thanks Bates! I'm very comfortable and confident with my .270. I guess that's what I'm looking for is advice on shot placement. What do you feel is better for mortally putting an elk down....behind the shoulder or in front of it? And why?

Thanks Again!! I appreciate the responses.

-223

DBG3285 · Sep 9, 2009

I have shot 4 elk and 2 deer with my 270. It works just as well as anything. if you shott an elk at 200-300 yards in the shoulder it will bust them down just fine. I would suggest a premium bullet for busting them down. if you are shooting a core-lokt then behind the shoulder.

Bates7 · Sep 9, 2009

Behind. You have a much bigger kill zone.

400bullelk · Sep 9, 2009

I am a little slow in understanding your question??? Are you wanting to hit the bull with a .270 and drop it in it's tracks, or make an ethical shot to kill it??? High shoulder shot will drop it in its tracks. If you are going with the odds shoot it in the front shoulder. If you draw a line from the back of the front leg up into it's body, that is what I would aim for. If you hit him middle/low of body, he might run 20-30 yards, but he will pile up. Called a bull into 40 yards of a guy last year, he hit him right here, bull spun and took off, dragging his front leg, piled up dead 20 yards. That was with a .300 win mag. Put a bullet in the broiler=dead animal, easy recovery. It only takes 800 lbs of pressure to break the shoulder. You probably have that at 800 yards with your .270. Get confident with the rifle, practice, and don't flinch.

need4x4 · Sep 9, 2009

My suggestion is you want to hit the lungs/heart.

You have a chance of the bull not being recovered if your bullet deflects off large bone. Even if this chance is small, it is there.

However, you have much less chance for error in the larger area of heart/lung that is behind the shoulder.

Things get a little less than perfect as you get your chance for a shot, so you want to give yourself the best possible chance.

Google search and you can find a picture of the elk vitals and another of the skeleton of the elk. Look them over and I think you will see what I am saying and the guy above who said the same.

Also, even if you hit him good, you might give him some time to die if he runs off. Meaning, don't rush in, let him die. If he runs off, you may expand your search area so much as to make him unrecoverable.

lchcguide · Sep 9, 2009

The last 7 animals I have killed with my .270 and 7mm mag, have been right through middle of the shoulder. None have went more than 10-15 yards all but 2 dropped dead in the tracks. All shots have taken out both lungs. Great place to shoot for in my opinion. If you are looking in to saving as much meat as possible then shoot behind the shoulder.

runamuk · Sep 13, 2009

http://www.bowhunting.net/NAspecies/elk2.html

apollosmith · Sep 13, 2009

I wondered this same question before my bull hunt last year. I also shoot a .270. I decided for myself that I would go with a high shoulder shot within 150 yards if I felt very comfortable with the shot. Anything other than that was going low behind the shoulder.

My bull ended up being shot laying down in bed (his bed, not mine) from 320 yards. I aimed for the boiler room and missed just a bit high hitting him high in the shoulder. The bullet busted through the shoulder angling upward and busted his spine without exiting. He didn't get up or give more than kick a time or two.

piper · Sep 13, 2009

The problem with lighter calibers and light bullets is when you hit close to the boiler room but not quite get it and your not lucky enough to break the spine, a shoulder shot or high shot not getting the back bone can mean a lost elk, I would recommend using premium bullets that hold together, and 150 grain bullets would probably be a better choice, my opinion anyway.