Shooting through grass

Adventurewriter

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Just got back from hunting antelope in Wyoming...made a long crawling stalk on a buck through almost flat ground...was able to kill the buck when he moved but for lots of the stalk there was that light whispy sparse grass that was a about 18 inches to two feet high.... If I was to sit up a few feet to get above the grass he would have bolted.

Does any body have thoughts or experiences shooting through this light grass???

I shoot a 270 WSM....
 
For hunting purpose, i won't shoot at a Deer, for instance, thru much more than sparse grass that is very close to the animal. Shooting thru grass that is nearby or between you and the target is just not a good idea and i feel you were not only right to be concerned but not alone in wanting a cleaner way to get the job done.

I usually have a staff with me that i sometimes use to help steady shots that are standing, semi-standing, squatting, kneeling, or even out prone depending the need. Guys use tripods, shooting stix, all manner of shooting aids but in the end, they all need to be positioned higher than the grass or other obstruction blocking your target so a guy in your position can become exposed.

My findings on lopes says to never expect a antelope to do what you think he's going to. Aside from going to and from water, a guy just doesn't know if, once they see you, they will run off 100 MPH or walk closer in to rock throwing distance. Hopefully, once you do rise up and take the shot, the lope either doesn't see you or doesn't seem to care...his undoing! :)

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
Light grass that is right in front of the animal won't be a problem but the same grass close to the shooter could certainly cause a miss, or worse.
Deflected bullets is a big deal!
I would never knowingly shoot through grass.
You could test till the cows come home and never duplicats what might happen with a deflected shot. Too many variables.
Zeke
 
....when there's lead in the air, there's hope...

"As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron."
- H.L. Mencken, the Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
 
I never taken a shot through grass but I wonder if its the light stuff would it be like having tape on the end of your barrel? The gasses would move the blades aside and the bullet would pass through unobstructed? But like stated more variables than you can test for.
 
I missed a really nice deer a few weeks ago with my
muzz by shooting over him, trying to avoid bulldozing
grass and tall weeds. Hard to know what to do. Not something
I had practiced. Frustrating, to say the least.
 
More of a visibility issue I'd think. If you can't see, I think I'd find another spot to shoot. Shooting sticks come in handy here. On the receiving end, I've shot plenty of yotes through sage branches. With a 22-250.
 
Shooting through grass wouldn't be like shooting with tape on the end of the barrel. With tape the air pushing down the barrel pushes the tape off and the bullet shouldn't come in contact with the tape.
 
If the grass is close to the animal, definitely not an issue. Like they said above if it is next to you and you are shooting farther than 40 yards, it will affect your bullet path.

I have shot deer standing in thick grass up to their backs but the bullet only traveled a few feet through it due to me shooting from a tree stand. Never had an issue other than having to guess where the vital zone is. If you are experienced, seeing the head and entire length of the back it is rather easy to pick out the kill zone still though.

Thinking more on it, I'd be more worried about it pulling the bullet down vs deflecting it off to one side or the other.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


>wah wah wah......
a certain individuals response on 8/12/2014 to anyone that commits suicide.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID11/19864.html
There are many things that would be nice to wish for or say but then I would be just like him.
 

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