Colorado Muzzle loader mulie

[bmarquez]

I have been reading posts on this site for a long time, and finally shot a buck that is worthy of posting on here. This was a DIY hunt, no outfitter. I saw a couple bigger than this one during my hunt, but never could get close enough. The night before I got him I snuck within 275 yards of an absolute giant, but never could get closer. As I was looking for that buck the next night I spotted six really nice bucks bedded and snuck in. This was the big one of the six that, and I could not pass him up. I got within 100 yards, and fortunately made a great shot when he stood up that put him down almost immediately. I hope you enjoy! I had him green scored at Cabela's TAGS and they measured him at 201 1/2". He has a 27" inside spread and 29" outside. Sorry for the poor photography that really does him no justice.

 

[tworivers]

Great Job!
RIP Lil Bro' "Huntnfever"

 

[Feleno]

Very nice buck but 201? Probably a deceiving photo.
Congrats.

 

[eldorado]

Great buck. Like the mass and character on that rack. Congrats.

Eldorado

 

[bmarquez]

It is terrible photography. I didn't think it would score that high either? I was thinking high 170's low 180's, but when it was taped it said different. The smallest mass measurement was right at 7" on both sides. This 201 score is the gross score without the deductions, and the net is right at 180". It won't make Bonne and Crocket book for sure, but definitely a great buck for me. Thanks!

 

[zekers]

Very cool buck! Sounds like a fun hunt!

F'dude, that's a very polite and nice thing to say.

 

[crazeymaez]

Great buck,Congrats

 

[oilcan]

Great Buck and welcome

 

[ICMDEER]

Congrats on a great hunt and buck. I'd like to see the one that got away. Must have really been a monster.

 

[BIGJOHNT]

Very nice buck ! I am guessing this wasn't a late hunt ? Looks pretty green around you.

 

[Cornhusker]

I like the character of the buck as well as he has good mass in the picture, congratulations.

 

[azhuntin]

Congrats on an awesome buck. I could see how it could be 201 having over 56 inches of mass. Thanks for posting it up.

 

[cmbbulldog]

first of all, great buck.

The smallest mass measurement is 7 inches???

 

[Gator]

Very nice looking Buck, got any pictures of the one that got away.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

 

[Avsman]

It might not make B&C but Muzzle Loaders have their own book! I guarantee you he makes the Long Hunter Muzzle Loader Book! Great Buck!



"WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES LAW" "REVOLUTION
BECOMES DUTY" unknown

Windage and elevation pilgrim windage and elevation

 

[elkun]

great buck, who cares about score,,,,

 

[ridgetops]

>great buck, who cares about score,,,,
>

I'm guessing you don't elkun but a lot of people do.
Yes, that is a great buck.

There's always next year

 

[bmarquez]

Sorry that was a typo, the biggest was 7", but all of the mass measurements were over 5". Sorry about that.

 

[larrbo]

Really nice buck

 

[Deerzz21]

Thanks for sharing your story and photos sweet deer. Nice job!

 

[RPAJSR]

Excellent buck, especially with a muzzleloader!

 

[jls456]

Great Buck with a muzzleloader.

 

[MuleyMinor]

Congrats!! Great deer!! What did you shoot him with? (Bullet/Load)

 

[bmarquez]

Thanks I can't wait until I get the mount back in May!! I used a .50 cal CVA Accura 2 open sights (Colorado law). I use 150 grains of Triple 7 with 300 grain powerbelt platinums. We muzzle loader elk hunt as well, so we have messed with these loads and messed with these loads until we finally got this load that seems perfect. Between my father in law, brother in law, and myself we have shot two elk and six mule deer the past two years since using this load. It is perfect as it has penetrated every animal clear through and stopped on the skin on the other side, and is super accurate, which is exactly what I want. We also have weighed these bullets after the kills and they are retaining almost all of their weight after retrieval from the animal. Maybe we could go down on the powder a little bit, but it seems to be working pretty good! The best thing is we have not lost an animal. I have seen several other guys not in our party lose elk because of poor loads in my opinion, and I lost a nice mule deer buck because a poor load that was a great placed shot. If anyone else has a great load it would be cool to hear what they use.

 

[jims]

I would be curious what distance you limit yourself with the powerbelts and what type of sites do you use? I have a feeling a lot of it comes down to shooting a lot, figuring out what load works best, and how to shoot sites!

 

[bmarquez]

I shoot quite a bit, but definitely not enough to be as good as I can be. My range is a 150 yards tops on an animal, as I am confident at that range. If it is 100 yds or closer it should be dead every time. My issue is having a good enough site picture to be able to continue to aim small past the 150 yards (and 150 is not easy) so it leaves little room for error. My bullet really starts to take a nose dive just over 150 yards. I have shot out to 200 and 250 yards at a target at a range, but it seems like there is a lot of guessing. I'm sure there are guys that can do it, but not I. I just use the sites that came with the gun. Maybe someone can point me in a better direction to increase range, but I love the challenge of getting close. If I wanted to shoot real far I would just rifle hunt. I had to watch a giant bull in Colorado this year walk away because I was stuck at 215 yds and could not get closer. Just part of the game. I also think the type of gun makes a huge difference. We had cheap CVA's up until a few years ago, and man if you were past 60 yards it was a guessing game, shots went everywhere all the time. So, quality equipment definitely makes a difference. I'm sure there are some experts on here that I hope might chime in on this. Thanks for the question!