Since my time is restricted this year I'm lucky to have a small spot to hunt that's just a few miles from my home. Up until this season I would be gone with no way to contact me but I've joined the cell phone brigade which allows incoming calls if I am needed at home. Although I only stay out for a few hours the cell phone is reassuring should I be needed elsewhere.

For many years I have wanted to kill a deer with a cast bullet but always changed my mind, using jacketed in my hunting cartridges. Not so this year. On Thursday, during our senior & junior antlerless deer season, I smacked a doe using my 336CB in 38-55 with a 250 gr. cast bullet from a group buy at Cast Boolits. The deer was quartering toward me and impact was at the point of the shoulder. At the shot the deer fell then struggled across the path and died. Probably less than 10 seconds total. This makes my 38-55 two-for-two on deer, the previous being shot with a Winchester factory load a few years back.

Inspiration for using cast on game has to go to Ranch Dog since he uses them all the time these days. Anyone remember PM 1 where there was a seperate category for cast? If I'm not mistaken RD was surprised to see the cast groups were rivaling the jacketed. For PM 2 there were only scope & open categories but no cast. I may be wrong but I think that PM 1 started RD on the lead bullet path and look how far he's come since then.

I may not get to hunt again this year but this cast bullet kill is one of the most satisfying things I have ever done. Why did I wait so long?

Steelbanger
The last deer that I shot wass killed with a paper patched bullet that I had designed and made.The ammunition was,of course,made by myself.
It was the most rewarding hunt of my life,except for the very first one,in 1953.
Both were one shot kills;the deer never took a step after the shot.
Like you,I waited too long.
Frank

Kragman71,

We must have a few things in common. I started hunting in 1954 so we must be near the same age, share an interest in cast projectiles and who knows what else? I don't have a Krag but have fired some shots from them over the years.

Steelbanger
I hunted for 50 years with my Krag,and consider it a good choice for woodland deer hunting.
But age and a medical problem forced me to curtail my hunting range.Now,I only hunt in a very familiar wooded area with no chance for the occasional long shot.
I use the little 30/30 Winchester,and that is what I used for the latest shot with a cast bullet.
I never hunted PA,but have travelled there many times.I spent a few days there last Month,and travelled through last week.
Frank