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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 378
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 378 |
My experience in the XFB is limited to the 75gr .257 and the 53gr .224 but I was under the impression that they were similar performance wise. This year's deer season gave me reason to question that.
I had loaded my last 50 53gr XFBs for my 223 in hopes that I would get to poke a deer with one this year. As it turned out I didn't, but my brother did. It was his first year hunting and he picked the 223 as his loaner for the week. Rifle was a fairly stock 700 ADL, the loads were just under max with H335. The load shoot well, no stabilization issues.
Thirty minutes into his first morning he spied a small buck broadside at around 40 yards. His shot went in just behind the shoulder breaking an on-side rib, but didn't exit. The bullet wasn't lodged in the far side rib cage and no bones were visibly broken on that side. It being his first I let him have all the fun of field dressing and he wasn't digging doing an autopsy to satisfy my curiosity so that's about all I have to go on.
Was this a fluke or is this typical of 53gr XFBs? The deer was dead in short order but I was expecting an exit given prior experience with the like sized TSX and larger XFBs.
Also, I am already convinced of the 223's performance on deer. This isn't a question of suitable caliber, but rather of the best bullets for said caliber.
Thoughts? Any similar experiences?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 58,755 Likes: 56
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 58,755 Likes: 56 |
Would think the 2nd hole got missed in the fray.
Those 53's dig DEEP...................
Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5 |
Agreed. Those exit holes can be tiny, tiny. I shoot the 53 XLC for pelts for that reason. JMO, Dutch.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 9,101
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 9,101 |
I'll third" that - I can't recall a 53grain X bullet NOT exiting a deer. I've shot more than 20 with a .22CHeetah - at ranges from about 15 yards to 385 yards - I still have no bullets to show off - just racks.
Brian
Vernon BC Canada
"Nothing in life - can compare to seeing smiles on your children's faces."
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 378
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 378 |
Thanks guys. Exactly what I wanted to hear.
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