Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Neck Shots

He would have. I have shot them with a 22-250 and used bothe the Sierra 50 grain SP Varminter and the 50 grain Blitzkings.

Instant lights out.

I bet you shot ‘em right in the ear hole!

Each situation dictates a different reaction. Is a neck shot warranted in some situations? Absolutely you bet!!

Neck shots work like a charm, never need to deal with tracking, at least I never had to get, dropped a doe last night with a 308, like she hit a brick wall.

This+10. Mb

I've killed a lot of mule deer with neck shots.
I've always been too lazy to bone out the neck on a deer, so a neck shot gives me an excuse.

Took one today. It worked

If they’re close enough it’s my preferred shot. Right where the neck and shoulders meet. Dead center.

Absolutely. Head or neck. Weigh distance, accuracy of the gun, steadiness of the rest .. decide. I especially use it when using smaller cartridges that I don't have confidence in with heart/lung shots. It is lights-out if executed correctly. It can be a real [bleep] show if you flub it.

It has nothing to do with cajones though. Viewing it in that context .. there's no right answer when you ask a wrong question.

T O M, yep. I had a sample of one to work with and that one was a fluke, hence my question. I have complete faith in my rifles’ accuracy especially under the conditions members say they observe when making a neck shot. This has been a great conversation and I’ve learned quite a bit from the experience you all have shared.

I find it fairly effective......

Did not read the thread. But I will stand by the fact that anatomically the brain socket is a much larger and rounder target than the neck is. And I've trailed more neck shot deer than head shot deer. But yes in many years of head shots I've had to finish 2 head shot deer that went wrong.

We now shoot body so the dog has practice trailing. But a stationary deer with a good rest out to about 200 yards for sure I'd take a head over a neck and if I miss I'm going to miss high now every time due to my method. Which is miss. This over any attempt at a neck shot.

Personal preference.

Neck shots? Only a fool takes neck shots!!!!!!!!!

I'm kidding, I will take a neck shot every chance I get, 0 wasted meat, perfect.

Shot this guy in the throat at 147 yards with my M1917, dropped in his tracks.

Reading through this thread, it seems the most common reason given by those who object to neck shots is that they’ve seen someone screw up neck shots.

By that standard, I guess I should never use a .30-06 for deer because the two worst gut-shot goat rodeos I’ve ever had to follow up on were deer shot with.30-06’s.

The fact of the matter, inept people are going to fuque stuff up. It doesn’t matter if it’s a particular shot placement, the cartridge used, the bullet used, the type of rifle….if its not done right, it’s the fault of the person doing it.

The whole process of killing a deer well is a matter of using an appropriate selection of rifle, cartridge, bullet and shot placement for the circumstances presented. All those are components of a system. For someone with the requisite skill, neck shot is a very useful and effective shot placement when necessary and when the other components of the system fit and function with it.

It has been my observation with over 50 years of experience afield that most people are not good shots on birds and big game.

So I agree with your statement 100%

Yes

What’s not to like? Midway down just in front of the shoulder is DRT.

I break shoulder blades, yes I lose a little more meat but I don’t track them either. Shot a few in the neck but if you make this shot enough your chances of wounding them is greater, no doubt.

Ever seen a deer running around with his lower jaw shot off and it's tounge hanging out?
F-no on neck shots.
Punch behind the shoulder.