A few years ago my son shot a whitetail buck with his 30-06 at modest range, maybe 80 yards. The buck fell instantly and I thought it was likely a hit near the spine.
So glad I'd taught the young man to cycle his bolt after the first shot, and be ready to take a second shot! Within 30 seconds that buck was back on his feet. John put him down for good with the second shot.
The first one had indeed, hit near the spine, but hadn't broken it. That buck was about to get the heck out of there, when he picked up the second, quite fatal, 165 gr Nosler.
Guy
