When using a 30-30 and I want the deer DRT, I counterpunch the shoulder from broadside.. Normally I put the shot through the ribs because I like shoulder roasts from the oven and get an exit with a good blood trail, the only caveat being if you jump a buck and shoot it running and angling away, you are unable to get perfect broadside shot placement and even a great shot through the chest cavity may not end up with an exit wound resulting is a less than desirable blood trail.
The only deer i ever trailed up to find leaning against the side of a tree trunk to keep from falling over was one I had shot with a 44mag.
I would still consider the 44 mag for tracking up bedded mule deer in thick, low mesquite but have also considered using a shotgun with buckshot for the quick follow up shots.
I would prefer a Browning short-track, light, well balanced, and short in 243 or 308 due to the possibility of the vegetation opening up and possibly needing to take a 200-300 yard shot.
Last edited by jaguartx; 01/12/20.
