Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting What 'cartridge' have you had the MOST --DRTs?

I've only killed 3 with my Whelens so far, but all three dropped on the spot. Range varied from 60-210. First two were Remington 200gr factory. This year was 225gr Sierra reloads.
My next best "bang flop" gun is my .44 rifle with 200gr XTP hand loads. Most shots I have taken with it were less than 50 yards, some less than 15.
Shot a whitetail facing me with a .300 Win mag at about 125 yards. Bullet was a Hornady 180gr. Deer had ZERO reaction to the shot other than to turn and walk away. Walked about 50 yards and fell over.

.35 Whelen with 225 gr AB's

270 winchester and 130 gr bullets.

.300 Savage with Remington 180 gr. RN Core-Lockt. Second would be 30-06 with Federal Premium 165 gr. Sierra Game King BTSP. Third would be 12 ga. Remington Sluggers. Last but not least would be .22 LR. Squirrels really don't like head shots......

.280 with Winchester Silvertips and 7mm-08 with Federal Fusion.

300win. Mag. From Browning bar named "Mother".

Shot placement?

Once again the answer will almost always be what you shoot most and best. DRT has nothing at all to do with the round, but all to do with placement.

But some can't seem to understand that.

And would call a man a liar if he said every deer he shot with a 22 LR or mag was DRT.

I would have to disagree, with the terminal aspect of the statement. the cartridge has a little to do with it. a .17 placed in the same exact spot as a 280, won't have the same effect.

+1

Interesting moniker with the above in mind.

Eat right up to the hole w/ that one too I'll bet.

DRT: .54 roundball, 30-06, 12g 00buck, 12g copper solid slugs, 12g brenneke, .44 w/180grain xtp, .44 w/240grain xtp, .451 w/460grain conical....


Non DRT: .54 roundball, 12g 00buck, 12g copper solid slugs, 12g brenneke, .44 w/180grain xtp, .44 w/240grain xtp, .451 w/460grain conical....


CONCLUSION: 30-06 is better & man has caused global climate change.

For me the largest % DRT is a tie between the '06 with 180 grain RN core lokts and the .54 with roundball.

I dont seek out DRT, since I can usually track a large non-dangerous game animal with 2 huge holes in its vitals across the 25-50 yards they cover in a "death run". Usually. Yeah, I 'm THAT good.

.35 whelen with Barnes ttsx. Pure magic on white tails.

Dave

In a way yes, but if you are after DRT, the ONLY shot placement thats 100% is going to be the same wiht a 17 or a 280 and the results will be exactly the same.

if you are NOT trying to hit the CNS, then you are never guaranteed a thing. All of the folks touting the 257 wtby for DRT... my buddy and I bought a pair 5 years ago. I've not even put a scope on mine, he did right away and has shot 5-6 deer a year plus hogs with his. He has NEVER had one DRT ever. Thats contrary to what folks post generally about a high speed round. But then he does not shoot CNS shots either.

Of course my earlier answer was 243 win. And thats the truth for me, not aiming at CNS shots. moved to a 300 wtby and recall 2 deer that dropped at the shot. Vs about 50% on the 243.

If you want hte best chance with a non CNS shot, IMHO speed is your best friend and then if you add a frangible bullet that helps even more. I don't do frangible bullets though.

280 AI probably because its what I usually have in my hands when I'm hunting deer. I agree with others that DRT's are more a function of shot placement than caliber.

25-06 and a 100gr bullet, mostly Nosler ballistic tips.

One rifle is 12 for 12, a few beyond 400 yards. Another rifle is 2 for 2, the last one a tad over 200 yards.

All one shot kills (primarily heart/lungs). All but two deer just fell where hit and neither that didn't drop, went more than a few yards before toppling over.

I shoot mostly between 400 and 500 yards.

Good DRT ratio is:
.257 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 4 killed
.270 130 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 9 killed
7mm 140 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 1 killed
7mm 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 2 killed

Bad DRT ratio:
7mm 180 gr Berger VLD hunting 3 killed
7mm 162 gr Hornady SST 1 killed

I have hunted deer for 41 seasons now and have used many a different round / cartridge during that time.

By far the most DRT by total and percentage is the 7x57mm shooting 120g X Bullets.

It is so effective that twice now I have shot deer that where on the run in the rib cage and each time they just folded and crashed. That bullet in my 7x57mm impressed me so much that I went and bought 500 of them. I still have that supply I am working through. These are the original X bullets without and grooves and flat base.

I have used the 7x57mm with the 139 HSPBT and they work good but not like the 120g X. Not wanting to start a bullet debate but with over 25 deer to that 7x57mm and 120g X combo and none ever taking a follow on movement I know what works for me.

I'd have to say, the 30-30 with Winchester 150gr Powermax. Hard to believe even for me.