The Hot Rod Hawken kills a deer

[Idaho Ron]

This deer tag this year about killed me. I have put in countless hours scouting and hunting with little to show. On opening day I had three good bucks pushed out of the country by elk hunters. Then I went on a 7 day dry spell where I didn't see a buck I wanted to shoot, and I walked 38 miles. I headed up last night for the last couple days of the hunt. This Morning I headed into an area I have had some luck in before. I stopped to glass and saw a small bunch of deer. I saw that one was a branch antlered buck. With literally only hours left to hunt I decided to take him if I had the chance. I watched them go over a ridge and I took off as fast as I could. When I got there he was 117 yards. My sight was set and I put the Hot Rod on the shooting sticks. I knew that my sight was set for 100 so I was going to hold a pinch high. I don't normally like to do this but I felt like I didn't have time to set the sight for the shot. So I held for a high shoulder shot since the lungs were blocked by brush. As the rifle cracked the smoke blocked my sight but I heard a solid WHOP!!! I put the binoculars up and saw the deer running away, minus the buck. I reloaded and headed for the spot I last saw him. I got there and I didn't need the follow up shot. The buck was DOA. The bullet hit the shoulder and crushed it. What was left of the bullet was under the hide in the neck. It was the fastest kill shot I have ever had with a muzzleloader. The Rifle was my 45 cal fast twist Hot Rod Hawken. The load was a 409 gr paper patched RCBS 11mm rifle bullet. I used 80 gr of Pyrodex P and an over powder wad.
This combination will shoot sub 2" groups at 100 yards. If I do my part I have shot sub 1" groups with it. This was my fist animal with a 45 cal. It was great to be able to get an animal with this rifle. Ron

 

[Spikebuck]

Sounds like you earned that one! Nice job. Muley's are such a cool looking animal. I just love their facial coloration...not to mention that nice tall headgear they wear! Congratulations! :hatsoff:

 

[Jason Lewis]

:thumbsup:

 

[Walks with fire]

Very nice deer Ron, thanks for posting it.

 

[Kapow]

Nice work, Ron. Well done on persisting. That seems an awfully heavy bullet for .45 calibre? What is the trajectory like?

 

[Roguedog]

Congrats Ron. That's one heck of a nice buck!

Jeff

 

[Patocazador]

What kind of receiver sight are you using?

 

[Idaho Ron]

Nice work, Ron. Well done on persisting. That seems an awfully heavy bullet for .45 calibre? What is the trajectory like?

Thanks!
A 100 yard zero is -7.75" at 150 and -22.36 at 200 yards.
It doesn't really matter since I set the sight for the shot and hold on the target. The sight works with my range finder. Ron

 

[Idaho Ron]

What kind of receiver sight are you using?

The Sight is a Lyman 57 SML and the front sight is a Lyman 17 AML with a Lee Shavers BPCR insert pin for long range shooting. Ron

 

[George T.]

Nice Mulie! Thanks for posting. Geo. T.