Red Stag, calibre and bullet?

**Earl** · #1 11-30-2007, 08:00 PM

Well I booked a red stag hunt for myself and my brother for next weekend. This will be our first time hunting for anything other than indigenous Texas game.

He's covered - he hunts with a friggin cannon (Rem 700, 300 Win Mag) - I however do not. I hunt with a 700 BDL in .270. Now I know the calibre will work for Red Stag, but my bullet of choice for Texas Whitetails (and the one the gun is sighted in with) is Remington 130gr core-lokt soft points.

I know the 150gr bullet would probably be a better choice, but I also know that my impact point could shift several inches too.

Will the 130gr bullet be sufficient for heart/lung or shoulder kills on one of these animals or should I grab a couple of boxes of 150gr and get to the range before the trip?

How about neck shots? I do like neck shots and use them where I can, however I do plan to have a shoulder mount done with the stag - will a neck shot ruin the cape for a shoulder mount?

Speaking of mounts, anyone have any recommendations on taxidermists in the Dallas area?

Kuby's uses American Taxidermy in Terrell. I'm going to have the animal processed at Kuby's so I may well use this place, they get $900 for a standard elk/red stag mount which I think might be a bit much, I've seen it cheaper elsewhere but then I do want to be sure it's done right. I'd hate to save $300 on a mount only to find it doesn't stand the test of time.

Thanks,
Earl

**Charles Helm** · #2 11-30-2007, 08:12 PM

Where are you hunting? My daughter and I took female red deer (hinds) last year. We pretty much set the over/under for cartridges with her .22-250 and my .375H&H. I think the stags are bigger so the 150 grain with a premum bullet could not hurt. With good shot placement and an ideal opportunity (broadside behind the shoulder) I am sure the 130-grain would work.

Now where is Swampus to correct me???

**HornSuperFan** · #3 11-30-2007, 08:16 PM

If your rifle prefers 130 grain bullets, I would just switch to a premium bullet. Federal loads Barnes TSX (my favorite), Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, Nosler Partitions and Accubonds. Remington loads 130 grain Swift Scirocco and Winchester has a 130 grain load with their very cool looking XP3 bullet. Any of those should handle a red stag easily.

**Fishaholic** · #4 11-30-2007, 08:24 PM

A 270 will drop a Red Stag in its tracks with a good shot no doubt about it. My girlfriend shot one and dropped it from 100 yards with a 25-06 just a lung/heart shot.

**rvd** · #5 11-30-2007, 08:39 PM

As long as you don't think you are going to be faced w/ a long shot (over 200 yds) I would shoot the 130 gr. you normally shoot and encourage you to shoot a premium load. I have witnessed 2 elk cleanly taken by a 243 w/ 95 gr. ballistic tips at 75 and 100+ yds. A well placed 270 bullet is ample for anything in North America that is not capable of eating you IMHO.

**Earl** · #6 11-30-2007, 08:27 PM

Charles,

It's not far, south of Dallas off of I-45.

HornSuperFan,

I may try one of those. Sounds like I would still need to get out to the range and make sure it prints where I want it too with the new loads though.....OR, I think I'll just pick up a box tomorrow and head out to the lease and hope Mr. Hogg shows up for some target practice

I was going to go tonight but sounds like its going to be crappy weather tomorrow.

Earl

**Earl** · #7 11-30-2007, 08:50 PM

rvd,

Definitely won't be taking anything over 200 yards - I'm just not comfortable doing it. Hell, I have my feeders at the lease at 70 yards from the blinds.

This place has a pretty large heard of red deer so one should probably see several stags and be able to be selective about their shot.

Earl

**rem260man** · #8 11-30-2007, 09:11 PM

My Remmy 700 loves the 130's but don't shoot the 150's no where close to the same POI .. If you switch bullets/weights I would certainly check to see where and how it shoots..

**Swampus** · #9 11-30-2007, 09:43 PM

I always like a heavy round for Red Deer. a 270 w/ a 150 in the Boiler will do the trick as long as you don't hit the shoulder and loose penetration and explode in the shoulder bone etc.--I like a 7mm Mag or 300 mag 300 wsm etc. for a no brainer--shot placemrnt is key--I like the heart--more Blood if you need to track him. .02

Hope it helps.

(just got back from Ft. Stockton/Alpine on a Mulie Hunt--I shot my 7mm Mag Browning w/ 175's instead of my normal 150's for my hunt!)

**Redfishr** · #10 12-01-2007, 08:03 AM

Try to find some rounds or load some with some premium bullets like Barnes-x or A-frames.
Like swampus said, stay away from the shoulders.
Thats why when trophy hunting I use BIG bores. I can put my 300 mag or 338 mag anywhere from the ribs to the neck of game and bring'em down.
Good luck, keep us posted.