30-06 Core Lokt Failure to penetrate

[graf703]

I forgot about posting this until now. This past year my father shot a spiked buck at roughly 100 yards with a 165 grain core lokt out of a .30-06. He hit it square in the ribs. The deer dropped. Kicked around a little bit on it's back then ran/stumbled off. He found it laying down with blood coming out it's nose and finished him in the neck.

I dressed it and was pretty curious where he hit it originally with no clear wound. When we got home I found the attached picture. The bullet hit a rib and broke it, but failed to penetrate the skin. The impact apparently did enough damage to its lungs to maim the animal.

I always thought that core lokt were adequate for deer. Has anyone had a similar experience or knowledge about this?

[leech~~]

Maybe this one will stay up longer for you to get your point across?

[graf703]

Whoops. Didn't know there was a no red thing here. My phone won't let me remove y the link. When I get home I will try and remove it.

[Boar]

nope, but thats why I hornady interbond

[schmoe147]

shot core lokts my whole life never had any issues

[paul pachowicz]

Never have known a Core-lokt to fail in my 06 and all I use are 150's. I'm wondering if there could have deflection of some sort such as an angle shoot? Strange.

[jentz]

Had a friend who shot a deer about 60 yds out with the same core lokt,his rifle was scoped, he didnt see the 6 inch diameter tree he shot through.It had about the same bruise and no penatration that deer went down and stayed down.after a closer look we found the tree.

[Archerysniper]

Never have known a Core-lokt to fail in my 06 and all I use are 150's. I'm wondering if there could have deflection of some sort such as an angle shoot? Strange.

+1 something like that had to of happened. I shoot core-lokts though my 6mm's 270 308 and 300win mag. Actually we took the Moose with 180 grain core-lokts with the 300. I have never had any issue or failure with any of them.

I did also have a buck I killed that had a huge entry hole and it took a bit to figure it out but I had punched the round through a 4" iron wood that I hadn't seen before the shot.

[Archerysniper]

Another thought,bring that rifle and bullet comb to the range and check flight maybe,their is damage to the barrel and they are key holeing or tumbling. That is a long shot but could happen.

[Gordie]

How old were the bullets? Maybe weak powder which may cause what Archerysniper is talking about also.

[cavalierowner]

There had to have been something else going on. I have shot 180 gr. Core Lokt in my .308 for at least 30 years and never had that happen. That's way too weird!

[paceman]

I have been shooting the core lokts for many years, 30-06 150 grains. No issues at all. I don't remember a time when there wasn't a complete pass through.

[LightningBG]

I think he must have hit something.

I'm guessing that if it was just a weak powder charge, that the bullet would have never made it to the target accurately.

I often shoot 30.06 - 180gr core-lokt and I have always have pass through.

[Musky Buck]

There are 6 of us that have used them for 25 years or so, 0 issues, but 1 time I had 1 not go through the deer, dad came to help drag and noticed I shot through a 3" or so sapling that up so close I didn't catch it in my scope, the deer dropped toast right there though so I don't know. This years buck went down at close to 200 yards and went through the deer, I like the heavy 180 grains, good luck.

[graf703]

I can't edit the photo in the first post. Apologies if that is an issue.

I've taken 10 deer with core lokts having great results. I had one with an entry wound an inch and a half in diameter. It was 10 years ago and an irresponsible shot from 200+ yards into the spine from above. It didn't pass through but went the full length of the vitals (not gut shot).

The bullets were 3 months old from Joe's sporting goods. They shoot under an inch at 100 yards so I think they are stabilizing. I'd have to go with the bad angle theory. Maybe the bullet ricocheted.

I think I'm switching to the triple shock next year in any case.

[paul pachowicz]

Personally. I don't think it is an issue with the Core-Lokt's. This sort of thing CAN happen with any bullet. I would not let my confidence wane. However, a trip to the range might be in order before any change of bullets.

[leech~~]

Well ultimately it still did the job or we wouldn't be looking at a pic of the insides of the deer!

[Fins-n-feathers]

I never have liked Core-lokts, even though I have only shot a couple rounds and not at a deer. Seems like they didn't group as tight, although that could have been shooter error. Probably just inherited that opinion from my old man.

[eyeguy 54]

Core Lokt bullets are great and you can get them almost anywhere. :>)

[Ebiz]

Have always shot 180gr Core Lokts out of my .308, always complete pass through and have never had a deer go more than 10-15 yards. Shot my buck at first light this year on opener on the edge of a swamp. Didn't hear a sound after I shot and was cursing myself thinking I'd missed completely, 15 minutes later the sun comes up a bit more and I see a white patch in the grass right where he was standing. Dropped right in his track and didn't make another move.

[walleyeking19]

I've shot Core-lokts my whole life. Never had a problem with them. Proably could be a bad bullet he shot there.