204 right to the head makes brains look like scrambled eggs or 223

243 for the neck shots on bucks

If the animal is already wounded, to me it is irresponsible not to shoot again if the chance is given. Do not wait for a perfect shot put more lead in a wounded critter

Guess I have been blessed over the years with the axis I have shot, they were DRT, but I did make sure I had a good shot or I would not shoot. IMHO it all about shot placement..

My son has a 270 wsm and he shot a WT spike 2 weeks ago with a Winchester Silver Ballistic tip. It hit the rib cage and exploded. Part of the bullet travel around and down the rib cage, and went into the gut sack. The spike suffered and had to be shot again when we finally found it an hour later. The other part exited about 2 inches from the entrance wound. The bullet didn't even penetrate the ribs. We could see the bruising where it hit the ribs, but no penetration.

We had a bad experience with a doe earlier. Now we know why. Needles to say we are changing bullets. Someone told us the distance had something to do with it, 90 yards, but we are not taking any chances.

you shoot enough of them, you'll see some strange things.

i've seen a yearling with both front legs shot off (one was gone other was hanging by a piece of hide,180 grain bullet) that ran for 75 yards before it layed down. we came up on it, she got up and started to run I had to bull dog it and cut its throat.

we shot another one thru both shoulders with a .300 mag, the buck skidded on his brisket for about 60 yards before giving up the ghost.

we stalked up on a big bucks, one shot in the shoulder with a .270 with 130 grain ballistic tips.....deer fell, we started high fiving and the deer gets up and starts to run. guy puts another one in the shoulder on the run, deer falls again.

we walk over to it and the deer is trying to get away with only his back two legs....requires one more shot.


on the other hand, i've had one shot kills on plenty of them with .22-250's and .270's.


They arn't bullet proof but alot tougher than a whitetail

I can atest to the toughness of these critters. I hit one in the shoulder w a rage broadhead at 22 yards with a bow pushin 300 fps and I got 4 inches of penetration. He took it and broke off my arrow like I shot him w a BB gun. Fortunately I got another shot at one a couple days later...this time I used a .308(pics below). Even w a well placed .308 he was still alive when we walked up on him...had to slam another 165 grain in him. They are sturdy suckers

308 is a great round for axis, and yall are right placement is the key....

They are beautiful animals. I hope I'll get to take one some day. My dad has been wanting one forever, so I'll probably fund his hunt before my own.

I also disagree with using ballistic tips on deer sized game. I have not had good experience, however random the conditions could have been.

drop him in his tracks

great for broadside lung shots, terrible for bone unless its a .30 caliber or bigger

I've only shot 1 that a friend wanted off his property... 300wsm 150gr BST 412yds on its maiden voyage...hit tight behind the shoulder and it didn't make it far. But I've seen whitetails run like crazy even being hit like what BIL posted...any given animal could suprise you.

I guided a hunt once and the guy got 4-5 shots off on one buck, then I had to chase it down a canyon and finish him off.

Another one my brother shot, as I pulled up with the jeep, the buck was standing 60 yards away. I put a round behind the shoulder, drop him cold, then the deer jumps up and runs off. Track him find him layed up prone, two more rounds, gets up and runs some more. When we found him, there was little blood, and he had four holes in him. Two behind the shoulder, one in the neck, and one in the back leg(not sure how that one got there).

Yes they are very tough animals, but after hunting in the canyon parts of Rocksprings, I dont think twice about second or third shot opportunities. Its not fun dragging animals out of canyons...

Show Off LOL!!!! Nice Deer.

First Axis buck I took, a one and a half year old, I shot broadside through both front shoulders (but didn't hit the spine) with .25-06 117 gr Hornady BTSP. He ran almost 100 yards, despite being unable to use either of his front legs! Luckily piled up against a fenceline and I could put a finisher in him.

The much bigger buck below, on the other hand, dropped in his tracks this past Monday from a high shoulder shot with the same bullet-this time the slug also severed the spine. Placement is damn important with Axis.