By Grant Thornton

September 29, 2023

In Nov. 2021 myself and a buddy were selected for a state park hunt at Shakamak State Park Indiana. For public land in Indiana, there are certain requirements for what calibers can be used. The one I’ve chose was the 450 BM, in a CVA Scout using the Hornady Black 250grain FTX. It was about 0930 and we were in a big section of pines. I was standing on a fallen tree, braced against another tree. I was watching a squirrel playing on the end of the tree I was standing on, when out of nowhere I saw antlers just appear behind the squirrel. Just about 30-35 yards. First thought was oh wow, that’s a nice one for a state park. Second thought was, oh shoot, a deer! I raised my rifle, centered on the front right shoulder and fired a shot. The deer dropped where it stood. My buddy was the first to the deer, and he said he couldn’t believe it. I made my way over to the both of them. I quickly realized that this is the biggest deer to date. A nice 5x5 with a kicker on the right browtine. One shot quickly dispatched the deer. But to my surprise, the round did not exit, but mushroomed perfectly. Couldn’t ask for a better preforming round. Not my first or last time using Hornady!