Killing Bulls

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P89

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A qustion for all you avid hunters. My vet wants to buy a rifle for knocking down bulls, when there is a suspect BSE case, he has to put down the animal and remove it's head. I'm more of a pistol /Mil-Surp guy, not so much hunting. but my suggestions were .308, 45-70govt or a good ole 30-30. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
 
killing bulls

Don't use a handgun....other than the legalities....any good smokeless rifle load to the forehead at close range will do it....a .30-30 is fine..
 
On the farm we used to have to dispatch some cattle, or horse or pig for various reasons and we used a 44/40 for this work, it was always close range brain shots, always immediate, no suffering. .
 
yeah, pistols are out of the question,lolol. And yes head shots as well, as the head has to be cut off to go for testing, I appreciate all of your comments and info. THANKS!!
 
If head shots are out of the question, I agree with the choice of a 12 gauge slug. Single barrel hinge action guns are cheap, can be found occasionally with short barrels, and ammo is universally available anywhere. Slugs produce a large wound volume without dangerous penetration issues that the use of rifle ammunition can cause. This is one application where a foster slug might be more suitable than the Brenneke.
 
A shot to the boiler room may or may not be instantaneous on a large Bull. I would use a 12 gauge but place the shot to the spine near the base of the skull. Will turn his lights out immediately without damaging the brain.
 
gunster said:
A shot to the boiler room may or may not be instantaneous on a large Bull. I would use a 12 gauge but place the shot to the spine near the base of the skull. Will turn his lights out immediately without damaging the brain.
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Ha, I was going to suggest the same till I realized I probably didn't have to tell a vet how to kill an animal.
 
One thing that occured to me today. Before you proceed, make sure that you have your biohazardous materials protection, handling, containment, decontamination and transportation protocols figured out. You are dealing with a potentially diseased animal, make a mistake there and it could cost you your entire herd, not to mention your life. If you're not already intricately familiar with those, consult a dangerous goods specialist and preferably have him/her present when you proceed.
 
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Actually head shots are not out of the question. When they take the sample for BSE its the brain stem where the sample is taken from. Keep your shot a bit low to miss the stem but still in the brain and your good to go. I've shot lots and never ruined a sample yet----Cowboy
 
If BSE is suspected, I'd be hesitant to go about shooting a potentially sick animal anywhere on my farm. Trailer it off site to a proper facility, incinerator, etc...and then dispatch it, while in proper protective garb. Remington 870 with 12 ga. slugs should do the trick. Take specimens, and then burn everything else.
 
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