Way to go!
Now just curiosity on my part. Can you, after taking that killer shot, maintain your sight picture, not changing your cheek-weld to the stock, and cycle the next round. Or will your hand or bolt handle impact your face?
I'm curious because I've done most all my hunting with the short action. And yes, I kill on the first shot as well. I'm a boiler room shooter though(except on hogs). No immediate drop, but they don't go far. I've found there's less meat damage on a heart/lung shot, than the neck shot. One's never got away.
I’m hunting blacktail, so , as a rule, if an animal drops, it’ll be obscured by brush. If I catch a doe or spike in the open, good to go. I’ll know where it dies. I hunt 30-06, 180 grains. Recoil ruins my sight picture before hand or bolt enter into it. Thought about going with the .243...just haven’t. Hope that helps.