From: keith@clodII.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Keith Boyd)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Hunting Deer with .223?
Date: 11 Sep 92 12:45:59 GMT
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu


 
 Chris Luchini  (cbl@uihepa.hep.uiuc.edu) writes:
> In article <1992Sep9.080227.995@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, you write:
> >In article <1992Sep8.074342.29161@doug.cae.wisc.edu> jwforce@anagld.analytics.com (James W. Force) writes:
> >>
> >>	Has anyone had any experiences hunting white tail deer
> >>with a 223 round?  I know of 65 (+/-) gr. SP and HP bullets
> >>available on the market.  If so, which bullet type (HP/SP) 
> >>would be the better choice.  Should this calibar not even be
> >>considered for hunting small deer??  All comments appreciated.
> >
> >No actual experience hunting with it myself but I recall once 
> >seeing a guy in the woods with an AR-15 evil assault weapon .223
> >type gun with a 30 round clip stuck in it. I still cringe at the
> >thought of it. My .270 bolt action is all I need.  Seriously, I
> 
> 	Yeah, way to go. 'evil assault weapon'? Hmm been reading
> 	that HCI literature as bed time reading?
>

No, not really. These types of weapons have gotten a bad rap, from
anti-gun groups, which will probably always stick with them.
 
> >think most netters will advise against using this caliber to hunt
> >deer with as it is marginal in knockdown power.
> 
> 	I would say that a 223 is marginal at best, but it's not
> 	because of the weapon it is fired from.
> 

You are right. The .223 will have about the same results regardless
if it is fired from a semi-auto or bolt action. I was just making 
light of the fact the guy having a thirty round clip which was just
not needed since the limit for deer was two in a days hunt. 

> > Some may even say
> >it was designed more to just injure rather than kill quickly
> >since it is a military caliber. 
> 
> 	I see. So I guess 308 or 30-06 will just injure rather
> 	than kill since they both are military calibers?

I guess I did infer this. We all well know that .308 and .30-06 
are very adequate calibers to dispatch *something* with. However,
you must admit that there is some correlation in reducing caliber
size while increasing the chances of wounding versus a desired  
quick kill when hunting animals of deer sized proportions. And 
of course a poorly placed shot with .308 or .30-06 may also 
require a follow up shot if possible. 


> 	If anyone hunts any big game with full metal jacket ammo
> 	then they are irresponsible, and unsportsmanlike, regardless
> 	of the caliber of the round (or the appearance of the gun
> 	it's fired from!) If I had to I'd hunt deer with a .223 semi
> 	auto loaded with the heavyist soft point I could find. It's
> 	not my primary choice, and never will be, but it will do the
> 	job in the hands of a _carefull_ hunter.
>

I certainly did not intend to imply that the .223 would not kill. 
Any centerfire caliber rifle will kill a deer in the hands of a 
competent marksperson. Rimfires will also. I have said this before 
but would like to repeat it: You owe it to the game you pursue to
use the proper weapons, the proper ammo, and of course, only 
take shots that you feel comfortable/confident with. 
 
> >I suggest you check your state and
> >local regs. to make sure it is legal first. Some states have laws
> >regarding minimum caliber such as Tenn. They require weapons of
> >at least 25 caliber or larger for hunting deer.
> 
>  I was very surprized to find out that Wisconsin allows 22 cal
> centerfires for deer.
>

Likewise, I was surprised and dismayed after looking through my 
SC Wildlife and Marine Resources handbook that apparently there
is no minimum rifle caliber required to deer hunt in SC. I would
like to see the .25 caliber minimum in place here, also.

  
> >           
> >Keith
> >
> *1110 W. Green/Urbana IL 61801/217-333-0505/cbl@uihepa.hep.uiuc.edu 
> * for sale: Springfield Armory Factory Comp, 38 Super, +3 mags. All new
> * in box (never fired at all).  $650 or best offer over $600 as of Sep 30.

Keith

 
---
| Keith M. Boyd  (NCR MCPD Cola.) | Nothing could be finer than huntin' and  |
| 3325 Platt Springs Rd.          |    and fishin' in South Carolina! -Me-   | 
| West Cola., S.C. 29170 |   GO BRAVES!!     | keith.boyd@columbiasc.NCR.COM |
| Vp: 803-791-6419 or 6455    | From uunet: uunet!ncrcom!ncrcae!clodii!keith | 
Newsgroups: rec.hunting