Guest retiredMN1 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Is a .22 an effective deer hunting rifle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle It depends on several things to me. 1. Which 22? I wouldn't use a hornet because there just isn't enough power, the 22-250 and 223 would both be sufficient. 2. Where are you hunting? I'm assuming that you'll be hunting up north. I would not use a 22 of any kind up there due to the size of your deer up there. Down here 150lbs is big for a deer 200 is almost unheard of. 3. How good are you with the gun? If you can't hit a softball with it don't shoot a deer with it. 22 cal. need to be a double lung shot and should try to avoid large muscle mass and bone. IMO 4. How far do you expect to shoot? I wouldn't shoot a 223 any further than 100 yards or the 22-250 more than 150. I would use a soft point bullet at 55+ gr. If you're hunting at home and are trying to avoid recoil, get a 243, 260 or 6mm Rem. The 22 cals should be used only for the varmits up there. IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle I agree with John on this one, I'd reccommend a .24 caliber +. I use a .30 caliber mostly because I hunt in dense woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle [ QUOTE ] It depends on several things to me. 1. Which 22? I wouldn't use a hornet because there just isn't enough power, the 22-250 and 223 would both be sufficient. 2. Where are you hunting? I'm assuming that you'll be hunting up north. I would not use a 22 of any kind up there due to the size of your deer up there. Down here 150lbs is big for a deer 200 is almost unheard of. 3. How good are you with the gun? If you can't hit a softball with it don't shoot a deer with it. 22 cal. need to be a double lung shot and should try to avoid large muscle mass and bone. IMO 4. How far do you expect to shoot? I wouldn't shoot a 223 any further than 100 yards or the 22-250 more than 150. I would use a soft point bullet at 55+ gr. If you're hunting at home and are trying to avoid recoil, get a 243, 260 or 6mm Rem. The 22 cals should be used only for the varmits up there. IMHO [/ QUOTE ] Well said John. You definatley will need a something bigger than that. I don't even see a .22 as being a very effective deer rifle. Try one of the calibers John Suggested or get a 30-30. If you are hunting thick woods then that is a great caliber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terminator Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle All calibers will kill a deer if proper shot placement is done. A small caliber allows very little room for error. I personally do not hunt deer with anything less than a 30 cal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle I have feamle relatives that when they started hunting they used to hunt with a .222 cal. Killed deer with them pretty well with well placed shots. I don't know if I would ever use one though as it seems a bit light. As for as far as a .22 rimfire?? No way..not for me. What is the purpose if I may ask that you would not use something a bit bigger?? A .243 cal has a very managable recoil and is a very effective caliber for deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchand99 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle You should check your local laws.22 cal rimfires are illegal in Ga,don't know about where you are from.I know it will kill a hog at reasonably short distances with well placed ear shots.SO I don't know why it wouldn't kill a deer.Guess it just depends on your shooting skills.Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyohunter Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle seems like every so often this question gets brought up, is a 22 cal even legal in your state, i know in some states they are, but i look at it this way....the animal im about to shoot, deserves the cleanest kill i can manage...wouldnt you...i mean really, if you had the choice, knowing your about to die, kill me quick please, dont wound me, make me run hurt into the woods to suffer and die slow, heck no...drop me in my tracks please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle illegal here ...big no-no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Legal here now in Tennessee to use ANY centerfire, I would personally not use anything smaller than a .243 though. Rimfires and shot are illegal here for deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor_Guy Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle No deer hunting with rifles in Ohio. .22 seems like a road to wounded and lost deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Beats me...illegal here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okbowman Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Just be safe and get something a little bigger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Just to clarify, it is illegal in NY also... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle [ QUOTE ] Is a .22 an effective deer hunting rifle? [/ QUOTE ] NO! .243 is the smallest you should be looking at for deer, especially in a northern state like MN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle In PA you have to use centerfire, so .223, .22-250, etc. would be legal, but I don't recommend them. 22 rimfires are illegal. I would agree with others that .243 is a great choice and has very low recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle like others have said...if shot properly it can kill a deer....BUT in michigan (this is from our DNR's website) "It is legal to hunt deer in the rifle zone with any caliber of firearm except a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire (rifle or handgun). " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle this year my girlfriend shot her buck with my 22-250. i bought some Federal 60gr. Nosler partitions for it. she shot the buck at about 150 yards right behind the left shoulder and blew out the right shoulder. deer probably dressed about 220lbs. he only ran about 10 yards and fell over. so i woudlnt be hesitant on using it. she wants to hunt elk next year so im going to see if she can shoot my .270 with a cutoff stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosse Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle No it should not be seen as an affective deer rifle in any way form or fashion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle [ QUOTE ] No it should not be seen as an effective deer rifle in any way, form or fashion [/ QUOTE ] Exactly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle back in the days...you could not count the deer taken with a rimfire .22 (30 yards or less)..it was an art Im told.. head shot only I understand, between the eyes and one inch high..dropped like a rock.. I do not condone this at all...DONT PM ME!!..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Every couple of months this topic gets brought up. I personally hunt with a .223. I have not lost a deer with it, but I know my gun and it's limits. There are folks I know who have killed deer with .22 hornets and .17 remingtons , as long as you can put the bullet where it needs to go. IMO, a .22 cal is not suitable for most folks and even when I hunt up north or have the potential to shoot over 200 yds then I use a larger rifle. It is not neccessarily the deer size that prompts me to step up the caliber , but the range and the possibility of not having a clean shot are more important factors. I say yes a .22 cal is an adequate deer gun, only if you know the gun, have a steady rest to shoot from, and know the limitations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Is a .22 an effective deer hunting rifle? [/ QUOTE ] NO! .243 is the smallest you should be looking at for deer, especially in a northern state like MN. [/ QUOTE ] What he said! Wouldnt drop below the .243! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle Fuhgetaboudit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phaseolus (BeanMan) Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Re: Deer Hunting with a .22cal Rifle .24 or bigger to be legal in Colorado BM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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