Is it ethical to hunt deer with a 223 or 5.56x45mm

[Scenarfan]

223 and 77 grain tipped match king is all the rage. Hard to argue with these guys results, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective...

rokslide.com

 

[Hookeye]

I don't get it. This push for .223.
Or little kids hunting deer.

Things don't always go as planned afield.
Think other cartridges offer some insurance.

 

[Hookeye]

As mentioned up thread, .30 carbine....

Believe that was declared NOT legal for deer......in handgun ( when the handgun cartridge spec was changed from .35 and up to .24 and up ).

 

[Hookeye]

Killed one deer w cup n core 100gr .243 win. Worked but was not impressive.

When they run over the hill and you do your YT in the blind recap before heading out to see whats happened, yeah little stuff might be dandy.

Id rather pound em down and release the ghost ASAP.

Nothing is perfect but some stuff proly does work better than others.

 

[Onebad06vtx]

For public land...

Equipment on Public Land

Rifle cartridges for Public Lands (state and federal property) must meet the following requirements:

• Fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger,
• Have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and
• Have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches

These cartridges are legal to use only during the deer firearms, youth, reduction zones from Nov. 13, 2021 - Jan. 31, 2022 (in zones where local ordinances allow the use of a firearm), and special antlerless seasons (where open).

Some cartridges legal for deer hunting on public land include the .350 Legend, .357 Magnum, .38-.40 Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express, .500 S&W, .460 Smith & Wesson, .450 Bushmaster, and .50 Beowulf. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.

And dont forget about my favorite hammer of Thor the 358 WSSM

 

[DoggyDaddy]

And dont forget about my favorite hammer of Thor the 358 WSSM

A buddy of mine took a buck with his this year. Said it knocked the deer back 4 feet and into a ravine. DRT.

 

[Onebad06vtx]

A buddy of mine took a buck with his this year. Said it knocked the deer back 4 feet and into a ravine. DRT.

Every deer I have shot was flattened.
Non went anywhere!
I wouldnt be afraid to shoot anything that walks this earth with it.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Every deer I have shot was flattened.
Non went anywhere!
I wouldnt be afraid to shoot anything that walks this earth with it.

 

[DadSmith]

I need to send that to my son who uses his 338 Lapua Magnum on deer.

 

[snapping turtle]

Ballistics charts and graphs. Some cartridges do well in them and some don’t. A few rounds do much better that the charts would say they do,

I grew up wanting to shoot what dad shot or one of his hunting friends.
Later I found what worked for me at the range and at shooting events.
Personally I would never use 556/223 for deer because I have rounds and guns that I fell work better.

This is MERICA so you do you. I do think it would work fine. Seen many a deer downed with a 22 mag in the day.

 

[Trapper Jim]

The round can kill a deer. A Fudd would never use it. Principle.

 

[DadSmith]

 

[DadSmith]

 

[DadSmith]

For public land...

Equipment on Public Land

Rifle cartridges for Public Lands (state and federal property) must meet the following requirements:

• Fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger,
• Have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and
• Have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches

These cartridges are legal to use only during the deer firearms, youth, reduction zones from Nov. 13, 2021 - Jan. 31, 2022 (in zones where local ordinances allow the use of a firearm), and special antlerless seasons (where open).

Some cartridges legal for deer hunting on public land include the .350 Legend, .357 Magnum, .38-.40 Winchester, .41 Magnum, .41 Special, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .44-.40 Winchester, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .50 Action Express, .500 S&W, .460 Smith & Wesson, .450 Bushmaster, and .50 Beowulf. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.

Don't handguns require a minimum length barrel as well to hunt? I'm thinking 6" minimum length barrel. I maybe wrong.

 

[DadSmith]

And dont forget about my favorite hammer of Thor the 358 WSSM

What is that comparable to? 45/70 energy wise?

 

[avboiler11]

I've taken two deer with .224 centerfires - one headshot at 65ish yards with an 80gr Amax at 2900fps+ muzzle velocity from a 223AI, terminal performance was "impressive". The other was a neck shot at a similar range with a 77gr Nosler Custom Competition at 2650fps+ muzzle velocity from an 18" 223 Wylde AR. Exit wound with the 77gr CC reflected a tumbled bullet that exited perpendicular to entry, and was large enough for me to place my thumb into. Both animals fell where they stood.

I'd have zero concerns with a heart/lungs shot using a 77gr HPBT , while the Amax would likely be fine at a slower impact velocity. Any purpose-built .224 hunting bullet like a TSX, 64gr Fusion, etc. wouldn't warrant a second thought.

Put a quality bullet where it is supposed to go and you can get a quick, ethical kill.

 

[Expat]

Makes me think they are tier one operators.

 

[movevio1]

I’ve personally used a 12 gauge almost exclusively even though most rifles are now legal. Mostly out of habit from all the previous years and the knock down is hard to beat. I absolutely hate tracking a deer that I shot

 

[Chalky]

Don't handguns require a minimum length barrel as well to hunt? I'm thinking 6" minimum length barrel. I maybe wrong.

Minimum is 4" barrel for handguns for deer.

 

[Hookeye]

I have thought about a 6mm TCU for deer ( Contender ). But my shot selection would be very limited.

Not enough encounters w deer on current spot to play any handgun game.
Heck, havent shot a deer w rifle last 3 seasons.