If you hunted deer in Maine it is legal to use .22 WMR. One thing is certain, if you could take a head shot FMJ is ideal. What if you had a chance to take a broadside chest shot in the lung area. What would you use ? What distance would you draw your limit and not take a shot ? Any point I have missed please feel free to discuss.
-
Whether you're a greenhorn or a seasoned veteran, your collection's next piece is at Bass Pro Shops. Shop Now.
arizona
- Status
Here in Kentucky it is legal to use ANY centerfire cartridge, BUT illegal to use ANY rimfire cartridges as well as FMJ bullets for Deer.
I was discussing this topic with a fellow co worker of mine who happens to be a certified firearm instructor and the owner of 60+ firearms. I take his word on what he says to me as gospel as he has never bs-ed me. With that being said he told me he was walking through the woods him and a buddy and his buddy was loaded with cci stingers in his 22lr. They came upon a deer (I don't remember the size he said) but his buddy fired one shot into the front of it's chest. Dropped it right where it was standing. He stated the bullet exited the deer in it's hind area. I do remember the deer was 100+lbs. Another guy that works here with me takes deer with his .223 Ar 15 all the time. Sometimes he has to track them tho, but he said that's half the fun!
The 223 is a VERY effective close range deer caliber, in spite of many think. There is a tremendous amount of shock transferred on impact.
As for the stinger, and the DRT, it may have happened, but in my opinion, it's a one in a million shot.
As for the OP's question, I have to say if it's legal, use it BUT, if these deer are more than yearlings I would most definitely limit it to head shots and close range. The reason for the close range is less chance of a bad shot since a deer turns his head often, much more so than moving his body.
As for bullet, in spite of what many think about the FMJ and penetration, I would use a 40gr HP or similar weight (or heavier) expanding bullet. I'd stay away from any of the varmint type bullets. The 40gr hpis the equivilent to the 165gr in 30 cal. It's about the ideal weight and design for most all you do with the WMR.
If you shoot a deer in the side of the head even as far away as 50yds, you will not recover the bullet. They penetrate far more than most believe.
All that said, a larger caliber is preferred, but as one poster said, if it's all you have AND you are an excellent shot and patient, then do it.
Is there a chance of losing a deer, of course, but name a caliber someone has shot a deer with and there has NEVER been one lost.
I've shot arrows with razor sharp broadheads clear through deer, I have seen others do it, and the deer have been lost (one was tracked after a 3hr wait, and followed for nearly 3 miles). I've seen deer shot with a 30-06, broadside, run for a half mile (one lung hit) before falling, and if it were not for outstanding, and persistent tracking they too would have been lost.
Deer can absorb a lot of trauma and not die. Heck, there have been men that died from being shot in the shoulder, and no major arteries hit. The shock and trauma alone were enough. On the flip side, there have been guys (like Audie Murphy) hit 5 times and still keep going. Look at the lady in AZ that was shot completely through the head with a 9mm at close range and she's making a miraculous recovery (I hope it a full one too). There is no way to guarantee any caliber, short of a 40mm grenade, that will always kill them.
When I say close shots, I'd keep mine under 30yds, and head shots only. Now if it were a yearling, and legal, I'd go for a heart/lung shot. You punch a .3" to .5" hole through both lungs of a deer, and you will eat venison.
I keep my 22WMR mainly for a survival rifle. In the case such was necessary, it will be my main deer, and pig rifle.
As for the stinger, and the DRT, it may have happened, but in my opinion, it's a one in a million shot.
As for the OP's question, I have to say if it's legal, use it BUT, if these deer are more than yearlings I would most definitely limit it to head shots and close range. The reason for the close range is less chance of a bad shot since a deer turns his head often, much more so than moving his body.
As for bullet, in spite of what many think about the FMJ and penetration, I would use a 40gr HP or similar weight (or heavier) expanding bullet. I'd stay away from any of the varmint type bullets. The 40gr hpis the equivilent to the 165gr in 30 cal. It's about the ideal weight and design for most all you do with the WMR.
If you shoot a deer in the side of the head even as far away as 50yds, you will not recover the bullet. They penetrate far more than most believe.
All that said, a larger caliber is preferred, but as one poster said, if it's all you have AND you are an excellent shot and patient, then do it.
Is there a chance of losing a deer, of course, but name a caliber someone has shot a deer with and there has NEVER been one lost.
I've shot arrows with razor sharp broadheads clear through deer, I have seen others do it, and the deer have been lost (one was tracked after a 3hr wait, and followed for nearly 3 miles). I've seen deer shot with a 30-06, broadside, run for a half mile (one lung hit) before falling, and if it were not for outstanding, and persistent tracking they too would have been lost.
Deer can absorb a lot of trauma and not die. Heck, there have been men that died from being shot in the shoulder, and no major arteries hit. The shock and trauma alone were enough. On the flip side, there have been guys (like Audie Murphy) hit 5 times and still keep going. Look at the lady in AZ that was shot completely through the head with a 9mm at close range and she's making a miraculous recovery (I hope it a full one too). There is no way to guarantee any caliber, short of a 40mm grenade, that will always kill them.
When I say close shots, I'd keep mine under 30yds, and head shots only. Now if it were a yearling, and legal, I'd go for a heart/lung shot. You punch a .3" to .5" hole through both lungs of a deer, and you will eat venison.
I keep my 22WMR mainly for a survival rifle. In the case such was necessary, it will be my main deer, and pig rifle.
With a 22WMR? Unless it was a survival sitation, there is no way I would hunt whitetailed deer with a 22WMR. Too much risk of wounding rather than killing.
comment:
That particular law was enacted in the very early 60's ... The hearing drew such a crowd, (in the hundreds), the hearing had to be moved from the hearing room at the state house to the armory ! After several hours of, at times, heated discussion, the bill was reported out of committee, "ought to pass" and was !
To my knowlege, the use of the .22 mag. when deer hunting is almost non-existant amongst hunters of all ages ... Some people (not Maine res.) deemed the .22 mag. as a "poachers favorite" due to the light reoprt ,,, BUT ,,, "everybody in the know" is aware the .22 lr was and remains THE REAL FAVORITE ! ! !
That particular law was enacted in the very early 60's ... The hearing drew such a crowd, (in the hundreds), the hearing had to be moved from the hearing room at the state house to the armory ! After several hours of, at times, heated discussion, the bill was reported out of committee, "ought to pass" and was !
To my knowlege, the use of the .22 mag. when deer hunting is almost non-existant amongst hunters of all ages ... Some people (not Maine res.) deemed the .22 mag. as a "poachers favorite" due to the light reoprt ,,, BUT ,,, "everybody in the know" is aware the .22 lr was and remains THE REAL FAVORITE ! ! !
"IF"..."IF".. I were ever to use one for deer.I would use the Winchester supreme 34 grn jacketed hp or the standard Winchester 40 grn hp .Both are proven performers, with good expansion and penetration....Just my $.02 .....your milage may varry
Know a couple of guys that were teenagers during the latter part of the depression and into WW2 ( which in their area was still a mighty poor time). They used 22 lr for quite a bit of deer hunting because that was all you could get ammo for and only if you were lucky at that. Head shots were used most of the time. A broadside shot thru the spine behind the front shoulders would anchor the deer,but, required a finisher. A lung shot would work,however,it usually involved some tracking. A 22 mag softpoint (not hollowpoint) will generally penatrate more than a lr. I don't think I would use a fmj as penatration should not be an issue. You would have a very small margin of error so shots would have to be fairly short.
as a police officer Ive had to dispatch alot of different animals from cats to deer along the side of the road. I keep a colt frontier scout chambered in 22lr in the trunk for just such a chore. But im up close, Here in oregon you need a 223 or up to be legal, for hunting deer... But every state is different, call your fish and game, however it turns out be safe and happy hunting.:bthumb:
As stated in Maine where it is legal, get as close as you can and place the shot where it needs to be. The Roe deer in Europe is regularly hunted with a .22 WMR or Hornet. This is a small deer about the size of yearlings.
CD
CD
I have posted this question on several boards and have received a lot of private replies from either people who have been there and done that or knew people who had.
The #1 cartridge choice is the Winchester 40 grain HP. Very controlled expansion and great penetration.
As to where to hit them, most were body shots. I asked the people who had done this what the reaction of the deer was. If the deer didn't drop on the spot, which many did, then it reacted just like a arrow shot deer... If the shot was through the heart or lungs the deer ran anywhere from 20-100 yards. Since I have seen a lot of deer hit with 30-30s and 06s run great distances so hit there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference...
As to the .223...just pick the right bullet and it works fine. A friend has a Winchester Ranger .223 that he bought at WalMart...it is now pushing 35 one shot kills. All but one so far has been dropped in place....the one small doe that ran made it 30 yards. All shots were pass throughs except one 8 point 150 pound buck that was hit in the shoulder. The bullet came to rest under the skin of the opposite side. All but a few of the deer were hit with the Winchester 64 grain SP. The others were the 55 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw or the 60 grain Nosler Petition.
The .22 Magnum is my "survival" cartridge pick....it works on most anything in a pinch....of course CB will work in a pinch....
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3795408/1
Bob
The #1 cartridge choice is the Winchester 40 grain HP. Very controlled expansion and great penetration.
As to where to hit them, most were body shots. I asked the people who had done this what the reaction of the deer was. If the deer didn't drop on the spot, which many did, then it reacted just like a arrow shot deer... If the shot was through the heart or lungs the deer ran anywhere from 20-100 yards. Since I have seen a lot of deer hit with 30-30s and 06s run great distances so hit there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference...
As to the .223...just pick the right bullet and it works fine. A friend has a Winchester Ranger .223 that he bought at WalMart...it is now pushing 35 one shot kills. All but one so far has been dropped in place....the one small doe that ran made it 30 yards. All shots were pass throughs except one 8 point 150 pound buck that was hit in the shoulder. The bullet came to rest under the skin of the opposite side. All but a few of the deer were hit with the Winchester 64 grain SP. The others were the 55 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw or the 60 grain Nosler Petition.
The .22 Magnum is my "survival" cartridge pick....it works on most anything in a pinch....of course CB will work in a pinch....
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3795408/1
Bob
22 mag for deer
I have read on this from time to time. A friend of mine who used to be a rural town cop, used to tell me most of the "poachers" at nite favor the 22 mag. I have one, and just looking at the rounds could never bring myself to try for a deer with one. I prefer a quick kill with minimum suffering.
I have read on this from time to time. A friend of mine who used to be a rural town cop, used to tell me most of the "poachers" at nite favor the 22 mag. I have one, and just looking at the rounds could never bring myself to try for a deer with one. I prefer a quick kill with minimum suffering.
honestly?
It'll never happen legally here in Michigan, but...any WELL PLACED shot would kill the deer. Rip me if you want, but a 22mag directly through the heart on a quartering-away deer inside 100 yards will kill deer regularly. What is the deer going to do, repel the bullet? No. Subsistence hunters have done it for a century or more. How many people have chased deer for miles POORLY shot with much bigger calibers? I've seen that stupidity, so, do I recommend it? Oh, NO! Would it be effective? Of course, PROPERLY DONE.:snipersmi
It'll never happen legally here in Michigan, but...any WELL PLACED shot would kill the deer. Rip me if you want, but a 22mag directly through the heart on a quartering-away deer inside 100 yards will kill deer regularly. What is the deer going to do, repel the bullet? No. Subsistence hunters have done it for a century or more. How many people have chased deer for miles POORLY shot with much bigger calibers? I've seen that stupidity, so, do I recommend it? Oh, NO! Would it be effective? Of course, PROPERLY DONE.:snipersmi
a 40gr 22LR has the abilty just as well as a 22 mag, just gotta hit the right spot,,hence my user name.:bthumb: A top dollar Gamo rifle would be more than adequate as well.
Never taken a deer with a 22LR as it is illegal in WA state,,but I know of some outlaws who have.
Never taken a deer with a 22LR as it is illegal in WA state,,but I know of some outlaws who have.
Really good stuff above; Can't add much really, except to say...
Despite the anecdotes you hear about miraculous shots, we hear far less about the losses. I too witnessed a doe killed with a 22: A kid poached one right in front of me with a 22LR HV HP. The doe ran off but was found dead (by the local CO I had called) the following day, about 50yrds from the hit.
A 22cal for deer is just TOO limiting. I've seen deer get up and go, and some lost, with larger calibers. You are MUCH more likely to be asking for problems if you go with a WMR for deer. Since it's legal, IF you try it out; you'll need keen judment and need to be VERY conservative with your shots. You will likely find it just too limiting.
BTW: I don't believe a Stinger passed a deer stem to stern, unless it was just a lucky fragment. Not crying foul, just some details likely lost, or missed, there.
Despite the anecdotes you hear about miraculous shots, we hear far less about the losses. I too witnessed a doe killed with a 22: A kid poached one right in front of me with a 22LR HV HP. The doe ran off but was found dead (by the local CO I had called) the following day, about 50yrds from the hit.
A 22cal for deer is just TOO limiting. I've seen deer get up and go, and some lost, with larger calibers. You are MUCH more likely to be asking for problems if you go with a WMR for deer. Since it's legal, IF you try it out; you'll need keen judment and need to be VERY conservative with your shots. You will likely find it just too limiting.
BTW: I don't believe a Stinger passed a deer stem to stern, unless it was just a lucky fragment. Not crying foul, just some details likely lost, or missed, there.
.22wrf
Many years ago I had to hunt with an 1890 Winchester in .22WRF. WE called it .22 "Special". This was all we had for a short while. I learned to hate that old pump. However the 45gr. bullets had more velocity than the stuff loaded by CCI now.
I killed a good number of deer, with that old gun. We ate them. I killed deer with buckshot, only used buckshot at night. Killed a few with .22 L.R. later.
I still carry a Bearcat with .22 Mag. cylinder loaded with .22 WRF, for my berry picking, hiking, 4 wheeler gun.
Probably killed more deer by the time I was 20 than most hunters kill in a lifetime.
Have lost 2 deer in all , 1 shot with .243 Nosler partitions, still don't believe it. 1 shot with .25 WSSM. Both deer shot 2-3 times . 1st shots good hits. Tracked forever, and I looked for days. Both deer found dead by others after season. I hate to lose game and have hunted Sitka deer to Grizz.
My favorite deer rifle Win, Mod 71 .348, open sights.
Still may knock down 1 of those 4 legged appetites with ..22 mag. some new heavier loads I see.
Chuck
Many years ago I had to hunt with an 1890 Winchester in .22WRF. WE called it .22 "Special". This was all we had for a short while. I learned to hate that old pump. However the 45gr. bullets had more velocity than the stuff loaded by CCI now.
I killed a good number of deer, with that old gun. We ate them. I killed deer with buckshot, only used buckshot at night. Killed a few with .22 L.R. later.
I still carry a Bearcat with .22 Mag. cylinder loaded with .22 WRF, for my berry picking, hiking, 4 wheeler gun.
Probably killed more deer by the time I was 20 than most hunters kill in a lifetime.
Have lost 2 deer in all , 1 shot with .243 Nosler partitions, still don't believe it. 1 shot with .25 WSSM. Both deer shot 2-3 times . 1st shots good hits. Tracked forever, and I looked for days. Both deer found dead by others after season. I hate to lose game and have hunted Sitka deer to Grizz.
My favorite deer rifle Win, Mod 71 .348, open sights.
Still may knock down 1 of those 4 legged appetites with ..22 mag. some new heavier loads I see.
Chuck
If you advocate hunting deer with a .22, you have no ethics. It's illegal in most states, and should be.
poacher's use .22 Long Rifle a lot...
McBendy_Elbow is correct. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is used a lot by poachers. If you can't get a head shot, put the bullet through both lungs and you will collect your deer. Most deer in Maine are probably taken inside of 50 yards. So, will a .22 mag work, yes it will. As to distances, your accuracy is one limit. The second is the remaining velocity. Given the higher speed of the .22 mag, and having read some impressive results shooting long distances at turkeys wrapped in blankets to simulate clothing, I would think you could take deer out to 100 yards, again assuming you can place your shots at that distance. Sniping at a standing deer should be ok. Running deer, probably best to not shoot.
McBendy_Elbow is correct. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is used a lot by poachers. If you can't get a head shot, put the bullet through both lungs and you will collect your deer. Most deer in Maine are probably taken inside of 50 yards. So, will a .22 mag work, yes it will. As to distances, your accuracy is one limit. The second is the remaining velocity. Given the higher speed of the .22 mag, and having read some impressive results shooting long distances at turkeys wrapped in blankets to simulate clothing, I would think you could take deer out to 100 yards, again assuming you can place your shots at that distance. Sniping at a standing deer should be ok. Running deer, probably best to not shoot.
Well, to me ethics is a personal perception of what is right or what is wrong. It is my personal perception that "sport" hunting a deer with a .22rf is wrong. We can take any ethical argument to absurd limits if you want but we won't achieve much in the process.
- Status
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
