This is a hot button topic on many hunting forums, so let's get the ball rolling here. Two basic schools of thought seem to exist on this.One is those that have done it, and would have no hesitation doing it again, and the other is those who scorn the concept and almost invariably have never done it. What say you? The topic usually centers around .22 centerfires, but anything .24 caliber or smaller is fair game.
Small caliber deer and antelope hunting...
- Thread starter Ingwe
- Start date
M_Strohmeyer
Active member
Dad is hunting with the 300 ham'r this year.
Bullseye69
Well-known member
Indiana just made 223 legal for deer this year. So a case length min of 1.16 and .219 min caliber size.
So 22 hornet is legal.
So 22 hornet is legal.
rickiesrevenge
Active member
My youngest has killed two caribou with a 223 ar15. Combined they may have gone 12 yards after the shots. I shot one with a 22gt. It went 10-15 yards.
Bullseye69
Well-known member
You can use 22 caliber on CWD or Muntjac can't you?
For some reason I have it in my head that the .222 and .223 are popular in the UK for Roe deer in particular, or am I simply thinking of the mainland?
Yes we can.
Also roe can legally be shot with some 22 cals in Scotland.
Different laws like in your different states.
Ken.
I've shot a handful of Wyoming and Montana Antelope years ago with small caliber AR15 rifles:
- .22 Nosler - 60 grain VMax (321 yards)
- .224 Valkyrie - 90 grain HP (90 yards)
- 6mm ARC - 105 grain BTHP (90 yards - Poor Bullet Performance)
- .224 Valkyrie - 69 grain Blitzking (468 yards)
As Kenbro said, it is all about shot placement. During the Montana hunt, I had to take a 200ish yard shot to finish off one that my buddy had shot with his 6.5 Creedmoor/143 grain ELD-X.
- .22 Nosler - 60 grain VMax (321 yards)
- .224 Valkyrie - 90 grain HP (90 yards)
- 6mm ARC - 105 grain BTHP (90 yards - Poor Bullet Performance)
- .224 Valkyrie - 69 grain Blitzking (468 yards)
As Kenbro said, it is all about shot placement. During the Montana hunt, I had to take a 200ish yard shot to finish off one that my buddy had shot with his 6.5 Creedmoor/143 grain ELD-X.
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M_Strohmeyer
Active member
Hell yeah! Nice Job Eric!
Excellent! Glad WY finally allowed you to use centerfire .22s.Interesting about the 60 gr Vmax..Ive never used it on deer sized game, but have opted for the 60 gr NBT. Looks like I should give the Vmax a try! Had a bunch a friend gave me but I burnt them up on gophers, SUPER accurate bullet!
GreenerJim
New member
Can take any deer with the right 22 in Scotland, if one is so inclined.
Yet our roe are clearly invulnerable to 22s
IowaBuckSlayer
New member
I may try a 17 remington in Missouri during antlerless season. Any suggestions on what bullet to try?
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Don't know about a 17 but "I've told told" a 32 gr Vmax at 3950 fps behind the ear at 150 yds will put a 16" 8 pt dead in the dirt, right there. Just saying.
I'm not sure about deer, but Ive made a BUNCH of brain shots on hogs with a .17 Rem. and 30 gr Bergers ( discontinued of course...) and 25 gr Bergers and 25 gr. Hornady HP (also discontinued ) You might also check into Hammer .17 offerings in monomental.In any event I would recommend the brain shot, which is easy enough with a .17 Pic of hogs sent to hog heaven via the .17 Rem....
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32s are probably 19 or 20 cal; I think.?
Ken.
I’m sure if Berger or Hornady did a run of their heavier 17 cal bullets they would sell out in short order. I particularly liked the Hornady 25 SP for foxes.
Ken.
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rickiesrevenge
Active member
OUTSTANDING! Amazing what one can do with proper shot placement!
Taking one with a handgun has to be special. What time of year was that, noticed the green plants and short hair. The last picture makes me cold to look at it. How do they taste compared to deer or moose? Congratulations
