I have been told that it can happen, but considering most deer are shot from about 50 yards it seems unlikely.
2006-08-08 12:07:40 · 19 answers · asked by shoemanshoe 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The answer is yes, but I don't know where it is legal to shoot deer with a .22 rimfire bullet.
The .22 caliber list of cartridges is quite large. The 5.56 NATO (.223 Remington) is a .22, as is the .222 Remington, the .222 Remington Magnum, the .22-250 and so on. These, however, are centerfire cartridges and shoot further and hit harder than their .22 rimfire little brother.
Personally I consider any .22 too small for deer. I have killed deer with a .223, but will not do so again unless I have no other caliber to harvest venison with and have no other food source. The .223 kills deer too slowly.
I've also used a .243 Winchester and I consider this caliber the absolute minimum for deer hunting. A .25-06 Remington is so much better. A lot of hunters still use the old .30-30 Winchester with good results. Some hunters consider the .308 Winchester (the 7.62x51 NATO) to be the minimum deer cartridge. Even so, bullet placement is always critical.
Happy hunting.
H
2006-08-08 14:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi there, yes you most certainly can,even at 50 yards, of course you must be a very good shot or lucky as all get out, shoot between the ribs without hitting them a 22 will reach the heart, or if the deer is standing looking away at 90 degrees to you, a half an inch bellow the ear will put them right down.most people don't know this, but a 22 is one of the most dangerous calliburs made because it very seldom follows a straight line once it enters flesh.
2006-08-08 12:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by burnie_1_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answer "H" I was wondering if anyone was going to pick up on the fact that there are MANY .22 caliber rifles/rounds not just the .22lr most people think of when they hear .22 . Hand loading with 65gr bullets is one answer to your .223, though not a good answer IMHO. I have some friends who load up to 83gr for paper punching at long range...
As to the possibility of a .22lr killing a deer, I'm sure it could. I know of a case where a circus Elephant was killed when a pistol accidentally discharged, striking the Elephant with a 22 short...
BTW it is illegal to hunt/shoot deer with a .22LR etc in my state...
2006-08-08 18:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can be done, but it is unethical. The shot must be placed perfectly to kill the deer, otherwise it will just be in pain and injured. The best place to shoot a deer with a .22 is into the opening of the ear. Can only imagine doing this in a survival situation....
2006-08-08 12:23:48 · answer #4 · answered by iamchadzdad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW, with such a small caliber rifle I would imagine you could bring him down if you hit him in the nads, but he would probably get right back up and head for you!!! I hope you can run fast!
2006-08-08 12:12:32 · answer #5 · answered by Greg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, YES. Here the DNR carries .22 handguns to "finish off" deer that have been hit by cars if they are injured too much to survive
2006-08-08 12:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by Maxwell Smart(ypants) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've heard that to, but as a hunter I don't want my food to suffer. Nothing under a .243 but preferable higher caliber
2006-08-08 17:16:44 · answer #7 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aim for soft tissue around the head.
I actually have no idea. It's a random guess.
2006-08-08 12:13:22 · answer #8 · answered by Heruparkraat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen it done (once) but it's difficult. You have to be a good shot, not far away and hollow points don't hurt either!
2006-08-08 12:12:48 · answer #9 · answered by missingora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but you need a hollow point slug and you need to nail him in the eye. Ruins the trophy though...
2006-08-08 12:13:06 · answer #10 · answered by Ren Hoek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋