Best caliber for deer?

[Ritten]

.22 Mag Center fire cartridges ARE the minimum. Centerfire vs rimfire.

.22 Magnum is generally referring to the rimfire cartridge.

 

[Emperor]

The .22 magnum is a rimfire. Also known as .22 WRF.

 

[jmeng]

Thats a .22 Hornet, not a 22 magnum.

 

[Emperor]

Thats a .22 Hornet, not a 22 magnum.

I get it! Let me re-phrase; These Centerfire .22 caliber cartridges (see pictures), ARE legal to hunt deer in Louisiana with.

 

[jmeng]

I agree 100%. Could probably go even further and say that the 22 Hornet is the smallest legal cartrige for deer hunting in Louisiana.

 

[whitsend]

That's 22 hornet, not 22 mag.

 

[Emperor]

I agree 100%. Could probably go even further and say that the 22 Hornet is the smallest legal cartrige for deer hunting in Louisiana.

But they don't say that in the regs?!? Perhaps back in the day some one had other centerfire .22's? I really don't know. But isn't it interesting that the regs don't specifically define the Hornet?

I am no ballistics guru; did/do they have others in CF? I have seen that verbiage in the Louisiana hunting regs for decades.

 

[highstandard40]

The regulations for Louisiana say minimum is 22 centerfire. This is meant to exclude any rimfire or any caliber less than .22
So any 22 centerfire would be legal. 22 Hornet, 22 K Hornet, 218 Bee, 219 Mashburn, 220 Swift, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, 223 Rem, etc, etc, etc, and on and on.

 

[JNieman]

I was not talking about 22Hornet.

If I was talking about 22 Hornet I would have said 22 Hornet. I was talking about 22 Magnum. So I said 22 magnum.

No, I'm not talking about Louisiana.

Let's move on past the internet detective work.

 

[whitsend]

Perhaps back in the day some one had other centerfire .22's?

222 Rem
223 Rem
223 WSSM
221 Fireball
22-250 Remington
220 Swift

http://www.chuckhawks.com/22caliber_cartridges.htm

 

[Emperor]

The regulations for Louisiana say minimum is 22 centerfire. This is meant to exclude any rimfire or any caliber less than .22
So any 22 centerfire would be legal. 22 Hornet, 22 K Hornet, 218 Bee, 219 Mashburn, 220 Swift, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, 223 Rem, etc, etc, etc, and on and on.

Point taken. Intentional exclusionary verbiage makes sense.

 

[highstandard40]

I was not talking about 22Hornet.

If I was talking about 22 Hornet I would have said 22 Hornet. I was talking about 22 Magnum. So I said 22 magnum.

No, I'm not talking about Louisiana.

Let's move on past the internet detective work.

Sorry, I didn't intend to start a fire storm here. But the discussion could be considered on topic. When discussing what cartridge to consider for deer hunting, I did not want anyone to consider using the 22 Mag to hunt deer here in Louisiana.

 

[JNieman]

Sorry, I didn't intend to start a fire storm here. But the discussion could be considered on topic. When discussing what cartridge to consider for deer hunting, I did not want anyone to consider using the 22 Mag to hunt deer here in Louisiana.

No problem - it's a very valid point. I just didn't think it was going to snowball like that. I would have been more specific if I'd thought about it.

 

[WillShoot]

A flatter shooting caliber outside of 100yds? Like a .17 win super mag? Yea, that's awesome advice!

beats 100s of calibers, dont ya think?

 

[Ritten]

beats 100s of calibers, dont ya think?

No, I don't.

 

[Gus McCrae]

After visiting my wife's grandparent's property in Missouri I am seriously considering taking up deer hunting. I was wondering what caliber I should look in to for a solid deer rifle. I was thinking .270, .243, or 30-06 due to availability and price. Any thoughts?

Also, would I be completely stupid to consider using my AR, even with a 65-70 grain round?

Don't know the Missouri laws, but I think any of the above would be fine for white tail. If it were me, I kinda like the .30-06 Springfield or .270 Winchester for nostalgia.

 

[MTregre]

Ive always shot 30-06 SPR. I am however thinking about either switching or including .270WIN.

While shot placement is always the biggest factor when seeking a quick kill or saving valuable meat, hell even ease of skinning/cleaning, I've found the 30-06 to be best for all the ranges. Its ballistics are relatively easy to remember or learn and the round has a good amount of TQ behind it to defeat the majority of weather factors the average deer hunter will face. Ive always stuck with 165gr rounds as they (in the round I shoot) offer a higher exit muzzle velocity and hold it out to 300yrds than the 160gr or 180gr rounds. Just this Sat I was able to drop a decent sized buck with a heart shot at 185yrds (range finder). He made his break jump and sat down about 20' away from where he was hit.

This is just my experience. Ive never been on a hunt where the kill shot was further than 350yrds. So I cant speak for anything past that.

 

[LACamper]

Best caliber for deer? From the deer's point of view I'd think he would prefer 6mm airsoft!

(Sorry, I just finished watching the grammar Nazi video... )

 

[mr. frog]

Any of the 3 youve listed would be suitable for killing a whitetail at a decent range. Its all about the shot placement. Find which of the three feels most comfortable to shoot and there you go.