.223 for deer in WA?
Question:
Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have enough power to be humane. Is this true? Thanks, Juan R
Response:
>Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good >expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have >enough power to be humane. Is this true? >Thanks, >Juan R
Juan; I don’t know the regulations for Washington, but the state on your southern border requires a .22 centerfire or larger caliber rifle for deer. I’ve read some testaments to the effectiveness of the 223 Rem. for deer; most have basically said that performance was only marginal. Although I wouldn’t use it if I had a choice, if my choice was hunt with a .223 Rem. or don’t hunt at all, I’d use it. And if I was hunting deer with a rifle chambered for the 223 Rem, I’d make sure I had the heaviest bullet I could get for the caliber, keep my shots at close range, and aim for the lungs. Good luck; Chris Fulton
Response:
> Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good > expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have > enough power to be humane. Is this true? > Thanks, > Juan RJuan-
based on my experience loading .22 caliber and hunting extensively with 6mm calibers in Texas and New Mexico, I think the .223, even tho it is fast and potent, is a reliable load. I think it is likely a lot of shots will be glancing anf will fragment before they can be fatal. Good luuk Marty Howard
Response:
ig game must be a minimum of .240 caliber (6 mm), have a minimum 16 inch barrel and shoot a cartridge that develops at least 900 foot pounds of energy at 100 yards and contains an 85 grain or heavier mushrooming or expanding bullet designed for big game hunting." Tom Juelson Olympia
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good >expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have >enough power to be humane. Is this true? >Thanks, >Juan R > Juan; > I don’t know the regulations for Washington, but the state on your > southern border requires a .22 centerfire or larger caliber rifle > for deer.[snip]
Unless there’s been a (really) recent change, Washington requires a .243/6mm or larger caliber. Despite all the reports of success hunting deer with a .223, it’s really marginal for the purpose, and some states, including WA, do recognize that in their hunting laws.
Response:
Juan, I don’t know about Wash. game laws, but in Oregon we can. I have used a Ruger mini-14 to take one mule deer buck, a small forking horn, at about 100yrds. I was using a 64gr sp moving about 2900fps. I hit the buck with the first shot right behind the front shoulder. The buck did not go down, and had to track the little guy about another 100yrds. I was less than impressed with the knock down power of the little .223 rem. If it were my only choice, I’d still use it. But I don’t so I won’t! If you do use it, just make sure you understand it’s range limitations and that shot placement will be critical. Also keep in mind, most .22 caliber centerfire bullets are made for varmits, with thin jackets for fast expansion. This is not the best bullet for hunting med. to large game. My advice to you is to do some research into the differant loads avaliable and settle on the toughest controlled expansion bullet you can find. Too bad someone doesn’t offer the .224 Barnes X loaded in factory form, or maybe PMC Eldorado does? This is about the toughest bullet money can buy, in any caliber. Good luck, Mike in Oregon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good >expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have >enough power to be humane. Is this true? >Thanks, >Juan R
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Can I hunt deer in WA with a .223? I believe that if a use good > >expanding ammunition, and stick to <100 yds, the bullet should have > >enough power to be humane. Is this true? > >Thanks, > >Juan R > Juan; > I don’t know the regulations for Washington, but the state on your > southern border requires a .22 centerfire or larger caliber rifle > for deer.[snip] > Unless there’s been a (really) recent change, Washington requires a > .243/6mm or larger caliber. Despite all the reports of success hunting > deer with a .223, it’s really marginal for the purpose, and some states, > including WA, do recognize that in their hunting laws.
No change. The 1996 Washington Hunting regulations book still specifies the .243 or larger, 900 ft-lbs., etc.
