Deer hunting with a .223

[marineimaging]

In Texas we could hunt deer and hogs with the .223. As with every aspect of hunting it is up to the hunter to bring a strong sense of ethics with him/her and in once sense that could mean NOT taking a shot you think will cause needless suffering of the animal. In Colorado where I now live it is illegal to hunt deer and larger with a .223. Small game is fine. Having discussions with other hunters we all have reason to believe there was no factual data behind Colorado's decision to declare that the .223 was not powerful enough for white tail or mule deer. What I have never heard is that a .223 failed to bring down a deer. Does anyone know for a fact that deer are not killed by the .223 in 200 yards or less?

[buffalobo]

Why the need to hunt deer with .223?

[marineimaging]

If that is the case then according to Boulderitesses, why the need for a .223 at all? I have .357, .44, .243, 30-30, 30-06 and can hunt with any of them and my own handloads fitted for what I am after. What I wanted to know is if anybody has actually shot a deer (not a moose or elk) with a .223 and it jumped up and ran off to never be found? What I wanted to know is if the prohibition is based on actual data or is it just because hating the AR-15 in 5.56/.223 is so common in Colorado that the powers that be just arbitrarily decided no huntee with the .223 and that's that? Because we said so and you don't get a voice nor do we care about real facts.

[Irving]

It all has to do with shot placement. Any caliber can fail to bring a deer down, at any range, with poor enough shot placement. I suspect you know all that. Wyoming recently made it legal to take big game with .223 and they might be a better example to refer to than Texas if you plan to approach a government entity about making a change.

[spqrzilla]

Wyoming recently made it legal to take big game with .223 and they might be a better example to refer to than Texas if you plan to approach a government entity about making a change.

Just antelope, I believe.

[marineimaging]

I think that in Texas the legal firearm means is any centerfire rifle or shotgun with the appropriate ammunition. (You have to be very careful to know the rules where you are hunting with a shotgun. Some permit slugs only. Some places are buckshot only. And never the twain shall meet.)

[buffalobo]

I wouldn't use .223 for elk or bear and don't want to own hunting rifles in lots of calibers so .223 is not a viable big game round for me regardless of the reg.

[Irving]

I wouldn't use .223 for elk or bear and don't want to own hunting rifles in lots of calibers so .223 is not a viable big game round for me regardless of the reg.

Me either, but I'm not sure if I'd be against it. Would it bother you if the rule was changed?

There are more hunting calibers than any of us care to own, so that's kind of a moot point I think. We have members that have taken elk with 7.62x39 and .300 blk just to say they've done it. Not much different I think.

[buffalobo]

Me either, but I'm not sure if I'd be against it. Would it bother you if the rule was changed?

There are more hunting calibers than any of us care to own, so that's kind of a moot point I think. We have members that have taken elk with 7.62x39 and .300 blk just to say they've done it. Not much different I think.

I don't see the need to change the rule but would not initially complain of it. Would be a wait and see.

I don't think the "sporting" round carries water here in Colorado anymore, needed to be made pre 2013.

[Gman]

Deer in TX aren't that big. It's also possible to take deer with 22LR. The problem is "the public" and what's best for the management of the game population.

If it were me and I was trying to stick to a NATO caliber, 7.62x51/.308 is my pick.