.223 enough to go hunting for a deer?

[firstimer]

Is a .223 enough to go hunting for a deer or should I be taking along something with a little more oomph? I'm just not sure how common it is to use 'em. Thanks!

- P

[deepfried]

to small read the regulations !

[mac_xi@hotmail.com]

Must be above .23 cal

[diamonddave]

ummmm

[Okotokian]

You are the same fella who mistakenly bought a mule deer tag and then realized you couldn't use it anywhere around where you live. I'd suggest you slow down, take a deep breath, re-read your hunting course materials, read the regulations carefully, and then take it from there. We absolutely understand the excitement you feel, and it's great. But read up on what you need to know before jumping in anywhere else. DO you know anyone who hunts? If you do, hook up with them. It will shorten your learning curve dramatically.

Good luck!

[BigChevy]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

You are the same fella who mistakenly bought a mule deer tag and then realized you couldn't use it anywhere around where you live. I'd suggest you slow down, take a deep breath, re-read your hunting course materials, read the regulations carefully, and then take it from there. We absolutely understand the excitement you feel, and it's great. But read up on what you need to know before jumping in anywhere else. DO you know anyone who hunts? If you do, hook up with them. It will shorten your learning curve dramatically.

Good luck!

X2... great advice.
Its good to ask questions, especially before you find that you've done something thats against the law, like shooting any big game species with too small of caliber or shooting a species in the wrong zone or out of season. Lots to understand for a first timer but like Okotokian said, if you know someone with some hunting background thats your simplest and quikest way to learn!

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by BigChevy

but like Okotokian said, if you know someone with some hunting background thats your simplest and quikest way to learn!

I know from experience because I DIDN'T have that, so had to learn the slow hard way. Would have loved to have had a mentor. I"m still learning from the yo-yo's here.

[timsesink]

sent you a PM, didn't want to flame you out here but you really need to do some more learning and reading.

[wwbirds]

from the yo-yo's here.

hey hey some of us represent that remark!
Got your dog trained yet!!!!
Rob

[firstimer]

Definitely going out with a half dozen guys who have done more hunting than years I am old.

Thanks for the advice and I'm doing plenty of reading. .303 is what I've got - and now I've figured out why I haven't heard of anyone going with something so small as a .233 Was just wondering.

Slowing down on the excitement factor...
- P

[ShawnM]

Did you take hunters ed before applying for a license etc.? If you did you should know that .223 is not legal to hunt big game with.

[timsesink]

No need to jump down his throat, at least he asked! Better then most half baked guys I meet on the trail. Sounds like a decent guys just starting out and getting some help as well.

[V_1]

Technically, yes. Legally (in Alberta) - NO. But may be legal in some other jurisdictions like ON, as far as I heard.

[rhuntley12]

Some people hunt deer with a 223 where legal, in Alberta it is not legal. Great for coyotes though and dang fun to shoot with no recoil.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by firstimer

Definitely going out with a half dozen guys who have done more hunting than years I am old.

Thanks for the advice and I'm doing plenty of reading. .303 is what I've got - and now I've figured out why I haven't heard of anyone going with something so small as a .233 Was just wondering.

Slowing down on the excitement factor...
- P

Your .303 will do everything you need for a good deer or moose rifle!
Questions are good....
Cat

[Pudelpointer]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

Did you take hunters ed before applying for a license etc.? If you did you should know that there is no season on mourning doves.

Pot, meet kettle. Glass houses. etc.

[aulrich]

I don't remember the 223 thing coming up in the hunter safty (currently I am walking a kid though the onine course) but yea that is in the regs. Do spend the time learning them well, some sections are fuzzy enough you still have questions like just can anyone name a .23 caliber round.

It's better to run the risk of asking a silly question, than running the risk of not asking a good one.

[deanerG]

Originally Posted by pudelpointer

pot, meet kettle. Glass houses. Etc.

like

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

hey hey some of us represent that remark!
Got your dog trained yet!!!!
Rob

LOL Dog trained? Sorta.... took a course and did some pigeon work with him in August. I need to do more... and maybe yet come out to your place and put him to the test with some real game birds. Right now he's "bust em most times, point 'em sometimes, and chew them up when I retrieve them." Yet he never did the chewing in the past when he retrieved ducks in water. I dunno... He's a Britt who is a better waterfowl retriever (when it's warm) than he is an upland pointer. Credit my bad training completely. Especially since I was informed that he comes from Champion stock and his brother is presently competing down in the States.... sheesh. What a waste of a good dog on a lousy hunter LOL

[greybeard]

I am not a fan of the .223 for deer.
I used to use one at work and they were meant for different things.

Take the time to pick up a good quality new or used 243 or 6mm. They are good deer guns that are accurate and cheap to own and the recoil is low. Remember that the increase in diameter of .02 is more than a 10 % increase because the surface of the bullet that hits the deer increases by a factor of the radius squared x pi. (3.14). The extra knockdown ability is what you want. You don't need to go 2 kms. into the bush to find your deer.

Use a good bullet around 100 grains, and practice shooting standing and kneeling.

Take lessons on cleaning an animal. Find like-minded friends.

Ask questions. Persist in your sport.

I hope to see you in the field. Good luck.

[bushwackin]

Good luck first timer. The first one you get is the best one!

[LintonWeikle]

If I may make a suggestion. I would encourage you to go along on a hunt or two with some seasoned hunters, carrying only a camera at first. watching how they deal with the excitement may help you in your journey. listen lots and keep a watchfull eye. your .303 is a wonderful calibre. in fact I took my first deer with 1 aswell. Best of luck and when the time comes deep breath and squeeze, it'll happen fast.

Linton!

[Arn?Narn.]

Originally Posted by ShawnM

Did you take hunters ed before applying for a license etc.? If you did you should know that .223 is not legal to hunt big game with.

depends where you do the course....

[glen1971]

Originally Posted by aulrich

I don't remember the 223 thing coming up in the hunter safty (currently I am walking a kid though the onine course) but yea that is in the regs. Do spend the time learning them well, some sections are fuzzy enough you still have questions like just can anyone name a .23 caliber round.

The first legal big game caliber in Alberta would be the 240 Weatherby or the 243.. There is no 23 caliber that I can find..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rifle_cartridges

[Straightgun]

Originally Posted by mac_xi@hotmail.com

Must be above .23 cal

So much for my red ryder!

[xtreme hunter10]

wow... I dont mean to sound rude but did you take hunter ed? the smallest caliber to hunt with is .23. like someone else said. i dont know of many rifles chambered for .23. so 243 is probably your best bet. wow....

[avb3]

Originally Posted by firstimer

Definitely going out with a half dozen guys who have done more hunting than years I am old.

Thanks for the advice and I'm doing plenty of reading. .303 is what I've got - and now I've figured out why I haven't heard of anyone going with something so small as a .233 Was just wondering.

Slowing down on the excitement factor...
- P

Even to this day, there have probably been more moose taken by a .303 then any other gun.

I used one for the first 15 years of hunting... they work just fine.

[xtreme hunter10]

Originally Posted by avb3

Even to this day, there have probably been more moose taken by a .303 then any other gun.

I used one for the first 15 years of hunting... they work just fine.

I dont know about that... i'll see your .303 and raise you a 30-06. i wonder just how close those two would be stats wise. I'm gonna say the .30-06 by a small margin.

[Arn?Narn.]

Originally Posted by xtreme hunter10

I dont know about that... i'll see your .303 and raise you a 30-06. i wonder just how close those two would be stats wise. I'm gonna say the .30-06 by a small margin.

not even close,.. the .303 by a mile.

[Arn?Narn.]

Originally Posted by xtreme hunter10

wow... I dont mean to sound rude but did you take hunter ed? the smallest caliber to hunt with is .23. like someone else said. i dont know of many rifles chambered for .23. so 243 is probably your best bet. wow....

has nothing to do with it....