Ruger Mini 14 for deer @100 yards

blueflash

blueflash

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I know .223 is'nt recommended for shooting deer, but I really doubt that from 150 yards away or less, that a deer is going to know the difference between getting shot by a .223 or a .243.

What do you guys really think about using a Ruger Mini 14 for pushing the bush when a shot on a deer is alway made at less than 100 yards away, and a quick follow up shot will probably be needed.

I have heard that you can buy some 80-90gr .223 ammo, so thats not much different then .243, and with a Mini-14 being so light, and small, it would be a great gun to carry all day.

Anyone use a mini 14 for deer?
 
I am not hunting SW ontario. I know that its Shotgun only Country around here, I should of been more specific.

I go about 4 hours North for Deer season for a week, were it is Rifle Season up there....yahoo...

The Loring Deer yard actually, to a hunt camp. Theres so many deer up there....I mean..... oops its supposed to be a secret...

Anyways, I use a 30/06 for when I take my turn up in a Treestand, but when I dog it, Im thinking about getting a Mini 14. Some guys use a .243 , and too me I don't see much of a difference, so I can't see why it won't work awesome.

What do you guys think? I know, I have read .223 for deer comments to go on for ever, but in the case of shooting from under 100 yards away, it really makes perfectly good sense, I think.
 
No, I would'nt say my mind is made up. I am sitting on the fence, with a few different guns and calibers. However I think that the Mini 14 might be the best one for a shot at a running deer @ 100 yards away or less. I just have'nt found many people who agree with me, so I am looking for some encouragement.

Alot of guys are saying to use a mini 30, but then I can't use a mini 30 around here for varmint because there is caliber restrictions around were I live. I could use a mini 14 all year round up north and down south were I live.
 
blueflash said:
No, I would'nt say my mind is made up. I am sitting on the fence, with a few different guns and calibers. However I think that the Mini 14 might be the best one for a shot at a running deer @ 100 yards away or less. I just have'nt found many people who agree with me, so I am looking for some encouragement.
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You're joking right? Even if it is legal to shoot at deer where you live with a
.223 you would need a perfectly placed shot to make a humane kill. Hardly something the average guy can do on a running deer. Realy. C'mon now. Get serious. Buy two guns.
 
The Mini 14 is not an accurate rifle, you will likely end up spraying bullets all over in an attempt to hit the kill zone. Couple that with a small caliber with low put down power and you have the extreme likelyhood of wounded and unrecovered animals. Do yourself and the deer a favor and use something with better accuracy and more lethality.

A good old lever action .30-30 would have way more knock down power, be more accurate and still be quick to put a second shot in the vitals, should it be needed.

By the way, a mini14 is not a light gun!
 
I'm not against using a .223 for deer, but I would choose to use a pin point accurate bolt over the mini 14 every time. Because bullet placement has now become even more crucial I would want to be shooting a rifle that I can consistantly hit a dime @ 100yrs with.The last Mini-14 I had would shoot 3 shot groups @ 100 from 4-5''(some aproaching 6'') and that IMO is definitely not good enough.

blueflash said:
I have heard that you can buy some 80-90gr .223 ammo, so thats not much different then .243, and with a Mini-14 being so light, and small, it would be a great gun to carry all day.
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I am pretty sure your Mini won't stabalize the longer bullets, as the majority of Mini-14s have a 1:10'' twist. I did however have an older Mini that had a 1:7'' twist, but those are rare.
 
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Spend less money on a lighter, way more accurate gun with deer stopping power to 150+ yrds and its cheaper than a mini-14. Buy a CZ858 non-restricted. They rock.
 
ht tp://www.federalpremium.com/products/compare/rifle_compare.aspx

Remove the space and decide for your self, look at the energy figures for 100 yards, The only time I would consider a .22 certerfire for deer would be shooting at an unaware animal, you specifically mention running deer so that changes everything.
 
You would be best to test your accuracy at 100 yards with that heavy bullet weight. I find my slow twist rate Ruger bolt action rifle does not like that heavier ammo and prefers 45-55 grain bullets. I hope that test alone is enough to deter you.
 
For pushing bush, I would tend not to want to use a .223. Get yourself a 30/30 or something similarly lightweight, and a bigger bullet. Marginal shots seem to be taken while dogging, and .223 does not fill the marginal shot taking category!
 
i thought the smallest bullet you could shoot a deer leagaly was with a 243... but that could just be a flatskatchewan rumor
 
blueflash said:
I have heard that you can buy some 80-90gr .223 ammo, so thats not much different then .243
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You have heard these things? :rolleyes: What sort of 80-90gr bullets have you heard about? Long range? Target? Varmint? FMJs? Ever heard of Google?

You might want to educate yourself about proper big game bullets and how they are different from other bullets and the consequences of using the wrong bullet before you take your shot.

.
 
Blueflash,
You're number one issue here is that a .223 is NOT legal for deer in Ontario.
Buy a used marlin 336, and a used bolt .223 ( or a Savage Edge package if you are strapped for cash)
Use the 30-30 for pushing bush, the .223 for varminting at home.
 
joe_grandma said:
i thought the smallest bullet you could shoot a deer leagaly was with a 243... but that could just be a flatskatchewan rumor
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Saskatchewan rules specify calibre must be not smaller than .24 but some other provinces allow smaller calibres. I don't know about Ontario, but I suppose the thread starter does as he is there.
 
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