tactical870
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Buckhorn, Ontario
I do agree actually. I prefer a larger target with less chance of movement. The only headshots I've ever made were on wounded deer where a better shot wasn't possible.
Anyone use a 22 Hornet for deer?
- Thread starter tactical870
- Start date
I do agree actually. I prefer a larger target with less chance of movement. The only headshots I've ever made were on wounded deer where a better shot wasn't possible.
I'll take that as a turn down to the offer.......apparently the entire point is lost on you, it's not whether a 22 hornet can kill a deer, it's what happens when it doesn't..........that's what really matters...........I don't care if you kill 99 in a row it's the 100th one which isn't a perfect shot that concerns me. So I say let's just jump to the 100th one and let's make it a Cape Buff and then you won't be asking next if a 17 HMR is a "sporting choice" for whitetail deer, cause I'm bored and want to spice up my hunting life a bit at the expense of a potentially suffering animal.
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
All emotions aside, and I felt a few reading some of this, I think I see where tactical870's coming from. Sounds like you're looking to keep it interesting, after 33 deer likely from the same area, and are looking for ways to keep the challenge. Been there, just different animals in different places. I read your mentoring thread, and was impressed, you gave a good few people happy and successful introductions to the sport, hunts they'll always remember.
Where we differ is I just feel that a .22 Hornet on deer is the wrong way to keep it interesting. I believe you'll make it work, I also believe that your question for people who've done it is flawed; everyone will tout a success, nobody will pipe up with all the lost animals out there from inadequate chamberings. So that's where it gets to I see it as seeking an affirmation for a previously decided notion, nobody's going to come out here and say the put a Hornet on the button, and lost the trail just before dark. Todbartell did it with the Fireball because he knew people would read his story and everyone likes that, he seems to get a particular kick out of pushing the edge.
I would just hope there was a better way for you to keep it interesting, a lot can go wrong for the deer when you cut your overkill margins that far. 1899, for sure, I never saw less than .243 advocated for Impala, but people do these things worldwide. If you asked to use a Hornet any of the areas I've hunted they would say one of two things, 1. Hell no. 2. You break it, you buy it, meaning wounding costs. Often there's even a higher charge for a wounded animal than cleanly killed, and I'm all for it, it takes their time and resources to track, and the animal suffers. I'm not hunting for meat for my family on a frontier, I'm not recoil adverse (neither is 870, it appears), and I really have no reason to investigate micro chamberings for big game as such. I'd rather foray into classics, BP, smoothbore shotguns etc. If it's a physical limitation, say if my 110lb wife couldn't tolerate any recoil (though she shoots .375 H&H well, this is hypothetical) I can see applications. For a man accustomed to real rifles, getting pretty close to stunting for me. But hey people are spear hunting these days and making a mess of it on youtube for all to see, tactical870 will do better than that I suspect with his Hornet.
Oh, and please nobody agree with antiqueguy or egg him on, read some of his posts if you feel inclined to.
Where we differ is I just feel that a .22 Hornet on deer is the wrong way to keep it interesting. I believe you'll make it work, I also believe that your question for people who've done it is flawed; everyone will tout a success, nobody will pipe up with all the lost animals out there from inadequate chamberings. So that's where it gets to I see it as seeking an affirmation for a previously decided notion, nobody's going to come out here and say the put a Hornet on the button, and lost the trail just before dark. Todbartell did it with the Fireball because he knew people would read his story and everyone likes that, he seems to get a particular kick out of pushing the edge.
I would just hope there was a better way for you to keep it interesting, a lot can go wrong for the deer when you cut your overkill margins that far. 1899, for sure, I never saw less than .243 advocated for Impala, but people do these things worldwide. If you asked to use a Hornet any of the areas I've hunted they would say one of two things, 1. Hell no. 2. You break it, you buy it, meaning wounding costs. Often there's even a higher charge for a wounded animal than cleanly killed, and I'm all for it, it takes their time and resources to track, and the animal suffers. I'm not hunting for meat for my family on a frontier, I'm not recoil adverse (neither is 870, it appears), and I really have no reason to investigate micro chamberings for big game as such. I'd rather foray into classics, BP, smoothbore shotguns etc. If it's a physical limitation, say if my 110lb wife couldn't tolerate any recoil (though she shoots .375 H&H well, this is hypothetical) I can see applications. For a man accustomed to real rifles, getting pretty close to stunting for me. But hey people are spear hunting these days and making a mess of it on youtube for all to see, tactical870 will do better than that I suspect with his Hornet.
Oh, and please nobody agree with antiqueguy or egg him on, read some of his posts if you feel inclined to.
My old man has been hunting with his .30-06 for as long as I can remember... each year, each trip, he is just as excited to go back.
I suggest people take a different approach than small caliber to making the hunt more interesting. Try a different spot, different game
, or a different hobby.
I suggest people take a different approach than small caliber to making the hunt more interesting. Try a different spot, different game
, or a different hobby.
Ardent, funny you should mention spear hunting, my son and I have discussed this at length on black bear, but would never do it without immediate back up of a medium bore rifle (or double 470). I consider this sporting but at no time would a bear get away wounded, and as unlikely as it is, it's still a bear with the potential to point out our error of judgement, with great aplomb.
I too have a great understanding of Tac870s situation, it does in fact become too easy. But to risk the suffering of an animal to ascend our boredom is still aggregious in my opinion. Unless it's done in an environment where the loss of the animal can be ALMOST guaranteed not to happen, as in the spear hunted bear afore mentioned.
I don't know about the rest of you guys but I run about a 1-1.5% loss ratio, and this is always using at least an adequate if not larger caliber. I wish it was zero but it's not, as we all know too well. I tear my heart out over every lost animal and review it a hundred times, what could I have done different? What did I do wrong? What do I need to learn from this? I tend to be quite addament about this because I've shot more animals than most on here which means, I've also lost more animals than most on here. I practice, I prepare, I have good gear, I have good loads and good rifles, I study my quarry at length and know them well and still it happens, and still it tears my heart out every time. I just loathe the thought of losing another and yet I most likely will, this is why questions like this raise my ire, nothing personal Tac870, it's just I've lost too many, with rifles more than adequate, and cannot abide those who would marginalize a caliber to enhance there experience at the increased risk of losing an animal.
I too have a great understanding of Tac870s situation, it does in fact become too easy. But to risk the suffering of an animal to ascend our boredom is still aggregious in my opinion. Unless it's done in an environment where the loss of the animal can be ALMOST guaranteed not to happen, as in the spear hunted bear afore mentioned.
I don't know about the rest of you guys but I run about a 1-1.5% loss ratio, and this is always using at least an adequate if not larger caliber. I wish it was zero but it's not, as we all know too well. I tear my heart out over every lost animal and review it a hundred times, what could I have done different? What did I do wrong? What do I need to learn from this? I tend to be quite addament about this because I've shot more animals than most on here which means, I've also lost more animals than most on here. I practice, I prepare, I have good gear, I have good loads and good rifles, I study my quarry at length and know them well and still it happens, and still it tears my heart out every time. I just loathe the thought of losing another and yet I most likely will, this is why questions like this raise my ire, nothing personal Tac870, it's just I've lost too many, with rifles more than adequate, and cannot abide those who would marginalize a caliber to enhance there experience at the increased risk of losing an animal.
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I think Tacki if you're up for a challenge, hone your skills with a ka-bouy rope and lasso the critter.
Flop it down and tie his legs.
Then go for the juggler..................
This I suspect should be entertaining to no end.
Have someone video it too.
Seems a while back there was a cowboy thinking this would be fun and got his arse whooped.
Flop it down and tie his legs.
Then go for the juggler..................
This I suspect should be entertaining to no end.
Have someone video it too.
Seems a while back there was a cowboy thinking this would be fun and got his arse whooped.
I think this post has perhaps 'Jumped the shark'
I really hope that I didn't contribute to it, although I'm sure in some folks eye's I have. I do tend to defend the use of elderly, not as capable of calibers (guilty); but then again I enjoy the walking and hunting. If I go home empty handed; I still had a great time and the lower powered rds do require much more passing up on shots.
I do enjoy the older gear which limits me quite a bit as far as effective range and animals which can be taken with antiquated gear.
But spear hunting on Black Bear? It's gone past ludicrous by a sight.
Adieu
I really hope that I didn't contribute to it, although I'm sure in some folks eye's I have. I do tend to defend the use of elderly, not as capable of calibers (guilty); but then again I enjoy the walking and hunting. If I go home empty handed; I still had a great time and the lower powered rds do require much more passing up on shots.
I do enjoy the older gear which limits me quite a bit as far as effective range and animals which can be taken with antiquated gear.
But spear hunting on Black Bear? It's gone past ludicrous by a sight.
Adieu
That was one of the best written and funniest stories I have ever read, pretty sure i pi$$ed myself laughing at that one and I usually have a somewhat dry and controlled sense of humor!! As an old cowboy myself I can visualize every word in that story, it was priceless!!!!
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The 22 Hornet maybe for the very few of us, on small deer with sturdy bullet jackets. Expert's choice in some jurisdictions IMO. One has to ask oneself if they have the time and patience to wait for the perfect shot. (got the stomach for a head shot?) Much like an archer and his limited range gear, you better have the luxury of time and the wise judgement to pass up many iffy shots.
my two bits
my two bits
- Location
- AB foothills
Wow, and here I thought by your name and ramblings you would have been older with some serious amounts of experience. After a quick look at your profile I can see I was very, very wrong. A good example of how names and on line ramblings can be deceiving...
If most more experienced hunters here at CGN knew your actual age I doubt they would even respond to your posts...
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
This is the part of your thread and attitude I suspect many, myself included, have a real problem with. In your mind, "challenging" yourself as a self professed experienced hunter is testing how small of a caliber you can use? In other words, you're using the deer as a test medium? You're bored because they die too easily with the bigger calibers?
You're missing the true meaning of a challenging hunt entirely and contrary to your belief, the majority of experienced hunters don't have this attitude.
I think "challenging" yourself is a valid reason to try a less efficient weapon. It's why many people take up bow hunting or muzzle loading rifles. Or even 30-30's with iron sights or single shots or in this case a less powerful cartridge.
The reason Bartell selected the .221 Fireball to hunt a doe with was for a challenge. That hunt would have been over in about an hour if he had used a "regular" hunting cartridge. As it turned out it took us a couple of days to get in position and close enough to allow a perfect shot opportunity. Doe LEH permits are usually treated pretty casually here- "We will go buck hunting and shoot a doe on the last day because it's so easy" sort of attitude. By using a smaller cartridge we challenged ourselves and made the hunt much more fun. Actually got some blood pumping on a lowly doe hunt instead of just "BANG, throw her in the back of the truck"
The reason Bartell selected the .221 Fireball to hunt a doe with was for a challenge. That hunt would have been over in about an hour if he had used a "regular" hunting cartridge. As it turned out it took us a couple of days to get in position and close enough to allow a perfect shot opportunity. Doe LEH permits are usually treated pretty casually here- "We will go buck hunting and shoot a doe on the last day because it's so easy" sort of attitude. By using a smaller cartridge we challenged ourselves and made the hunt much more fun. Actually got some blood pumping on a lowly doe hunt instead of just "BANG, throw her in the back of the truck"
I would be much more comfortable with a Hornet loaded with TSX bullets
