Hunting deer in Ontario?

It's legal, though with barely 1000 foot pounds pressure at 100 yards that's it maximum limit. Even with that much power you'll have to be carefull with your bullet selection (i.e. no varmint bullets that break apart too soon) and due to the limited penetration would probably want to limit your shots to broadside ones with no bush in the way. With those limitations, a $75 clunker Enfield with open sights would serve you far better for shooting deer within the max effective range of a .223 and beyond.

Don't get me wrong, I'd use a .223 in an emergency where it was the only rifle available, perhaps in some of the more southern US states that contain smaller subspecies of whitetails, and for smaller species like Roe Deer, Sika, Muntjac, and maybe Fallow. I suppose if the whitetails are feeding off your lawn on a regular basis that it might be okay as well. However, I'd still feel better with the crudest SKS or Mosin than with the nicest/scoped .223 bolt gun.

My apologies if I went too far off topic by discussing the merits of .223 for Ontario Deer, but asking the question does seem to bring on the topic, and will probably continue just like the CGN periodic, hypothetical "Bear Defence Thread."

:popCorn:

Cheers,

Frank
 
Unless you are reloading your own, its pretty much impossible to find 223 ammo loaded with a bullet suitable for deer. Most factory loads use target or varmint bullets. 243 Win or 6mm Rem are the smallest calibers you will likely find a suitable factory load in. Assuming you already own the Tavor, think of this as a good excuse/reason to go get a new rifle.
 
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Federal loads a good bullet (nosler partition) in 223.
If you need follow-up sots for deer, or plan to use such strategies.... think again. You will most likely never get the second shot, and if you do, think where it will be. I gather you never dressed a gut-shot animal.
We need follow-up shots for moose and such, so they don't go far in the swamp, but for deer...follow-up shots mean more animals, not one animal with more holes. A223 will do the job, and it's legal but not a prime choice for a beginner. It's more of an expert's rifle.... like shooting trap with a .410.

+1 on the M14
 
Any centre fire is legal in Ontario. Not all are advisable though. Certainly not a .223. Nor any other .22 calibre centre fire. Expert shot or not.
 
Suitable not really but Legal yes any center fire is legal for Deer in
Ontario I knew an old guy and all he used was a 22 hornet on deer and he got more deer every year than any of us. Personally I wouldn't go below a
22-250 or a 243
 
Thanks

You folkes solved my problem or more like my question. I was thinking of going too a 223. for deer and using my 303. Enfield for elk. I trust the masses. White Tail and mulies can be a decent size in the Kootenay's so I'll stick with the larger calibres for now. I just want rid of my 7mm mag, damn it hurts:)
 
unless your reloading TXS's or Nosler Partitions your pretty much SOL its tough finding the factory Federal 60gr partitions.

If you do reload get some 45gr TSX's practice alot from field shooting positions i.e. sitting, standing run a bit to get your heart going then shoot....ect if you get good groups doing that and feel confident in your shot placement then I see nothing wrong with using highend bullets on deer.

I can contest to shot placement being much more effective then speed or energy. I shot a Doe this year the first bullet went high between ribs above the lungs and below the spine.....she ran off and never died I know because I finished the job 2 days later with a double lung shot.....This deer was hit with a 150gr core-lokt from a .300win mag. If it was a .223, .22-250 it would have been the same out come a lost deer.

Point is if the .223 is all you got and you reload then yes use it for deer just make sure you are 110% on your shot placement in hunting situations that means being out of breath with a racing heart beat to sitting calm with a bi-pod do that and you will kill lots of deer with your .223.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273811
 
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