What is the smallest cartridge YOU would hunt whitetail deer with?

The smallest i'd use is .243, partly because that is the smallest common chambering allowed in Saskatchewan, ( min over .23 caliber)
I do not support the use of .223 for whitetails. It is very popular in the USA not because it is so good, but more because of the huge influence of the military there and because their deer are about half the size of ours.
 
I might use a .243Win. Because I have one (BSA CF2 carbine) and nothing smaller is allowed in this province. I am unlikely to hunt deer in any other jurisdiction.

I bought the CF2 for a bit more range than my usual coyote gun (.223Rem) and I took a mule deer with it last season just for the sake of using it. The .243 was certainly enough. For future deer hunting I will go back to my .308Win and my Lee Enfields.
 
Last edited:
Longwalker said:
I do not support the use of .223 for whitetails...
Click to expand...

I agree... .22 centerfires are not medium game cartridges... I don't care how many times they have worked for Bubba... there is no reason for it... there are a host of better choices...

In a survival situation, use whatever is necessary, but how often does one find themselves in a survival situation?
 
It wouldn't be my ideal choice, but IF loaded with the RIGHT bullet, ie. TTSX/Nos Part'n/Trophy Bonded/Swift, etc, I would not hesitate to use a 223 on a deer.
 
I hunt with a very experienced (and successful) gentleman. He giggles at my .308 "cannon" and thinks the .243 is overkill for deer (but does recommend it).

A man's got to know his limitations.
 
Nothing smaller than .264. I hunt where you can't watch your deer run into the next province, and I like to eat what I shoot at.
I've probably killed more whitetails than some of you've had hot meals!
 
I have taken quite a few deer with 223 without issue.. These deer are stationary targets out to 150yds where I had all the time in the world for shot placement.. This is the only situation here I use a 223. Choose a good bullet like a partition, I stay away from the mono bullets.. In all other hunting scenarios a .24 cal would be my minimum..
 
243 will drop any deer in its tracks around here but my .50 TC Encore loaded with .357 pure lead bullet will not only drop them but not have them twitch much either. No issue with blood trails with this rig either
 
Here's what the Manitoba regs say. As mentioned, it's diffferent depending on which province you are hunting in.

"CENTREFIRE RIFLES
A centrefire rifle may be used to hunt big game only during
general (rifle) seasons. A centrefire rifle of .23 calibre or less is not
recommended."

So, in essence, it's legal to use a .223 for big game.

I agree with the posters who have spoken about bullet placement and bullet selection. A larger, sturdier .223 bullet (60 grains plus), provided it's placed in the right spot, ie vitals (heart, lungs, diaphram, liver area) will do the job, without question.

Smallest I have used with absolute confidence is a 6.5 Carcano. Biggest deer I have ever shot and he dropped in 20 yards and I recovered the bullet when I skinned it.

Bullet.jpeg

deer66.jpg
 
blacklab said:
Nothing smaller than .264. I hunt where you can't watch your deer run into the next province, and I like to eat what I shoot at.
I've probably killed more whitetails than some of you've had hot meals!
Click to expand...


Were I you, I'd be careful about making generalizations like that here. There are an awful lot of guys with an awful lot of dead whitetails under their belts.

And one would think that someone with your vast experience would have seen how much velocity impresses deer, as opposed to bullet diameter.
Pretty common misconception though, that a 223 shot deer will run for miles and miles before dying slowly from air loss. Its been my experience, and that of those of people I personally know who use smaller cartridges, that deer shot with light cartridges tend to have a higher rate of bang flops.
 
The smallest I would use is 243 with 100 grain bullets........In fact have used it successfully a number of times with no disappointments.
The favourite used is 270 with 130 or 140 grain bullets.......Again used many times with no disappointments yet.
In my opinion, shooting at a deer with anything that shoots a 224 or smaller bullet is an unethical practice.
 
Seems to be a common theme here "unethical". What makes you say that?

To me, ethical means able to quickly and efficiently kill your intended target. Proper bullet, proper place, doesn't get any deader any quicker with a 300 Ultra than it does with a 223........
 
KodiakHntr said:
Seems to be a common theme here "unethical". What makes you say that?

To me, ethical means able to quickly and efficiently kill your intended target. Proper bullet, proper place, doesn't get any deader any quicker with a 300 Ultra than it does with a 223........
Click to expand...

Ethics are a personal set of values.. Even though they might be similar to another's they are yours, and my differ quite completely with someone else's.. Neither may be wrong.. This is why I never mention ethics in any conversation..
 
captonion said:
Ethics are a personal set of values.. Even though they might be similar to another's they are yours, and my differ quite completely with someone else's.. Neither may be wrong.. This is why I never mention ethics in any conversation..
Click to expand...


Shhhhhh, you are going to spoil the fishing hole if you throw in actual logic!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom