5.56 for deer

[54bogger]

I'm not sure this post is in the right section, if not sorry.

Why do people say a 223/5.56 is not 'humane' to use on deer but yet it's worked well in many wars for killing the enemy? The Vietnam vets I've talked to said it was lethal on the enemy, in my uncles words "it would put'm down". So why would the 5.56 be to 'small' for a 180 pound deer?
I'm just confused about that, anyone got an answer?

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[Bill Hollinger]

I have shot a number of deer with an AR15. Two of them dropped in their tracks and so much as kick. One was a full on broad side both lungs and heart and the other a head shot. Others have gone maybe 50 to 100 yards and dropped. That said, shot placement and deer size are huge factors. The head shot was a very large mule deer while all the others were Columbian Blacktails. Read your state's hunting regulations to be sure the center fire .22 is legal for big game.

Is the .223/5.56 light for deer? I'd say under most circumstances, yes.

The .223/5.56 puts 'm down because humans do not have the natural survival instinct that deer do. A deer does not know he's been shot with a gun like a human does. So there is a psychological affect that works with humans. There are three ways to take out a human; bleed out, disable the central nervous system and the psychological aspect of oh no, I've been shot! There are only two ways to take out everything else; bleed out, disable the central nervous system.

[54bogger]

I found this interesting.

Why Deer Rifle Calibers Don't Matter (Much)


By Randy Wakeman


The South Carolina DNR has published an interesting article by wildlife biologist Charles Ruth, based on an extensive SCDNR deer hunting study. This article can be found at SCDNR - Wildlife Information in its entirety. One of many factors tabulated in this survey was the distance whitetail deer traveled after being shot, grouped by caliber. The results by caliber are as follows:
•.24 (6mm) - 40 yards
•.25 - 14 yards
•.27 - 31 yards
•.28 (7mm) - 26 yards
•.30 - 33 yards

Based on these results, the report correctly concludes that, statistically, there is “No difference in effectiveness of the various calibers.” The problem with this information is that it is incomplete. From a hunter's perspective, caliber does not adequately define the cartridge. Thirty caliber deer cartridges, for example, cover a huge amount of ground, from the .30-30 to the various .300 Magnums There is a significant difference in typical bullet weights, sectional densities and velocities, none of which was tabulated in the SCDNR study.

[philb]

illegal to shoot any dear here with smaller than a .243

[Aragorn243]

A combat round does not equal a hunting round. The object in war is not necessarily to kill the enemy. I know that sounds odd but you kill an enemy you eliminate one from the fight. You wound an enemy and you eliminate 3 from the immediate fight and tie up a lot of others and a lot of resources for months to come. The theory being that you take out the wounded man, plus two to take him to the rear and then all the care he requires after that. Obviously, this has to be against an enemy that actually cares about it's wounded/soldiers which doesn't seem to be as large a factor anymore. Military rounds are also full metal jacket, not designed to expand on impact which minimizes the damage done to the target. A third factor with the 5.56 is that the US government opted for the ability to carry more rounds per individual which is easier when they are smaller. They were also later designed to "tumble" not in flight but immediately on impact. So the 5.56 is very accurate, small/light, and yet able to do considerable damage on impact while meeting international law requirements.

The 5.56 is legal in my state but I am of the opinion that it is too light for deer in other than ideal situations.

[enfield303t]

Personally think .223/5.56 is inadequate as shot placement is critical and too many and I mean TOO MANY people aren't as good a shot as they think they are.

I no longer hunt, have nothing against those who do but nothing disturbs me more than a animal that suffered needlessly.

[Bill Hollinger]

illegal to shoot any dear here with smaller than a .243

In England? Here in the US state laws vary on minimum calibers.

[browningautorifle]

Same in Canada, laws vary from province to province. Some stipulate cartridge length and others caliber.

[Aragorn243]

Our requirements are simply that it be a centerfire rifle. That leaves open a lot of very poor calibers. No semi-autos although they just passed a law last month allowing their use. The favorite caliber of poachers is the 22 rimfire so with correct shot placement, you can successfully kill a deer with just about anything but that doesn't mean that you should. Bullets must be of all lead or of an expansion type.

[Vincent]

Why do people say a 223/5.56 is not 'humane' to use on deer but yet it's worked well in many wars for killing the enemy? The Vietnam vets I've talked to said it was lethal on the enemy, in my uncles words "it would put'm down". So why would the 5.56 be to 'small' for a 180 pound deer?
I'm just confused about that, anyone got an answer?

If you really want to know the answer, here’s what you do. Get a friend to drive you through an area where there are a lot of deer late at night. When you get a good size “deer in the headlights” (they freeze) jump out and take the deer with your knife.