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DownshiftAndFloorIt 
LSU Fan
The devil dreams on an idle horse
Member since Jan 2011
30452 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 9:14 am to oleyeller)
IIRC, the kid I know who shoots one shoots soft points. I couldn't tell you what weight, but I'm sure it's heavy. She's killed three deer with it that I know of. None of them went anywhere.
ETA: I am by no means advising the use of a .223 though. Exit holes are EXTREMELY important IMO.
This post was edited on 3/19 at 9:15 am
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dat yat
LSU Fan
Chef Pass
Member since Jun 2011
522 posts
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| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 9:18 am to oleyeller)
Smallest - 270
Slowest - 44 mag
My first squirrel gun was an old pre-WWII German 22hornet/28GA over/under and have always wondered what it would do on deer. But I see so few deer I would hate to waste an opportunity with a questionable load. 
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Rize
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2011
357 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 9:28 am to dat yat)
I would say .243 if I'm hunting for deer but if I happen to have my 22/250 with me I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer.
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trident 
USA Fan
Member since Jul 2007
2371 posts
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| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 9:30 am to bonescanner)
quote:
interested in the response on the .223 as well. My son is nagging me to let him shoot a deer next year with my AR
I am not sure on the grain but it was with a AR with a scope, bullets were soft tipped (hunting rounds). Did have an exit wound and good amount of blood.
This round had a better exit wound then the 45-70 ballistic tip I used this past year. Barely any exit wound
this was the round being used for deer hunting:
This post was edited on 3/19 at 9:34 am
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JAB528
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2012
11169 posts
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| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 9:39 am to oleyeller)
I use my 22mag, only at night though.
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civiltiger07
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
259 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:07 am to bonescanner)
The owner of my LGS has let is son hunt with his AR for the last two seasons. his son has shoot at 5 deer and recovered all 5 of them. As long as you use good quality ammo (NO FMJ) and place the shot in the right spot a 223 will kill a deer. Also, the furthest shot his son made on a deer with the 223 was under 150yds.
The shot placement really matters more than caliber IMHO.
An AR with an adjustable stock is a great rifle for a youth because they are low recoil and the rifle can be adjusted to fit a young hunter.
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633tiger
LSU Fan
Chackbay
Member since Jun 2007
902 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:12 am to JAB528)
My daughter shoots a 223. She has killed 3 100lb + nannies at 100yrd. (At the feeder). All 3 dropped dead. However, she takes after her mom and is an excellent shot. She aims high right behind the shoulder. On all 3 deer it clipped the bottom of the spine and the top of both lungs. Not sure what the results would be if the shot was lower with no spine damage. She shoots a 60 grain federal nosler partition.
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Slickback
LSU Fan
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
21971 posts
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| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:14 am to oleyeller)
I'd never buy a 243, but I wouldn't have a problem using one for deer. That is about as small as I'd go.
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SportTiger1
LSU Fan
Stonewall, LA
Member since Feb 2007
1991 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:19 am to oleyeller)
I haven't used anything smaller than a 270 in recent years, but i dont think i'd have a problem taking a 243 in the woods. I would prefer a 7-08 or larger though.
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ForeverLSU02 
Penn Fan
Albany
Member since Jun 2007
20731 posts
Online
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:24 am to oleyeller)
I've killed a deer with .22 hornet before. The smallest caliber that I'm comfortable shooting now is .243
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LSUBrad5277
LSU Fan
North Louisiana
Member since Jan 2011
8152 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:24 am to oleyeller)
Killed a big doe one time with .22 magnum single shot rifle from early 1900's.
I had am empty clip in my 30-06  and all I hadwas that other gun.
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JAB528
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2012
11169 posts
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| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:25 am to LSUBrad5277)
quote:
empty clip
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Bama and Beer 
Alabama Fan
Jacksonville, FL
Member since Oct 2010
51289 posts
Online
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:39 am to LSUBrad5277)
Oh you mother frick
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Blue Velvet 
Colorado State Fan
Venice, LA
Member since Nov 2009
12700 posts
Online
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:44 am to oleyeller)
Have only killed deer with a .223
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LSUBrad5277
LSU Fan
North Louisiana
Member since Jan 2011
8152 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:46 am to JAB528)
quote:
empty clip
I have 2 identical guns and I picked up the wrong one. 
Don't hate cause I know where to put a bullet for maximum efficiency and stopping power.
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RATeamWannabe
USA Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
9393 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 10:48 am to LSUBrad5277)
Not hating, can I borrow your Garand?
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taurusjwf
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2008
696 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:05 am to bonescanner)
quote:
interested in the response on the .223 as well. My son is nagging me to let him shoot a deer next year with my AR
mine too
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DrTyger
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2009
14710 posts
Online
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:18 am to oleyeller)
.223 will kill some does.
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trident
USA Fan
Member since Jul 2007
2371 posts
Online
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:19 am to DrTyger)
quote:
.223 will kill some deer.
FIFY
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LSUBrad5277
LSU Fan
North Louisiana
Member since Jan 2011
8152 posts
| re: what is the smallest caliber you use for deer? (spinoff) (Posted on 3/19/13 at 11:19 am to RATeamWannabe)
Not towards you the last part was to Obama & beer.
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