What calibre rile is best for shooting Fallow Deer?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've got one or two too many members of Bambi's extended family residing on my land, and as deer population control is now encouraged by various conservation organisations I'd like to eat some of them. I'm not sure whether you are allowed to use a .22 cal rifle for deer control or whether a larger cal/ .223 or more is required. Does anyone on here have experience in this? Also I assume .22 rounds are easier to source and so there might be a price issue involved too?
I've ruled out using a shotgun as it's messy and range is restricted.
I've got one or two too many members of Bambi's extended family residing on my land, and as deer population control is now encouraged by various conservation organisations I'd like to eat some of them. I'm not sure whether you are allowed to use a .22 cal rifle for deer control or whether a larger cal/ .223 or more is required. Does anyone on here have experience in this? Also I assume .22 rounds are easier to source and so there might be a price issue involved too?
I've ruled out using a shotgun as it's messy and range is restricted.
Hi mate - hope all well with you?!
.22 is I believe illegal for shooting larger animals, such as fallow deer. You won't put them down with that, unless you are an incredibly good or lucky shot. You need .223 (5.56mm) to humanely dispatch deer - that is certainly what most US deer hunters use. It'sa standard calibre, so not too expensive - NATO standard, in fact.
I believe that using a shotgun for this is also illegal in this country - and it would not do the job unless you are at very close range, or using solid slugs (very inaccurate at the best of times, and also potentially illegal)
If you can get an FAC, a .223 rifle should not be hard to get hold of. I had a Ruger magazine-fed bolt action one that was great for deer.
And yes, on something else you posted a while back, I would buy decently fed, slaughtered and butchered meat if shipped at a reasonable price, and know a few people who would. Getting to a butcher is hard as we work during the week, and butchers do not open at supermarket hours. Actually getting good value ingredients from independents can be quitre hard here in London!
.22 is I believe illegal for shooting larger animals, such as fallow deer. You won't put them down with that, unless you are an incredibly good or lucky shot. You need .223 (5.56mm) to humanely dispatch deer - that is certainly what most US deer hunters use. It'sa standard calibre, so not too expensive - NATO standard, in fact.
I believe that using a shotgun for this is also illegal in this country - and it would not do the job unless you are at very close range, or using solid slugs (very inaccurate at the best of times, and also potentially illegal)
If you can get an FAC, a .223 rifle should not be hard to get hold of. I had a Ruger magazine-fed bolt action one that was great for deer.
And yes, on something else you posted a while back, I would buy decently fed, slaughtered and butchered meat if shipped at a reasonable price, and know a few people who would. Getting to a butcher is hard as we work during the week, and butchers do not open at supermarket hours. Actually getting good value ingredients from independents can be quitre hard here in London!
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 28th May 10:19
Harry Flashman said:
Hi mate - hope all well with you?!
.22 is I believe illegal for shooting larger animals, such as fallow deer. You won't put them down with that, unless you are an incredibly good or lucky shot. You need .223 (5.56mm) to humanely dispatch deer - that is certainly what most US deer hunters use. It'sa standard calibre, so not too expensive - NATO standard, in fact.
I believe that using a shotgun for this is also illegal in this country - and it would not do the job unless you are at very close range, or using solid slugs (very inaccurate at the best of times, and also potentially illegal)
If you can get an FAC, a .223 rifle should not be hard to get hold of. I had a Ruger magazine-fed bolt action one that was great for deer.
And yes, on something else you posted a while back, I would buy decently fed, slaughtered and butchered meat if shipped at a reasonable price, and know a few people who would. Getting to a butcher is hard as we work during the week, and butchers do not open at supermarket hours. Actually getting good value ingredients from independents can be quitre hard here in London!
.22 is I believe illegal for shooting larger animals, such as fallow deer. You won't put them down with that, unless you are an incredibly good or lucky shot. You need .223 (5.56mm) to humanely dispatch deer - that is certainly what most US deer hunters use. It'sa standard calibre, so not too expensive - NATO standard, in fact.
I believe that using a shotgun for this is also illegal in this country - and it would not do the job unless you are at very close range, or using solid slugs (very inaccurate at the best of times, and also potentially illegal)
If you can get an FAC, a .223 rifle should not be hard to get hold of. I had a Ruger magazine-fed bolt action one that was great for deer.
And yes, on something else you posted a while back, I would buy decently fed, slaughtered and butchered meat if shipped at a reasonable price, and know a few people who would. Getting to a butcher is hard as we work during the week, and butchers do not open at supermarket hours. Actually getting good value ingredients from independents can be quitre hard here in London!
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 28th May 10:19
Hi mate.Yes all good, Timmy enterprizes is coming along. I was going to start with a couple of Hereford or Aberdeen Angus steers, I've got a friend who still lives in the smoke she's a bit of a foody so thought perhaps I could supply the the beef and she could distribute.
The trees are doing well, 6,000 so far, 8,000 next year then every year after. Obviously the deer are a pest to these as are the rabbits!
In the meantime thanks for the tip. I've got to specify the .cal on my FAC, so if I say .22 then get a .223 I'd need to do a whole new application, so a .223 it is. If you like venison come the season I'll send some down. It would be a bit of a trip for you (we're in South Wales but only just over the severn bridge ), but if you want some land to shoot on your very welcome, we've got Woodcock if your a good shot/up for a challenge! It's also great for campaing/mountain biking/ riding around us. Lovely area if I do say so!
Hope all is well with you btw.
Edited by Timmy35 on Tuesday 28th May 10:31
The advice about the 0.223" (for species other than muntjac & CWD) in Wales is wrong.
Link to BASC for you which gives minimum legal requirements for shooting deer:
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/deer-s...
In summary, for England & Wales,
"For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement."
Most popular calibre appears to be the 0.243" Winchester cartridge.
Link to BASC for you which gives minimum legal requirements for shooting deer:
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/deer-s...
In summary, for England & Wales,
"For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement."
Most popular calibre appears to be the 0.243" Winchester cartridge.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 28th May 11:36
Timmy35 said:
Hi mate.Yes all good, Timmy enterprizes is coming along. I was going to start with a couple of Hereford or Aberdeen Angus steers, I've got a friend who still lives in the smoke she's a bit of a foody so thought perhaps I could supply the the beef and she could distribute.
The trees are doing well, 6,000 so far, 8,000 next year then every year after. Obviously the deer are a pest to these as are the rabbits!
In the meantime thanks for the tip. I've got to specify the .cal on my FAC, so if I say .22 then get a .223 I'd need to do a whole new application, so a .223 it is. If you like venison come the season I'll send some down. It would be a bit of a trip for you (we're in South Wales but only just over the severn bridge ), but if you want some land to shoot on your very welcome, we've got Woodcock if your a good shot/up for a challenge! It's also great for campaing/mountain biking/ riding around us. Lovely area if I do say so!
Hope all is well with you btw.
Edited by Timmy35 on Tuesday 28th May 10:31
paintman said:
The advice about the 0.223" (for species other than muntjac & CWD) in Wales is wrong.
Link to BASC for you which gives minimum legal requirements for shooting deer:
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/deer-s...
In summary, for England & Wales,
"For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement."
Most popular calibre appears to be the 0.243" Winchester cartridge.
Thanks! All I knew that .22 was not acceptable - didn't realise you had to go to .240...Link to BASC for you which gives minimum legal requirements for shooting deer:
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/deer-s...
In summary, for England & Wales,
"For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement."
Most popular calibre appears to be the 0.243" Winchester cartridge.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 28th May 11:36
Harry Flashman said:
All is well - and you know, a trip to Wales for a weekend in the country could be just the ticket later this year! Getting a bit sick of the rat race myself, tbh...
Yes I bet. Although in some ways I do miss the smoke. I think my liver probably doesn't though! I'm putting some thought into these guns, problem is if I need a .24 for deer, then aren't I going to blow the **** out of any rabbits I shoot? I wanted to pop them off at 80-90yds not blow them into oblivion from 1/2 a mile away!
I think you're right chap. Spot on about the ammo and ease of availability .22 seems to be very easy to come by, both the guns and the ammo. Wandered along to my local gun dealer, who offered the advice that best to start with ( given I'm livid about the damage rabbits are doing to my crop ) is to use a .170CAL for cold blooded, unsporting, extermination of rabbits at 100-120yds, a .22CAL for more sporting 60-70yd shooting requiring more stalking patience, and a .240CAL for deer. BUT he reckoned the FAC officer would be reluctant to grant me the .240CAL until I've had the .170 and/or .22 CAL for a while.
I've found a nice light, basic Czech made .170 for £350 new which I can add a silencer and a scope and probably keep the budget to around £500. Bearing in mind for me this is a commercial tool rather than a hobby or object of beauty that seems the way to go.
I've found a nice light, basic Czech made .170 for £350 new which I can add a silencer and a scope and probably keep the budget to around £500. Bearing in mind for me this is a commercial tool rather than a hobby or object of beauty that seems the way to go.
I suspect the dealer is trying to sell you a 0.17HMR rimfire?
An interesting cartridge, but TBH I don't think he is doing you any favours & you would be far better with a 0.22 rimfire, more of them, ammunition widely available & a lot cheaper too so you are likely to practice more & be a better shot as a result.
The longer the range, the greater the chance of making a mess of the shot. That's not right.
I used to use a Weatherby semi-auto MkXXII, same as this: http://www.armslist.com/posts/1323805/alabama-anti... (actually made by Beretta)with a 3-9x scope & a very nice rifle it was too.
For something reliable & accurate you could do worse than look at the Ruger 10/22, been around for years, umpteen variants, loads of bolt on bits & consistent quality.
I always loaded with HV solids & took headshots only. Semi-auto gives you an instant follow up shot if needed.
Be aware of the ground behind your target for a solid backstop as a miss &/or ricochet can go a long way.
An interesting cartridge, but TBH I don't think he is doing you any favours & you would be far better with a 0.22 rimfire, more of them, ammunition widely available & a lot cheaper too so you are likely to practice more & be a better shot as a result.
The longer the range, the greater the chance of making a mess of the shot. That's not right.
I used to use a Weatherby semi-auto MkXXII, same as this: http://www.armslist.com/posts/1323805/alabama-anti... (actually made by Beretta)with a 3-9x scope & a very nice rifle it was too.
For something reliable & accurate you could do worse than look at the Ruger 10/22, been around for years, umpteen variants, loads of bolt on bits & consistent quality.
I always loaded with HV solids & took headshots only. Semi-auto gives you an instant follow up shot if needed.
Be aware of the ground behind your target for a solid backstop as a miss &/or ricochet can go a long way.
Edited by paintman on Thursday 30th May 21:00
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