Who's planning on using a 22 cal?

[chucknbach]

Now that the laws have changed here in Wy, who is going to use a .22 cal for antelope. Who already does in their home state?

 

[barnesuser28]

Now that the laws have changed here in Wy, who is going to use a .22 cal for antelope. Who already does in their home state?

we used to until they closed antelope season for us, my dad shot an antelope doe back when the season was open with our 22-250 but the wind brought the thin jacketed varmint bullet (didnt know anything about different bullets back then) into her front shoulder and she ran 3/4 mile with a broken leg and she stopped to go under a fence (funny cause they could jump it easy) and my dad popped another right behind the shoulder and she died on the spot.

We would in WY this year if there wasnt a bullet weight restriction, my dad just bought a rem 220 swift but it only has a 1:14 twist barrel, but that made me want to shoot the Barnes 36 grain varmint grenade at about 4350 fps, should be a laser out to 300 yards. gun) Not that i would use the VG on antelope. Maybe for a head or neck shot but we know how that ended in the other thread.

 

[NMcCullough]

I have a fast twist 223 that I have considered using, but really feel it would be a "just because I can" kind of thing since I have plenty of other guns that serve the purpose better. I doubt I will.

 

[chucknbach]

I don't plan on using a .22 cal just because I have my .243 already dialed in. Under 300 yds it's a little rough on them but it's good for noggin' shots out that far.

I'm glad the law has changed and givin us more choices. I believe in choices regardless if some dummy will make the wrong one. I don't think it went far enough, All restrictions should be lifted! A .22 lr can be used to take anything in this state, not by everyone mind you but that should be left up to the individual hunter. It shouldn't be left up to some busy body to decide for everyone. "Ethics" code word for I'm going to impose my beliefs and limitations on you!

Maybe for a head or neck shot but we know how that ended in the other thread.

 

[NMcCullough]

I'm glad the law has changed and givin us more choices. I believe in choices regardless if some dummy will make the wrong one. I don't think it went far enough, All restrictions should be lifted! A .22 lr can be used to take anything in this state, not by everyone mind you but that should be left up to the individual hunter. It shouldn't be left up to some busy body to decide for everyone. "Ethics" code word for I'm going to impose my beliefs and limitations on you!

I have to respectfully disagree. I agree that 22 cal centerfires should be (and now are) legal. When this was proposed, I had hoped they would place a bullet weight restriction on it (and they did). I am all for freedom to choose but I don't think we should make it so easy to make the wrong choice.

The readers and posters here are likely far more educated on bullet and cartridge choice than your average hunter. They also likely are far more practiced with their rifles. Many guys might see that 223 is legal, load up their AR with 55 grain FMJ or V max bullets and go hunting. It might turn out ok, but in many cases, we all know that the game they wound would not be recovered. Some of these guys would call their tag filled, but many others would keep on hunting and may continue wounding game. Go to Walmart and buy factory 223. Most of it is not suited to hunting deer sized game but those who don't know any different would likely use it because it's what is available.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

"All restrictions should be lifted! A .22 lr can be used to take anything in this state, "

You are one strange dude with your other thoughts on stuff that the majority differed on and now with these two comments out on a hunting website you have definitely proved it. Please remember that I'm just respectfully disagreeing like the previous post said he was to your statements and it's also my rights to disagree

 

[chucknbach]

I have to respectfully disagree. I agree that 22 cal centerfires should be (and now are) legal. When this was proposed, I had hoped they would place a bullet weight restriction on it (and they did). I am all for freedom to choose but I don't think we should make it so easy to make the wrong choice.

The readers and posters here are likely far more educated on bullet and cartridge choice than your average hunter. They also likely are far more practiced with their rifles. Many guys might see that 223 is legal, load up their AR with 55 grain FMJ or V max bullets and go hunting. It might turn out ok, but in many cases, we all know that the game they wound would not be recovered. Some of these guys would call their tag filled, but many others would keep on hunting and may continue wounding game. Go to Walmart and buy factory 223. Most of it is not suited to hunting deer sized game but those who don't know any different would likely use it because it's what is available.

I agree it's possible for someone with no experience going out and buying a Ruger 10/22 and going Elk hunting or buying the wrong ammo for their AR and shooting a dear. I think it's more likely that most hunters either have been taught by their parents or friends with the experience. Someone brand new to hunting, going out on their own with no help, is more than likely going to do alot of research before hand. Since hunters safety is mandatory alittle bit on round selection could be added. Actually it might even be part of the class already.

I think more animals are wounded from lack of shooting skill & buck fever than caliber choice. A far effective law would require a minimum of lets say 500 practice rounds a year be shot prior to hunting season. I can think of all kinds of laws to try and get the 1% of irresponsible people up to snuff. All of which punish those of us who are responsible.

I have my principles that I follow. For example, I use every scrape of meat off the carcass. I wouldn't however try to impose that principle on someone else via a law. I could educate and even look down on someone who doesn't if I chose to. I don't.

Montana doesn't have caliber restrictions. Maybe someone from there can chime in on it.

 

[chucknbach]

"All restrictions should be lifted! A .22 lr can be used to take anything in this state, "

You are one strange dude with your other thoughts on stuff that the majority differed on and now with these two comments out on a hunting website you have definitely proved it. Please remember that I'm just respectfully disagreeing like the previous post said he was to your statements and it's also my rights to disagree

Oh here we go again. Calling me and my thoughts strange is disrespectful. I got an idea!lightbulb When we are talking about Wy laws, you stay out of it. How about worrying about Michigan laws. You don't have a say here. You are clearly a collectivist with your obsession over the majority this and everyone's on my side that. I could care less. Keep this in mind, In Galileo's time the majority thought the world was flat.

NMcCullough Disagreed in a respectful manner and I appreciate it, you on the other hand try to brow beat people. This isn't the first thread you've done it, it's not even the second. I know you have visions of leading an angry mob with torches and pitch forks but stop it and stop with the angry venom filled PM's

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Excuse me, but IMHO that post was not disrespectful just because I said you have strange ideas about game laws. However, to say back to me, especially the way you did it, that I should have no say in Wyoming laws when I hunt out there 10 times as many days as I do here In MI and pay 10 times the fees that you do was sure not respectful. I do agree that there are many laws on the books that we both probably disagree with, but you are exactly correct that it's the price we have to pay for those that either don't know what they're doing or need some stern guidance. If there were no laws, we would be back in the days of gunfights in the streets over nothing but little disagreements. Let's just leave it this time to where we will agree to disagree and let your thread progress as it wants to. Now you can either do that or do just like you did on the other thread and choose to extend it out or not.

 

[NMcCullough]

I agree it's possible for someone with no experience going out and buying a Ruger 10/22 and going Elk hunting or buying the wrong ammo for their AR and shooting a dear. I think it's more likely that most hunters either have been taught by their parents or friends with the experience. Someone brand new to hunting, going out on their own with no help, is more than likely going to do alot of research before hand. Since hunters safety is mandatory alittle bit on round selection could be added. Actually it might even be part of the class already.

I think more animals are wounded from lack of shooting skill & buck fever than caliber choice. A far effective law would require a minimum of lets say 500 practice rounds a year be shot prior to hunting season. I can think of all kinds of laws to try and get the 1% of irresponsible people up to snuff. All of which punish those of us who are responsible.

I'll be honest with you and say that I don't think the average hunter does much, if any, research on bullet selection. I'll admit this comes just from some casual observation, but I still think it's true. The type of hunter that participates in these online forums is more interested in these matters, I figure. I would put my main hunting partner in this category, in fact. He shoots a 270 mostly, so when it's time to buy ammo, he goes to Wal-mart and buys what's on the shelf, which happens to be designed for deer sized game. It all works great. Medium game worthy 22 cal ammo is much rarer and not the stuff you'll find most places. I think WY got it right.

I will agree with you that most wounded animals are likely due to poor shooting, but I also would say we shouldn't make the situation worse by making poor projectile choices too easy to unknowingly make.

Speaking of poor shooting, I hear guys talk all the time about how they killed animals and such and such range by just lobbing rounds in. They didn't have rangefinders and didn't know their rifles ballistics but just held over and started shooting. It actually surprises me how often I hear stories like that and makes me wonder how much game is wounded and lost by irresponsible hunter.

 

[bigngreen]

I would be rockn a 22-250 with 60gr Bergers if I wasn't on a 338 RUM and 300gr Berger high right now!!
I've never had an issue in MT with shooting game with a 22cal, seen quite a few antelope and deer taken with a 22-250, several elk as well.

I'm all in favor of no cal or bullet limit, the main thing I like is being able to pack a 22 pistol to use to dispatch an animal with or shoot a grouse or coyote.
It also seems like the more we legislate to protect people from their own stupidity the stupider they get.

If you don't think a 22cal can kill an antelope or deer then imagine standing out there and letting someone shoot you with one, I don't think the out come would be anymore in your favor than an antelope!!!

 

[rooster740]

Oh here we go again. Calling me and my thoughts strange is disrespectful. I got an idea!lightbulb When we are talking about Wy laws, you stay out of it. How about worrying about Michigan laws. You don't have a say here. You are clearly a collectivist with your obsession over the majority this and everyone's on my side that. I could care less. Keep this in mind, In Galileo's time the majority thought the world was flat.

NMcCullough Disagreed in a respectful manner and I appreciate it, you on the other hand try to brow beat people. This isn't the first thread you've done it, it's not even the second. I know you have visions of leading an angry mob with torches and pitch forks but stop it and stop with the angry venom filled PM's

Exactly the reason that I have not responded to this thread

 

[FEENIX]

Montana doesn't have caliber restrictions. Maybe someone from there can chime in on it.

Most Montanans I know hate to be told on how to live their lives in Big Sky Country. The same is true with caliber restrictions, the "choice" was left to the individuals -- we the hunters. We have the choice and the ultimate responsibility of our action(s) along with the associated consequences. Having said that, we should be all thankful that we have choices, but let's not impose our individual ethics on others ... remember, it used to be unethical to take long range shot (there are still plenty of naysayers out there). "We have varying capabilities and ethical standards but we can co-exist and enjoy the hunting tradition with utmost respect to fellow hunters."

My go to caliber for most of my hunting, including antelope is my .300 Win Mag!gun)

 

[nonnieselman]

How would you guys compare an Antelope to a Southern White tail?

Just wondering..
Ive never seen an antelope up close for myself.


Ive been whitetail hunting for a couple years now with a .223 and it works great with 75gr PPU match and 77gr SMK bullets that i reload.
I use those on Hogs also with really good luck.

So if those critters are the same size, yea id use a .223 or 22-250 gun)