22 Hornet for deer?

GaryO7 · September 20, 2011, 06:36 PM

What say you? Thanks...

Shotgun693 · September 20, 2011, 06:45 PM

No.

GeauxTide · September 20, 2011, 07:36 PM

Nah, nah, nah.

zachkuby87 · September 20, 2011, 07:42 PM

Don't do it

shortwave · September 20, 2011, 07:45 PM

Nope!

Doyle · September 20, 2011, 08:34 PM

Not even close.

JWT · September 20, 2011, 08:41 PM

Way too small.

cornbush · September 20, 2011, 08:42 PM

As a general rule.....no

jmr40 · September 21, 2011, 05:26 AM

I know some guys who use it with good results, but I wouldn't.

Doyle · September 21, 2011, 07:34 AM

Also,it isn't legal in many states.

Brian Pfleuger · September 21, 2011, 07:53 AM

If I had to, and it was legal, I would, but I CERTAINLY wouldn't choose it on purpose.

scottycoyote · September 21, 2011, 09:21 AM

not legal her so nope, wouldnt even if it was

jrothWA · September 21, 2011, 09:26 AM

.22 hornet is UNDER_POWERED for deer.

[Bullet designed for thin-skin / bodied animal, not for deep penetration.]

IF you need to use a .223 round, consider the .223 Rem (5.56mm) using the Win 64gr SP ammo, THEN place your shot.

dahermit · September 21, 2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

[Bullet designed for thin-skin / bodied animal, not for deep penetration.]

Is not a deer thin-skined/bodied animal that does not have a need for deep penetration?

FrankenMauser · September 21, 2011, 01:10 PM

In the hands of 99.9% of the population... absolutely not.

The other 0.1% know how to select the proper bullet, place the shot properly, and only take appropriate shots. Failing on any of the three is unacceptable (with any species or cartridge).

Doyle · September 21, 2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Is not a deer thin-skined/bodied animal that does not have a need for deep penetration?

Only half right. Yes, deer are relatively thin-skinned but the bullet does need very deep penetration. Through-and-through is even better.

Toney · September 21, 2011, 01:34 PM

Only if that's all you have.

Scorch · September 21, 2011, 02:23 PM

When I was a teenager, we knew an old guy that had about 100 acres, and I kept bugging him to let me hunt. His standard answer was an emphatic "no". One day I asked him why not, since he always shot deer and there were always deer around his property. He said he didn't want us running around making the deer all spooky with our "cannons". When I asked him to explain, he showed me his deer rifle, an old Savage single-shot bolt action in 22 Hornet. You see, in order to get a reliable kill with the Hornet, he had to shoot them in the ear, and spooky deer would not hold still long enough for him to get a clean shot.

So, unless you can get the deer to stand still long enough to plunk them in the ear, don't use a 22 Hornet.

Hunter Customs · September 21, 2011, 09:52 PM

I would not choose the 22 Hornet as a deer rifle, but in the right circumstanses I'm sure it would do the job.
I remember watching a documentary show about Eskimos, they were hunting polar bears and the rifle caliber they were using was 22 Hornet.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Crankylove · September 21, 2011, 11:14 PM

I have never used mine on deer. But, with a 45 grain soft point to the head, I think it would do the trick. Good chest shot would probably work, but may take a bit for them to bleed out.

I take mine on the elk hunt every year. It does not go as my primary hunting rifle, but, it is legal in my state, so it goes along for the one-in-a-million shot, where the elk walks out of the forest, up to camp, and then stands broadside at about 15 feet so I can shoot him through the eyeball.......hasn't happened yet, but I keep my fingers crossed.

Geezerbiker · September 21, 2011, 11:38 PM

Strangely enough the .22 Hornet is legal for deer here in Oregon but I don't think I would use one unless it was the only rifle I had.

I did some research on bullets to find the most solidly put together 45g .224 bullet and from what I've read, the Sierra 45g soft point is the best. That said, I'm still not likely to try it since I have about a dozen other rifles that would do the job better.

Tony

C0untZer0 · September 21, 2011, 11:58 PM

I now understand why states pass laws dictating what calibers can and cannot be used to take different game.

I don't understand what generates this kind of thinking though. Is it curiosity? Is it love of a particular caliber and a longing for it to be more usefull than it really is? Is it being cheap and not wanting to buy a 30 caliber rifle? Is it a quest to gain more confidence in it as a self defense round - like "if it will kill a 180lb deer it will kill a 180lb man so now I feel better about it being my only HD/SD firearm..." Is it the challenge of using a caliber to take game with a caliber that a majority of people think is underpowered - like showing people up, showing that you can accomplish something that others say can't be done? Is it curioisty - like using deer the way one might use a block of ordinance gelatin?

I just wonder...

I mean on the one hand I would like to see what some of the premier .380 Auto loads do to a deer, as well as see what different SD 9mm rounds do, especially +P+ 9mm out of a carbine, but on the other hand, it's one thing to hunt deer and another to experiment on them.

Dr. Strangelove · September 22, 2011, 02:39 AM

Sigh... Every year? Really?

It's legal in GA, we used to have all kinds of arcane ft lbs laws and one thing and another, now it's just .22 caliber centerfire and larger. (Technically, 30mm rounds are legal as are civil war cannons)

If it's legal where you hunt, use it if you wish. Pick your shots and be very careful, and respectful to the deer.

Being realistic, get a larger rifle.

dahermit · September 22, 2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Is not a deer thin-skined/bodied animal that does not have a need for deep penetration?

Quote:

Only half right. Yes, deer are relatively thin-skinned but the bullet does need very deep penetration. Through-and-through is even better.

The deer I have shot with #4 buckshot (.24 cal.), have penetrated all the way to the off-side hide; complete chest penetration. Once the thin layer of hide, rib muscles and ribs (after you have eaten the meat off a deer rib, look to see how thin it really is), the lungs (especially), liver, heart are not very resistant to penetration.
Are you suggesting that a #4 piece of buckshot will penetrate more than a .22 Hornet bullet?

Doyle · September 22, 2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Are you suggesting that a #4 piece of buckshot will penetrate more than a .22 Hornet bullet?

No but I'm wondering at what range did you get that kind of penetration. I'm guessing it was relatively short range. Couple that with the fact that you have many .24 pellets doing damage gives you a dead deer. On the other hand, that .22 Hornet shot at 100 yds won't penetrate as deep and won't do the required shock damage necessary for a consistently clean kill.

September 20, 2011, 06:36 PM	#1
GaryO7 Member Join Date: November 14, 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 48	22 Hornet for deer? What say you? Thanks... __________________ Gary NRA Member

September 20, 2011, 08:42 PM	#8
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	As a general rule.....no __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

September 21, 2011, 09:21 AM	#12
scottycoyote Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2005 Location: southwestern va Posts: 830	not legal her so nope, wouldnt even if it was __________________ "i got the most powerful gun in the world........an .88 magnum. It shoots thru schools......"

September 21, 2011, 09:26 AM	#13
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	For deer, read state regs for MINIMUM allowed,.. .22 hornet is UNDER_POWERED for deer. [Bullet designed for thin-skin / bodied animal, not for deep penetration.] IF you need to use a .223 round, consider the .223 Rem (5.56mm) using the Win 64gr SP ammo, THEN place your shot.

September 21, 2011, 01:10 PM	#15
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	In the hands of 99.9% of the population... absolutely not. The other 0.1% know how to select the proper bullet, place the shot properly, and only take appropriate shots. Failing on any of the three is unacceptable (with any species or cartridge). __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

September 20, 2011, 06:45 PM	#2
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	No.

September 20, 2011, 07:36 PM	#3
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Nah, nah, nah.

September 20, 2011, 07:42 PM	#4
zachkuby87 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2010 Location: st paul mn Posts: 190	Don't do it

September 20, 2011, 07:45 PM	#5
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Nope!

September 20, 2011, 08:34 PM	#6
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Not even close.

September 20, 2011, 08:41 PM	#7
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Way too small.

September 21, 2011, 05:26 AM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I know some guys who use it with good results, but I wouldn't.

September 21, 2011, 07:34 AM	#10
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Also,it isn't legal in many states.

September 21, 2011, 07:53 AM	#11
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	If I had to, and it was legal, I would, but I CERTAINLY wouldn't choose it on purpose.

September 21, 2011, 01:34 PM	#17
Toney Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma Posts: 790	Only if that's all you have.

September 21, 2011, 02:23 PM	#18
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	When I was a teenager, we knew an old guy that had about 100 acres, and I kept bugging him to let me hunt. His standard answer was an emphatic "no". One day I asked him why not, since he always shot deer and there were always deer around his property. He said he didn't want us running around making the deer all spooky with our "cannons". When I asked him to explain, he showed me his deer rifle, an old Savage single-shot bolt action in 22 Hornet. You see, in order to get a reliable kill with the Hornet, he had to shoot them in the ear, and spooky deer would not hold still long enough for him to get a clean shot. So, unless you can get the deer to stand still long enough to plunk them in the ear, don't use a 22 Hornet. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 21, 2011, 09:52 PM	#19
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I would not choose the 22 Hornet as a deer rifle, but in the right circumstanses I'm sure it would do the job. I remember watching a documentary show about Eskimos, they were hunting polar bears and the rifle caliber they were using was 22 Hornet. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

September 21, 2011, 11:14 PM	#20
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	I have never used mine on deer. But, with a 45 grain soft point to the head, I think it would do the trick. Good chest shot would probably work, but may take a bit for them to bleed out. I take mine on the elk hunt every year. It does not go as my primary hunting rifle, but, it is legal in my state, so it goes along for the one-in-a-million shot, where the elk walks out of the forest, up to camp, and then stands broadside at about 15 feet so I can shoot him through the eyeball.......hasn't happened yet, but I keep my fingers crossed. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

September 21, 2011, 11:38 PM	#21
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	Strangely enough the .22 Hornet is legal for deer here in Oregon but I don't think I would use one unless it was the only rifle I had. I did some research on bullets to find the most solidly put together 45g .224 bullet and from what I've read, the Sierra 45g soft point is the best. That said, I'm still not likely to try it since I have about a dozen other rifles that would do the job better. Tony

September 21, 2011, 11:58 PM	#22
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	I now understand why states pass laws dictating what calibers can and cannot be used to take different game. I don't understand what generates this kind of thinking though. Is it curiosity? Is it love of a particular caliber and a longing for it to be more usefull than it really is? Is it being cheap and not wanting to buy a 30 caliber rifle? Is it a quest to gain more confidence in it as a self defense round - like "if it will kill a 180lb deer it will kill a 180lb man so now I feel better about it being my only HD/SD firearm..." Is it the challenge of using a caliber to take game with a caliber that a majority of people think is underpowered - like showing people up, showing that you can accomplish something that others say can't be done? Is it curioisty - like using deer the way one might use a block of ordinance gelatin? I just wonder... I mean on the one hand I would like to see what some of the premier .380 Auto loads do to a deer, as well as see what different SD 9mm rounds do, especially +P+ 9mm out of a carbine, but on the other hand, it's one thing to hunt deer and another to experiment on them. Last edited by C0untZer0; September 22, 2011 at 12:05 AM.

September 22, 2011, 02:39 AM	#23
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Sigh... Every year? Really? It's legal in GA, we used to have all kinds of arcane ft lbs laws and one thing and another, now it's just .22 caliber centerfire and larger. (Technically, 30mm rounds are legal as are civil war cannons) If it's legal where you hunt, use it if you wish. Pick your shots and be very careful, and respectful to the deer. Being realistic, get a larger rifle. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.