jag..... i see you like numbers so here's some numbers. how about 1900 fps. and 1200 pounds of energy at 100 yards. these two small numbers have killed more deer than any of the rest of the calibers put together. a .223 with 75 grains of leadat100 yardsis trucking along at about 2600 fps. and has 1150 pounds of energy left.not much differance is there.guess what the first gun is????????? it's a 30-30. your not going to tell us that the 30-30 is to slow or it does not have the power needed to the job are ya. i did like the sling shot remark though. that was a good one.

Missed Another, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree buddy!
I bet you've never seen me touting the "greatness" of the old tutty-tutty here either!
Before I get strung-up though, let me just say that the 30-30 is a good caliber, with major limitations! For those who are well practiced with it, and have the discipline to know its range, it is as good as it needs to be!
Back to the .22's! I'm not saying that they can't kill deer, its just that they are way down the list, when it comes to capability!
My biggest concern for the .22's is again, they have absolutely no margin for error! That alone makes them poor choices fordeer hunting.
Also, I am a very big fan of supporting LEGAL hunting, so if its legal, go for it! I'd rather you not, but if you are going to anyway, at least use the best bullets, practice a lots, and don't strain the ranges!
Finally, I guess this could go in the list of my "be sensitive peeves," don't recommend .22's to people who's abilities you don't know! Or, if you are going out to spend money on a new deer gun, why buy the .22's? When for the same money, you can get any number of better calibers, that have much more punch on the business end, with no more real punishment on the shoulder!
There are just too many ways of dealing with recoil, than to settle for the .22's!
If you are outfitting a new hunter, for a little extra, you can go with a heavier gun, a porting system such as the "boss," and /or good recoil padding. By doing this, you are getting a good hunting caliber, that can grow with the kid! Look at it this way, The extra cost of fitting one good gun, will be cheaper in the long run, than to buy another one latter! Not that one can possibly have too many guns!

jag..... nothing wrong with a disagreement. it has been fun to chat with ya.alot of times i just disaggree on here to just to make it interesting...... p.s. my boy and i use .308's for deer. see yaaaaaa

MA, the .308 Win. is my favorite caliber. I once had a know-nothing, know-it-all tell me the .308 wasonly a30-30 magnum

The reason being is that those states have no confidence in the ability of the knuckleheads to make clean shots, same with shotgun only states, scared they'll hurt someone if they let them shoot something that will go further than a 100yds.
GladI live In Texas. We can, and do use .22's with very much success. I use a .22 Hornet on occasion.

"The reason being is that those states have no confidence in the ability of the knuckleheads to make clean shots" Well perhaps, but the fact is there are too many knuckleheads not making clean shots with any caliber you wish to list. I suppose a bit more energy in a marginal area will increae the odds of a recovery over a marginal shot with less energy. It would be nice if everyone would learn their and their firearm's limits and stay within them, but we probably had better not hold our breath on it.

DannyD, sounds like she is doing fine. If he rifle is sighted and she is confident, she doesn't need to shoot alot. Have her put one or two rounds through it as you stated and let herburn up a brick of .22s for fun.

She seems to be doing fine with it overall. Here is a pic of her first deer. It was a first for either of us and it was last years youth hunt.

Fine Hunter! Great picture! Good job!

Thanks Reb,
We used to live down there in your neck of the woods in Valrico, Fl.

Yeah, I have my truck serviced at the Velrico Malmart Automotive.
How long have you been gone? Velrico issmall city now.