North Texan

I think all Texas requires is that you use a centerfire cartridge.

The gun I usually carry is my .223. If I see a deer I decide is a shooter, that's probabliy what I'll use because that's probably what I'll have with me. I figure if it's legal and your deadly accurate, then there is no reason not to use it.

T-bird

JR, I'm sure that means .22 centerfire, but just because it's "legal" doesn't mean it's right. I would never shoot at a deer with any caliber less than .243 - just too much margin for error, and I'd be sick if I ever lamed one up because I shot a small caliber. The famous old gun writer Elmer Keith, once said, "big bullets let in a lot of air, and let out a lot of blood." I tend to agree.

Borty77

You hear these guys that say they have killed deer with a .22. But they don't tell you how many they have wounded. Don't even try it.

Bob1961

maybe legal in some states to use centerfire .22's but is it etheical....not in my book.......................bob

James B

I used the 22 long rifle for deer when I was a young guy. There was no deer season atr that time and a deer was just food. The only rifle we had was an old 22 pump winchester with the external hammer. When my mom said go get meat, that meant whatever I found and often it was deer. I never lost one but I knew I had to be close. When we butchered we shot cows and pigs with the same rifle.

Prarie_Boy1

there's just to many things that can go wrong with a caliber that small! .243 is the lowest you should go. you owe that much to the animal!

xeniabuck

I wound never hunt with a .22. There is too much of a chance to wound the animal. And Plus...y would u hunt with a .22 when u could use a bigger rifle. One more reasonable sized.

Hedhuntr

Some states also require a minumum grain bullet which would put you up in the faster heavier 22's. In my neck of the woods the local govt. hired deer managment specialist and they were sniping at night with 223's with supressors taking head shots. It can be done but why include it COULD WORK or it MIGHT.

fairchase Larry

.22 cal center fire in anything from .222 thru .220 swift if more than adequate for deer size game. On the other hand anything above a 30-06 is overgunned.

The negative post to the use of the .22 cal centerfire have obviously never used one. on the other hand they probably think it is perfectly ok to hunt deer with a bow or .50 cal muzzle loader.
A .22 center fire with open nosed or hollow point bullets is beyond the shadow of a doubt more adequate than any bow or muzzle loader as well as some widely accepted cartridges such as the 30-30.

I believe the .22 center fire is the most under rated caliber on the market, I have hunted for 40 years and have used most calibers on the market and I know that the .222 the 22-250 and the .220 swift will kill quicker than the big calibers such as the 300 win mag.

The big bullets pass thru where the .22s expand and litterly explode the internal organs releasing all of te bullets energy inside the animal.
Nine out of ten times a rib lung shot will put down and kill the animal in its tracks.

If you haven't tried the .22 centerfires dont knock them ,you will be amazed at the results!

Remember, fences and pens=SLOBS!

FlDeerman

Not legal in my state,wouldn't hunt with one anyway.Not for deer!