Isn’t it ILLEGAL to use .223 for hunting? Not sufficient knock-down, or something?
The early 70s version Colt SP-1 I have is exactly like the original AR-15s shipped to the AF for Vietnam in 69. No forward assist or case deflector, semi-only...barrel has a 1/12 twist...slow turner - ammo tends to tumble once it hits vegetation. Meant to incapacitate the enemy forcing them to divert resources... I don’t know what an SS-109 would do with a ‘shield’ or vest, honestly. But, I do know what a 30-06 black tip will do.
Depends on the state. Here in WV, it’s perfectly legal to hunt deer with a .223.
But, I’ll agree to a total ban on firearms as long as there are NO government or military exemptions. NONE AT ALL.
Until then, the Goverment can FOAD.
Depends on the state and what you’re hunting. Whereas it’s OK for groundhogs, a lot of states require something larger for hunting deer, for example.
I don’t know about the rest of the country, but in Idaho a .223 is for varmints.
Depends upon the State, and the game you are going after. For White Tail Deer, Antelope and such, the .223 is on the small side, but legal in S. Dakota and many other states.
If I'm hunting Elk, Moose or larger animals, I'd want a larger gun. I hate inflicting pain, my shots are tyically 1-shot kills. If you use a larger caliber rifle, the odds of wounding the animal increase - as you deliver less energy impact into the animal. The end-game goal is to "stall the pump".
It used to be some states wouldn’t allow the various .22 centerfires on deer because of insufficient bullet weight and the light construction of bullets designed to blow up on small varmints.
Improved bullets give good terminal results on Missouri whitetails at modest ranges and the Conservation Department okayed .223’s and other .22 centerfires many years ago.
But the key is shot placement and range. I would never shoot a deer beyond about 150 yards with a .223 and would really rather not shoot one over 50 yards. The longer the range, the less velocity.
All the “power” of a small caliber, low weight bullet comes from velocity. All that shock stuff is gunwriter/ad copy BS. A bullet has to disrupt a creature’s central nervous system and/or cause a rapid drop in blood pressure via massive blood loss to kill quickly and humanely. Penetration is critical, and penetration is a more a function of velocity for lighter bullets than for heavier bullets.