riverwalker76 " believe that the .223 and similar cartridge are more than capable of killing any medium game here in the U.S. If the U.S. military trusts it as their primary cartridge for their purpose then why wouldn't it be good for a 100 to 140 pound deer?"
Sir, you are quite correct in your assertion. however please remember that a military cartridge and use is not the same as a clean kill on a deer. in point of fact it is often preferable to incapacitate your enemy rather than outright kill them. the reasoning is simple, a wounded man typically provides a greater reduction in combat power of your enemy.
now i have taken deer with a .223 and finished off deer with a well placed .22LR. i agree that simply stating that ANY cartridge is the best is closed mindedness. we live in fine times where one can choose of many solutions to the same problem.
my first "deer" rifle that i bought was chambered in .300 win mag. i had fired a shooting buddies and liked it and the accuracy i was able to attain. my thought process was that i would be able to use it for deer or elk, and anything else i wanted to hunt. there is an old saying "beware the man with only one rifle.....for he knows it". now a few weeks ago a fine gent walked into my local gun shop (the proprietor and i are "old army buddies") wishing to sell his used .300 win mag. he had heard it was overpowered. while true it may have more power than he needs now. it is bought and paid for, practiced with, and has the attachment of having filled his meat locker many times. he also wasnt aware of the reduced recoil/power loads that have been placed on the market in recent years. a fine way i think to expand the range of the tools you have.
just my few thoughts (a rare occourance indeed)
Sir, you are quite correct in your assertion. however please remember that a military cartridge and use is not the same as a clean kill on a deer. in point of fact it is often preferable to incapacitate your enemy rather than outright kill them. the reasoning is simple, a wounded man typically provides a greater reduction in combat power of your enemy.
now i have taken deer with a .223 and finished off deer with a well placed .22LR. i agree that simply stating that ANY cartridge is the best is closed mindedness. we live in fine times where one can choose of many solutions to the same problem.
my first "deer" rifle that i bought was chambered in .300 win mag. i had fired a shooting buddies and liked it and the accuracy i was able to attain. my thought process was that i would be able to use it for deer or elk, and anything else i wanted to hunt. there is an old saying "beware the man with only one rifle.....for he knows it". now a few weeks ago a fine gent walked into my local gun shop (the proprietor and i are "old army buddies") wishing to sell his used .300 win mag. he had heard it was overpowered. while true it may have more power than he needs now. it is bought and paid for, practiced with, and has the attachment of having filled his meat locker many times. he also wasnt aware of the reduced recoil/power loads that have been placed on the market in recent years. a fine way i think to expand the range of the tools you have.
just my few thoughts (a rare occourance indeed)
