http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BigStick/Stuff/Bucks%20and%20Bears/ProxyJimB.jpg

:bigthumb:

when's dinner?

What happened to its leg? GOt shot off?

What happened to its leg? GOt shot off?
cut off. Notice how the hide is cut a bit above the joint.

Can you hunt those with a .223? I know it would be smarter to use a larger caliber such as a .30-06, but is it legal?

Can you hunt those with a .223? I know it would be smarter to use a larger caliber such as a .30-06, but is it legal?
some states you can, others you can't. In the state of wyoming it isn't legal to hunt with anything smaller then either a .23 or .24 diameter bullet, can't remember for sure which. But, in utah its legal to hunt with anything in the .22 diameter centerfire variety.

and BTW, I usually hunt deer with a .243. The bigger cartridges are used on the larger animals such as moose, elk, and bear.

some cooked meat http://www.pleasestopwar.com/soldierarm.jpg

some states you can, others you can't. In the state of wyoming it isn't legal to hunt with anything smaller then either a .23 or .24 diameter bullet, can't remember for sure which. But, in utah its legal to hunt with anything in the .22 diameter centerfire variety.

and BTW, I usually hunt deer with a .243. The bigger cartridges are used on the larger animals such as moose, elk, and bear.
Does the .243 take them down fast? I know it really depends on bullet placement, but let's say you don't exactly hit a vital spot. Does the deer go down quickly?

Does the .243 take them down fast? I know it really depends on bullet placement, but let's say you don't exactly hit a vital spot. Does the deer go down quickly?
I'll be honest with you, I have yet to botch a shot on an animal smaller then an elk. All the deer I have shot go down like a sack of bricks. All head & neck shots with one through the lungs that when we gutted him only 1/4th the heart was left in the chest cavity. Not saying I don't miss, just saying the ones I've connected on have dropped where they stood.

Now, elk on the other hand. I've missed three of the last four I've got shots at. And the one I hit, I only grazed him. If I would have aimed 4" higher he would have dropped like nothing else too.

If you are worried about one getting up after hitting it, make sure you are using some good bullets. Lately I've been turned onto the Barnes Tripple Shock X's and will be seeing how they handle the rigors on speed goats next month.

Disclaimer: I am by no means a hunting expert, most of what I know of hunting has been learned from reading lots and doing a good bit.