.22 Facts and fiction

[Spider]

That would have really bummed me out if I ever decided to head north for some goat hunting.

[lnrw]

Goat hunting should be good and they treat you well, afaik.

It's out west, so it's going to be fine.

[Winchester]

If I ever get lucky enough to draw a goat tag... I know where they are.

[The Prophet]

[The Prophet]

[The Dharma Bum]

[Stratego]

50 Cent took 9 shots with a 9mm and still survived. A .22 is only a 5.6mm so therefore have less power. Yes, a .22 is good if you hit a perfect shot, but the chances of you getting a perfect shot is slim.

[Spider]

Its not a matter of the smallest cartridge that can possibly kill a deer if you're a particularly good shot, and hit it just right at a close range.

Its a matter of what is ethical in terms of things being less than perfect. I wouldn't say a .308 is a minimum in that regard, but I wouldn't take a shot at a deer with a .223 unless it was pretty damn close. I've got a .225 set up specifically for coyotes (.225 is like a slightly heavier 22-250, I point it out because most people don't know about the .225), and I would never point that thing at a deer.

Even if you get a bad hit, with a heavier round you're still doing enough damage that you most likely aren't consigning the animal to a lingering, painful, inhumane death. With a .22lr you might just be poking a hole through soft tissue, and setting the animal up to die of infection weeks or more later, especially considering it isn't hurt bad enough to not be able to run for miles. With a .308 you can break bones and put enough energy into it to get the job done quickly.

If you want to take the .22lr and stick it up on a pedestal with a crown on its head, go for it. You won't be alone. But please don't try to shoot anything other than varmints with it. Cruelty sucks.

[The Dharma Bum]

[PoS]