Mn dnr rule change

So over the weekend i was informed that minnesota dnr is in the process of allowing the use of all .22 cal centerfire rifles for the legal use during the firearms season for deer which will take affect this year, im intrested by this but also concerned. in the hands of a capable rifleman the .220 swift and 22-250 are certainly deadly on deer, but im also concerned that in the hands of an amateur we will see a big increase in wounded and lost game as well

pyro6999 wrote: So over the weekend i was informed that minnesota dnr is in the process of allowing the use of all .22 cal centerfire rifles for the legal use during the firearms season for deer which will take affect this year, im intrested by this but also concerned. in the hands of a capable rifleman the .220 swift and 22-250 are certainly deadly on deer, but im also concerned that in the hands of an amateur we will see a big increase in wounded and lost game as well

This has been the rule in Oklahoma since before 1995. .22 centerfire must have 55 gr bullet and firearm may not hold more than 7 rounds. I have never encountered any hunters in the field with one in 17 years. Most hunters are not that foolish. They are greedy enough to want the deer.

Edited by 3_tens - April/04/2008 at 11:28

I know several guys that use them on deer and antelope in Montana.   They work ok, but an inexperienced hunter on a windy day with one, probably will end up only wounding the animal.  I have no problem with states allowing it.  The that are going to use them just need to know what they are doing.

im pretty sure in mn you will see a whole bunch of the old timers and hard core guys going to the .223 and the 22-250 and .220 swifts, i know with a head or neck shot its lethal on whitetail.

well, I don't care how experienced you are, I think that shooting deer with a 22 centerfire is verging on "stunt" shooting.  Sure, you can kill a deer with a 222 Remington, but I certainly wouldn't want to encourage people to go try it.  I think the 6mms are small enough.      

i agree with you ed, but im wondering if there isnt a bit of money involved with this move, maybe to encourage more women and kids to pick up hunting, to bad i think its going to hurt the deer population in a negative manner though, would i shoot a deer with the .222rem, if i can talk my dad into bringing me his m700 bdl and putting a 3x9 scope on it i wouldnt hesitate to take a head or neck shot inside 100yds with one, do i recommend this for a rookie, hell no, im not so sure that a lot of people i know think even the 6mm is big enough they think it should start at .257!

I think if folks want to get youngsters and women involved in shooting deer sized game that they should set them up with something like the 300 Savage or something.  Although a 257 Roberts would be a nifty rifle......my ex-wife had one years ago in Wyoming.  A 243 Win is OK, but I think the 300 Savage would be great---cuz I really like that old round!   --Ed

a lot of the bad rap that went into using the swift ( and 22.250) on deer sized game came from the frangible varmit bullets used in those days. with better choices in bullet design these calibers will do fine. heavier bullets especially win. 65 gr in the 223 wssm and this loaded in the swift. no if be can just get faster twists.

well like i said before they are making the 55gr trophy bonded bear claw especially for the swift and 250 just for shooting deer, i suppose the wby and .222 and .222 mag and .223 would be included as well. 30-30 would work too ed

 As long as folks use decent bullets in the centerfire .22s, and are careful about shot placement, I wouldn't worry too much about an increase in wounding rates. I seem to recall seeing some recent studies that demonstrate the opposite effect, in fact. 

 Don't get me wrong, I agree with you guys and think the .250 Savage class and bigger are better choices... 

I hit one with a 22-250 right in the boiler room at 100yds and she dropped like a rock. They can be very effective, but shot placement is crucial. I myself believe shot placement is crucial even if you are shooting a .50bmg though.

Just me, but there are to many other great cartridges to chose from, I just can't see using a .22 center fire on deer, not that it can't be done,  but why?

http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2008/06/17/minnesota-dnr-announces-2008-deer-season-changes/

Congratulations again.  New baby, and another baby graduating into the next grade.

i dont know if i will ever use my 22-250 for deer. i guess i could get some better bullets for it and it would be fine

I am with the majority too!  Too many other good options with managable recoil and better ballistics.  But it all comes down to shot placement!

im in that take a head or neck shot or let it walk away with smaller rounds like that.

I agree. I dont see a need to go into the feild with a varmit gun when the 06's is in th safe.

I have heard of people taking does with a 22 but only if the shot presents it's self. Such as  doe at 40 yrds. Imagine a 140-150 class walk out at 125 yrds and their you set with your 10/22 no thanks.