sorry, don't mean to sound like Elmer Kieth. I was actualy hog hunting last nite with a 22mag from a stand, but stayed until well after dark when the hogs finaly decided to come in, and felt way undergunned with a pop gun and a scope that I couldn't see thru and a 38 special snubbie with snake shot. was wishing I had my 12 ga with buckshot and 45.
nacho is correct on the.223. The reason the US military changed to 5.56 or.223 from .30 caliber was #1 because it was cheaper to produce ammo #2 lighter (ammo) allowing you to carry more rounds and #3 probably the most important because it is a "wounding" round. If you shoot your enemy and he dies immediately it requires very little of your opposing force. Eventually, someone will come and pick-up the body. Now if you wound somebody, it requires about 6 people on the battle field to assist and care for the wounded. Think about having to establish a combat hospital on the battle field and what that requires, supplies, transportation, medivac, power, water, etc. If an opposing force is killed, let's call it a Company size element, it is very easy for the enemy to move in a new company size element to replace them since they have no wounded to care for. Think about it. It's called degrigration of force. We try to degrigrate our opponent any way we can. It also effects the civilian populace when the wounded return home. Support for the conflict may be altered due to impact on the local or foreign populace which is another degrigration, called degrigration of support.
IMHO anything under about 60 lbs probably shouldn't be shot with a .223 or smaller unless you are an expert marksman and can shoot them in the ear, eye ball, or spine causing immediate death.
Your choices of calibers are fine, I think versatility and I would pick 7MM-08 or .308 to cover alot of your bases. You need to think about action type, make, model, optics, etc. for a good stand/blind gun. Cost and budget will also affect your choice. Find a good used 700 or 77 and make it your project gun. Do something to it every six months, bed it, float it, replace the stock, new barrel, trigger job, better sights, better optics, reblue, refinish it, etc.. and after a few years you'll have a weapon that is uniquely your weapon of choice that is set up just the way you want it to serve your purpose.
With all due respect, I disagree with the notion that the .223 is inadequate. I have killed several deer and hogs with one. With the Federal Premium 55gr Barnes TSX, the .223 really becomes something entirely different. Bullet technology has improved immesely. I would not shoot a deer or hog with any bullet designed for varmints, that would not make sense. However, I have a Savage Model 10FP that loves that little bullet. It is my oldest sons primary deer rifle. He dropped a nice doe at 160yds, and a really nice 9pt at 188yds last year. Both shots perfectly placed by a well trained young marksman, behind the shoulder. Both bullets entered and exited, exit wounds were the size of a quarter. I am not advocating that everyone should run out and buy one, but it will do its job if you do yours. I do realize that there are better choices for sure. I would not pair a young person with something that they were not comfortable with. I have seen several take years to overcome a horrible flinch because someone let them shoot a cannon. That little rifle has been a great training tool for my boys, both killed their first deer with it.
Sorry for hijacking a great thread, the .223 is terribly underrated and wanted to give my opinion on it. Thanks.
if in the hands of a good shot with the patience to wait for the opportunity to make the correct shot. I've seen way too many hunters start shooting as soon as the deer becomes visable.
the first part of that statement is the only person that I would be in the woods with...the second part of that statement is the trouble with some people, and they shouldn't be hunting or own a gun for that matter. ALWAYS BE SURE OF WHAT YOU'RE SHOOTING AT.... has always been my motto
I do realize that sometimes in the woods you need to make a quick shooting decision, but why take a chance on wounding an animal just because you want to shoot something. The deer aren't shooting back, so no need to be crazy, you'll get him next time !!!
Sorry, but just my opinion
I like something that when my shot aint perfect it blows a hole in their ass big enough so they dont go far. My something is my 358,I hear way two many stories of guys making bad shots. It happens to everyone that hunts sooner or later.How many deer have y'all shot at from stands with those lite rifles that rund oft?You thought you were on them but yet there was no blood,hair,nothing. MAybe you punched a hole in it's belly but you'll never know for sure.
