(OT) But I know you guys can help

[atchman2]

I'll stop by Bass Pro Shops today on the way back from Morristown and take a look there.  The Rem 700 ADL .223  has the camo stock, and a scope included. It also has the bull varmint barrel. They want $419 for it.  If they took trades, I trade in my 9 mm pistol.

Tonight I'm meeting a local predator hunter for coffee to see if we can stand each other.  He likes to film stuff too, so I'm hoping this will be someone to help me out with my TV show idea.

[Progun]

Randy, on paper a .223, .22-250, etc, will deliver enough fpe to qualify as a deer killer.And as you already know it's legal to do so in TN. The problem you'll have is in bullet selection. Thin skinned, high velocity .22 centerfires might not have the structural integrity to stay together while punching the hole in deer sized animals. In the hands of an expert rifleman, sure it will kill  but don't say I didn't warn you if the deer you shoot can't be recovered when you blister it with a .223. Live targets deserve your respect and bullets that can be expected to kill 100% of the time.As a 40 year deer hunter I wouldn't recommend anything less than 6mm or .243 for even the smallest whitetail. Use enough gun and save the .223 for varmints and such.

[1377x]

where i live you cant use anything less than a .243 to hunt with
where i hunt you can use anything .22 centerfire or bigger
always a good idea to check your local

[only1harry]

Same answer here.  Use .243 and up for deer.  I knew one guy that took his .223 deer hunting 1 year and never used it again.

Since you said that shooting distances for deer in TN are usually more like "airgun distances", then you might consider a good 12ga shotgun with 3" "Magnum" type slugs (like hollow point).  You can also scope the shotgun and zero it for 50yds.  Just another option so you don't have to purchase a new rifle.  Many here in Southern New York state hunt with shotguns because rifle hunting is not allowed in most places or within close proximity to NY city.  In my county I have the choice of using both, or 1 or the other, depending which hunting grounds I go to.

I would also use a 30-30 if the distance is almost always under 100yds like you said.  My Marlin 30-30 is scoped with a 3-9x32 and very accurate to 100yds.  I was getting 3" groups at 100yds on open sights before I scoped it (from a good rest at the shooting range), but my eye sight was 10x better then..  Once I scoped it, it was always sub-1" groups with 150gr Remington Core-Lockt bullets @ 100yds.  You can use a variety of bullets from 135 to 170gr in a 30-30.  I like using 150 & 160gr for deer but use 170gr when I hunt in black bear territory.  The 30-30 is a light gun/carbine to carry around the woods and easy to handle through thick brush.  It can handle deer and bear no problem and it's a 30cal (or around 8mm) compared to a .22 caliber you are considering.  It's no 30-06, but it packs a punch (about 25% less FPE than 30-06) without the noise and the recoil of a 30-06.

[atchman2]

I'm wanting the rifle for prairie dogs in Kansas and Coyotes locally.  The deer thing is a bonus as I've actually never hunted them before.  After looking at the cost of .243 ammo today, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the .223.  It just seems wrong to waste a two dollar bullet on a rat!    

Jim will let me use his 30-30 or my brother will let me use his if I really decide on deer hunting with a gun.  First up though is the bow and I know it will kill one!

[atchman2]

Okay, I went to Walmart of all places out in the country  The ones here in the city have NOTHING.  They had a Savage .243 with the AccutTrigger and a scope for only $369.  At a local gun store, they had a Rem 700 in .243 with a bipod, and a 16 or 20 x scope!  They wanted the same for it but it was used.  Maybe they give me some off for my 9mm pistol?

[airiscool]

Randy,

I hear ya about the ammo cost. That's one of the main reasons I went with a .223 for varmints.

When the local gun shop closed I found out I could order guns through our local Walmart. They keep a book under the gun counter with all the differant gun manufacturer's models that they can order right from the sporting goods department.

Since then I've ordered several guns and rifled shotgun barrels  they don't keep on the rack. Prices were very good too.

Next time over that way, bring in model numbers your interested in and ask if they can do the same.

Paul

[atchman2]

I didn't know that about Walmart.  I do know they are hit or miss when it comes to having guns.  The ones in the county aren't too bad, but the ones in Knoxville you are lucky if they have pellets!

[airiscool]

I didn't know either, but lucky for me the day-time sporting goods counter guy is also a local hunter and the type who wants to help other hunters anyway he can. We've gotten to know each other by first name and had some nice talks about local hunting and raising kids, etc.  

Anyother time I've done that, when someone other than Brian is at the counter, if whatever your looking for is not in plain sight the automatic answer is no, we don't carry that. Then I have to ask them to get the order book  under the counter.

Paul.