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Shooting Forum - Firearms licencing information


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Smallest caliber for shooting deer

  • 27-09-2012 08:33PM
    #1
    superlite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 53 ✭✭


    Just after reading the wild life act 1976(ammunition and firearms)act 1977 and came across this


    Centre-fire rifles of not less than ·22 calibre with a muzzle energy of not less than 1,700 foot pounds.


    Ammunition.

    Any bullet for use in such rifles, weighing not less than 55 grains.

    Can anyone clarify this as I thought the minimum requirement was .243


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Tommy87
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭Tommy87


    The minimum was never .243. As far as I know it was .22-250. But now as you say it goes by energy and must be .22 centre fire.


  • #3
    cookimonster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭cookimonster


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056761014

    Check this out before you go on.........


  • #4
    owelfisherman
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 268 ✭✭owelfisherman


    cookimonster wrote: »
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056761014

    Check this out before you go on.........
    22.250


  • #5
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    22-250 and .220 swift with a 60 grain load is the smallest legal caliber for shooting deer in Ireland


  • #6
    mark.17hmr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭mark.17hmr


    I know a .223 isnt legal for deer hunting but what is the 69grn or the 75grn putting out.. would it comply with the regulations for shooting deer?? The projectile is bigger than and they are a heavier load than the 60grn minimum outlined for the .220 swift and the 22.250 ??? Just curious...


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  • #7
    snipe02
    Closed Accounts Posts: 873 ✭✭✭snipe02


    can deer be shot with a swift was told by a lad it was because of new leg is this true know feck all about rifles so sorry if its been already dealt with so forgive my ignorance


  • #8
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    mark.17hmr wrote: »
    I know a .223 isnt legal for deer hunting but what is the 69grn or the 75grn putting out.. would it comply with the regulations for shooting deer?? The projectile is bigger than and they are a heavier load than the 60grn minimum outlined for the .220 swift and the 22.250 ??? Just curious...
    75 grain 223 puts out about 1430 ft/lbs at muzzle no way near legal for deer. If you have a .223 WSSM she be perfectly legal


  • #9
    tomcat220t
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭tomcat220t


    The min is .22 cal but why would one choose it as a suitable deer caliber when some bigger /heavier calibers are cheaper to run and better suited :confused:
    Deer are not shot with muzzle energy !
    Regards ,Tomcat.


  • #10
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    Very true Tomcat. Why they need muzzle energy of 1700ft/lbs is to insure that the round has at least 1000ft/lbs of energy when it hits the deer as rounds loose alot of energy the further they travel. Poor muzzle energy results in poor energy down the field


  • #11
    tomcat220t
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭tomcat220t


    Hi 4200fps, some of the very best shots ive seen on deer ...inc red deer ,were taken with a .22-250s .That was going back 25years or more with on range finders,fancy scopes ..ect.
    Calibers and shooters have changed since then ,i guess .
    Regards,Tomcat.


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  • #12
    richiedel123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭richiedel123


    mark.17hmr wrote: »
    I know a .223 isnt legal for deer hunting but what is the 69grn or the 75grn putting out.. would it comply with the regulations for shooting deer?? The projectile is bigger than and they are a heavier load than the 60grn minimum outlined for the .220 swift and the 22.250 ??? Just curious...
    I know a lad who has a deer hunting licence for a 223. He got it this year


  • #13
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    tomcat220t wrote: »
    Hi 4200fps, some of the very best shots ive seen on deer ...inc red deer ,were taken with a .22-250s .That was going back 25years or more with on range finders,fancy scopes ..ect.
    Calibers and shooters have changed since then ,i guess .
    Regards,Tomcat.
    I never had any doubts in 22-250's or .220 Swifts ability's for deer. Two very good rounds in the right hands. Some under estimate their ability's as they are .22caliber. Mighty caliber for Feral goats too


  • #14
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    richiedel123 wrote: »
    I know a lad who has a deer hunting licence for a 223. He got it this year
    Was it a Winchester Super Short Magnum .223?


  • #15
    richiedel123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭richiedel123


    Was it a Winchester Super Short Magnum .223?[/Quote]
    No just a standard 223. I couldn't believe it either till I seen it for myself


  • #16
    rowa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,296 ✭✭✭rowa


    i thought the wsm's were on the way out ? i looked into getting one a while back and no one seemed to be doing them.


  • #17
    hedzball
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 764 ✭✭✭hedzball


    rowa wrote: »
    i thought the wsm's were on the way out ? i looked into getting one a while back and no one seemed to be doing them.

    They are..

    Pure fad.. but like any fad calibre the rifles can be picked up for half nothing..

    its trying to feed them is the problem






    'hdz


  • #18
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,768 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    richiedel123 wrote: »
    I know a lad who has a deer hunting licence for a 223. He got it this year
    richiedel123 wrote: »
    No just a standard 223. I couldn't believe it either till I seen it for myself
    Do me a favour. Get a picture, and block out the vital details such as name, address, etc. I would love to actually see a deer license application with a .223 on it.
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  • #19
    Lullymore24
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭Lullymore24


    Ezridax wrote: »
    Do me a favour. Get a picture, and block out the vital details such as name, address, etc. I would love to actually see a deer license with a .223 on it.

    .223 WSSM is Deer Legal
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_Winchester_Super_Short_Magnum in 50 Grain or Above

    OP are you sure it was .223 REM??


  • #20
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,768 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Lullymore24 wrote: »
    .223 WSSM is Deer Legal
    He said it was a standard .223:
    richiedel123 wrote: »
    No just a standard 223.
    Hence my request.
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  • #21
    garv123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,576 ✭✭✭garv123


    I know some people think the .223 will kill godzilla and king kong with one shot every time but why in gods name would you even try and licence one for deer when there are so much better choices out there. following a blood trail from a .223 must be a tough job. ( someones gonna tell me deer never run when shot with a .223 :rolleyes:)


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  • #22
    It wasn't me!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,034 ✭✭✭✭It wasn't me!


    Even if some tool signed off on a licence when he submitted it he's still not entitled to shoot deer with a .223, and if caught doing so, he will be prosecuted.

    *ANY* .22 centrefire which produces 1700 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle with a bullet of 55 grains or heavier is legal to shoot deer with. Here's the fun bit though, your .22-250 or .220 swift may not be legal, even though the cartridge has the potential to be legal. How many people have actually chronographed their ammo from their barrels to make sure they make the energy requirements? Same applies to some .243s, particularly with heavy, 100 grain bullets from shorter barrels. Personally I think it's silly to play it too close to the line. The .243 is fine, and is available with some properly constructed bullets for the job. Factory loads for .22 centrefires are geared towards smaller, lighter animals than deer. Me, I amn't interested in marginal at all. I want it to work right when everything conspires against me, not when everything's perfect.


  • #23
    Glensman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭Glensman


    It wasn't me! wrote: »
    Me, I amn't interested in marginal at all. I want it to work right when everything conspires against me, not when everything's perfect.

    That's a huge +1 on that!

    I'm going for a stalk tonight. So far it's a windy day, if I get a shot it will likely be off sticks. I wouldn't want to have anything less than my .270...


  • #24
    vixdname
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭vixdname


    I'd love to see the photocopy of the licence for using a .223 to shoot deer


  • #25
    Lullymore24
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭Lullymore24


    vixdname wrote: »
    I'd love to see the photocopy of the licence for using a .223 to shoot deer

    Nowhere on the Deer Hunting Licence does it say what Calibre you are using.
    So would be hard to prove either way.


  • #26
    Fallow01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 138 ✭✭Fallow01


    superlite wrote: »
    Just after reading the wild life act 1976(ammunition and firearms)act 1977 and came across this


    Centre-fire rifles of not less than ·22 calibre with a muzzle energy of not less than 1,700 foot pounds.


    Ammunition.

    Any bullet for use in such rifles, weighing not less than 55 grains.

    Can anyone clarify this as I thought the minimum requirement was .243

    Minimum legal is .2250 but the minimum recommended is .243 to ensure humane dispatch of the deer and avoid having runners.....


  • #27
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,768 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Excuse my bluntness, but i simply don't believe that a .223 was licensed for deer. It in no way makes the legal minimum for muzzle energy.

    Even if one mistakenly was licensed, does not make it legal. No more than a semi auto centrefire licensed in error as a non restricted gun is legal.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

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  • #28
    pugw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 635 ✭✭✭pugw


    Fallow01 wrote: »
    Minimum legal is .2250 but the minimum recommended is .243 to ensure humane dispatch of the deer and avoid having runners.....
    or the swift!


  • #29
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    Lullymore24 wrote: »
    Nowhere on the Deer Hunting Licence does it say what Calibre you are using.
    So would be hard to prove either way.

    True. You put all the details on the application form, but the license has no firearm/bullet details on it. You are simply licensed to hunt deer in accordance with the law, which means:

    Centre-fire rifles of not less than ·22 calibre with a muzzle energy of not less than 1,700 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 55gr (NPWS were insisting on 60gr a year or two back).

    If some one got a license for .223, then they either told porkies on the application or NPWS screwed up. Either way, they are breaking the law if they hunt deer with it.


  • #30
    Lullymore24
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭Lullymore24


    Half-cocked wrote: »
    True. You put all the details on the application form, but the license has no firearm/bullet details on it. You are simply licensed to hunt deer in accordance with the law, which means:

    Centre-fire rifles of not less than ·22 calibre with a muzzle energy of not less than 1,700 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 55gr (NPWS were insisting on 60gr a year or two back).

    If some one got a license for .223, then they either told porkies on the application or NPWS screwed up. Either way, they are breaking the law if they hunt deer with it.

    In a Nutshell.
    Lots of Lads like to spin a yarn, especially when there are people foolish enough to listen to it.
    If I held a Deer Hunting permit and a .22lr Licence and told the same story I bet there are people out there who would believe it (Who reads the small print these days)


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  • #31
    4200fps
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭4200fps


    Sure a photocopy or photo of the deer licence will prove nothing at all.
    He simply used a serial number of a deer caliber and put down the caliber etc 243,308 or what ever and sent it off and he got his licence that way. No way he put down .223. I can get a serial number for any caliber I wish by making one phone call even if I never buy the gun


This discussion has been closed.
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