223 WSSM for Antelope
- Thread starter bdan68
- Start date
The reason I would "handicap" myself with the 223 WSSM would be #1 because it's what I have and #2 it would make the hunt more challenging, just as it would for someone choosing to use a bow and arrow, or a 30/30 open sighted rifle.
As for what Chuck Hawk wrote, I can also find writers who have said the 22-250 is a great antelope cartridge. One of which is John Barsness, and he's one whose opinion I hold in very high regard. I can't say the same about Chuck Hawk.
As for what Chuck Hawk wrote, I can also find writers who have said the 22-250 is a great antelope cartridge. One of which is John Barsness, and he's one whose opinion I hold in very high regard. I can't say the same about Chuck Hawk.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Here you go again comparing the 223 with "challenging" like using a bow and arow setup, LOL! Sir, you need to reread what was in the first paragraph of the article I posted and learn a little bit more about ballistics than it appears you know right now. It seems that you and several others are so high on these little calibers because of their extremely high velocity. However, high velocity doesn't mean squat on a bigger animal if the bullet lacks the sectional density and mass to do the job properly and that's exactly why the small calibers that have been mentioned in this thread were designed for varmints for the most part. At least use the higher grain bullet available for your "fun" if you take that 223 WSSM out to shoot an antelope, as well as keeping the distance a lot shorter than you would when out for woodchucks, yotes, etc. and put it back through their ribs for good penetration. Hey by golly, if you want a "real challenge and even more fun", I have a 22 Hornet you can borrow for your lope hunt---NOT!
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swampokie
Veteran member
Im still not understanding why you refer to a doe antelope as a "bigger animal". I took ridicule when I shot my first antelope with a 300 rum so I shot the next one with a 220 swift. I seriously doubt either lope could tell tell you if it was a .224 or a .308 bullet that killed it. All that I can tell you is that in my observation the one shot with the rum had some meat left on it but the one shot with the swift had liquefied organs and dropped on the spot. Im not trying to start an argument but we all have differing opinions on the matter and in my opinion people tend to jump on the "humane bandwagon" when they are only relying on their personal opinion. In my observation both arguments have their points but the argument that a doe antelope is a "bigger animal" wont hold water. Im finished debating the matter.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
The two calibers you mentioned are most certainly to the extremes for shooting an antelope! I would hope that any serious hunter would realize and know that the small 22 calibers we are talking about on this thread were designed and considered to be for varmints up through an animal the size of a coyote so that distance can be stretched out somewhat. The WSSM caliber has now had a couple of heavier for caliber bullets designed for larger animals up to about the size of an antelope, but it's not just my opinion about them being marginal on big game like that. Almost everything I've read by well know writers that have used them, including the article I posted that I just happened to pull up on a quick search, says they are marginal for most game over approximately 100#. I have for many decades gone along with the theory that bigger is better, within reason, as far as using the proper size caliber and bullet for the intended game. I would hazard a guess that for every one that says these small calibers are fine for bigger game that there are a hundred or more that would disagree and if someone wants to accuse me of "jumping on the humane bandwagon" as you called it, I'll say thank you when we're talking about taking another creatures life and can do it better and quicker with a bigger caliber and bullet that is designed and intended for that animal.
swampokie
Veteran member
I know plenty about ballistics and don't need to read anything more on the subject. I also do not agree that the heavier bullets are necessarily better. I would prefer to use the most accurate, even if it does happen to weigh 5 grains less.
Here is an email someone posted on another site that is from a Barnes representative in reply to his request for a bullet recommendation for his 22-250:
Here is an email someone posted on another site that is from a Barnes representative in reply to his request for a bullet recommendation for his 22-250:
Musket Man
Veteran member
Cool! That's awesome, I would try a 30/30 if I owned one. Actually my dad has a few in his safe, maybe I should borrow one!You gotta try the 30-30
Topgun 30-06
Banned
That would certainly be a better choice than using a 223 with varmint loads just because they are accurate!
Musket Man
Veteran member
Now your talking!!! That antelope never knew what hit him when that 170 grain Core-Lokt took out his lungs and liver at 155 yards!! Never underestimate the 30-30 and that old gun is a tack driver even at 117 years old. I shot a 3'' 5 shot group at 150 yards resting on the 4wheeler!
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Topgun 30-06
Banned
Have you by chance tried the Hornady Leverevolutions in that 30-30? I guess you really wouldn't need them with the open sights on that old gun since the only reason to use them would be for increased distance and then you'd probably want to have a scope on it. That, in turn, would probably ruin that old rascal that should probably be kept as is though!
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
That is a beautiful gun. I wondered how you got that patina on the wood and metal. I didn't know it was 117 years old. That is really cool. Nice antelope, too. I think that might be the next type of gun I look for. That is pretty cool. 150 yards is a heck of a shot open sighted, too. I think.
Musket Man
Veteran member
No I havent tried them. Couldnt have if I wanted too last year when I hunted with it, couldnt find a 30-30 to save my life and was lucky I had some Core-lokts in stock! I would have used the Core-Lokts anyways, was going old school on that hunt. And yes NO scope for that gun! Im confident with it to 200 yards with the peep sights and IMO thats far enough for a 30-30 anyways and a scope would kinda defeat the purpose of hunting with it and its a very clean original old gun ant there is NO WAY I would ever drill a hole in it to mount anything. If I want to shoot farther I have a 270!
Musket Man
Veteran member
It has earned the patina. Its an original winchester 1894 made in 1896. The owner of the ranch I hunted on had alot of old guns even older then mine and I thought would be fun to hunt with my old gun on his place. Honestly I think that antelope I killed with it was the most well placed shot I ever made in my life!
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Musket Man
Veteran member
swampokie
Veteran member
Just glad to see mm keepin it real with the 170grain shroom. Not only deadly in the woods but on the plains too!