What kid have you seen lose confidence because he shot a .223? Again, making assumptions.

Saw one lose a record book antelope in New Mexico. Pretty much ruined the trip and his confidence. He was carrying it because he and Daddy had convinced themselves it was a "hammer" because they had killed some stuff with it. Just like many on here. Physics finally got 'em. Kid was 15 or 16 and could have had a .270 in his hand and never noticed the difference. He hit it-twice-at about 225 yards. Made it to bordering Indian reservation. Game over.

Got a few crappy deer outcome stories too but that one sticks out because with the proper rifle it would have been a lifetime great memory instead of a lifetime terrible memory.

Now who's making assumptions?

Seen many a animals lost w a larger weapon counselor...a lot of "ifs"
If Aunt Jane had **** she would be Uncle Fred...

Again good Luck to the Young Man and post some pics

All I can say is re-read my posts. Carefully. That example perfectly illustrates it. If the kid HAD had a .270, he would have had a great outcome. Too little gun was the culprit. Period. Again, physics.

Duly Noted

X2 on the good luck

You stepped in it again NP. You must like the smell.

A 270 does not make a guaranteed kill nor does a 300 wby.

your just a pot stirrer,,, im not even gonna get going on all this again. I voiced my opinion last time...

Yes .223 is plenty. I've dropped deer and a buck with bulk Ammo. However I wouldn't shoot it 200-300 yards

When did we start talking about antelope in New Mexico at 225 yards? I'm talking about deer in Texas, and around 100 yards. Go back and re-read my previous posts, particularly the one in which I mention 'USER ERROR', and others' posts about knowing and respecting your limits.

Secondly, unless you can see into the future, or some kind of parallel universe where the kid actually had a .270, you are still making assumptions.

thank you

"Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree, he will live the rest of his life believing he is stupid"
-Albert Einstein

Yep, I'll assume that one .130 grain bullet behind the shoulder and another about midway down the thoracic cavity would have killed a 130 lb. antelope.

I'm sure y'all will guffaw and hee-haw at that too.

The problem with that is so would a 223 bullet in the same place... if he didn't hit that spot with a 223 what are the chance he was gonna hit it with a 270?

redchevy- I have to never uttered the phrase "guaranteed kill" or "guaranteed" anything else.

The point is he DID hit both those spots-with not enough projectile and not enough force. Because it WAS a .223.

It was also a 225 yard shot

My argument is with those saying a .223 is an everyday "go to" deer caliber.

My further argument is, why limit your kid when any kid can shoot a .243?

I'll further remind that your challenge to me at the top of this page was not limited by anything. I met it. Now, you start with the limitations.

It's the way these things always go....

The dude's using what he has, I used what I had, so on, so forth. I'd say it's a pretty safe bet limiting your kid to not taking a 225 yard shot with any caliber.

He's asking: ".223 enough?"
He expresses doubts his kid can even hold the rifle steady and keep it on the vitals.

The hard but true answer is: in that case, he's not ready. But, if he's gonna be hunting, then a .223 darn sure isn't the gun he should be using. I'm assuming he has options or he wouldn't be asking.

I read antelope got away onto reservation = you got no clue where the bullets hit him. I hear people say all the time made a "perfect" shot but it got away... well obviously it wasn't perfect because it got away but people cant get it through to their ego that maybe just maybe it wasn't the gun, wasn't the bullet that failed, wasn't the scope, maybe.. just maybe they didn't put the bullet where it needed to go. In that case don't mater what your shooting short of a howitzer. A gut shot deer is a gut shot deer. Seen them lay down inside 25 yards and die and trailed them a long ways. But unless that goat deer etc. was recovered nobody but God and that deer knows where that bullet is and my bets are not in the correct spot.

Why further handicap a kid that's already handicapped from lack of experience if you can keep from it?

That's a whole different issue. Love seeing kids in the outdoors but think many try to get them started too early.