9mm luger for deer hunting

[regnar]

There are a lot of forums that reveled 'your crazy,' comments to the question:
Deer hunting with 9mm ammo?
Winchester manufactures a 9mm 147 grain with a picture of a deer on the back box cover along with a couple other uses.
Any opinions

 

[steveno]

there are a lot of rounds that will kill a deer. whether or not they should be used is another question. first of all is it legal in your state? I don't think a 9 mm should be used for deer hunting

 

[Trent]

It'll vary state by state, obviously.

In Illinois, if you are using the appropriate firearm (single shot or revolver), AND it meets the 500 ft. lb. requirement, it would be legal.

Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot
handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a
minimum barrel length of 4 inches.

For handguns, a bottleneck centerfire cartridge
of .30 caliber or larger with a case
length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a
straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30
caliber or larger, both of which must be
available as a factory load with the published
ballistic tables of the manufacturer
showing a capability of at least 500 foot
pounds of energy at the muzzle. There is
no case length limit for straight-walled cartridges.

Non-expanding, military-style full metal
jacket bullet cannot be used to harvest
white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding
bullets (including copper/copperalloy
rounds designed for hunting) are legal
ammunition.

There are VERY FEW 9mm loads that will crack 500ft/lb, and mostly, they are lightweight rounds not particularly suited to hunting.

http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php

 

[O-neg]

I wouldn't use 9mm for deer but....... I remember a thread on this board not to long ago about 9mm out penetrating 223.

I know there are some folk that use 223 for deer hunting so if a 9mm 115 grain bullet penetrates farther than a 62 to 75 grain 223, why wouldn't it work?

At close range of course, say 50 to 100 yards?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Assuming proper bullet selection a 9mm CARBINE can push the same weight bullet just as fast as a 357 magnum REVOLVER will. Making them both suitable for the same game and yes you can get 158g bullets/loads for 9mm

Now with this said a 357 mag revolver has a pretty narrow window of effectiveness on deer sized game.


I still think either is more effective than buckshot for deer.

 

[hovercat]

The word hunting covers a lot. Thick brush with your carbine, yes. Wide open West Texas plains for mule deer with your Glock? No.
More depends upon your abilities than the hardware. I can operate archery equipment but I cannot ethically hunt with it. Do you have the skills to overcome the handicap of using a less than ideal round?

 

[gamestalker]

I knew a guy back in the 80's that killed a deer with his Uzi. He must have shot that deer 8 or 9 times while on the run. I'm sure it wasn't legal, in fact I know it wasn't.

GS

 

[hq]

Well... there are a lot of things that CAN be done. A long time ago there was a gun editor in Finland who was a strong advocate of hunting moose with a .22, placing a carefully aimed shot through the eye, and records of such kills do exist. However, 9mm is a bit marginal for deer, but providing that shot placement is good and it's legal, I can't see why.

Personally, given the choice, I probably wouldn't.

 

[06]

Please do not do it. Nothing worse than wounding an animal to die slow and painfully. Put it down quickly/humanely with a properly powered round. We raised a fawn that brought home three babies for us to see. I still hunt but make sure the animal goes down quickly. Have a bud near Charleston, SC who hunted deer with a 22 for years--shot them right in the ear. Finally talked him into a proper killer.

 

[Art Eatman]

I would not use it by deliberate choice in any normal sort of hunt, but if I see Bambi very much "up close and personal", I'd be sore tempted, just for fun.

I've had does lie down under my tree stand; about eight or ten feet away. I've had does get out of bed, walk off a few steps and then stop and look--at maybe 20 yards distance.

Hard to pass up a real "gimme" shot if you have a sidearm along.

 

[lobo9er]

A friend put down a gut shot button buck this year with a 9mm. That's a lot different than hunting of course. As a side arm while hunting sure but I would never suggest hunting with a 9mm unless the apocalypse happened and you survived with only a 9mm to feed yourself with. Tongue in cheek of course.

 

[Bowhunter57]

regnar,
The 9mm cartridge isn't known for its' accuracy or knockdown power. I have a Smith & Wesson 9c M&P that shoots 147gr. JHP ammo in a 1" group at 20 yards. Would I use it for hunting deer, if it were legal in Ohio? No.

Aside the ballistic debate or ethics of what the shooter can do vs. what the weapon can do...I'll hunt with as much power as I can accurately handle. Game animals are NOT known for providing hunters with good shots or good shot angles.

I accept the challenge of hunting with a handgun. However, I want every advantage I can get my hands on, when hunting with a handgun. I know guys that have hunted with and killed wild boar with a 45acp. Obviously, it can be done, but it's not my first choice in a caliber, much less the horrible ballistics.

Bowhunter57

 

[wgaynor]

I'd use a 9mm on a deer without hesitancy. Sure, it won't reach as far as my .30-.30 or .30-.06, but it'll get the job done same as a .22lr will.

 

[Takem406]

Seen a few videos on YouTube of guys Glockin deer with 40's, 45's, and 10's.

 

[sixgunner455]

It's not a powerhouse nor a long range proposition, but it will certainly kill a deer. I've done it, albeit at very close range (could have whacked that doe on the rear with a stick).

 

[lobo9er]

Without hesitation? I doubt most would ever be invited back to camp if they show up with a glock 9mm for primary hunting firearm. With other options you'd show up opening day with a beretta 92? One thing to say it could work, under extraordinary lucky close range at that, than to say without hesitation i'd hunt deer with a 9mm. 22lr rifle may actually be easier to put one behind the ear than a handgun and a better option all together. Imho of course.

 

[eastbank]

the deer deserve better, a small movement in the gun or the deer could cause a slow lingering death.eastbank.

 

[breakingcontact]

Im not a hunter. The "knockdown" power comment is always a trip.

Is an arrow more ethical than a 9mm?

 

[W.E.G.]

OP comes here, and for his first post, he inquires about deer hunting with 9mm?

Troll much?

This topic came up before, and was locked by page 3.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=616448&highlight=9mm+deer

 

[OilyPablo]

I might use my Camp 9 with a HOT load for deer.

 

[Hyrulejedi86]

I can't imagine that 9mm would not work when you have to use it. If you can choose something else then I would but considering I reload 9mm it would be available in a shtf situation. I wouldn't hesitate then.

 

[BrotherFrankie]

a lil off topic..

this post brought back memories of a few dear wandering onto a hot live fire range in Ft Riley Kansas...

50 cal took them out fast... young and dumb back in the day.. but we did eat dear in the chow hall that night..

 

[Ankeny]

Is an arrow more ethical than a 9mm?

Yes.

 

[R.W.Dale]

How about a patched 40 or .45 caliber round ball?

 

[red rick]

Assuming proper bullet selection a 9mm CARBINE can push the same weight bullet just as fast as a 357 magnum REVOLVER will. Making them both suitable for the same game and yes you can get 158g bullets/loads for 9mm

Now with this said a 357 mag revolver has a pretty narrow window of effectiveness on deer sized game.


I still think either is more effective than buckshot for deer.

No way, but you have to know how your shotgun patterns and at what distance. Most people don't pattern their shotguns and think you can use any brand of buckshot and what ever choke they have .

I primarily use a shotgun for deer hunting, not only because it is the law in my county, but because it is the best tool for how and where we hunt . Most deer are moving (dogs running them ) and we rarely have a opening further than 60 yards ( not that I would take a shot at 60 yards with buckshot or 9mm/357 ) .

I have never had to track a deer that I have shot with buckshot, I have never had one stay on his feet after being hit with buckshot. The majority of my shots are taken within 30 yards .

It would take a special person with a caliber larger than 357 to be more effective than buckshot at it's effective range .