9mm enough gun?

[snookdock]

In 1971 my friend Ron shot a young deer with a Federal .30-06, 180 gr that hit a front leg bone, did not expand, and ended up bent in a hind roast. In 1973, with a new box of 180s, he shot at 200 yd a 180 pound, dressed, 10 pt. buck and had quite the opposite action. The bullet fragmented leaving just the copper jacket and unseen lead fragments in the deer. The deer ran 300 yards through a corn field before it dropped. I started reloading then and we did not use Federal again until they put Sierra bullets in the load.

Anything but the perfect lung shot would been a cripple I'm sure.

I have always wondered what would the performance be equal to for a size/caliber rifle, or, more likely, handgun? I mean, If a person had a rifle or handgun, what would make a wound in one side, destroy some of one lung and drop the big deer in a close range shot on its best day.

About the hunter with the 9mm; wait in a blind and take 10 feet head shots.

 

[bakert]

Although a short range head, lung or heart shot might kill a deer quickly the 9MM just isn't enough gun for deer hunting even from a carbine. A stunt at best and a good way to lose a fine game animal. A S&W .500, .454 Casull, .44 magnum, heavy loaded .45 colt or even a .357 in the hands of a good careful hunter would be much a better way to go. The 9 MM not even legal in a lot of states. Although I carry a .45 most days I also like the 9MM as a self defence round but it aint no deer catridge. your friends experiences show what can happen even with a powerful rifle

 

[bakert]

Although a short range head, lung or heart shot might kill a deer quickly the 9MM just isn't enough gun for deer hunting even from a carbine. A stunt at best and a good way to lose a fine game animal. A S&W .500, .454 Casull, .44 magnum, heavy loaded .45 colt or even a .357 in the hands of a good careful hunter would be much a better way to go. The 9 MM not even legal in a lot of states. Although I carry a .45 most days I also like the 9MM as a self defence round but it aint no deer catridge. Your friend's experiences shows what can happen even with a powerful rifle.

 

[trickyasafox]

eh good point bushmaster. i'll retract before i inadvertantly cause flame

 

[The Bushmaster]

Trickasafox...It's not "an ideal" man killer either...:banghead: What happend here...I thought we were discussing this on another string...

 

[dfaugh]

OK, explain this to me...

A 9mm +P+ hollowpoint can do a pretty good job on a 200+ lb. man...MAYBE not as effective as a .45, but I consider it "enough" especially out of a carbine barrel at 1600 fps or so...So why would it be inadequate for 100-150 lb. deer, as long as the range is reasonable, and shot placement is decent?

 

[robertbank]

I believe Stephen A. Camp has taken deer with his 9MM HiPower. If he uses it, I would suggest it is quite capable of killing a deer. Shot placement is everything. A lung shot is a lung shot and with the proper bullet I would think the 9MM is adequate for deer at close ranges.

STay Safe

 

[Fatelvis]

Dfaugh, that's exactly how I feel. I believe shot placement is the most important thing. Granted, the 9mm isnt a great choice for deer hunting, but at about 25 yards or less, with a 124 grain hollowpoint in the boiler room, it is going down.

 

[The Bushmaster]

We need to stop defending the "wonder nine". Most of the firearms that chamber it are fine weapons...But the cartridge is a wimp. It wasn't even designed to be even used on humans. It was designed to be a decreative orniment hanging from a German officers belt. I even own one and I wouldn't even think of it as a hunting round let alone a backup for my rifle on a hunt (I carry a .357 S&W Combat magnum mod 19). I have never seen any hunting designed bullets and I have not seen or heard of anyone using it for hunting or survival until now...There must be a reason...Let me guess....:banghead: