.30 For Florida Whitetail? What’s Your Min Caliber?

[Billm]

I have three grandsons. Two have been deer hunting and one has not, due to circumstances beyond his control. My plan is to take him out in the next few weeks on public land. Florida allows the use of airguns of .30 caliber or greater, with no min energy. Although legal I don’t see trying to take a deer with a Sonoran .30, I’ve maxed out at 89ftlbs. I could take him out with a firearm, but I thought using an air rifle would be fun. I have no desire to buy a .50 and I’m thinking maybe a .357/ 9mm. I really don’t desire a big bore air rifle at all. North Florida whitetail bucks average 125-150lbs and max out around 200lbs. What are your experiences hunting whitetails with air rifles?

 

[Ezana4CE]

I have three grandsons. Two have been deer hunting and one has not, due to circumstances beyond his control. My plan is to take him out in the next few weeks on public land. Florida allows the use of airguns of .30 caliber or greater, with no min energy. Although legal I don’t see trying to take a deer with a Sonoran .30, I’ve maxed out at 89ftlbs. I could take him out with a firearm, but I thought using an air rifle would be fun. I have no desire to buy a .50 and I’m thinking maybe a .357/ 9mm. I really don’t desire a big bore air rifle at all. North Florida whitetail bucks average 125-150lbs and max out around 200lbs. What are your experiences hunting whitetails with air rifles?

@Billm A .357 producing 215+ FPE is my minimum per Texas state law.

Benjamin Bulldog M357 is my go to.

 

[Billm]

@Billm A .357 producing 215+ FPE is my minimum per Texas state law.

Benjamin Bulldog M357 is my go to.

I’m really surprised that Florida has no minimum. I’m having difficulty with the Star Wars look of the bulldog lol. But, I can see the advantages of the .357.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’m really surprised that Florida has no minimum. I’m having difficulty with the Star Wars look of the bulldog lol. But, I can see the advantages of the .357.

@Billm That’s the best I can think to suggest from my experience. Hopefully more members chime in with helpful information.

 

[Billm]

@Billm That’s the best I can think to suggest from my experience. Hopefully more members chime in with helpful information.

I appreciate your input. I just read the GAM review of the Bulldog.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I appreciate your input. I just read the GAM review of the Bulldog.

Spike Down!! Benjamin Bulldog M357

Dec 24, 2023

Shot this young buck (spike) on Christmas Eve 2023 from about 55-60 yards kneeling in the doorway of the house while wearing my PJs with no shooting rest. NSA 110 grain hollowpoint dish base slug.

• Ezana4CE
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Hunting

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[Pesty3782]

AOA has a Bushpig on their used sight. Very nice rifles, but you only get 2 shots max at full power.....The 365 High Arc Hunter slugs are great in this set up. You can also shoot arrows if you like.

Tony P.

Western Airguns BushPig OD Green .45 – USED: Airguns of Arizona | Premier Airgun Store

 

[Slugslinger]

Here in Missouri it's twofold, min .40 cal and 400 ft pounds.

 

[Danman]

I have three grandsons. Two have been deer hunting and one has not, due to circumstances beyond his control. My plan is to take him out in the next few weeks on public land. Florida allows the use of airguns of .30 caliber or greater, with no min energy. Although legal I don’t see trying to take a deer with a Sonoran .30, I’ve maxed out at 89ftlbs. I could take him out with a firearm, but I thought using an air rifle would be fun. I have no desire to buy a .50 and I’m thinking maybe a .357/ 9mm. I really don’t desire a big bore air rifle at all. North Florida whitetail bucks average 125-150lbs and max out around 200lbs. What are your experiences hunting whitetails with air rifles?

No big game hunting here with Air Rifles allowed, mostly shotguns with big ol slugs and up north, less restrictions.
I agree with you, that's a bit of a crazy power minimum, some .30 cals are just over my .22 Ghosts @53fpe! Id want 150fpe Min all day (at the target)..... Id look for more power and less shots per fill. Something .357- .45cal for wider wound trail. Bush buck/pig or Texan wound be my choice.

 

[Jacko_0106]

Can't shoot big game here either with air rifles and I'm not knocking hunting deer with an air rifle - hell I'd love a big bore and a deer in front of me. However, considering its the kids first time you probably want it to go as smoothly as possible. If it were me I'd probably consider a pb gun. Not sure on you're ranges or hunting situation but just incase things get squirrely and a bad shot is made? ~2,000 ft/lbs would be a lot more forgiving than ~200ft/lbs. As he gets used to blood and death then maybe bring the air gun?

I'd be afraid if it went bad, it could put him off hunting

 

[Billm]

I’m leaning more toward a center fire at this point.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

The original Bulldog 357 was generally tuned to around 150 FPE. There are a number of documented kills at that energy. I wouldn't go below 150 for a deer. The new M357 will give you up to 300 FPE.

John

 

[Chief 10-Beers]

The state of Illinois is so messed up that no airguns allowed and even Standard Hunting cartridges like .308 .30-30 and 30-06 are not allowed! lol I just looked at the regs. I haven't hunted Deer in years, but the rules are definitely messed up here!

 

[Slugslinger]

The state of Illinois is so messed up that no airguns allowed and even Standard Hunting cartridges like .308 .30-30 and 30-06 are not allowed! lol I just looked at the regs. I haven't hunted Deer in years, but the rules are definitely messed up here!

You would think that air power would be somewhat comparable to slug guns and muzzleloaders and would be a good option for big and small game. Would be nice if they fell in line with other states regs. How many deer were ethically taken in the past with .40 cal ball black powder rifles with a ball weight of approx .90 grains

 

[Solo1]

You would think that air power would be somewhat comparable to slug guns and muzzleloaders and would be a good option for big and small game. Would be nice if they fell in line with other states regs. How many deer were ethically taken in the past with .40 cal ball black powder rifles with a ball weight of approx .90 grains

Does anyone know offhand what the fpe of a 40 &50 cal blackpowder rifle is with a 90-100 gr ball? I asl so i have something to compare too.

 

[Billm]

Does anyone know offhand what the fpe of a 40 &50 cal blackpowder rifle is with a 90-100 gr ball? I asl so i have something to compare too.

You’re not going to shoot that light of a ball. A .50 ball is around 190gr and 700fpe. I never shot lead balls, I shot sabots. With conical or sabots you’re looking at 1500fpe or more. A ,45 ball is around 130gr, but I don’t know the average muzzle energy. For the .40, 400-800 fpe.

 

[Solo1]

You’re not going to shoot that light of a ball. A .50 ball is around 190gr and 700fpe. I never shot lead balls, I shot sabots. With conical or sabots you’re looking at 1500fpe or more. A ,45 ball is around 130gr, but I don’t know the average muzzle energy.

Thanks as you can see I don’t know much about muzzle loaders.

 

[Billm]

Thanks as you can see I don’t know much about muzzle loaders.

I would hunt every season that I could. In Nw Florida if you bow hunt, muzzleloader and shoot firearms you can hunt deer from October to the end of February, with only a few weeks of no hunting interspersed.

 

[Solo1]

I used to really enjoy bow hunting not so much rifle hunting too many jackasses in the woods. Even in bow season saw guys driving deer 1 st day of bow!

 

[Billm]

I used to really enjoy bow hunting not so much rifle hunting too many jackasses in the woods. Even in bow season saw guys driving deer 1 st day of bow!

I loved bow hunting. I had similar experiences here during gun season. I never saw a deer during muzzleloader season, everything was over hunted by the end of February. I think air rifle hunting would be similar to bow hunting. There’s something magical about getting within 50yds of a deer. When I hunted, airguns were not allowed.