Can you kill a deer with a 22 air rifle?

Answer 1

While there may be a more suitable cartridge, it will get the job done.


In some states like Washington were I live it is illegal to harvest a fox with a rimfire rifle. Check the game laws for your state.

Answer 2

Deer can be killed with a .22 down to a .22 short, the issue is what distance do you want to be effective. I have owned a deer farm for the last 20 years and have killed hundreds of deer with a .22 caliber. If you want the deer to die quickly the animal must be shot in the brain cavity. A .22 LR will immobilize a deer instantly out to about 90yards in this fashion. Shooting a deer any other place with a .22 could be considered inhumane since the animal will suffer extensively. A gut shot deer will take 5 to 10 days to die and suffer unbearably.

Also in many places using a .22 is illegal. But if you can hit a deer in the heart and get in a neck shot it will die pretty darn close to where it was hit

Answer 3

22 rimfire's have been shooting foxes in the hen house for years. I would not to take a shotgun for that job. Keep the range reasonable (100 ft or less) so a good clean shot / kill is going to happen.

Answer 4

Maybe. Depends on where the deer is shot, from what distance. Much more likely to WOUND the deer- which is why in most US states, it is not legal to deer hunt with a .22 rimfire.

Answer 5

No.