Hi, I am aware that there is a lot of information out there on the net for the various possible hunting applications of .223. I am looking for a brief summary here of the possible applications of .223 in the UK (England and Scotland). As a longer shot, if someone can comemnt on the rules of .223 use in Scandinavia, I will be very interested too. Thanks in advance!
The possible legal use of .223 caliber
- Thread starter mikreez
- Start date
Eh…? I thought min calibre was .220 with a muzzle energy of 1000ft/lbs and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grns.
I could be wrong…
DG
.223 is legal for muntjac and CWD in England and Wales, but not for roe, red, fallow or Sika.
It is legal for roe and muntjac in Scotland.
The 'legality' is set by muzzle energy, muzzle velocity and bullet weight, so check the back of the box to make sure the rounds that you buy meet the criteria. Some .223 rounds may not meet requirements. Also be wary of varmint rounds, as they could make the carcass unusable.
It is legal for roe and muntjac in Scotland.
The 'legality' is set by muzzle energy, muzzle velocity and bullet weight, so check the back of the box to make sure the rounds that you buy meet the criteria. Some .223 rounds may not meet requirements. Also be wary of varmint rounds, as they could make the carcass unusable.
Last edited:
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Deer control.240″ and 1700 ft/lbs for the lawful shooting of all deer species in England and Wales, except for only Chinese water deer and muntjac, where a minimum bullet weight of 50 grains, minimum calibre of . 220 inches and minimum muzzle energy of 1000 ft lbs applies.
223 is normally legal for roe deer in Scotland
There are no calibre restrictions, however for roe deer the bullet must have a weight of at least 50gn, have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2450 fps and a minimum muzzle energy of 1000ftlbs
223 will not be legal for any other species of deer (red and sika) in Scotland
Cheers
Bruce
There are no calibre restrictions, however for roe deer the bullet must have a weight of at least 50gn, have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2450 fps and a minimum muzzle energy of 1000ftlbs
223 will not be legal for any other species of deer (red and sika) in Scotland
Cheers
Bruce
In England and Wales, it is the requirements in terms of muzzle velocity and muzzle energy. This tends to then limit the calibres that can meet the requirements. All bullets must be expanding.
.240 is the minimum legal calibre for Red, Roe, Sika and Fallow. Muzzle energy of not less than 1700ft lbs. No minimum bullet weight.
.220 is the minimum legal calibre for CWD and muntjac. Muzzle energy of not less than 1000ft lbs, and a minimum bullet weight of 50 grains
As above, for all deer species except Roe, Scotland also has minimum bullet weights of 100 grains to consider and a muzzle energy of 1750 ft lbs and a muzzle velocity of at least 2450ft/sec.
For roe deer ONLY, bullet weight of 50 grains, ME of 1000 ft lbs, and MV of 2450 ft/sec.
If I have got any of that wrong, someone please shout - copied from the DSC1 manual, but may have been amended since then?
.240 is the minimum legal calibre for Red, Roe, Sika and Fallow. Muzzle energy of not less than 1700ft lbs. No minimum bullet weight.
.220 is the minimum legal calibre for CWD and muntjac. Muzzle energy of not less than 1000ft lbs, and a minimum bullet weight of 50 grains
As above, for all deer species except Roe, Scotland also has minimum bullet weights of 100 grains to consider and a muzzle energy of 1750 ft lbs and a muzzle velocity of at least 2450ft/sec.
For roe deer ONLY, bullet weight of 50 grains, ME of 1000 ft lbs, and MV of 2450 ft/sec.
If I have got any of that wrong, someone please shout - copied from the DSC1 manual, but may have been amended since then?
Last edited:
A man I really reading this! - a simple search using your favourite search engine will give you the answers
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Short answer:
You can shoot roe deer with it in Scotland (and no other deer).
You can shoot muntjac and Chinese water deer with it in England and Wales (and no other deer).
To shoot anything at all, you need permission to shoot from the landowner and a legally held firearm. The firearm can be your own, in which case you need a Firearms Certificate to possess it. The firearm can also belong to someone else who has permission to shoot on the land AND permission to take someone with them. They must be with you when the firearm is being used.
FYI the variation would say “The .223 rifle shall be used for Small Deer, Fox and ground game” or very similar
Only because you’ve shot all the Muntys and Chinkys…
DG
Thanks for illustration
The official position (and the reason behind the law) is that there aren’t any muntjac or CWD here.
I don’t think there have ever been any CWD, and the habitat is probably unsuitable, at least til climate change really gets going.
You hear the odd report of muntjac, but there doesn’t seem to be a self sustaining population anywhere. Or at least not widespread enough to provoke a change to the wording of the law.
It was a feeble attempt at humour…
I thought the policy in Scotland was meant to be shoot on sight?
Which would preclude requiring a change of wording of the law.
I mean the law restricting calibres. They just haven’t got round to it because it doesn’t seem to enough of an issue to warrant the effort.
Similar threads
