Is a .223 overkill for rabbits and squirrels?

Yes it is. And you need to bear in mind most states have a ban on shooting small game with a centerfire rifle in order to help prevent deer poaching.Notice I said most states.Is a .223 overkill for rabbits and squirrels?
yes


deff. not for squirrels


but yet, in some places the rabbits get BIG





really, the best caliber for rabbits and squirrels is a .22 or a shotgun (don't remember the best load needed)





me, personally, wouldn't take either with a .223 because, to me, that is just too big of a caliber for such a small animal.Is a .223 overkill for rabbits and squirrels?
You don't say what gun you are shooting. If it is a bolt action, or some semi-auto which you can easily work the action manually to shoot a very much reduced load which will not cycle the action by itself, then Speer has a reload for you!





They quote the Accurate Powder Co. XMP-5744 powder designed for reduced charges in cases like the 223 Rem, at 11.0 grains for a 55 grain bullet at 1885 fps, and the same powder charge for all lighter bullets as well at slightly higher velocity. Still this is 430 ft-lbs of energy, about like a 45 Colt. But the full load is 1200 ft-lb, which is almost 3 times as much snort.





Personally, if you can use reduced loads like this, I think the 223 becomes a nice knock-around gun, not that anyone should knock on things with it!





Just an idea. Regards, Larry.
That's the first question today that made me laugh out loud. Not because it's a stupid question (it's not), but because I'm picturing exploding rabbits and squirrels.


Yes, it's too big. In a survival situation, though, you could take head shots and not mess up any meat. The head of a rabbit or squirrel hit with a .223 will not likely be found.
A couple of years ago, I had the fun of shooting over a prairie dog town in N.M. with a .223. I had hollow points and nylon tipped ammo. When I hit them, they would literally explode. I ran out of soft tip ammo and switched over to ball ammo. They still exploded.





Use a .22lr or a shotgun. 7 1/2 for rabbits (they have a thin skin) or a #6 for squirrels.
Yes. .223 rounds are designed for varmint hunting where meat destruction isn't an issue. For something like squirrels or rabbits you'll waste a lot of meat unless you limit yourself to head-shots. You'd probably be better of with a gun chambered in .22LR and using .22 hollow-points.
* Absolutely beyond overkill.* 22 long Rifle is all you need to use.* I hope you intend to eat these game animals, and are not just killing them for nothing and leaving them lay where they fall.*
Not at all. It goes straight in and out very cleanly and leaves the pelt relatively unharmed.





However, as mentioned above a .22 works just as good and you're not spending 50c every time you pull the trigger.
Yes it is. You could use it for jack rabbits that are way out there. Other wise stick with a 22 especialy if you want the meat.
If just for small stuff like that i would get a .22 LR just because the ammo is so cheap
I use mine for coyotes, depends on the distance you are shooting them from
No, its just overkill for the wallet.
It can be. Head shots can prove to save meat... Unless u eat the head.
yes if you plan on eating them.
YES -
If u want to blow off there heads