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.223 caliber as white tailed deer round?

wpage
Anyone using .223 for white tail deer. Its legal in Pa and certain states.

Your opinion on effect.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • MrGunz22
    I've killed one with the .223 and .223wssm. Works, but obviously wouldnt be my first choice. I hear a lot of people wanting to use them for kids because of the light recoil. IMO this is a bad idea. There is too much room for error. With an inexpereienced hunter I think you are better off with something with a little more knockdown power. For an experienced hunter who can place their shots, it should work everytime
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  • 11b6r
    Not legal in VA. Too light, not enuff penetration. CAN it kill a deer? Oh my, yes. Will it also wound a lot that will die later? Yep.
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  • rsnyder55
    I would consider it light, but as stated previously, in the hands of a skilled and experienced shooter, it is possible. Just as it is possible to take a deer with a 22lr.

    If recoil is an issue, you may want to consider a 243. If the question is asked because it is all you have to shoot, then if legal in your area then practice, practice, practice.
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  • armilite
    My brother over the last 20 or so years has killed a bunch of them with his AR180. Every deer he has shot went down with mostly one shot kills and he has never lost any. It can be done but shot placement is critical. The smallest caliber I have ever shot deer with was a 6x45. Slightly larger .24 caliber bullet but still on the .223 case.
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  • wpage
    Thanks for the feedback. Seems to be a trend to go to lighter rounds in my deer camp. Traditional 30-06 and 270 moving toward .243 and .223 sounds like the way the military is moving to some extent.
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  • 260
    i can't say it is good, can't say it is bad. however, i have taken one of my largest with the little .223. i, myself am comfortable with it. you take out the LUNGES and the party is over. i just finished building my second .22 cal in .22/6mm today and it will drop deer just as dead and quick as my 7mm ultra mag. i know, i was there. so... if you can make your shots as you want, go for it. if you can't.. pass it up. good hunting**** 260
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  • quickmajik
    Well over penetration and such has been my main concerns with bigger rounds. I have killed more then 10 deer with the round and never lost one.

    shot placement is critical, so is waiting until you know you have the shot. If you are one of them types that goes half nuts hunting a deer, a bigger gun might be advisable.

    a .270 or 30-06 seems like over kill for deer huntung, though I have used them a couple of times, as well as other rounds if hunting ranges are gonna be over 200 yards.
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  • tsr1965
    As has been previously stated, shot placement is critical, and I will add, so is BULLET SELECTION. I will go on record to state that only ammunition of this chambering that are loaded with the 60 grain Nosler Partition, or the 55,62, or 70 grain Barnes TSX bullets should be used. Any of the previously mentioned bullets, out to 200 yards will break the shoulder, and still penetrate to the vitals. I use the Barnes exclusively for the purpose of deer hunting with this round. Standard lead core soft points or hollow points will grenade on heavy bone, and not penetrate to the vitals, while FMJ's are totally unethical.

    It must be understood, that as anything, this round has its limits, and the hunter needs to realize this, and not take anything less than a perfect shot.

    Best
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  • sandwarrior
    My biggest problem with the round is that there is a general lack of good hunting bullets loaded for it. It has enough power to kill a deer, yes. I would prefer something bigger like a .243 or .257, but they too are a step down in power from the venerable .30-06/.270 and bigger guns that I think are overkill.

    One thing the .223 does accomplish is better marksmanship. The huge reduction in recoil helps shooters focus on the target without 'retaliation' from the gun.
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  • Beeramid
    My Grandfather has killed many deer using .222 Remington, shot placement was always right behind the ear. He never lost one, so I guess if you are confident in your marksmanship, then you can definitely do it with the .223 . Some of our deer down here can get up into the 260lbs range, not sure you'd want to make a body shot on one of them with a .223.

    Especially when there are much better whitetail cartridges like the .308, .243, or .270.
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  • wpage
    Thanks again, with a good scope and a qualified hunter this sounds like it could work!
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