.223 for deer??
I have a Remington VSSF in .223, and it has a 1/12 twist. I would usually use a larger caliber for deer, but recent changes in Tennessee's hunting laws now allows us to use .223 for deer. A 1/12 twist will stabilize a 55 grain bullet and smaller bullet. I would like to stay between 50 and 55 grain bullets for this task. If any one has experience hunting with a .223 on deer size game, what cartridge or bullet have you been using with success? Thanks
0
-
I let dad use my 500 Smith and Wesson last year. First time he took it out into the field after some extensive range practice he got a 12 pointer with it[:)] You can hunt with any cartridge in Illinois during shotgun as long as it is a straight case round. 0 -
Very good point about thru shots.I use a 223 with hps for deer in Pa.The area I hunt is fairly populated,so I don't want any bullets flying past my target. 0 -
Like I said my first post, I've seen about 40 deer shot with the 223 mostly with Hornady 60 grain soft point or Speer 70 grain semi spitzers. Hits ranged from neck to hind leg at ranges of 50 feet to 150 yards. In most cases the poor hits were followed immediately with a backup from a 7mm to 30 caliber which settled the issue. Some weren't and the followup was long, frustrating ,and not fun for either the young shooter or the rest of us. I still contend that if you haven't messed up and lost a deer using the 223 you will. Granted, the same can be said for any other cartridge ever used. If you feel it's good enough and it's legal go ahead and use it and good luck. 0 -
I use 55 grain Sierra GameKings,shoot them where they need to be shot,no problems. 0 -
With todays bullets and a good shot, there is no question that a .223 will take deer.
Jon0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jon0322
With todays bullets and a good shot, there is no question that a .223 will take deer.
Jon
Yes, but I'd rather someone use more gun than needed and get a humane kill, than chase it for 250yds.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jon0322
With todays bullets and a good shot, there is no question that a .223 will take deer.
Jon
Yes, but I'd rather someone use more gun than needed and get a humane kill, than chase it for 250yds.
I understand what you are saying, but that is not always the case either. This past weekend I seen a deer shot with a .375 H&H(through the front shoulder and heart) run 125 yards before it dropped. I have also seen them shot and piled right up with a .375. What I am getting at here, is sometimes it doesn't matter what caliber or bullet we shoot them with, there adrenaline will just take over and there is nothing we can do about that.
Jon0 -
It is not the "transfer of energy" that kills, it is the destruction of tissue in critical organs. If tranfer of energy killed, guys in kevlar vests would die.
I try to carry a rifle with which I could sussessfully drop a deer in most any situation, and at most any angle encountered, and still at times I pass on a shot.
While the .223 and even .22LR have been and are used to take deer, probably neither is the round of choice for the average shooter. I am certain I am more of an average shooter than Nononsense or JustC, and .223 will never be my choice. .243 and my favorite .257 are as small as I go.0 -
Here in Greenland - the hunters who still live by hunting/fishing normally use .222Rem or .223Rem with standard FMJ projectiles.. 55 grain weight.
Most "part time" hunters, if you will, tend to use some kind of SP-projectile.
That's for reindeer of all sizes.0 -
If you have a choice, use something a little heavier. If not, get close, wait for a clean, sure shot and then go for the heart or brain/spine.
Clouder..0 -
Unless in thick brushy country or routinely faced with long range shots, the only reason people use anything bigger on whitetail is their own shortcomings.
Subsistence hunters have been reliably taking them with less gun than this for a very long time. It's all about woodscraft and bullet placement.0 -
I think I would be called a liar if I told you how many deer I have killed with a .22LR fired out of a suppressed 10/22 with a PVS-14 mounted on top.
In city limits and in the dark.
It is not the cartridge, it is where the bullet hits!
CP0 -
Too small in my opinion. After 55+ years of deer hunting I believe a .243 with a 100gr bullet should be about minimum. [:)][:)] You never know when you will encounter that 200lb+ buck and you will not resist placing that 55 gr 223 bullet in his hide and he may run off and die somewhere for the coyotes.....IMHO.
rider0 -
These would work, Just get as close as you can and try to avoid heavy bone. It's not the size of the hole, It's where it's located.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=853211570 -
you know what DAVID used to bring down GOLIATH? a ROCK!!!!! SHOT PLACEMENT NUF SAID 0 -
quote:It is not the "transfer of energy" that kills, it is the destruction of tissue in critical organs. If tranfer of energy killed, guys in kevlar vests would die.
He Dog, your half right here. Energy transfer IS the key to the destruction! Now how the bullet is constructed is also a big part in how the energy is transfered, there would be very little damage if no energy was transfered from the projectile. The energy transfered from a projectile inside organ tissue is like waves in a pond when you drop a rock in it. The "waves" if you will continue outwards from the path of the bullet damaging the surrounding tissues and causing further damage. Do you get what I'm saying? As to the kevlar vests, which don't work against the majority of high velocity bullets anyway, the energy is still transfered, but it acts more like a net. And most of the energy is disapated before the wearer recieves what is left, which still hurts like hell, trust me!
quote: I think I would be called a liar if I told you how many deer I have killed with a .22LR fired out of a suppressed 10/22 with a PVS-14 mounted on top.
In city limits and in the dark.
It is not the cartridge, it is where the bullet hits!
CP
cpermd, I won't call you a liar! Even though I don't believe in the methods and have never had to. I know quite a few people, even watched them take deer in this manner. I view it as quite inhumane if your shot doesn't hit the mark, but these people were not very well off and you have to do what needs to be done to survive.
I won't try and convey any info that will say what calibers are not enough or too much for deer because there are too many factors, but I will say that a .223 Rem is efficent at getting the job done as well as many other small calibers with this in mind, like many have said in here, SHOT PLACMENT IS THE KEY! You are adults, and make important decisions everyday, so when you hunt I assume you do also. Just think before you shoot! Best of Luck and Good Hunting!0 -
.223 for deer? No. Shoot a .243. 0 -
A 243 used to be the minimum cal here in Kentucky. I have no idea why they changed it to include any center fire rifle. No way I would be using my 204 to deer hunt. I use a 30-06. I have never like the 223 as a military round. And I sure think its crazy to deer hunt with it. A well placed shot with a 22 rimfire will kill a deer. But I dont think people should be using it. Take enough gun. A 243 used to be the minimum and still should be. 0 -
Why use a .223 if you don't have to? 0 -
Sure a .223 will kill a deer but I can also drop out of tree stand and choke them out with a rear naked...I wouldn't recommend either one. 0 -
I've used it on deer before. If you and your rifle are good enough for head or neck shots out to 300 yards or so, will work OK. A lung shot out to 200 yards or so with good bullets is OK too. Else, a little light.
To many folks use more gun than they need to in order to make up for poor shot placement or bad marksmanship. A couple of folks were on Walmart the other day discussing the minimum caliber for white tail, one was of the opinion that a 300 WinMag was about the least he'd use. Took the opportunity to let them think that the brick of 22 target ammo I got was for deer.
Yes a 22 rimfire will do it, got to put it in the right place and yes, I know it ain't legal in most places. The Eskimos use the 22 Hornet on polar bears. Point is, its all about bullet placement0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
51 comments