223 for deer hunting

I certainly would NOT! The smallest I'd want to use would be a 243 and even then would consider that marginal. A 25-06 would be my minimum. My wife uses one and does alright with it....but she is a crack shot also. I've used 30-30s but tend toward
a 348...also used 180gr Core Lokts in a 30-06 quite nicely. Presenly use with a 270 or 7mmRemMag on Mule deer. One never gets the perfet shot.....want to be able to cleanly handle the worst shot circumstances. The game deserves it. Blessings.
 
In the hands of some, yes. For others, no way. Either way, those bullets are not up the task in my opinion. If you must use the .223, look at 55 grain or heavier soft point (or other hunting-type) bullets. Stay away from the varmint-type bullets. Also, you may want to double check your state's hunting regs to make sure .22 caliber centerfires are legal for deer...
 
If you do decide to use the .22 caliber for deer DO NOT USE NOSLER/WINCHESTER BALLISTIC TIPS. Those are varmint bullets are are designed to fragment. You will not get good penetration with one of those bullets. One would need a more solid bullet like a Nosler Partition 60gr. With having said that I personally would not hunt deer with any .22 caliber.

Matt
 
If I took my beloved .223 deer hunting what would happen is I would see the Buck of my lifetime at 300-400 yards. Maybe in not the "ideal" position.
My trusty .300 Win. at home my great, but small .223 in my hands. NOT an idea I relish.
If the .223 is a good deer "hunting" caliber is an argument of opinion, mine is, it is not. Will it kill a deer, absolutely.
 
i dont see why you couldnt use a .223 for hunting deer. the winchester ballistic tip is a good round in my opinion.i have killed 2 deer with that caliber/ammo. but i wouldnt shoot past 100yds. the ballistic tip will give you penetration and will also fragment. thats why the little plastic tip is on the nose of the bullet.if your a good shot go ahead and use it.MHO
 
Heavens no! The very minimum that I would use is a 243, I used one last year and killed one, but let me tell you, I felt undergunned most of the time. When I shoot at a deer, I expect it to fall over soon if not on the spot, and I dought that a .223 would do it. some people wills ay shoot them in the head and they will kill them, that is horrible advice. What if you shoot low and hit a jawbone, you have wasted a good animal and made it suffer until it dies of starvation. If you cant shoot a deer in the front shoulder and expect to drop it, dont carry the gun. It may be legal for them but I sure dont know why, It sure isnt very ethical. And if you do decide to use it, for god sakes dont use those loads, youll barely get any penetration if any, and penetration is the key. If you must use it, I would also say use the 60 grian nosler partitions. If you want to kill the deer use a 30-06 or some time honored proven caliber, not a toy gun.
 
I would have to say NO the .223 is not a good deer hunting round. It will kill a deer, but then again how many deer have been killed with a .22 long rifle, and I don't know anyone in his right mind who would consider it a "deer hunting" round. I love my 30-06 for deer, it is a little more forgiving when you consider excitement and heavy breathing. I also use a 7mm-08 which works well.

hope this helps

Rod
 
IIRC, in Nebraska, the 'minimum' legal gun is .22 caliber centerfire, making a minimum of 1000 ftlbs energy @100yds. The .223 just *squeaks* over that limit. In general, I'd say that if you have the choice, no, a .223, or any .22 caliber shouldn't be the first choice for hunting deer, be it whitetail or muley. That said, I know a *lot* of deer go down every year to .22-250s and .220 Swifts, and probably a fair number to .223s as well. About the only reason I'd let it slide there is people buy their gun mostly for coyote and pest control, and make maybe one shot a year at deer. From that view, why have a rifle sitting around all year collecting dust and rust, for one shot, when you can just take a bit better aim and make one gun do it all. Yes, the argument can be made for just going up in caliber to a .243, .25-06, etc. but stuff like the .223 and .22-250 are cheaper to feed year round, and can be found about anywhere. Not saying its right, just saying that its not wrong either. Just depends on which side of the fence you happen to be on.

Monte
 
In Nebraska rifles must deliver at least 900 ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards. The .223 does this with most loads, but I wouldn't shoot at a deer more than 150 yards away with a .223. I have a friend that shoots a deer every year with his Mini 14. I would go for the head shot if I decided to use the .223 as a tool to harvest a deer. Good Hunting!
 
there is people buy their gun mostly for coyote and pest control, and make maybe one shot a year at deer. From that view, why have a rifle sitting around all year collecting dust and rust, for one shot, when you can just take a bit better aim and make one gun do it all.

WHAT! Some people have only ONE rifle!? Egads, just don't tell my wife that! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
There are 4 loads that I know of that were designed for hunting deer in 223, a win. 64 gr. power point, fed loads a 60 gr. nosler partition, and a 55 gr. trophy bonded, PMC loads a 64 gr. soft point. I have taken many deer with the 223, is it adequate?...yes, not nearly the best though. I use it to fill my antlerless tags here and our deer run on the small side, ( about 90-120#'s on average) If I thought I would be hunting an area where the deer get to 200#'s or more than no way! It takes alot of dicepline and good marksmanship. The broadside dbl lung shot is preferred!
RR
 
I think we owe to all the animals we hunt to have sufficient firepower to kill them ethically. I personally don't think the 223 is a good choice for deer. Not saying it won't, but it is important to be equipped for the less than ideal shot.
 
On a recent trip to eastern Montana it seemed like a lot of the local ranchers did not hesitate to harvest deer with a .22 centerfire, good shots they were too, judging by the amount of antlers hanging on their outbuildings. No way was was I about to question their choice of caliber in their own back yard.
 
I to will agree with most that the .223 is not a great choice but it depends on the shooter when i started hunting there was only one gun for me to use and it was a .222 i killed a lot of deer with that gun and NEVER had one get away but i never shot more than 150 yard. Today i have upgraded to a 7mm mag to shoot farther and faster. So if you have the choice big in most cases is beter.
 
I would have to say it all depends on the shooter
as for be I shoot .223 Rem for deer and have compleat confidence in the calliber,Inuit people use .223and 222rem all the time for polar bear!
anyway Iuse it, like it,and to date have not needed a second shot to do the job.
As for range......this is limited my the shooter,his ability,and the shot opertunity.To date I have only killed 3 deer and 1 B.R boar
with my .223 and I would not feel (underguned)
even for moose. my range max range for clean kills on deer would be 350-375yrds tops but thats
good enough for me .........Jonathan......
 
A .223 is NOT under any circumstances a good deer caliber. When people ask me what to use for for deer, I usually recomend the .270 or a .308. I am particularly fond of the .308 becase my main deer rifle is a Ruger Model 77 compact .308 with a laminated stock and stinless steel barrel. The .223 is a great caliber for yotes, but I wouldnt take a chance on using it for deer.
 
I know of at least one deer taken with a .17 Remington.

IMO a 223 will kill a deer. Maybe not the huge deer up north - the 300 pounders in Maine, for example. But I would imagine that a neck shot would put it down rather effectively.

Me? I use a 30.06, and I feel overgunned at times. I need to tinker with the loads - lighten them up a little bit, IMO since I'm getting way too much K.E. left in the projectile after a solid chest cavity shot.
 
Does anyone think that a 22-250 would work on deer that are'nt going to be more than 50yds out? I would prefer not to use such a small cartridge but I don't have a choice. And what kind of shot placement would I need, would it go down with a double lung or heart shot or only neck and head shots?
 


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