Guest mims Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Is anyone using 223 for deer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Too light. TN just made them legal for deer here this year, which I think was a bad move on the states part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I wouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I never have and never will! Too light a bullet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MonsterBuckMatt Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer i used one when i was younger.. it worked great.... but i never did shoot one over 200 yards so it was alright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mims Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Some loads for 223 are heavier than some for 243. I plan on using 80gr and reports are good from field use, I just want to know how they work on deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Depends on the deer. Down here an average deer runs 100lbs. Many are killed with the .223 every year. Oklahoma has allowed hunters to shoot a .223 at deer for several years. I know a lot of full grown men carrying a .223 or .22-250. Just be sure of your shot placement, avoid any "iffy" shots, and as you stated use a heavy bullet and youre all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODH Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer a .22 caliber for deer? Seems kinda small but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelin99xj Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer When I was younger I shot 2 deer in about 20 min with a .223. The first was a doe at about 125 yards went through both lungs then tumbled all the way up the inner skin and lodged at the base of the skull deer went 30 yards. found her and started to clean her and my dad went to get the truck and hollored there was a buck coming shot him at 15 yards through both shoulders (which were just shattered) deer went 20 yards. It is a little light and doesn't have a ton of nock down power but a well placed shot and it will do the job. (.223 is the same caliber a lot of military guns are I believe, I was told they were designed to tumble once they kit something, don't know if that is true but makes some sense.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: 223 for deer .22 Caliber is a bit on the small side for our deer up here. Average bucks are 200+ dressed. If you want a small caliber, look into a .243 or 6mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I use a .223 and have no problem dropping deer. It is plenty of gun if you can place the shot where you want it. I use a 55gr Rem Core Lokt and usually go for a neck shot so as not to damage too much meat. On occasion I will shoot the heart . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer If you do a behind the shoulder shot will you get a pass through. I'm thinking about getting one for my daughter and will probibly teach her archery type shots. Also thinking about some other calibers. I thought I had my mind made up, but I'm waivering now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer No pass throughs for me, but I shoot a light bullet. I have found the bullet in the skin on the off side. Well alot of folks disagree, but I think it is plenty of gun. You must be precise to be effective and sometimes that is difficult for a child. IMO if you want a good caliber for a child with little recoil then try a 357mag or 44mag. I still stand behind the .223 but practice will be a must in order to accomplish a clean kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer What about the 64gr. Rem. bullet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Ok, I hear a lot about the .223 being too small, but here's my question.....what makes one caliber "big enough"?? Is it the grain of the bullet, the pounds per inch on impact, or what??? I shot a deer with a .22-250 last year and can't complain, but I'm just wondering WHY people say it is too small. I'll agree it is a small caliber, but why is it TOO small?? (Now that I've asked the same question 24 times.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Cant use a 223 in Iowa so wouldn't even consider it .... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I wouldn't consider it in Iowa either. Those deer are huge. Down here a really big doe is 135lbs most average 90lbs. Big bucks are 150-180lbs and average around 140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Never tried one but I believe it is not legal here in N.Y. to use on deer. I like my .270 too much to switch to something else again. I've used 30-06,308 12ga and 7.62-39 and I just like the 270. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer If you know your weapon and it's limitations, as well as yours, and you can place the bullet with pin point accuracy then a .223 is fine. I know some folks that hunt with a .22 hornet and know of a girl who killed a huge buck with a .17 Remington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] Ok, I hear a lot about the .223 being too small, but here's my question.....what makes one caliber "big enough"?? Is it the grain of the bullet, the pounds per inch on impact, or what??? I shot a deer with a .22-250 last year and can't complain, but I'm just wondering WHY people say it is too small. I'll agree it is a small caliber, but why is it TOO small?? (Now that I've asked the same question 24 times.....) [/ QUOTE ] Anyone have an answer for this? I'd like to know too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I thought everything in Texas was bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] I thought everything in Texas was bigger. [/ QUOTE ] Bigger in antler not in size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Texas is crazy, in the Hill Country the deer are small , in East Texas they are average size, South Texas they are pretty good size, and the Panhandle and West Texas has some big ol boys.Nothing the ol .223 can't handle. Pretty good antlers statewide , but really big uns are south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer You have to take into consideration the bullet weight and the velocity the bullet is traveling. With a light bullet and high velocity, there is a good chance the bullet will explode when it hits the animal and you won't get much penentration into the vitals. If you use a heavier bullet, then the twist of the rifling comes into play! When you use a small caliber rifle for deer, you must be able to shoot extremely good with that rifle. Like 3 bullets almost in the same hole at 100 yards! If your groups are bigger than that, then you are asking for trouble, wounded animals and such things as that! There isn't any doubt that a 223 is capable of dropping a deer, but is the person who is shooting it capable of putting the bullet in a perfect location every time they pull the trigger. That is the real problem with using a small caliber cartridge for a bigger animal! Give the animal a break and have something big enough to do the job if the bullet placement is not perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] You have to take into consideration the bullet weight and the velocity the bullet is traveling. With a light bullet and high velocity, there is a good chance the bullet will explode when it hits the animal and you won't get much penentration into the vitals. If you use a heavier bullet, then the twist of the rifling comes into play! When you use a small caliber rifle for deer, you must be able to shoot extremely good with that rifle. Like 3 bullets almost in the same hole at 100 yards! If your groups are bigger than that, then you are asking for trouble, wounded animals and such things as that! There isn't any doubt that a 223 is capable of dropping a deer, but is the person who is shooting it capable of putting the bullet in a perfect location every time they pull the trigger. That is the real problem with using a small caliber cartridge for a bigger animal! Give the animal a break and have something big enough to do the job if the bullet placement is not perfect! [/ QUOTE ] Great explanation Orlan. A 243 with a 100 grain load is the smallest I would use on deer around here, and these deer are by no means monsters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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