Swamphunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] .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 ] I agree with him 100%. Deer up north tend to be bigger than some of our southern friends, and a .223 may be just a bit too light. Try a .243 if you have your choice of picking a caliber and wish to stay light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mims Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Thanks for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I don't see why not. It's all about shot placement. If you feel more confident in a 223 then go fot it, just use a heavier bullet. Too many people get caught up in the big rifle game. A 223 will kill a deer just as good as a 270 or 300. A heart or a lung shot will kill a deer every time!!!! Heck, you could kill an Elk with the right bullet out of a 223. --rossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] I don't see why not. It's all about shot placement. If you feel more confident in a 223 then go fot it, just use a heavier bullet. Too many people get caught up in the big rifle game. A 223 will kill a deer just as good as a 270 or 300. A heart or a lung shot will kill a deer every time!!!! Heck, you could kill an Elk with the right bullet out of a 223. --rossman [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, sure it can kill a deer, maybe even an elk. Heck I know a cattle farmer that shoots cows with a .22 LR. Drops them like a stone, but he's only shooting 15 or 20 yards and shoots them right between the peeps. But my point is, is that everyone doesn't make a perfect shot everytime. Up here, everyone usually uses .30 caliber+ for deer. We do a lot of brush hunting too. But you have more of a chance bringing a deer down with a larger caliber if you're a bit off then with a smaller one. So why risk it? If you're only shooting 100yds in an open field, with a good rest, .223 or .22-250 would work fine. But for the longer, more challenging shots, I'd go with something bigger. There's plenty more options... .243, .25-06, 6mm, .260 Rem.... JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I would stick with a 30 .06 hasn't let me down yet...just an opinion every one has one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddhunter Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Re: 223 for deer A .223 will kill a dear like everyone else has stated it's all about shot placement and using the correct bullet for the game youre are shooting. Just be sure you shoot the right bullet as .223 loads come in many different styles, mostly being for varmits. If you shoot a dear with a varmit load, chances are it won't kill it only wound it. If your looking for something that has light recoil, try the Recoil Management loads from Remington. I got some in .308 caliber and my 8 year old son like shooting them better than his .223. They have near the same bullistics as the heavier loads without the recoil. You can get them many different calibers. Then you can shoot a heavier/bigger bullet with a little more "nockdown". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I would not hesitate BUT it wouldn't be my first choice. In Montana it's legal to use a .224 cal for deer hunting. Normally people opt for the faster 22-250 and take Mule Deer. It's not only legal, it's common place. At least it was legal don't know if it still is as I don't live or hunt there I've talked to many people who have hunted antelope and deer there with the 22-250's. Mule deer are WAYYYYYY bigger than southern whiteys. At least twice the size but a big buck will be 3 times the size. I bought my twelve year old a .260 and she handles it well. She took her 1st deer last year and I was very impressed with the wound channel. I may look into an ultra light rig in .260 for myself. Another "hotty" is the .257 roberts. I wanted one bad for my girl but couln't find one. IMO those would be better choices but don't forget the 6mm rem or the .243 win which are the same caliber but different cases. A .223 wouldn't be my 1st choice and I wouldn't buy one for deer hunting but in a pinch I'd use one were it legal especially if I were waiting at a food plot or something like that where a steady rest is available. Plus a .223 with a barnes x, a heavy nosler partition, or other premium bullet would be better than a .243 with Remington core locks any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rds Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Re: 223 for deer There is a guy who does deer control for cities and he only uses a 223, I never have but it does work. Just keep in mind shot placment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I don't see why not. It's all about shot placement. If you feel more confident in a 223 then go fot it, just use a heavier bullet. Too many people get caught up in the big rifle game. A 223 will kill a deer just as good as a 270 or 300. A heart or a lung shot will kill a deer every time!!!! Heck, you could kill an Elk with the right bullet out of a 223. --rossman [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, sure it can kill a deer, maybe even an elk. Heck I know a cattle farmer that shoots cows with a .22 LR. Drops them like a stone, but he's only shooting 15 or 20 yards and shoots them right between the peeps. But my point is, is that everyone doesn't make a perfect shot everytime. Up here, everyone usually uses .30 caliber+ for deer. We do a lot of brush hunting too. But you have more of a chance bringing a deer down with a larger caliber if you're a bit off then with a smaller one. So why risk it? If you're only shooting 100yds in an open field, with a good rest, .223 or .22-250 would work fine. But for the longer, more challenging shots, I'd go with something bigger. There's plenty more options... .243, .25-06, 6mm, .260 Rem.... JMO. [/ QUOTE ] I hear ya, I actually use a .300 weatherby for everything, even yotes so, maybe I shouldn't talk. In brush, I agree that a bigger caliber gun would work better but should we really be shooting through brush? If he's already has a .223 and doesn't want to buy another gun then he should use it. Just wait for a good clear shot.... --rossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Will it work? Yep...it would easily do the job. Watched several deer drop to a 55gr. .22-250 at almost 200 yards. Lets not confuse two different things...the caliber isn't too light for the job. Its not the gun/cal. fault if someone makes a bad shot. You can (and has happened) lose a deer with a .30 cal. bullet if you make a bad shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Why would anyone even consider using a .223 on deer-sized game when there are only about a zillion other rounds that are better suited for the job??? A .22 LR can kill a 2000 lb. steer like a lightning bolt. Sometimes not, though. The deal with using light calibers on large game is simple: Zero margin for error. And hitting a rib on a deer with a .223 could very possibly be an error. I shot a mature doe once with a .221 Fireball from 80 yards. Killed her deader than snot.......right there. Would it have done it again, just like that?? I wisened up and never took the chance to find out. IMHO.... 25 caliber and up are deer guns. Stick to vermin with the .223. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cybertech_hound819 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Re: 223 for deer i knwo a guy up here that shoots bear with them.that what he carreys around when he is running his dogs. and he has shot a bunch of big bear. if you ask me its all about the shot placment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] Why would anyone even consider using a .223 on deer-sized game when there are only about a zillion other rounds that are better suited for the job??? [/ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I shot a mature doe once with a .221 Fireball from 80 yards. Killed her deader than snot.......right there. [/ QUOTE ] You answered your own question...lol...this from a guy who is going ground hog hunting with a .375 H&H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUTSIDER Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer A little light but it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Danbo Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer No way. The impact energy is not there if you miss the vitals. Last year I shot a deer at 40 yards with a .300 Weatherby Mag. The deer practically landed on its back dead in its tracks! You can't do that with a .223!!!! Marginal at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUTSIDER Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I shot a 6 point two years ago with a 223, shot it at the base of the neck, it did not move. Precision was the name of the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] ...lol...this from a guy who is going ground hog hunting with a .375 H&H. [/ QUOTE ] .375 Weatherby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Will the .223 Rem do the trick when used by a skilled shooter/hunter? Yes, it will do the job. But most people want to give a beginner the gun as it has light recoil. Its akin to using a 35# recurve to bow hunt with. It will kill a deer just as dead as a 70# bow, but you are very limited on shot placement. The other thing is the limited bullet choice. There are some decent bullets but they are heavier (60+ grains) and require a faster twist than the standard el cheapo .223 Rem comes in which is 1:12" twist. No matter what you are shooting, the bullet has to take out the central nervous system or take a major artery. It does not matter if you use a .17 caliber or a .375 caliber when its a gut shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Re: 223 for deer [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] ...lol...this from a guy who is going ground hog hunting with a .375 H&H. [/ QUOTE ] .375 Weatherby. [/ QUOTE ] LOL! Holy smokes, guess you don't have to pick them up afterwards eh Strut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Re: 223 for deer I have taken a few deer and antelope with a different 22 cal centerfire. The 22-250 has worked well in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mims Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: 223 for deer Everyone here who has tried it said it worked great. Has anyone used it and had a failure? As far as knockdown? I have heard of some people using arrows to kill deer, they have low enery transfer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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