223 for deer

[Guest mims]

I have not posted in a long time but I shot a 100 pound doe with a 45 gr 223 rem hollow point and the deer ran 20 yards and dropped and did not get up. The bullet went in just behind the shoulder and did not come out. The damage on the inside of the animal was substantial. I think alot of the round because it does not over penetrate and all energy is expended in the animal.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I think you'll find that a majority of people agree that a 223, especially shooting varmint rounds like a 45 gr hollow point, probably isn't your best choice for a deer. If you are going to use a 223, I'd recommend using a 55 gr soft point (or heavier if you can find one) and limiting shots to 100 yards or less.

And for the sake of full disclosure, I frequently use a 220 Swift to shoot does, BUT I'm shooting a 70 gr pointed soft point that's been handloaded up to a very hot velocity.

[Guest mims]

Why less than 100 yards?

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Because the energy generated by the light bullets are only marginally sufficient at the muzzle, and as distances increase, the energy will decrease dramatically.

[wtnhunt]

I have an AR in .223, I hunt yotes with it. I will not use that rifle for deer even though it is legal here.

[Guest mims]

Mine is an AR with an eotech for an optic. Best gun/optic combo for holding a zero and the best combo for new hunter/shooters. No need to teach sight picture, just put the dot on target and squeeze, no recoil.

[Jeramie]

.223 is adequate for whitetail but not for a new hunter. Granted you have no recoil but the energy is simply lacking. My personal choice for a new hunter, .243. Very light recoil yet energy is good with a 100grn round.

In experienced hands a .223 will kill deer but it is far from the choice round. I also wouldnt use a varmint round. Granted the frag does a lot of damage but with larger game (such as deer) you need to expell that energy into the animal, not frag the round. A good soft point round would be a MUCH better choice.

[Shaun_300]

I agree with the other guys, sure it'll kill a deer as dead as any other larger caliber would, but I sure wouldn't use anything less than a .24 caliber round. I agree that a .243 is a great deer gun! I'd be looking into getting one of those.

[TexasDeerHunter]

I kill alot of deer with a .223 each year, both buck and doe. Some are as close as 50yds and some out to 200yds. I shoot factory Remington 55gr pointed soft point ammo. However, I do not recomend that everyone run out and buy one and shoot deer with it. It takes practice and knowing your limitations, shot placement is absolutely crucial. My suggestion would be to look at a .260, .243, 6mm.

[wtnhunt]

There is good reason many states have limitations on min calibers. This state used to require a min of .24, they changed to any centerfire which in my opinion was a very bad move.

[Guest mims]

Do you really think an one hundreth of an inch matters?

[Jeramie]

Do you really think an one hundreth of an inch matters?

Its not about the dia of the bullet. The larger cals are loaded hotter, the bullets are heavier, added together that means more energy. The small difference in dia has little to nothing to do with it.

A .308 and a .30-06 are loaded with the exact same bullet. However, the .30-06 has a larger case and different powder so it has more energy. The same is true with what william is saying with the .243.

[wtnhunt]

Do you really think an one hundreth of an inch matters?

Looking at ballistics tables, I would say the difference matters as Jeramie points out the reasons why. Dont hardly consider myself a beginner, and I would not risk using a .223 on a deer, just not worth it when I know that there are other rifles we have in the cabinet that will effectively put them down. Just my two cents worth.