this is my first year for deer hunting. I had planned on getting a bigger caliber but had an accident this summer that prevented me from working for 12 weeks so my a-bolt chambered in .223 rem is all i have to work with. Some people that i have talked to said that they have used the .222 on deer with no problem , are they big talkers or should i have be allright? I bought the stuff to reload so would a heavier bullet like say maybe 70 gr be better than a 55 gr?
will a .223 be big enough for deer???
- Thread starter Dizzle87
- Start date
may not be legal where you are. Heavier is always better, but there is a limit to how heavy you can go - it depends on your barrel twist.
In any case, the 223 will probably get the job done - by the same measure that a slingshot could get the job done. Shot placement becomes extremely important, and there will be no room for error whatsoever. And you'd better be real damn selective about the shots you choose to take.
I wouldn't recommend it. Spend the hundred bucks and grab a sportered enfield from the EE. It's an insignificant price to pay compared to the other costs of the hunt.
In any case, the 223 will probably get the job done - by the same measure that a slingshot could get the job done. Shot placement becomes extremely important, and there will be no room for error whatsoever. And you'd better be real damn selective about the shots you choose to take.
I wouldn't recommend it. Spend the hundred bucks and grab a sportered enfield from the EE. It's an insignificant price to pay compared to the other costs of the hunt.
first year deer hunting?
I don't think a 223 is a very good deer cartridge at all. The lowest I would go is a 243 and even then I'd feel better with a 25-06
blah blah blah shot placement.
A medicore shot from a 30-06 is leaps and bounds above a medicore 223 shot.
I don't think a 223 is a very good deer cartridge at all. The lowest I would go is a 243 and even then I'd feel better with a 25-06
blah blah blah shot placement.
A medicore shot from a 30-06 is leaps and bounds above a medicore 223 shot.
droid1963
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm really against it... better chance of wounding and losing a deer than dropping it, especially on a first hunt, where you my get a case of buck fever.
In fact, I'm not sure where you're posting from, but it's illegal to use less than .23 calibre here in AB.
If money's tight, there's no shame in borrowing a more suitable rifle, like a .243 or .270, from a fellow hunter.
In fact, I'm not sure where you're posting from, but it's illegal to use less than .23 calibre here in AB.
If money's tight, there's no shame in borrowing a more suitable rifle, like a .243 or .270, from a fellow hunter.
- Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
Actually it is legal in Ontario, but I agree marginal at best, especially for a first time hunter.
if you must, the 70-69 whatever-grain slug as well- just make sure it's a HUNTING bullet and not a MATCH or target slug- as well check your barrel twist and see if it will stabilize that weight- when you get that weight in that caliber you need a 1/9 or better- basically you're asking a VARMINT rifle to do a BIG GAME job- something it's not really designed to do-
troutseeker
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Prince George, BC
Yes.
"...not a MATCH or target slug..." Or varmint bullet. Most light weight .223 bullets(55 grains and under) are made for varmints. Varmint bullets are designed to expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration. They are NOT suitable for deer sized game.
Mind you, any .223 is extremely marginal for deer. It might be ok for the little deer found in the Southern States, but it's too light for the bruisers found in Ontario. Despite being completely legal in Ontario. If you're even in Ontario.
Your Browning, assuming it's a 'varmint' model, has a 1 in 12 rifling twist. That's too slow to stabilize heavy .223 bullets properly. Borrow something heavier(6mm and up) and go sight it in.
Mind you, any .223 is extremely marginal for deer. It might be ok for the little deer found in the Southern States, but it's too light for the bruisers found in Ontario. Despite being completely legal in Ontario. If you're even in Ontario.
Your Browning, assuming it's a 'varmint' model, has a 1 in 12 rifling twist. That's too slow to stabilize heavy .223 bullets properly. Borrow something heavier(6mm and up) and go sight it in.
Actually, it is legal in Manitoba, but not recommended.
Check the hunting guide here:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/hunting/biggame/firearms.html
Simply specifies centrefire, but not calibre.
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thanx for the input , my browning is a medallion , it doesent have a heavy barrel if that may help to determin the twist. I do live in ontario so i guess its legal to use my .223. The reason i dont want to buy gun is that i will only be back at work for two weeks before deer season, so im only gonna go out probly the friday and saturday, If i can even walk ( broke my hip in july in an accident) .Another reason i dont want to rush into buying another gun is that i want to wait to find a real nice one that i will own fore ever so i dont want to just buy the first .270 i find.... unless anyone has a real nice a-bolt .270 or 30-06 out there for sale???
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Unless you're set on an A-bolt, there are PLENTY of 'cheap' options for hunting rifles.
As an owner and user of an A-bolt in 300WM - I wouldn't buy another one. It's accurate as heck, but the magazine/floorplate combo is annoying. One or the other - Not BOTH!!!
Anyway, I would also suggest borrowing a rifle from a friend or someone on here. I wouldn't shoot a deer with a .223 - even if it's a perfect shot.
As an owner and user of an A-bolt in 300WM - I wouldn't buy another one. It's accurate as heck, but the magazine/floorplate combo is annoying. One or the other - Not BOTH!!!
Anyway, I would also suggest borrowing a rifle from a friend or someone on here. I wouldn't shoot a deer with a .223 - even if it's a perfect shot.
I agree here with TodBartel ... have at 'er with your .223 for deer .. as for the rest of these so-called EXPERT hunters and their 30-06's or 243's or whatever ... BAAAH ...
Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
p.s. where's BIGGREDD on this subject ...
just about any bolt in anything BIGGER than 223 would do- i've got a preferance for 308's- as far as your twist goes, you're going to have to get that from your model/serial number and write the manufacturer or look it up somewhere- even a "heavy" barrel can have a slow twist to it- that term "ontario bruiser" kind of bothers me- what you call one of our alberta mulies?
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.223 is fine for deer within its limitations. I've seen a few big whitetails brought down with .22-250 shots to the neck (in Maine). A light accurate gun that you can shoot well is better than an unfamiliar rifle of the "right" caliber that you've not shot much with.
I like my A-Bolt for just that reason.
I kinda agree with what you're saying, but a hunter wants more than to kill the prey. Ideally, a wild animal, with a strong instinct to live and escape, may suffer a mortal wound, but be lost to the hunter. You need something that takes the wind out of its sails, a lot of bleeding fast.
In practicality, I think you must have a friend who can lend you something better suited. I'm torn between hearsay that a 223 isn't enough punch, and knowing someone who proves that wrong over and over again. But the guy that hunts deer with 223 is also a crack shot and could probably hit it in the eye if that was the goal.
