- Location
- Sudbury, On
Quick question here, does the deer's size have effect on if the .223 is too small? I was looking to a .223 as a deer rifle, but from this thread, I'm not so sure if that's still a good idea.
.223 Bullets for Hunting?
- Thread starter thebuckhunter
- Start date
gunasauras
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I can't say it would be my first choice as a deer rifle....more an experts choice.....kinda like a 410 in lieu of a 12 gauge for skeet and trap....
firemachine69 said:
Deer are deer regardless of size. They all have thin hide and no heavy bone as with elk or moose. I DO NOT recomend the 22's as deer rifles but the original question was about bullets to be used IF taken out after deer.
As was mentioned the 22 calibres are less than ideal for any big game but in the hands of a good field shot with a bit of hunting skill they can perform well. I am with gunasauras in that my opinion is that they are an "expert's" tool, not a beginner's. I will also go further and mention that I personally feel the same way anout the .243 and 6mm Remingtgon. It is unfortunate that these same chamberings are often used for beginers as they don't have much recoil. It is the same as starting a kid off wingshooting with a .410 and having them sour on the sport after missing dozens of birds in a row.
- Location
- Sudbury, On
So what exactly is good for a beginner and deer? I won't be after trophies, I'll be after a couple month's worth of meat for the freezer (and planning on living with just me and friend). 
So [thread-hijack] How much do you spend to get your deer cut up by the butcher?[/thread-hijack]
So [thread-hijack] How much do you spend to get your deer cut up by the butcher?[/thread-hijack]
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- Location
- Sudbury, On
That'd be quite the step up from my .22, I'd have to say...
todbartell said:
The 7mm-08 may be in my opinion one of the best rifles to start off a new hunter. Noticebly less recoil than the 308 Winchester it has enough punch to compensate for less than perfect shot angles - hard quartering towards shots come to mind - as well as being capable for use on animals larger than deer if required.
thebuckhunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
I thank everyone for their ideas and opinions. I think I'll pick up a box of Barne's TSX and make up a few rounds. The question was never about ethics, shot placement of favorite caliber. I have never hunted deer with a rifle before. I hunt in a SG area only. The invite was from a friend, who's group has one member undergoing surgery in late October, and he had asked my to round out the group. I agree that a .223 isn't the first choice for deer, but it's what I have at the moment. My rig is more of a paper puncher/varmint rig than a brush gun (it weighs 13.5 lbs!). Thanks again to all for your thoughts and suggestions.
-Jason
-Jason
I started my son off with a single shot T/C Contender carbine chambered in 30-30 Winchester.
His next move was to a 280 Remington and he now uses my 300 RUM.
I have shot over 20 Sitka Blacktail deer with a 22-250 with Sierra 55gr bullets @ 3660fps. I was an expert shot at the time I was doing this though and limited myself to under 100 yards and shots only to the front of the neck which always resulted in a 1/4" hole in and about a 1 1/2" to 2" hole out. I can't shoot that well anymore due to not practicing like I used too so wouldn't even consider doing it now.
I don't care what bullet that you are planning too use in a 223 if you are not a totally experienced expert shot/hunter the odds of you wounding the deer are to great sooooooo...
Do Not Use a 223 for Deer!!!!!!!
Can it be done ??? "YES"
Should it be done??? "NO"
His next move was to a 280 Remington and he now uses my 300 RUM.
I have shot over 20 Sitka Blacktail deer with a 22-250 with Sierra 55gr bullets @ 3660fps. I was an expert shot at the time I was doing this though and limited myself to under 100 yards and shots only to the front of the neck which always resulted in a 1/4" hole in and about a 1 1/2" to 2" hole out. I can't shoot that well anymore due to not practicing like I used too so wouldn't even consider doing it now.
I don't care what bullet that you are planning too use in a 223 if you are not a totally experienced expert shot/hunter the odds of you wounding the deer are to great sooooooo...
Do Not Use a 223 for Deer!!!!!!!
Can it be done ??? "YES"
Should it be done??? "NO"
I agree.
but if you only had a.223 rifle and whent deer hunting.with proper preperation(like all well planned adventures)it will work.A.223 bullet out of any .22 rifle(.222,.223 rem,22-250 ect) with enough speed and bullet weight,and proper placement will work.
was planning to deer hunt last fall with my brno in .223 rem. Was going to reload 60 gr. partitions. Tested penetration at range using standard .223 55 gr spire point hornady. Test was four deep of 2x4's back to back. Penetrated 3 2x4 and dented fourth one,almost same results with 55 gr fmj(shed jacket and fell apart). The spire point stayed together with core and jacket peeling back to almost double callibe.
If it is your only choice with proper planning and bullet placement(Lungs)procede.As a side note got my deer with a 12 ga. with a 3" federal mag 00 buck,copper plated,hit with only one pellet at 45 long paces.
sgt rock
(my 2 cents worth of advice)
but if you only had a.223 rifle and whent deer hunting.with proper preperation(like all well planned adventures)it will work.A.223 bullet out of any .22 rifle(.222,.223 rem,22-250 ect) with enough speed and bullet weight,and proper placement will work.
was planning to deer hunt last fall with my brno in .223 rem. Was going to reload 60 gr. partitions. Tested penetration at range using standard .223 55 gr spire point hornady. Test was four deep of 2x4's back to back. Penetrated 3 2x4 and dented fourth one,almost same results with 55 gr fmj(shed jacket and fell apart). The spire point stayed together with core and jacket peeling back to almost double callibe.
If it is your only choice with proper planning and bullet placement(Lungs)procede.As a side note got my deer with a 12 ga. with a 3" federal mag 00 buck,copper plated,hit with only one pellet at 45 long paces.
sgt rock
(my 2 cents worth of advice)
About 20 years ago I witnessed a blacktail deer doe get shot with a 22lr Stinger @ 50 yards. Firstly I couldn't believe that the guy took the shot and secondly I couldn't believe how the deer crumpled.
Was it a lucky shot??? "YES" it was.... The bullet hit the deer in the forehead exactly where the plates of the skull connected turning it's brains to mush.
For years the largest grizzly ever shot was by a Indian woman in Northern BC. She was picking berries on the edge of a sysmic line when she noticed the bear walking down her side of it towards her. She hid behind a bush and when it was within arms reach of her she poked the barrel of her single shot 22lr rifle out beside it's ear and shot it. It dropped dead on the spot.
Eskimo's in the north when the 22lr first was introduced over 100 years ago used it to shoot everything including polar bears.
I give these example to show that you can kill a deer, a grizzly or even a polar bear with the 22lr but it's not something that you should do.
I feel the same way about the 223 or any cartridge smaller than .243 the odds are there that you will kill the animal but that doesn't mean that you should try because the odds of wounding it are too high.
If you have to go for something that is low recoiling then I suggest that you look at the .257 Roberts, 260, 7mm-08, 30-30 and even the 308 Win.
All of these are excellent rounds for hunting deer.
Was it a lucky shot??? "YES" it was.... The bullet hit the deer in the forehead exactly where the plates of the skull connected turning it's brains to mush.
For years the largest grizzly ever shot was by a Indian woman in Northern BC. She was picking berries on the edge of a sysmic line when she noticed the bear walking down her side of it towards her. She hid behind a bush and when it was within arms reach of her she poked the barrel of her single shot 22lr rifle out beside it's ear and shot it. It dropped dead on the spot.
Eskimo's in the north when the 22lr first was introduced over 100 years ago used it to shoot everything including polar bears.
I give these example to show that you can kill a deer, a grizzly or even a polar bear with the 22lr but it's not something that you should do.
I feel the same way about the 223 or any cartridge smaller than .243 the odds are there that you will kill the animal but that doesn't mean that you should try because the odds of wounding it are too high.
If you have to go for something that is low recoiling then I suggest that you look at the .257 Roberts, 260, 7mm-08, 30-30 and even the 308 Win.
All of these are excellent rounds for hunting deer.
