.223 for hunting deer?
- Thread starter sweet09
- Start date
Depending where you are in Canada it would be illegal. In Alberta the smallest calibre you can hunt with is .231 diameter bullets, so .243 is your only real choice there.
Would it work to kill a deer? Yes it would. There are people on here that hunt all kinds of animals even bigger than deer with that calibre where it's legal to do so.
Would it work to kill a deer? Yes it would. There are people on here that hunt all kinds of animals even bigger than deer with that calibre where it's legal to do so.
- Location
- Alnwick Haldimand
Shot placement would be crucial with a .223 . A lady I hunt with took down a deer with a .223 last fall with 3 shots to its neck...
I'd would have to say for me it would depend on the way I was hunting...we use hounds so whenever I see a deer it's usually running and a little more difficult to place shots exactly where I'd like them to go...
I'd would have to say for me it would depend on the way I was hunting...we use hounds so whenever I see a deer it's usually running and a little more difficult to place shots exactly where I'd like them to go...
- Location
- Chilliwack
With the Barnes TSX TTSX it will work yes. Although legal here in B.C. I would suggest a minimum of a 243.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I have talked to many people who use the .223 in Provinces and Stateside who for deer and they have absolutely no problem with them at all.
What is considered unethical in my places is the norm in others, and ethics are a personal thing that many getting wrapped up in right alongside legality, the two need to be separated.
With the proper bullets the .223 is a great deer rifle, and the same goes with a bigger rifle - wrong bullets and you are in trouble!
Cat
What is considered unethical in my places is the norm in others, and ethics are a personal thing that many getting wrapped up in right alongside legality, the two need to be separated.
With the proper bullets the .223 is a great deer rifle, and the same goes with a bigger rifle - wrong bullets and you are in trouble!
Cat
I have heard of people shooting deer with a 22 magnum. So I think it would work with a well placed shot and ideal conditions. The big question is if it it legal where you are at?
I personally, think a 30 caliber rifle would be a more humane and reasonable approach.
I personally, think a 30 caliber rifle would be a more humane and reasonable approach.
Well, lets see, I've been hunting for over 30 years now and have used all sorts of rifle calibers on deer, moose, antelope, and bear. I shot a moose with a 243 in the shoulder and tracked that sucker for a long way. I also shot a couple with that same rifle caliber, right between the ribs and exploded their heart/lungs. The one with the lungs walked about 50 yards and dropped like a stone.
I have also hit several moos now in the should with a 30-06 in that same shoulder and they folded like a ton of bricks.
The point is that I, myself, me...would not use that light a caliber because the bullet is just too light. My experience is such that I know that if the shot isn't exactly perfect, I am going to have to chase a wounded animal all over the countryside, as it were. My abs are kinda soft and squishy now, so that just isn't my gig anymore.
By reading between the lines in your post, if you had any kind of experience, particularly having to chase a wounded deer after smacking it at 300 yards with a 223 (say with a 55 or 75 gr bullet), you would not have written this post because you would already know your answer.
If it's legal and you want to...go for it, enjoy and get some experience. Better yet, go the the range and shoot a 6x6 block of wood. One with the 223 and then again with a heavier caliber (borrow it if you have too) and compare the two shots. Nextly, read some of the other past posts here on Gunnutz, particularly some of those threads with military folks whom used a 5.56 (223) in battle versus a heavier round.
I have also hit several moos now in the should with a 30-06 in that same shoulder and they folded like a ton of bricks.
The point is that I, myself, me...would not use that light a caliber because the bullet is just too light. My experience is such that I know that if the shot isn't exactly perfect, I am going to have to chase a wounded animal all over the countryside, as it were. My abs are kinda soft and squishy now, so that just isn't my gig anymore.
By reading between the lines in your post, if you had any kind of experience, particularly having to chase a wounded deer after smacking it at 300 yards with a 223 (say with a 55 or 75 gr bullet), you would not have written this post because you would already know your answer.
If it's legal and you want to...go for it, enjoy and get some experience. Better yet, go the the range and shoot a 6x6 block of wood. One with the 223 and then again with a heavier caliber (borrow it if you have too) and compare the two shots. Nextly, read some of the other past posts here on Gunnutz, particularly some of those threads with military folks whom used a 5.56 (223) in battle versus a heavier round.
Definitely.
Ethics has nothing to do with using a .223. Ive seen many gut shot deer here in Sask that werent hit with a .223. A .223 through the heart or lungs of a deer will kill it just as 30-06 will. Know your limitations and you'll be fine.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
I disagree.
Keep it close, no farther than 30-30 ranges (under 150 yds max, under 100 preferably). Use a good quality bullet that will hold together, like a Barnes TSX or Nosler Partition, the heavier the better (preferably 60gr+). A heart/lung shot with a .223 is preferable to a gut shot with a 30-06.
There are definitely better cartridges than the .223, but it can definitely be done humanely, providing the hunter isn't dumb about it.
The buck I took last year was shot in the lungs with a .223 45 gr winchester silvertip using an IWI Tavor. The animal took less than 10 paces and died. The lungs were pudding when I field dressed the animal.
There is absolutely no problem with using .223 for deer. That said, you're going to get more than your fair share of abuse from people who say .223 is "unethical" for deer and that you need to use .30 cal or nothing. Ignore these people. Either they have no experience using .223 for deer, or frankly they're hypocrites and terrible shots. A .30 cal shot not placed into the vitals is just as unethical as a .22 cal shot not to the vitals. Just because you might have more bone breaking power with a .30 cal bullet doesn't mean it's not cruel to subject the animal to that. Be confident in your shot and you'll take many animals with that rifle.
There is absolutely no problem with using .223 for deer. That said, you're going to get more than your fair share of abuse from people who say .223 is "unethical" for deer and that you need to use .30 cal or nothing. Ignore these people. Either they have no experience using .223 for deer, or frankly they're hypocrites and terrible shots. A .30 cal shot not placed into the vitals is just as unethical as a .22 cal shot not to the vitals. Just because you might have more bone breaking power with a .30 cal bullet doesn't mean it's not cruel to subject the animal to that. Be confident in your shot and you'll take many animals with that rifle.
