.223 Remington hunting loads for whitetail
- Thread starter TK-Hryciuk
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70gr tsx will not stabilize enough with a 9 twist barrel, 3" groups @100m with keyholing. I would try the 55 or 63gr TSX and you may be surprized at the accuracy and performance on medium game. Take a look at your twist rate and try to best match the bullet to your barrel. Next best next bet is a 60gr Nosler partition if you can get your hands on them. Explosive bullets are a crap shoot and may leave you eating rock soup with a long track or lost game. With heavy constructed bullets aim for bone with the 223.
My 2c.
My 2c.
I swore i wasn't posting in this part of the forum but I just can't help myself.......are we seriously entertaining a "hunter" who is trying to work out using a .223 paper puncher/man wounder for white tail deer? Sitka deer on the west coast Islands.... sure ..... fallow deer on southern vancouver island..... sure..... but a whitetail?
I'm one of those despised aboriginal people and i wouldn't even use a .223 for hunting whitetail.
do the deer a favor and go buy a deer hunting rifle/caliber because if you even have to ask the question you are asking.... you shouldn't be using that rifle on any game.
for survival purposes... sure , use what ya got to put meat in your belly any way you have to. But to hunt that class of deer, on purpose, with a .223 , is just plain stupid and irresponsible if you ask me.
I'm one of those despised aboriginal people and i wouldn't even use a .223 for hunting whitetail.
do the deer a favor and go buy a deer hunting rifle/caliber because if you even have to ask the question you are asking.... you shouldn't be using that rifle on any game.
for survival purposes... sure , use what ya got to put meat in your belly any way you have to. But to hunt that class of deer, on purpose, with a .223 , is just plain stupid and irresponsible if you ask me.
With conventional ammo I would agree. But the mono metal bullets that feature near 100% weight retention do wonders in turning a marginal caliber into a capable one.
Don't get me wrong, I'd still reach for my 270 or 243, but the 223 is capable with the right bullets (and shot selection of course)
Did you even read my posts? I have no other choice this year because I am loaning my two .30 cal rifles out to new hunters who are more comfortable with a traditional bolt-action and caliber. And for you to call me a “hunter” with quotations is blatant disrespect when you know nothing about me or my hunting ethics. I have hunted since I was 15 and know how to make proper shot placement and when and when not to take a shot. There are plenty of videos showcasing how effective a .223 is on whitetail deer down south. The fact that I am asking for advice and which loads retain their mass and allow deep penetration should be enough to show that I am trying to be as ethical and humane as possible while working within my limitations. I would LOVE to just be able to go out and buy a brand new hunting rifle for this season but unfortunately SAN are expensive. If you would like to donate I would be more than happy to use whichever rifle and caliber you deem reasonable!
I used a 62gr TTSX last year but have also killed bears with the 53gr TSX and seen the 45gr TSX kill well too. There are a few factory loads that are designed for deer that you could order.
Plenty of hunting regulations are outdated regarding appropriate cartridges, and plenty of hunters have outdated beliefs, too.
Plenty of hunting regulations are outdated regarding appropriate cartridges, and plenty of hunters have outdated beliefs, too.
the spank
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hey gatehouse, that a black tail? 1/2 the body mass of an interior mulie? I now because I shoot them every year. Got a 4x4 that will make the B&C for 2-11 this year and we bagged 4 bucks in 3 morning hunts from the treestand.
i don't give a flying **** what some folks think.... .223 is a poor choice for white tail and those blacktails it appears gatehouse is shootin , while again not ideal, for those deer it's not something i'd razz a guy about.
but for white tail? to each his own I suppose but if yer a workin man I don't see why buying a suitable caliber to be fair to the animal is such a big deal LOL
fak if you were closer you could use one of mine
if you don't want answers like mine.... than don't post questions or topics like this one on the internet.... I'm sure someone else will come along and have worse to say haha
i don't give a flying **** what some folks think.... .223 is a poor choice for white tail and those blacktails it appears gatehouse is shootin , while again not ideal, for those deer it's not something i'd razz a guy about.
but for white tail? to each his own I suppose but if yer a workin man I don't see why buying a suitable caliber to be fair to the animal is such a big deal LOL
fak if you were closer you could use one of mine
if you don't want answers like mine.... than don't post questions or topics like this one on the internet.... I'm sure someone else will come along and have worse to say haha
It’s clear to me that some people are just born to troll and not have anything informative to say. It’s kinda like the whole fiasco about 9mm vs 45 and 9mm sucks and now with modern ammunition 9mm is just as effective but there’s no possible way it could be the same for rifle calibers...
FUDDS I tell ya..
FUDDS I tell ya..The deer in the pic is a mule deer doe quite a ways from the "blacktail" zone, but close enough to the line that either blacktail or mule deer would be appropriate to say.
The bears I have killed with a .223 range from small 4.5 footers to over 6 feet. Lot sof body mass on a fat barrel chested 6ft bear. I think many people over estimate what is needed to penetrate the chest of a deer and scramble up the lungs.
the spank
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A couple years ago I was filling my truck at a gas station when two fellows pulled in beside me to do the same. We were all dressed in hunting gear and exchanged a hello then broke into a light conversation about how the hunting had been. They eluded to having shot a nice whitetail buck and the one fellow was very excited as it was his first. They pointed in the back of the truck for me to look. Sure enough there was a nice mature buck with a tennis ball sized hole in his side. I inquired what type and calibre of rifle he was carrying fully expecting to hear him say an ‘06 or 300 mag with 150’s but instead he said he shot it with a 223 with 55 gr soft points at about 75 yards and dropped it dead in it’s tracks. He said there was nothing left of the heart and I had no reason to doubt him. I have never looked at a 223 in the too light for deer category since.
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twosmokinspades
CGN Regular
I have heard this conversation before... Every year deer are taken with a bow and arrow. No one cries about how its done. An arrow is not all that heavy and moves real slow compaired to a bullet. Yet deer still die. I have seen all kinds of game get killed with all kinds of ammo. I have seen all kinds of game get wonded because people are making shots they should not be even been tried. Even more agrivating was when asking why they made that bad shot they said they cant understand it they zeroed there rifle 6 years ago. So in the end know your equipment know your limitations = dead deer
I worked with a dude that bought a 7STW because he was pretty convinced from what he read in the magazines, that it was a dead nuts killer of a round.
He shot a moose twice in the arse. It walked away into the swamp, and wasn't seen again. Idiot. Up until that, he was pretty convinced that if he nicked it, it was a goner!
The folks that are pretty certain that the lighter built bullets will explode on he surface and wound but not kill, really need to get out and try it under reasonably controlled circumstances.
Having seen Brit GameKeepers essentially exploding the heads on their deer, harvested for market, so less damage is a better price, thus headshots, I don't for a second suggest that it is a great all round choice for about anyone. Some folks are too wound tight about missing out on any chance at a deer, and will feel the need to shoot through them longwise to avoid missing out. Might even work with a TSX, if it doesn't laser through the deer like hardball.
But I have lots of opportunities to pick my time and place, usually a place where I don't need to drag it very far, and it has worked well for me with my cheap 50 gr Winchester bulk bag bullets.
As far as the denigrating comments regarding Native Hunters, (Hey, pretty classy, those! Yeesh.) one of the Northern Members here posted that the big argument between the generations amounted to that the old guys figured a 22 Hornet was lots for Caribou, while the younger set all wanted .222's and .223's.
To abuse the heck outta an old phrase, it ain't the Arrow, so much as the Indian!
If you are comfortable with your marksmanship, and you are patient enough to pass on a long odds shot, you'll do well no matter what you carry into the woods.
Cheers
Trev
He shot a moose twice in the arse. It walked away into the swamp, and wasn't seen again. Idiot. Up until that, he was pretty convinced that if he nicked it, it was a goner!
The folks that are pretty certain that the lighter built bullets will explode on he surface and wound but not kill, really need to get out and try it under reasonably controlled circumstances.
Having seen Brit GameKeepers essentially exploding the heads on their deer, harvested for market, so less damage is a better price, thus headshots, I don't for a second suggest that it is a great all round choice for about anyone. Some folks are too wound tight about missing out on any chance at a deer, and will feel the need to shoot through them longwise to avoid missing out. Might even work with a TSX, if it doesn't laser through the deer like hardball.
But I have lots of opportunities to pick my time and place, usually a place where I don't need to drag it very far, and it has worked well for me with my cheap 50 gr Winchester bulk bag bullets.
As far as the denigrating comments regarding Native Hunters, (Hey, pretty classy, those! Yeesh.) one of the Northern Members here posted that the big argument between the generations amounted to that the old guys figured a 22 Hornet was lots for Caribou, while the younger set all wanted .222's and .223's.
To abuse the heck outta an old phrase, it ain't the Arrow, so much as the Indian!
If you are comfortable with your marksmanship, and you are patient enough to pass on a long odds shot, you'll do well no matter what you carry into the woods.
Cheers
Trev
bearkilr
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What're you gonna do if you happen to see a big buck at 200 yards? Let him walk away, right?
My buddy thought it would be fun to hunt with his 22HP. Ya, he killed his deer at 25 yards but took him 3 shots. 2 in the lungs and while it lay there flopping and squealing he went over and shot it in the head. This year he brought a 308.... which some would argue is about perfect for anything.... I brought a cannon LOL a 7mm rem mag. Way too much gun for those blacktails right?
My big one weighed in on the butchers hook at 183 (no head, hide, legs below the knees).
what if that deer walked in on buddy sporting a 22HP? guaranteed #### show.
I know some guys know thier animal like i do, have a spot year after year with predictable shooting lanes for up close shots and i suppose if you must use a 223 and are real damn good with it.... I got nothing to say even though i still have an opinion i might not share with you haha
but come on now people, what bullet should i use to kill deer with my .223? there;s a guy.... and i really don't mean to be offensive to the OP but.... there's a guy that must not know his rifle. Not enough to be out shooting large game. But whatever, this is the internet so carry on with the discussion LOL
I'll return to not posting we'll all be better off and I gotta leave in the morning for moose hunting
My big one weighed in on the butchers hook at 183 (no head, hide, legs below the knees).
what if that deer walked in on buddy sporting a 22HP? guaranteed #### show.
I know some guys know thier animal like i do, have a spot year after year with predictable shooting lanes for up close shots and i suppose if you must use a 223 and are real damn good with it.... I got nothing to say even though i still have an opinion i might not share with you haha
but come on now people, what bullet should i use to kill deer with my .223? there;s a guy.... and i really don't mean to be offensive to the OP but.... there's a guy that must not know his rifle. Not enough to be out shooting large game. But whatever, this is the internet so carry on with the discussion LOL
I'll return to not posting we'll all be better off and I gotta leave in the morning for moose hunting
My buddy thought it would be fun to hunt with his 22HP. Ya, he killed his deer at 25 yards but took him 3 shots. 2 in the lungs and while it lay there flopping and squealing he went over and shot it in the head. This year he brought a 308.... which some would argue is about perfect for anything.... I brought a cannon LOL a 7mm rem mag. Way too much gun for those blacktails right?
My big one weighed in on the butchers hook at 183 (no head, hide, legs below the knees).
what if that deer walked in on buddy sporting a 22HP? guaranteed #### show.
I know some guys know thier animal like i do, have a spot year after year with predictable shooting lanes for up close shots and i suppose if you must use a 223 and are real damn good with it.... I got nothing to say even though i still have an opinion i might not share with you haha
but come on now people, what bullet should i use to kill deer with my .223? there;s a guy.... and i really don't mean to be offensive to the OP but.... there's a guy that must not know his rifle. Not enough to be out shooting large game. But whatever, this is the internet so carry on with the discussion LOL
I'll return to not posting we'll all be better off and I gotta leave in the morning for moose hunting
How does asking for advice on what bullet tips and loads are effective on whitetail at close range equate to me not knowing my rifle? Honestly you are beginning to become quite obnoxious, especially with your story about your buddy with a 22HP. What does that have to do with this discussion? I can comfortably shoot my rifle out to 300m with irons with 62gr bulk ammo. I am more than confident in my skills with shot placement and shot opportunity. The fact that you have outdated ideologies does not mean you are you welcome to come on this discussion board and try to make me look like an idiot when you are the one who is beginning to look like a fool. It’s quite obvious you haven’t read my previous posts on my circumstances this season. Sometimes we are not given to best circumstances in life and we have to make due with the best we are given or have available at this time. And unfortunately my SAN is what I have available this year. So if you don’t have anything constructive to say or just want to keep telling stupid stories then please take it elsewhere. Thank you.
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