.223?

TheGamerXxX

TheGamerXxX

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Hey all

just wandering if the .223 is an ok caliber to hunt with? And if so which bullets(weight+type) is the way to go.

I'm asking for next year. And I'm sure people hunt with the ar180B so just asking.

Next thing is what do you shoot with said caliber. Mostly varmint? Or all the way to deer/elk/moose?

Thanks

Luke
 
.223 is not legal for big game in AB. So, to start with, confirm that it is or is not legal for big game in MB. Personally, a .223 would work on deer sized animals but forget about elk or moose with this rifle. It is typically a varmint rifle.

Edit...............multiple answers sent at the same time
 
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The guide says 223 is not recommended for deer, but it is legal in Manitoba. That's as big of game as I have hunted, so I have no knowledge of the rules for moose or elk, but I would think it unwise. If you are going to use 223 on deer, you are going to have to carefully place the shot and use an appropriate projectile, and not a varmint round.
 
Any centerfire round is legal for any Big Game in Manitoba. Legal is one thing--good hunting practise is another thing. Unless you plan to limit your shots to close range and broadside shots, no raking shots, a 223 is undergunning.
 
Too light for moose or elk. Marginal for deer. The bullet and rifling twist used are critical. Heavy bullets out of a rifle with a fast twist will take deer, but you need an accurate rifle and be able to place the shot well.
Nearly all commercial .223 ammo is loaded with varmint bullets. Varmints bullets are made to expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration.
Use your AR 180 for varmints.
 
I know an old guy that killed loads of moose and elk with a .223. He was also a sniper in the military in WWII and placed every bullet in the head of said critter. Seemed to work fine in that situation ;) Unless you've got sniper-class marksmanship, I wouldn't try the .223 on elk or moose.

I wouldn't hesitate to use one on deer, though, with the right bullet. Put a 53gr TSX in the right place and deer will respond accordingly.
 
Plenty of better calibers out there. Using a 30-30 makes me feel a little under gun(for longer ranges!), if all I had was a .223 for deer I would stay home. I'm no crack shot either.
 
Legal doesn't mean it's agood idea. Buy a CZ 858 if you have to hunt with an "assault" rifle. Really why would you anyways? Hunting is about ethics, and I would't be shooting anything bigger than a yote with a .223. Unless of course headshots are on the menu, but good luck with that.
 
Legal in BC, it's a expert rifles deer cartridge, but only using premium bullets...


Ive seen it first hand done with 45 gr TSX @ 3280 fps

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and I shot a black bear with 53gr TSX........DRT
 
It is possible to deer hunt with a 223 but I really wouldn't risk trying any bigger game than that. Sure it is possible for some but not recommended for the average hunter.

Shot placement is key, but can be done and I don't think you should not exceed 100 yards for deer. If all I had was a 223 I would try something like a nosler 60gr partition, should have enough energy and integrity to not fragment when it strikes bone. Not to mention should work alright in a 1:9 barrel.

Otherwise I would suggest you stick to small varmints and coyotes. It is also a good way to practice, small targets and they move too :D
 
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