.223Rem for white tail?

[BigDotGlock]

I appreciate the responses guys but...if I could afford to buy another rifle and feed it .308, 30-06, ect. I would have done that rather than ask if my rifle was suitable.

I'll make sure and tell my boss on Monday that you guys said I need a raise though, I see Wolverine has AI rifles on sale.

 

[trevj]

Notice the theme! Bullet bullet bullet!

Most factory .223 loads are built for varmint shooting, with lightweight and relatively fragile bullets.

Load an appropriate game bullet, and you have a meat getter! Shoot the wrong bullet, and you don't.

Cheers
Trev

 

[suits me]

I'm leaving the xlr in the safe this year and am gonna use my no 1 in 22-250. Been a lean year and I want to save all the meat I can. Besides if I come across a wolf I want to have a great varmint rig in my hand. I think they call it multitasking. Heheheh.

 

[scout3006]

15 holes? Was he shooting with FMJ ammo?

Believe it or not, the .223/5.56mm firing the standard 55gr FMJ bullet is one of the few FMJ rounds that I would consider for shooting deer. This is because this bullet is actually designed to fragment or come apart once hitting flesh, but the velocity has to be over the 2700 fps mark to ensure proper fragmentation. This generally limits your range to about 150 yards or so.

Given a choice between using FMJ's and 55 grain varmint bullets, I would opt for the FMJ's on deer sized game. They are NASTY; the bullets literally fly apart after becoming unstable and tumbling in flesh.

Having said that though, my first choice for a deer bullet for the .223 is either the Winchester 64gr Power Point, or the Nosler 60 grain partition. (I still have a thing about shooting game with FMJ bullets, though I have done it successfully in the past many times.)

Check out the "Ammo Oracle" on the AR-15 site - everything you wanted to know about the .223 but was afraid to ask.

http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=lethality of .223&mkt=en-ca&setLang=en-CA

 

[atomicsauace]

Don't you know that a .223 only works on humans and couldn't possibly kill a deer.

 

[bisonhd]

Wonder if this .223 for big game thread will end before another starts. 223 for bear defense anyone?

 

[TakDriver]

I love these 223 threads.

I have a 223 wssm that is frighteningly accurate. (three rounds same hole @100yds) Before you jump on me, I'm quite aware that this is a "magnum" round. But regardless, I can't wait for deer season to open up so I can shoot one with it. Why? Because I can. Didn't Gatehouse write something to that effect?

IMHO, the definitive shot placement is the neck. There is more than enough energy to quickly and effectively break the neck and kill a deer. In fact, if you do a search you will find an article detailing the effectiveness of the .223 (not wssm) on deer. Most, if not all, were neck shots. If you get a chance, look it up. It's a great read.

And yes, I agree with the others that stated, bullet type, shot placement and distance are the big three to consider - regardless of the caliber you choose.

Now get out there with your .223 and let the air of a big one! Don't forget to post up some photos for the rest of us!

Cheers!

p.s. yeah I know i posted this one before...but I'm just so damn proud of it