deer hunting with 223
- Thread starter jiffydawg
- Start date
Its doable with good bullets and smaller deer at normal ranges, but with dozens and dozens of cartridges that have light recoil and more deadly ballistics, you have to ask yourself...WHY?
In my best Mr Rogers voice, I will say "Boys and girls, using 22 calibers on deer is purely a stunt in my opinion"
In my best Mr Rogers voice, I will say "Boys and girls, using 22 calibers on deer is purely a stunt in my opinion"
About ten years ago I became interested in using small bullets on big game. So I aquired a .257 Wby and loaded up some 75gr Barnes X using RL22. I cant remember the exact velocity but it chronographed around 3975fps out of the 26" barrel. My friend and I both tried it out on boar with good success. Penetration at 100-125 yards was excellent. I then tried it on a White Tail hunt, where I managed to shoot a nice buck that was around 225-250lbs. Again the bullet performed very well.
I am now shooting a 7mm RM with 160 and 175gr bullets, and a .300 Win. Mag with 220gr. bullets for almost everything. The meat damage is no worse, assuming proper shot placement, than with the smaller calibers. So really, like TB said...why bother? If you want to shoot something with mild report and recoil why not a .243, .250-3000, .257 Roberts, .260 Rem, 30-30 etc etc?
I am now shooting a 7mm RM with 160 and 175gr bullets, and a .300 Win. Mag with 220gr. bullets for almost everything. The meat damage is no worse, assuming proper shot placement, than with the smaller calibers. So really, like TB said...why bother? If you want to shoot something with mild report and recoil why not a .243, .250-3000, .257 Roberts, .260 Rem, 30-30 etc etc?
- Location
- Lakes District BC
257 WBY is a deadly speed demon no doubt, buddy has 1 and its a blast including the 3 moose its taken now and 6 sask whitetails and dozen or so BC mulies , 223 is a varmint caliber IMHO
