Elk or black bear with 223 softpoint?

R

Robbs

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Anyone have experience hunting elk or black bear with soft point 223? I would be inclined to say not the right round but I am not the most experienced in this subject. Can a varmint round be successful with a larger animal is the question I guess. Thanks for any experience advice.
 
223 will do caribou. i used 55gr. winchester factory load. now i have some 60gr. partitions and 55gr. gamekings to try out
 
While there is no doubt that a 223 is capable of killing larger animals, in my opinion it's not ethical. Here in Alberta it would be illegal. I don't think a 223 is an elk rifle in anyone's book.
 
In most jurisdictions it is illegal, and as mentioned unethical, however you asked whether we have an experience in doing so. I can say that .222 was a common round used by the Inuit to take the majority of their game, caribou, seal and even bear. Also some Game Departments have personnel who collect animals for research. I know that many times deer and even elk have been collected using a .223. Again this is an exceptional marksmen who is delibertly attempting to reduce tissue damage.
Get yourself an adequate B.G. rifle.
 
Yes it will work with proper bullets like the 60 grain Partition of Barnes X-bullet.

If you have the skill to get within 100 yards and place the bullet with precision it will kill an animal just as dead as the biggest "wonder-mag" .


......... and yes it IS legal to use a .223 diameter bullet for hunting most big game in BC. (The only exception is Bison)


Ethics??? That ranks right up there with a discussion about religion. :rolleyes:

Everyone has to have their own "ethics". Like buying a shirt - one size will not fit all. If a practise is legal and the person has the skills to make it work why do some people think it is their duty to saddle someone else with their "ethics"?

Quoting "ethics" is no better than the "missionaries" that show up at my doorstep to tell me my view on God is wrong and that their version of "the truth" will get me to heaven.
 
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[QUOTE='Boo]Yes it will work with proper bullets like the 60 grain Partition of Barnes X-bullet.

If you have the skill to get within 100 yards and place the bullet with precision it will kill an animal just as dead as the biggest "wonder-mag" .


......... and yes it IS legal to use a .223 diameter bullet for hunting most big game in BC. (The only exception is Bison)


Ethics??? That ranks right up there with a discussion about religion. :rolleyes:

Everyone has to have their own "ethics". Like buying a shirt - one size will not fit all. If a practise is legal and the person has the skills to make it work why do some people think it is their duty to saddle someone else with their "ethics"?

Quoting "ethics" is no better than the "missionaries" that show up at my doorstep to tell me my view on God is wrong and that their version of "the truth" will get me to heaven.[/QUOTE]

.........x2
 
I had every intention of shooting a black bear this year wiht a 223 loaded wiht 53 gr TSX bullets, if the following criteria was met:

Shots under 100 yards
Broadside only
5' or better bear

As it turned out, this shot presented itself several tmes this year, but only while I was carrying my 7mm RM....And I wasn't going to shoot a black bear wiht that unless it was a monster, so I never tried it out.

Bear season is still open a few hours form me, so...If I have time, I may still try.

I woudln't use this on an elk unless I absolutely had to though, as they are much larger and stouter animals.
 
[QUOTE='Boo]Yes it will work with proper bullets like the 60 grain Partition of Barnes X-bullet. [/QUOTE]
I wouldnt hesitate to take Deer,caribou,or a smaller black bear(150-200lbs)with a 223 with either the Partition,or the X-bullet.



[QUOTE='Boo]
Ethics??? That ranks right up there with a discussion about religion. :rolleyes:
[/QUOTE]

Spot on!!!!!!
 
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223 Bears and Elk

Sure a 223 in the ear will kill anything. While some here don't seem to put too much stock in ethical shooting, I think if you hunt Elk with a 223 you need a kick in the nuts:kickInTheNuts: Flame on Batman.:p :p :p
 
meat deer is where i would draw the line with the 223 and premium bullets (read partition or X).
 
I've [ legally ] shot three deer with 55 gr .223 SP ammo. All three of my deer were standing still, at 125 - 50 yds. Two were head shots one was a neck shot. While all three were INSTANT kills, the autopsy report from CSI showed a wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .

I say again ... wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .

If you want to try that on a black bear , think wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .
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Using a varmint cartridge on a large game animal. :rolleyes:

Same board where folks would b!tch about using 7.62x39 cartridge, or a pistol caliber in a rifle. :rolleyes:
 
Lazerus2000 said:
If you want to try that on a black bear , think wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .
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If you are stupid enough to use a varmint bullet on a bear I guess you will get some less than spectacular results ......................... :rolleyes:
 
Lazerus2000 said:
I've [ legally ] shot three deer with 55 gr .223 SP ammo. All three of my deer were standing still, at 125 - 50 yds. Two were head shots one was a neck shot. While all three were INSTANT kills, the autopsy report from CSI showed a wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .

I say again ... wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .

If you want to try that on a black bear , think wound about 1 1/2" deep, and tissue demolition about the size of an orange .
[;{(
LAZ 1
Click to expand...

I'd call that a poor choice in bullets, for the task at hand. Varmit grade bullets, pushed at high velocity, impacting at close range...

When you are using a cartridge that is barely adequate, you should cheat as much as possible, and using a good bullet like the Partition or TSX is advisable.
 
In Alberta, it's illegal as I think it also is in BC. What about ethics? And how in the heck do you get into a situation of "well, if you had to....I suppose". Duhhh, stay home and do some crossword puzzles, that'll give the brain a much needed work-out :mad:
 
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