Favourite .223-based Cartridge for Whitetails

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

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Nova Scotia
Hey all,

I'm still abroad til next hunting season but I've begun to think a lot about what I'd enjoy getting for whitetails upon my return. I have a Stevens in .223 all geared up and wouldn't mind getting some extra use out of it before winter truly sets in by swapping the barrel out. I've read pretty promising reviews about the 6x45, which is a chambering offered by Shilen, as well as 7mm TCU, 300 BLKOUT and several others that I have yet to read into. Keeping in mind that the minimum caliber requirement for NS is greater than .224, which would you choose?
 
One of the African magazines did a good write up on the 6x45 and its effectiveness on game like Springbok and Impala.
 
The 257 Kimber sounds quite interesting, I'll have to check around for the availability of that chambering in a pre-threaded barrel, cheers!

The 6x45 was my initial choice but north eastern whitetails are the largest subspecies and they dwarf an average impala or springbok (according to wikipedia anyways) but I suppose if guys are shooting them with .223 then it ought to stay on the short list - really all about shot placement anyways eh.
 
Why not a Winchester 223 rem 55gr Pointed soft point? Worked for me.

Broadside shot through the heart, out the other side and the joint of the leg.

Heart:
4B404129-7509-4973-995E-4278C2BA1A35-3534-0000037374C6F9A8.jpg


Entry:
IMG_2345.jpg


Exit:
IMG_2346.jpg
 
SeamusMac said:
The 6x45 was my initial choice but north eastern whitetails are the largest subspecies and they dwarf an average impala or springbok (according to wikipedia anyways) but I suppose if guys are shooting them with .223 then it ought to stay on the short list - really all about shot placement anyways eh.
Click to expand...

Whitetail get much bigger than impala and springbok. I shot a deer yesterday that was twice the average size of a springbok, which are the larger of the two african species. Springbok also have thicker skin though, so for all intents and purposes, you can expect similar performance.

Let's get real with the issue. The problem with .223 isn't performance - there are good bullets that will do the job. The issue is the regulations.

Since penetration is not really a factor, you should be looking for the chambering that will give you great external ballistics from the commonly available hunting bullets in that configuration. The heavier 6mm bullets need a fast twist barrel otherwise you're not going to stabilize them. They will also need a longer throat. Not sure what the characteristics of the Shilen barrel is, but knowing Shilen's reputation, they're probably good. You don't really need to use the heavier 6mms for deer though. A 110 6mm is good for _elk_. You only really need 80s for deer.

6x47 or 257 Kimber will give you a longer PBR than the 7mm TCU or 300 blackout, so unless you're wanting to spend a lot of time at the range figuring holdovers, I would go that route. The thing the 7TCU and 300BLK have going for them is factory ammunition. Not sure about 6x47's availability, but I can't buy it in Winnipeg.

I think you'll have a hard time finding 7mm bullets that will expand correctly at the speeds you'll be seeing except at short range - so that's another reason to look at the 6s and .25s.
 
I've used Federal Premium .223 Rem loaded with 60gr Nosler Partition bullets to great effect. Finished off a Whitetail with them this year, broadside shot through the heart, it went clean through the deer. It was at around 40 yards. I would definitely use them again.
 
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