Hunting Deer With A .223?

I believe the first shot missed. I'm sure some will say it's just a fluke will never happen again. IMO a very clean kill. To the OP maybe this may answer your question. And this is no small deer. I've owned a 223 and would not purchase one for deer, although brutally accurate (tikka595) I have more gun to use. I'll stick with my 270/308/30-06 only because I feed bears the same time as deer hunting. Have a real itch to use a 243 for deer though, and that's as small as I'll go

 
I wouldn't hesitate to use a .223 on deer. It goes without saying that a stoutly constructed bullet should be used and shots should be placed accordingly - just like any other caliber. A deer won't go far with a hole through both its lungs.
 
This is my final thoughts. Hunting season for blacktail deer is over today. I have until next year to figure out what I'm going to do. I have another rifle chambered for .223. However, I'm a traditionalist and would rather use a traditional hunting rifle over a tactical rifle. I will try out using .223 against a blacktail deer next year with my .223 Vz 58. If I don't like the results, I won't buy a .223 rifle for hunting deer. The semi auto should be good for if the results go bad and the deer doesn't go down right away. Fast 2nd or even 3rd shot if its even needed.

I am listening to you guys who are respectfully telling me your reasons to not do it. I'm just also heavily researching the subject and the result of those who do hunt deer with a .223 is very good. I am just getting into reloading because I would really like to have my 550 accurately fire those SST. My CZ 550 doesn't like the Hornady Superperformance with it getting 1.5" all the time. It doesn't like the Federal Fusion either but I does like the Federal PowerShok. My 550 also likes Sellior & Bellot but that stuff is hard to come by locally.
 
One thing I would suggest to those that are interested in the subject is to do some testing. It's easy for those with no experience to just dismiss the .223 as too small because it looks small, but that's doesn't necessarily mean it can't perform. I think that most of us would agree that a 30-30 is a capable killer of deer? Try shooting a 30-30 into the test medium of your choice, then try the .223 with a TSX bullet. The results might surprise the detractors.
 
"...to hunt white tail deer in Ontario..." Nope. As stupid as it is, Ontario says any centrefire.
"...Third; "If you get the 9 twist, shoot the 60 grain Partition..." Nosler says it must use a 1 in 12 twist. However, the point is to use the right bullet if you're going to use a sub-calibre. Most .22 calibre bullets are varmint bullets and are totally unsuitable for even the smallest deer.
 
canadaman30 said:
I believe the first shot missed. I'm sure some will say it's just a fluke will never happen again. IMO a very clean kill. To the OP maybe this may answer your question. And this is no small deer. I've owned a 223 and would not purchase one for deer, although brutally accurate (tikka595) I have more gun to use. I'll stick with my 270/308/30-06 only because I feed bears the same time as deer hunting. Have a real itch to use a 243 for deer though, and that's as small as I'll go
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I was watching that video and thinking the deer was wounded, given the way it was running. Sure enough you can see it was a$$ shot at 0:56
 
sunray said:
"...Third; "If you get the 9 twist, shoot the 60 grain Partition..." Nosler says it must use a 1 in 12 twist.
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And yet, the 60 Part was the most accurate of the heavier bullets out of our 9 twists... Even topped the 60 VM... With an obviously improved construction for larger game... The loads we developed are for coyotes.
 
I think its all pretty much been said. I have never hunted a deer with 223. But I do have a couple hunting load worked up. One with 70gr bergers, and another with 62gr tsx.

The Bergers are chronod at 3050fps unsure about the tsx.

With a good premium bullet, a 223 will take a deer no sweat, but not the best choice.

Just my $.02....wait gotta round it down.... Just my worthless information.

TKS
JPB
 
Gatehouse said:
Neither do deer with lungs liquified by a TSX shot from a .223 ;)
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Lol ok I'll give you that as I'm mighty impressed with the TSX bullets I have tinkered with out of the 6.5 swedes I had.

So out of curiosity since it sounds like you have done some experimenting, what was your best deer loading for TSX topped .223?
Also what rifle and rate of twist did it's barrel have?
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
I'm just also heavily researching the subject and the result of those who do hunt deer with a .223 is very good.
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No one can tell you what to use and ultimately it will be your decision. Just keep in mind that the internet is notorious for people not posting their f***-ups! Everyone is an expert marksman and nobody ever wounds an animal. :)
 
bearkilr said:
No one can tell you what to use and ultimately it will be your decision. Just keep in mind that the internet is notorious for people not posting their f***-ups! Everyone is an expert marksman and nobody ever wounds an animal. :)
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Make no mistake - I grew to love springbok biltong for a very good reason!
 
Calum said:
Lol ok I'll give you that as I'm mighty impressed with the TSX bullets I have tinkered with out of the 6.5 swedes I had.

So out of curiosity since it sounds like you have done some experimenting, what was your best deer loading for TSX topped .223?
Also what rifle and rate of twist did it's barrel have?
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I only ever shot a bear. I was with Bartell when he shot a deer with a .221 Fireball and a 45gr TSX

I used a 53gr TSX and 25.6gr Benchmark. Twist was 1-12
 
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