Hunting Deer With A .223?

Gatehouse said:
When I speak of bone, I'm talking about deer skulls, vertebrae and shoulders. No bow hunter I know targets any bones but ribs. Shoulder bone structure is much more complex than rib bones, even the overlapping and sturdy ribs of some bovines. I have killed animals with arrows and know what they are capable of. They are very lethal in thier parameters, but a deer 150 yards away with a 223 and TSX bullets and a shoulder shot presents itself, it's a dead deer. Not so with even the best archery gear.
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I don't think anyone is arguing bow vs gun at 150 yards lol there completely different types of hunting. Your comparing a diesel truck to a sports car. Apples and oranges. Every tool has its parameters.

Bow hunter has 50 yard range. 223 shooter (IMO on the small side) has 150 yard range. Someone using a proper caliber like 270 the range is as far as they can ethically shoot. I like to have the power on my side. I hunt deer with a 270wsm. Because I want to have knock down power at 400 yards. I also shoot a 70lb bow when many use as low as 40lbs. But I killed a buck 2 years ago with my bow at 84 yards. The arrow passed right through and buried in entire 30" arrow in the dirt. I just saw the lumenok sticking out of the ground. So really at 100 yards a arrow could kill all day. But I would never recommend it as I know 99% of shooters can't make that shot and it adds too many variables for the animal to move. My buck was totally clueless to what was going around him was totally relaxed eating in a field. I knew he would not jump the arrow and he didn't. He never even moved until he was hit. If it was a jumpy deer I would have never taken the shot.

Anyways all I'm saying is yes many guys in the precision forum will kill a moose at 600 yards with a 223. That doesn't mean I would recommend it as a caliber for that animal. When people make recommendations it's considering the average joe and there abilities. I shoot archery matches almost weekly all season. And I shoot out to 90meters daily in my yard. I know my capabilities. So if you kill deer with 223 that's great and I genuinely believe you do. But to a newb I would recommend a stronger bullet. 243 would be my minimum.
 
Bowhunter's don't target bone because a bone shot requires "shock" to incapacitate... expending energy is what bullets are designed to do... arrows on the other hand are designed to resist shedding energy... they "slice" on a long wound channel causing hemorrhage... obviously comparing a .223 to archery gear, the discussion would place both weapons within their respective effective range... there is a general misunderstanding of the differences between bullets and arrows and how they function differently and yet both effectively... but archery gear has far more potential to kill larger game than a .223... a fairer comparison would be a .300 WM.
 
.223 just needs to have the proper SD and distance. I would go for a 75grain bullet or more, keep the SD above .200, and the ft/lbs above 1000. Choose proper placement, and it should be fine.

I'd just get a used lever and call it a day. 30-30 gives you better SD and great hitting power up to about 200 yards.
 
Chago , I think arrows are very lethal beyond 100 yards it's just putting them in the right spot! :)

My buddy started playing with his new compound a few years ago, it was impressive how accurate it was at long range. Quite an accomplishment to take a deer at 84 yards. I imagine the ignorant will crucify you for admitting such a sin, just like they do to the 223 deer hunters , so look out ! :)

Nice buffalo, too!
 
Gatehouse said:
Chago , I think arrows are very lethal beyond 100 yards it's just putting them in the right spot! :)

My buddy started playing with his new compound a few years ago, it was impressive how accurate it was at long range. Quite an accomplishment to take a deer at 84 yards. I imagine the ignorant will crucify you for admitting such a sin, just like they do to the 223 deer hunters , so look out ! :)

Nice buffalo, too!
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Oh don't worry I hear all about the ethics talk all the time when I tell that story. I don't really care. I as stated before knee that opportunity allowed that shot, and tomorrow I would do it again. I wouldn't do it on a jumpy nervous deer. Although again I practice literally every single day. Before coming into my house daily ill grab my bow from garage and throw 30-40 arrows at 90m. The same guys who call me unethical IMO are unethical themselves just walking into the woods. Buy a bow and shot it like 4 times in their lives then go hunting. And gun hunters for that matter too. I've killed a fox at 66 yards too. Kill zone on a fox is like a tenth of a Deers. Me shooting a bow at 80 yards is same as long range rifle hunters who shoot 800 yards. If your capable and its necessary do it. If your not 100% confident, DON'T.
 
I have done it in Europe on small deer, this was the only rifle on my hunting permit. Any deer species in North American it can be done but from ethical stand point I will advice against that. Not enough terminal power, absolutely no place for any aiming mistake
 
Chago said:
Oh don't worry I hear all about the ethics talk all the time when I tell that story. I don't really care. I as stated before knee that opportunity allowed that shot, and tomorrow I would do it again. I wouldn't do it on a jumpy nervous deer. Although again I practice literally every single day. Before coming into my house daily ill grab my bow from garage and throw 30-40 arrows at 90m. The same guys who call me unethical IMO are unethical themselves just walking into the woods. Buy a bow and shot it like 4 times in their lives then go hunting. And gun hunters for that matter too. I've killed a fox at 66 yards too. Kill zone on a fox is like a tenth of a Deers. Me shooting a bow at 80 yards is same as long range rifle hunters who shoot 800 yards. If your capable and its necessary do it. If your not 100% confident, DON'T.
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I fully agree,
I've dummied enough critters in me lifetime to fill many a fridge. The main thing is , I don't take shots on edible game beyond 100 yds. with the rifles I use and never have darted critters with a bow beyond 30 yds.

Varmints though, are up for grabs at ranges to 500+ yds. on a good day. Oh..and one deer with a drop down chop with a Wilkinson Sword bayonet from an apple tree in 1970 as well. Oh...I miss them days.:)
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I fully agree,
I've dummied enough critters in me lifetime to fill many a fridge. The main thing is , I don't take shots on edible game beyond 100 yds. with the rifles I use and never have darted critters with a bow beyond 30 yds.

Varmints though, are up for grabs at ranges to 500+ yds. on a good day. Oh..and one deer with a drop down chop with a Wilkinson Sword bayonet from an apple tree in 1970 as well. Oh...I miss them days.:)
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Oh man only if you filmed that lol.
 
I need a good bullet for a 1-9 twist remington .223..i have reloading gear too so i can custom make whatever rounds work best in this rifle...i have some 50 grain bt hornady bullets but i am thinking i need somethjng heaiver...and as great as my old 30-30 and .303 were they are long gone and sold now and yes i plan on doing all my hunting with a .223 now
 
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