Is a .223 enough for deer???

Get a 6.5x55 if you don't like recoil but want to do the job reliably and humanely. Although the humane part will depend on your marksmanship.

I suppose .223 would do it, if you are capable of a brain shot through the side of the skull every time; but who is?
 
Of course the .223 can kill a deer. Question is are you a good enough hunter to determine range and not take a shot that is questionable on angle or distance? I'd much rather see a person use a .223 and new how to use it than one shooter I witnessed using a Browning Bar 7mm mag and emptied his rifle only to hit one leg.

So are you good enough? Do you have enough experience?
 
Thanks everyone for your input, I have just finished reading the entire thread to date, and there hasbeen some really good information...and debates as usual on CGN. So at this point, my hunting is going to be fairly short range, 150 yards or closer, I just like the idea of having to work for the hunt and not deliver a round from 500 yards. No offence to those who like shooting out to those distances, but its about learning for me and my son, so its going to be close. If we blow it and the deer gets wind of us and darts off, well then we either keep stalking or work on being a little more quiet.

As for experience, I have been shooting rifles for 30 years, just never got around to hunting for one reason or another, I have always wanted to . I have no issues with hitting what I'm shooting at, and fully understand the fundamentals of marksmanship.

So weighing all the info at this point I think the .223 will stay (for the time being), bullet choice to be explored and I'll work up some rounds with various TSX bullets and see how they work.

I'll also be pickig up a .308 shortly in order to have a little versatility when out hunting.

As for the big bears, I always carry my 12.5 inch 870 just in case.

Again thanks all, now I just need to save up for some good optics and we're off to the bush.
 
Yes a .223 is just enough for a deer in the right shot placement, but i would not recommend it, so No a .223 is not a good deer round. Anything between .243-.30 is what I'd recommend
 
I've only lived in Ontario and Alberta and in both provinces 223 isn't legal for big game. Minimum .23, that being said I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer with mine with a 55-60 gr partition ot tsx bullet if it was legal.
 
I had this discussion one day with a bullet advisor at Sierra. he said it is one of the more common questions he is asked. His answer was that Sierra does not reccommend 223 for deer, but if the hunter wants to use it, thier best bullet is the 69 gr match or the 60 gr HP.

The rifle I was testing was a slow twist, so the 60 gr HP was the heaviest I could shoot. I shot a water soaked Toronto phone book and was very impressed.

My conclusion was that a shot behind the shoulders would do the job as well as a 30-30.

Later, a friend used a 69 match and reported it worked just fine.

I once shot large kangaroos with a 223 and 55 Hornady soft points. They blew a large exit hole on the instant kills. I was surprised they went through.

A Barnes would probably be even better.
 
If people applied bow hunting ethics and techniques when using small calibers (with proper bullets of course), I think most animals would be taken cleanly. However, it is still is not my cup of tea.
 
i have had 50 grain federal SP bullets from my 222 go completely through both front shoulders of a 40 pound yote at 230 yards so a boiler room shot at 100/150 yards with a quality bullet would most likely do the job.still not my first rifle of choice for deer sized game.
 
At one time in BC there was a .230 minimum.
Now I cannot find my hunting regs so why not call the Regional office of the Conservation Service and talk to the CO.
 
Outcast said:
So at this point, my hunting is going to be fairly short range, 150 yards or closer, I just like the idea of having to work for the hunt and not deliver a round from 500 yards. No offence to those who like shooting out to those distances, but its about learning for me and my son, so its going to be close. If we blow it and the deer gets wind of us and darts off, well then we either keep stalking or work on being a little more quiet.

As for experience, I have been shooting rifles for 30 years, just never got around to hunting for one reason or another, I have always wanted to . I have no issues with hitting what I'm shooting at, and fully understand the fundamentals of marksmanship.



I'll also be pickig up a .308 shortly in order to have a little versatility when out hunting.

As for the big bears, I always carry my 12.5 inch 870 just in case.
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Sounds like sound ethics. I don't know the regs in your area, but seldom are you allowed to carry two firearms at one time during the hunt. Longer barrel (maybe even rifled) in your 870 would make it a good deer gun as well. Scopes in the bush I find to be more of a pain in the rear than a good set of iron sights. My favorite bush rifle is the Winchester 94 or Marlin 336. Bush and a little open areas, the Enfield No.5 303 sings for size/ weight/ ease of carry. Just my 2 cents. Have fun and scope out the area ahead of time to know the deer runs. With a .223 I'd be sitting on a deer run not stocking deer. You'll be amazed at the adrenalin rush seeing your first deer and find that bench shooting practice will have no value when your standing there and only the first shot will count. A good sling (far more important than a scope) to steady your shot will make or break your shot.
 
Applefarmer said:
You'll be amazed at the adrenalin rush seeing your first deer and find that bench shooting practice will have no value when your standing there and only the first shot will count. A good sling (far more important than a scope) to steady your shot will make or break your shot.
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With that adrenalin rush, I almost couldn't control my rifle on my first deer. I was pushing the rifle hard against a large hemlock just to hold it semi steady. My heart was beating so hard, it was physically moving my upper body.

As for the OP's question, personally I would confidently use a .223 to drop a deer. I wouldn't do it at distance of more than 150 yards though, but then all my kills have been under a hundred yards.
 
Applefarmer said:
Of course the .223 can kill a deer. Question is are you a good enough hunter to determine range and not take a shot that is questionable on angle or distance? I'd much rather see a person use a .223 and new how to use it than one shooter I witnessed using a Browning Bar 7mm mag and emptied his rifle only to hit one leg.

So are you good enough? Do you have enough experience?
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Did he get the deer?
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< DID HE GET THE DEER ??? >>>>>>>>>>>>>


..with the shooting prowess he showed...and the lack-luster approach to keepin the lead in the air....he likely didn't even look ...then again, maybe the onlookers guilted him into doing it ;)
 
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