Need advice...ultra low recoil deer round

I live in Ontario and my little ar-180B in 223 with 55gr federal softpoints is absolutely deadly at 100yds. You can see the impacts in the scope because there is zero recoil and the gun weighs nothing.

my $0.02
 
I know how toxic's uncle feels. I too am a stubborn guy and do things that I should not do, being too proud to ask for help.

Certainly, he should be allowed to use a .223, as has been well said in many of the posts.

If I was offered a chance to get out this November, here in the Ottawa Valley, to a camp, with all of my infirmities & problems, I would jump at it, with my Husky .243, currently in the EE.

I sold my Winchester M70 in .338 on the EE, which was my favourite hunting rifle of all that I've owned over the years but having much less weight that I had, and full of blood thinner, I've been told I should refrain from recoil.

A license here in Ontario for deer is reasonable whereas in Quebec, where are cottage is with lots of deer, where I have an ATV, non-resident tag is well over $200 and only for a buck! No Way!

I must confess here, this post is being composed in Thunderbird (for spell check etc.)> Firefox > to get up on CGN, as a trial.

But all that I've said above is true.
 
I loaded 55gr Hornady [old style with cannalure] with 24 gr Win 748 for my Dad from a .222 He took a deer every year one shot for a decade before packing it in.Sold the farm...........Instant kills or 25 yard sprint followed by lipstand...............And 3 bears...................Harold
 
I loaded 55gr Hornady [old style with cannalure] with 24 gr Win 748 for my Dad from a .222 He took a deer every year one shot for a decade before packing it in.Sold the farm...........Instant kills or 25 yard sprint followed by lipstand...............And 3 bears...................Harold

On Vancouver Island, in the '60s and '70s, many deer fell to a .222, usually by a local guy out after supper, before dark.

Proper Bullet + Proper Shot Placement + reasonable range = venison in freezer.
 
The .223 with a good bullet would work. If you want to use the .243, then consider an 87 grain bullet (such as the Hornady Interlock) with a muzzle velocity around 2700 fps. Less recoil than a 100 grain load.
 
.357 magnum lever action

Rifle weighs 6lbs, short OAL, very light kick, $25.00 for 50 rounds, can use .38spl if you see a grouse or rabbit.

I don't want to give medical advice on the internet, but maybe the old man should ask his doctor whether he should be shooting from the bicep to prevent jostling his shoulder (as much) and possibly his heart. I personally shoot with the butt between my bicep and shoulder muscle and I got my cross rifles and crown when I was 12 years old (85% average with a .22lr at 60 feet on a cadet trainer target prone, Enfield #7 trainer). It's just as accurate imo, but that's my opinion, and this is the internet.
 
fun with statistics

It hasn't killed nearly as many as it has wounded. The idea is to kill more deer then you wound. Way more.

That's true of the .30-06, .303, 8x57 and a plethora of military cartridges as well. Shot placement and effective range makes for clean kills. With any cartridge.
 
Let’s keep your uncle hunting and tame it with the as mention muzzle brake, decelerator butt pad and look into a reasonable priced, gas operated self loader gun. Just like teaching the younger generation and the ladies alike, you can quickly turn anyone off of guns by staring them out with a heavy recoil firearm.
Other options like a synthetic stock can also lighten the load making it easier to carry. Also give the old boy easy access to and from point duty and don’t make him work if you expect him to come out. The younger guys need to take the leadership role and I’m glad to see your taking it on.
Good luck.


Driller
 
A skilled hunter and shooter who makes a proper bullet choice should do fine with the 223. This assumes he is selective about his opportunities to shoot. An alternate round that for many years was considered the ideal low recoil deer cartridge is the 250 Savage. It seems to have faded from the sight of the current generation of hunters.
 
To the original poster, I'd have his uncle get a second opinion from a doctor who is also a hunter. I'd also challenge the original doctor(s) to produce specific cases, papers which support avoiding recoil.

If the pacemaker is on the left side of the chest and his uncle shoots right-handed, this may be less of an issue than expected. Especially so, if the pacemaker implant site is well healed.

Any CGN members who are doctors, feel free to comment generally on this issue.
 
A 223 with a good bullet is deadly on deer shot in the boiler room. No need for any other recoil reduction.

If the rifle is not a fast twist, the 63 gr semi-spitzer works well, as does the 60 gr HP. The HP does not blow up. Don't ask me how I know - but I do have 222 / 12 ga combo rifle.
 
To the original poster, I'd have his uncle get a second opinion from a doctor who is also a hunter. I'd also challenge the original doctor(s) to produce specific cases, papers which support avoiding recoil.

If the pacemaker is on the left side of the chest and his uncle shoots right-handed, this may be less of an issue than expected. Especially so, if the pacemaker implant site is well healed.

Any CGN members who are doctors, feel free to comment generally on this issue.

MY grandfather had the same thing done. when he was going in to have it done the nurse asked him if he was a hunter. when he said yes shes she said well we better not put it on that side and the changed the location to his left.
good thing she pointed it out first.
 
low recoiling hunting rifle

well you could put a good quality recoil pad on his rifle . or I used to own a 6.5x55 swede short rifle and it hardly recoiled at all . the rifles weight is such that it soakes up any recoil . and it is more powerful than his 243. good luck in your choice.
 
Load up some TSXs in the .223 and he'll have meat in the freezer. The TSX is a proven big game bullet and in .224" it is available in light weights which will further reduce recoil if you keep the velocity to about 3000 fps. If you go as heavy as 53 gr you'll need a fast twist barrel, but the lighter ones have proven accurate in standard twist barrels.

Here's our 11 year old grand-daughter shooting her Dad's Brno Fox in .222.
DSC_0183.jpg
 
Deer Cartridges With Light Recoil

I would think a 243 with some weight and a Limbsaver recoil pad would be a good choice. A friend of mine has taken some deer with his 223 Mini 14. He said shot placement is all thats needed, and he only used 55 grain ammo.
 
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