will a .223 be big enough for deer???
- Thread starter Dizzle87
- Start date
Dizzle, you're probably right, alot of the people you're talking to may just well be "big talkers". Of course there are those out there who've probably taken deer or bigger with a .223, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you can duplicate their results, especially being a new hunter. Why not borrow a larger caliber rifle from a friend and not worry about loosing your first deer. I have been hunting for 35 years now, each and every one of those years has been a success, and even though I'm not an expert
as someone else puts it, I wouldn't consider it. 
- Location
- St. Joe's Island, Ont
A high powered rifle kills more due to shock than bleeding, ya we scramble some internals but if it was the massive amount of blood loss we were after we'd all be hunting deer with 45-70's and 375 H&H's.
Yes. I just bought my youngest son a VG condition Sporterized 38 Swede in 6.5X55 with a Ramline Stock and Bushnell 3-9X40 for $225
And why not? ... a page out of the "Reloader's Nest":
Edit: you'll never regret being overgunned, being undergunned?...well that's a whole other story.
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It may be legal (is in Ontario), but are you up to the task?
Bullet placement is everything with something that small.
I suggest you get a bigger gun, or forget this year and practice for next year, better yet get a bigger gun for next year anyway.
Bullet placement is everything with something that small.
I suggest you get a bigger gun, or forget this year and practice for next year, better yet get a bigger gun for next year anyway.
jeeeeeesus, load the 223 with a quality bullet, keep the shots to 100 yards or closer and only shoot from a steady rest, and slowly squeeze the trigger. Of course a 243+ is a better choice but if you dont got one, then who cares!
make sure your knife is sharp
make sure your knife is sharp
soldier506
Regular
- Location
- saskatchewan,canada
I know that the .223 is underpowered for deer but could be done. Not sure of it being legal or not. We just use a .22 cal for our beef and pigs. It is better to have a larger calibre if possible.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Yes, it will do the job, if you pick your shots.
Me, I'd use something else.
Me, I'd use something else.
- Location
- big sky country
- Location
- London,Ontario
Ya... he claims to be right on SO MANY things, tried making me look like an ass with hunter orange until I called the mnr and proved him wrong
PS, 223 is to small man. As one fellow suggested. Buy a .303 off here. Cheap, will kill anything in Canada, and it wont break your piggy bank.
Good luck in finding something.
EDIT: Sorry about the .303 recommendation, that calibur is illegal in southern ontario, but if your up near me it isn't. Just thought I would point that out.
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I know my Remington 700 VLS with hand loaded 55gr FMJ tears through my 1/4 Steel plate at 200 yards no problem. With my 8-36 power scope I could hit a deer in the eye if it stood still. We hunt deer in southern Ontario near bluevale. I use a Remington 870 Custom thumb hole prototype. Its has green laminate stock never seen one like it. Its a slug gun with leupold 2-7 scope, rifled cantilever and extremely accurate. I can shoot three shot groups in a clover at 100yards, we use Remington or Winchester premier slugs.
Last year a big buck walked out on us head-on and was 250-300 yards, needless to say it got away we both missed. Longest shot we ever took and put one down with a shotgun was 200 yards since these big heavy 12 gauge slug drop to fast once it get out past 100 yards. I have been hunting with my dad for a few years now and target shoot a lot. Any shot we took with the 12 gauge slugs I would have done with my .223. We are right on the border of the Wild life unit where rifles are allowed for the deer season and we have to use shotguns. I think most guys are afraid of with a small caliber is a wounding shot. It wont kill the deer when using a 223. You hit in the back-end or non vital area with a 12 gauge slug the deer should still go down. A 223 non expanding bullet like a FMJ will just go right through. You should treat hunting a deer with the 223 a lot like bow hunting. An arrow imparts hardly any ft lbs of energy on the target, the animal dies primarily of blood loss. When use a .416 rigby or 12 gauge it going to hit the deer with thousands ft lbs of energy. when shot in the front legs or spine its enough power to break the legs and destroy anything that comes in the way and puts the animal down from shock all on its own. I have shot deer with success with a browning gold hunter with slugs and 30" barrel, Remington 870 express 20" open sights slug barrel too.
Just remember what your trying to do accuracy and shot placement will be important with the 223... try and use a bullet that expands a lot and retains it weight. Heart, lung or head shots are what you need to take, remember your not hunting bear, rino or dangerous game...
For reference we use .270 on moose and its much bigger game then deer
This November will be my 7th deer hunt
Good luck let us know how it goes.
Last year a big buck walked out on us head-on and was 250-300 yards, needless to say it got away we both missed. Longest shot we ever took and put one down with a shotgun was 200 yards since these big heavy 12 gauge slug drop to fast once it get out past 100 yards. I have been hunting with my dad for a few years now and target shoot a lot. Any shot we took with the 12 gauge slugs I would have done with my .223. We are right on the border of the Wild life unit where rifles are allowed for the deer season and we have to use shotguns. I think most guys are afraid of with a small caliber is a wounding shot. It wont kill the deer when using a 223. You hit in the back-end or non vital area with a 12 gauge slug the deer should still go down. A 223 non expanding bullet like a FMJ will just go right through. You should treat hunting a deer with the 223 a lot like bow hunting. An arrow imparts hardly any ft lbs of energy on the target, the animal dies primarily of blood loss. When use a .416 rigby or 12 gauge it going to hit the deer with thousands ft lbs of energy. when shot in the front legs or spine its enough power to break the legs and destroy anything that comes in the way and puts the animal down from shock all on its own. I have shot deer with success with a browning gold hunter with slugs and 30" barrel, Remington 870 express 20" open sights slug barrel too.
Just remember what your trying to do accuracy and shot placement will be important with the 223... try and use a bullet that expands a lot and retains it weight. Heart, lung or head shots are what you need to take, remember your not hunting bear, rino or dangerous game...
For reference we use .270 on moose and its much bigger game then deer
This November will be my 7th deer hunt
Good luck let us know how it goes.
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Damn drew, that is hard to read man. Punctuation buddy.......punctuation.
Do you guys actually read Dizzle's question? He did mention he was a first time hunter. So whether the .223 is up to the job, is the man up to the job with a .223??? Not likely, and I don't mean to take anything away from Dizzle, but at least consider his point.
PS: edited for bad spelling...grrrrr.
Do you guys actually read Dizzle's question? He did mention he was a first time hunter. So whether the .223 is up to the job, is the man up to the job with a .223??? Not likely, and I don't mean to take anything away from Dizzle, but at least consider his point.
PS: edited for bad spelling...grrrrr.
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Now you want to get ME involved in you rsick little games?? Sorry bud, i dont' play for that team!
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
It can be done with exact shot placement and proper bullet weight and construction, but I would borrow something bigger at least a .243.
