Deer gun a 223?

[jds holler]

Ok so many of you have shared their experiences with that caliber. I have decided not to go with the light gun that I have. - Better safe than sorry.

The ol 7mag that I have used for 20 years, has taken quite a few deer. Thanks for your input.

WAIT!!! Don't do that! The 7 Mag is WAAYY too powerful for the standard deer. jd

 

[Dimner]

Is a 223 enough for deer out to 200 yd with 69smk's

no, not even close.

 

[Lonny in ID]

I was a naysayer myself, until hearing from experienced hunters that the .22 CF's kill deer just fine. With some real experience myself, I found the .22 CF's indeed do kill deer well. Keep the shots at sane distances and punch them in the lungs. Seen it used and used many times myself, with great results. I'd pick a different bullet though. One designed for bigger critters and better penetration, like the NPT, TTSX, etc..

It wouldn't be my first pick for big muley buck on a once in a lifetime hunt, but than neither would I choose a 30/30 for the same hunt.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Several years ago the legal caliber for deer was reduced to include the 223. If I recall correctly, the dept of natural resources(Minnesota) recommended the law change to the state legislature, to help young and female hunters get started deer hunting(less recoil). Likely because the average shooting distance is less than 150 yards(deer recovered) for all legal equipment.

 

[Gary in MD]

Of course the 22 Cals won't kill a deer, they are near bullet proof! LOL
This one laughed herself to death at me when I launched a 77 gr TMK at her....

 

[BearBio]

Head shot

Too iffy!!!

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Quartering on shot.
60 grain Partition broke the bone and ended up in the under the hide back at the diaphragm.
Don't let the small rack fool you. This is in Saskatchewan, where even a young buck is comparatively large.

For this situation, I think I'd rather have a .223 with a Partition over a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 123 ELD-M.

 

[BearBio]

300 Savage, 257 Roberts, 7 x 57, 7-08, 260 Rem, 7.62-39, 6BR, 6.5BR, 7BR, 30 BR, 243WIN. With so many good ones why choose a poor one?

Wife took a running 230 lb. wild pig sow at 265 yards with a Nosler Partition in a 7x57 (One shot and measured weight & distance). I don't think anyone is as recoil shy as she is when it comes to rifles! Her rifle fit her very well (Remington 6700 Mountain Rifle)

 

[okie]

never underestimate the mighty .223!...
sorry Link, i had to do it

 

[BearBio]

Quartering on shot.
60 grain Partition broke the bone and ended up in the under the hide back at the diaphragm.
Don't let the small rack fool you. This is in Saskatchewan, where even a young buck is comparatively large.

For this situation, I think I'd rather have a .223 with a Partition over a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 123 ELD-M.
View attachment 1603355

REALLY iffy using a single shot w/o someone as back-up. Also, a better cartridge in a heavier rifle wouldn't have much more recoil, I would think!

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

REALLY iffy using a single shot w/o someone as back-up.

Funny, I've used that single-shot,(with various barrels) for 24 years on more big game than I can count on all my fingers and toes. I have yet to feel like I was undergunned. You speak as though it's a muzzleloader.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I wonder if the naysayers have any experience with the subject. Probably not. As far as a rehash, I would guess 95 percent of the threads on any forum are a rehash. If you don't like the subject, and/ or have no experience in it to pass on why jump in with a comment? On this one I have lots of experirnce. 55gr Sierra Gameking does a fine job.

 

[Gary in MD]

I wonder if the naysayers have any experience with the subject. Probably not. As far as a rehash, I would guess 95 percent of the threads on any forum are a rehash. If you don't like the subject, and/ or have no experience in it to pass on why jump in with a comment? On this one I have lots of experirnce. 55gr Sierra Gameking does a fine job.

Exactly!! I’d bet that most nay sayers have not tried it… they just “know better”.
Every year a few threads such as this come up and it’s the same thing. The guys that have done it have no problems making kills with reasonable shots and common sense and the other guys claim it’s unethical and nearly impossible.

 

[Turkeytider]

Maybe one of the very best TARGET rounds ever produced, certainly in .223. Too many better, more appropriate hunting rounds for deer, though.

 

[BearBio]

Maybe I'm wrong! My only experience with the .223 is carrying an M-16 while in the Army and shooting ground squirrels with my Super 14 Contender. I did see one small hog get up and keep running after a solid hit when I was guiding while in grad school.

 

[Gman]

Quartering on shot.
60 grain Partition broke the bone and ended up in the under the hide back at the diaphragm.
Don't let the small rack fool you. This is in Saskatchewan, where even a young buck is comparatively large.

For this situation, I think I'd rather have a .223 with a Partition over a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 123 ELD-M.
View attachment 1603355

Very well stated, and you can tell that this is a very large body whitetail. Look at the size of his head & neck!

 

[Tommie]

View attachment 1603359never underestimate the mighty .223!...
sorry Link, i had to do it

Remember King Kong getting shot off the the Empire State Building? Yep, 223!
…or was it a Creedmoor?

 

[natdscott]

Is a 223 enough for deer out to 200 yd with 69smk's

no

 

[JEFFPPC]

Remember King Kong getting shot off the the Empire State Building? Yep, 223!
…or what it a Creedmoor?

So tell us what your experience is shooting whitetail with a .223 and a proper bullet.

 

[K22]

This thread just demonstrates there are no universal truths on earth when humans are involved.

PS: For the head shot crowd, miss the tight window of a humane kill and hit the deer in the jaw and you have a game animal that is going to suffer a miserable death. Judging from what I see on the ranges during deer "sight in", the latter is more likely.