223 rem
- Thread starter rph
- Start date
Depends on what your wanting to hunt, How far you wanna shoot?
Hillbilly
Hillbilly
You need to elaborate a bit more on what you need advise with. What are you trying to do, what do you have, and what do you want to shoot.
Basically, what bullet weights do you want to shoot, what twist rate do you have or are you looking at, and what will it be used for and at what distances.
But if you just want a good general set-up, a 1-9 is a good middle of the road twist as it will shoot the really light 35gr bullets all the way up to the 65gr bullets and even some of the 70's as well. It's what comes standard in many factory rifles as it works with such a wide range of bullet weights. It's likely the way to go if you want a good general use rifle that will serve many purposes, like target shooting, varminting, and some small to medium size game hunting.
Basically, what bullet weights do you want to shoot, what twist rate do you have or are you looking at, and what will it be used for and at what distances.
But if you just want a good general set-up, a 1-9 is a good middle of the road twist as it will shoot the really light 35gr bullets all the way up to the 65gr bullets and even some of the 70's as well. It's what comes standard in many factory rifles as it works with such a wide range of bullet weights. It's likely the way to go if you want a good general use rifle that will serve many purposes, like target shooting, varminting, and some small to medium size game hunting.
How big are the deer in your area? If they get over 140lbs, I would look to a bigger round. You may also want to check local laws, as some states and counties have minimum's for caliber and power. And I would rule out the .223 for any deer over 300yds, it just doesn't have the power I would require for a shot any longer than that.
If you are looking to shoot deer 500yds, or even 300yds, I would look at a .243. It has plenty of power to take most any deer to 500yds.
But if you can limit shots to 250yds on deer, than the .223 may be a reasonable choice. I am more used to using larger rounds as the deer in my area can go over 200lbs dressed, I have seen 225lbs dressed, which is a large animal by any standard. The deer in my area are just too big and tough for a small round like a .223, and I have seen even a .243 fail to drop them with good shot placement.
Another thing you need to have with a .223 on deer is perfect shot placement. It's a small round and will do little to stop a deer if the shot is not perfectly placed. You will have a bit more leeway with a .243, but you still need good shot placement.
The wind drift on a .223 will be huge at 500yds as well, and will make hunting difficult. You need first round hits on deer, and that will be hard past 300yds in even a 10mph wind with a .223. There are many things that are working against the .223 for deer hunting at anything over 250yds, and is why I recommend a .243 or something similar.
The .243 is a great varmint round as well as a good deer round and has a lot less wind drift at 500yds, or even 300yds, and will make good shot placement much easier than with a .223. It has the ability to throw a much heavier bullet which is very helpful on deer as ranges start to stretch.
But if you are insistent on a .223, I would go with at least a 1-9 twist, with a 1-8 probably being better as you will be able to throw heavier bullets.
I would also use the 60gr Nosler Partition or 70gr Barnes TSX, as they are good tough bullets that will have a better chance of performing well on your intended game. Though the 75-80gr A-Max may be a good choice as well.
The .243 has a lot larger selection of bullets for your intended game as well, as it's designed more for deer sized game then the .223.
So in short, a 1-9 or 1-8 twist will be good for a .223, though I feel a .243 with a 1-8 to 1-9.25" twsit would be a much better choice for your intended use, as it will have a greatly extended range over the .223 and will have a lot more power to put game down as the ranges start to stretch.
Good luck
Kenny
If you are looking to shoot deer 500yds, or even 300yds, I would look at a .243. It has plenty of power to take most any deer to 500yds.
But if you can limit shots to 250yds on deer, than the .223 may be a reasonable choice. I am more used to using larger rounds as the deer in my area can go over 200lbs dressed, I have seen 225lbs dressed, which is a large animal by any standard. The deer in my area are just too big and tough for a small round like a .223, and I have seen even a .243 fail to drop them with good shot placement.
Another thing you need to have with a .223 on deer is perfect shot placement. It's a small round and will do little to stop a deer if the shot is not perfectly placed. You will have a bit more leeway with a .243, but you still need good shot placement.
The wind drift on a .223 will be huge at 500yds as well, and will make hunting difficult. You need first round hits on deer, and that will be hard past 300yds in even a 10mph wind with a .223. There are many things that are working against the .223 for deer hunting at anything over 250yds, and is why I recommend a .243 or something similar.
The .243 is a great varmint round as well as a good deer round and has a lot less wind drift at 500yds, or even 300yds, and will make good shot placement much easier than with a .223. It has the ability to throw a much heavier bullet which is very helpful on deer as ranges start to stretch.
But if you are insistent on a .223, I would go with at least a 1-9 twist, with a 1-8 probably being better as you will be able to throw heavier bullets.
I would also use the 60gr Nosler Partition or 70gr Barnes TSX, as they are good tough bullets that will have a better chance of performing well on your intended game. Though the 75-80gr A-Max may be a good choice as well.
The .243 has a lot larger selection of bullets for your intended game as well, as it's designed more for deer sized game then the .223.
So in short, a 1-9 or 1-8 twist will be good for a .223, though I feel a .243 with a 1-8 to 1-9.25" twsit would be a much better choice for your intended use, as it will have a greatly extended range over the .223 and will have a lot more power to put game down as the ranges start to stretch.
Good luck
Kenny
There are so many better round available for for deer. If its going to be a drivin gun youre gonna be shooting at moving animals. I think one of the best questions is, why do you want a .223? especially if you are going to be using it for deer? What kind of platform are you thinking about? even if you want an AR, there are many great rounds available for them now.
223 are not made for animals like deer. Why do you think that the US military is trying to get away from the weak cartridge? They have a hard time keeping a stoned terrorist on the ground. What do you think is going to happen if you end up grazing one lung on a deer running through the brush??? The sportsmanly thing to do would get a proper round for the animal you are trying to shoot, at least you will kill it cleanly. Just my two cents..
223 are not made for animals like deer. Why do you think that the US military is trying to get away from the weak cartridge? They have a hard time keeping a stoned terrorist on the ground. What do you think is going to happen if you end up grazing one lung on a deer running through the brush??? The sportsmanly thing to do would get a proper round for the animal you are trying to shoot, at least you will kill it cleanly. Just my two cents..
They are perfect for coyotes, and i will always cringe at the thought of someone shooting at a deer with a 22. Do what you think is ethical.
Tango, you took the words out of my mouth. I was also going to bring up the 6.5 or 6.8 in an AR and the SKS. Especially the SKS, get two guns, SKS for deer and maybe a used savage .223 for coyotes. That will run you the same price as a higher end 223.
But like Kenny said .243 would be great for deer and coyotes.
Tango, you took the words out of my mouth. I was also going to bring up the 6.5 or 6.8 in an AR and the SKS. Especially the SKS, get two guns, SKS for deer and maybe a used savage .223 for coyotes. That will run you the same price as a higher end 223.
But like Kenny said .243 would be great for deer and coyotes.
You mean to tell me you take head shots on deer? I really hope you're not serious, as I just find that horribly wrong in so many ways that it almost makes me mad. If you can't make a proper shot on a deer in the vitals (ie: heart, lungs, neck and maybe even spine if nothing else is available) than maybe you need another hobby. Coyote are another story, but even then I can only see headshots being viable when you are saving hides, and then it's still not really the best to just go for a headshot unless it's all that's available.
But as for deer, there is no reason to ever take a headshot, there just isn't. If you miss the brain, you then have a deer that can go a long way with a horrible wound, likely farther than you can follow or track it before it expires, if it even dies. A deer will live if you hit it in the jaw, at least until it starves to death or dies from infection. Headshots are just not advisable in any way on deer. They are far from an ideal shot. Not at all what a responsible hunter would do.
Sorry, but some things just hit a nerve with me, and improper hunting practices are one of them.
But as for deer, there is no reason to ever take a headshot, there just isn't. If you miss the brain, you then have a deer that can go a long way with a horrible wound, likely farther than you can follow or track it before it expires, if it even dies. A deer will live if you hit it in the jaw, at least until it starves to death or dies from infection. Headshots are just not advisable in any way on deer. They are far from an ideal shot. Not at all what a responsible hunter would do.
Sorry, but some things just hit a nerve with me, and improper hunting practices are one of them.
Kenny474 said:
I hate to do it, but here it goes....
I've only taken head/neck shoots for the most part at Whitetails that where within reason, as in not running (I don't even pick up on them), over 100 yds. in the woods/brush, etc....I was taught by one of the best teachers possible NOT TO WASTE MEAT as that's all we had! Grandpa put his boot on my A$$ after my first kill, and Grandma didn't talk to me for a week because I took a lung and heart shot.
Deer hunting is not a HOBBY for some, it's a mainstay, to say that a head/neck shot is improper hunting practices hits a nerve with me!
cant beat a gud hart shot to but thats just me 8)itchyTF
Gold $$ Contributor
Flame on.....
Everyone is probably going to think I'm insensitive. I've seen my share of bad spellers (my 2 kids have problems) but this stretches the imagination.
Your spelling makes interpretation a challenge. In the Varminter & Hunting forum you said the spellchecker wasn't working. Probably because even it doesn't know what you are trying to say.
In your statement - "......I just find taking head shots on fons a litul easyer.......", did you mean fawns?
Just wondering if you are trying to look like a bad speller or doing it for "fun"? You were sort of consistant with "thooting" and "thooter" but then you got "shot", "shots" and "shoot" correct. To be consistant I would think they would have been "thot", "thots" and "thoot". It seems you get every other or third word wrong yet you got 5 words in a row correct in the above quote. Also just noticed that you spelled 'meat' wrong in the post containing the above quote but got it right twice in a later post. Something just doesn't ring true.
Flame off........
Everyone is probably going to think I'm insensitive. I've seen my share of bad spellers (my 2 kids have problems) but this stretches the imagination.
Your spelling makes interpretation a challenge. In the Varminter & Hunting forum you said the spellchecker wasn't working. Probably because even it doesn't know what you are trying to say.
In your statement - "......I just find taking head shots on fons a litul easyer.......", did you mean fawns?
Just wondering if you are trying to look like a bad speller or doing it for "fun"? You were sort of consistant with "thooting" and "thooter" but then you got "shot", "shots" and "shoot" correct. To be consistant I would think they would have been "thot", "thots" and "thoot". It seems you get every other or third word wrong yet you got 5 words in a row correct in the above quote. Also just noticed that you spelled 'meat' wrong in the post containing the above quote but got it right twice in a later post. Something just doesn't ring true.
Flame off........
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