.223 Whitetail bullet

[NC308]

Ok. before everyone says that a .223 is too small for deer, I don't want to hear it.

So my son hunts with a .223 ruger american with a 1:8 twist. We are using 55 gr hornady spire points with great success, but i feel like i want to go heavier.

So what do you recommend? I reload and would like to keep recoil at a minimum. I was thinking like a 75 gr something? Or maybe the barnes line? Thoughts?

 

[effendude]

60 grain Nosler bonded bullet would do the trick

Scott

 

[fredo]

62gr TSX

 

[JLT]

62gr TSX

+1 - That's the one!

 

[jsthntn247]

The heaviest Barnes ttsx or the 75 Swift Scirocco. Pretty sweet that they put an 8 twist on it, might have to look that one up even if it is a Ruhhhh. Still can't bring myself to say that word.

 

[NC308]

The heaviest Barnes ttsx or the 75 Swift Scirocco. Pretty sweet that they put an 8 twist on it, might have to look that one up even if it is a Ruhhhh. Still can't bring myself to say that word.

Its the american compact ranch rifle. It has the short stock and 16" barrel. And its threaded.

 

[civil82]

Here's some additional reading:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/223-for-whitetail.3836166/#post-36350057

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...bullet-for-223-hellllp.3881810/#post-36624719

 

[pdog2062]

Don't worry about using a 223,I use one on everything that grows in my part of the country.The 55 grain soft point has always done well for me on deer,hogs and coyotes.I don't want to start any urinary Olympics on this subject,just my two cents worth

 

[Larryh128]

As said before, 62gr Barnes TSX. Best deer bullet there is for a 22 cal. Big exit, goes thru shoulders. About 60 deer didn't like it at all. Never had 1 go over 35 yds, most in a heap.

 

[Nvreloader]

I shoot nothing but,
Win 64gr PP or Nosler 60 gr Parts,
in all the 222 to 22-250 for deer/Speed goats, 6 different rifles,
and have had NO problems reported to me,
out to 300+yds.

Tia,
Don

 

[AckleymanII]

I killed a bunch of does with a 223 and 55g Sierra spt before I did not know any better, all dropped in their tracks. Today, much better bullets are around, and the 60g partition is a monster of a deer killing bullet. The 60g Nosler partition in a 12 twist-8 twist can be very accurate.

Nosler 64g bonded
63g sierra semi point
64g Winchester sp

All will do a great job.

My brother killed two does at 270 yards with an AR15 loaded with 62g triple shocks, no blood trail, but found them.

 

[bigngreen]

We have younger hunters shoot elk with a 223 and 55 gr soft points, one round right behind the shoulder inside a couple hundred yards makes for easy elk killing, works just as well on big mule deer, I'd never go back to bonded or copper bullets again!!

 

[varmintshooter]

Ok. before everyone says that a .223 is too small for deer, I don't want to hear it.

So my son hunts with a .223 ruger american with a 1:8 twist. We are using 55 gr hornady spire points with great success, but i feel like i want to go heavier.

So what do you recommend? I reload and would like to keep recoil at a minimum. I was thinking like a 75 gr something? Or maybe the barnes line? Thoughts?

I have been using the sierra 65 gr gameking with good results. In my gun it is more accurate than the 60 gr nosler partition and I have killed a few with the 75 gr Amax but am not sold on it. A lot of love for the barnes but I have not tried them. No problem with a 223 as long as you use some common sense.

 

[r bose]

75 AMAX w/good shot placement will do it all day

 

[NC308]

Man lots of info on this! I was not aware this many people hunted with one. Thanks for the input!

 

[timeout]

I have been using the sierra 65 gr gameking with good results. In my gun it is more accurate than the 60 gr nosler partition and I have killed a few with the 75 gr Amax but am not sold on it. A lot of love for the barnes but I have not tried them. No problem with a 223 as long as you use some common sense.

I've killed several with the 55 gr. REM soft points, although most were neck shots. I have my wife's .223 loaded with Nosler 60 gr. Partitions. I have an 8 twist now and 75 Amaxes loaded, but haven't tried it on deer yet. Curious what you don't like about the Amaxes?

 

[varmintshooter]

I've killed several with the 55 gr. REM soft points, although most were neck shots. I have my wife's .223 loaded with Nosler 60 gr. Partitions. I have an 8 twist now and 75 Amaxes loaded, but haven't tried it on deer yet. Curious what you don't like about the Amaxes?

Its not that I don't like them, of the deer I shot with them none went far. As I stated I'm just not sure they are the best choice but I haven't given up on them. I haven't recovered any (pass thru's) and tend to think that they aren't opening up like a hunting bullet.

 

[TZaun]

My daughter has shot two does with the 65 gr. Sierra. Both were textbook lung shots. I bet neither deer knew if it was a 22-250 or a 300 Ultra Cannon.

 

[stacy]

MY DAUGHTER LITTLE 223 SURE PUTS THEM DOWN WITH 62GR TRIPLE SHOCKS I SHOT A DOE LATE YEAR THOURGH BOTH FRONT SHOULDERS 100YDS FOLP BANG TRANSMISSION REMOVE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[timeout]

Its not that I don't like them, of the deer I shot with them none went far. As I stated I'm just not sure they are the best choice but I haven't given up on them. I haven't recovered any (pass thru's) and tend to think that they aren't opening up like a hunting bullet.

Thanks for the reply. I have a load worked up with them that shoots well. Only use that rifle for drives through the thick stuff and calling coyotes.