Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Hunting Deer with the .223 Rem?

I have been around long enough and shot enough deer to know that a shot with a bullet that light would need to be broadside at reasonable range.

Not trolling - and did see a 223AI Thread that was miles long. Had trouble determining if that was even serious as there are so many smart ass remarks. Seems to be a common theme where the .223 is mentioned as deer worthy.

I am/was in the camp of the .223 being too small, but never having tried it myself, wanted to ask the question. I have been around long enough and shot enough deer to know that a shot with a bullet that light would need to be broadside at reasonable range.

The reason I ask is that I have always wanted a M70 Featherweight (prefer .308) but saw one in .223 at a local shop. I'm trying to justify it to myself and if I could add it as a legit deer killer, well that may just be the tipping point.

The possible problem is the slow factory twist. It will limit your options bullet wise.

Agreed, why I'm asking about experiences from guys that have actually used the .223Rem. on deer. It would not be a dedicated mule deer gun - more of a multi purpose varmint, coyote and possible deer gun.

I think the 55 grn TTSX or the factory loaded 62 grn Federal Fusion would likely shoot well in that stock Winchester.

The bad thing about it is that it will work but would be less than ideal on anything except perfect shot opportunities. In my experience when I am hunting with a gun like that I'm likely to see the trophy of a lifetime only offering me a Texas heart shot.It's a shot I wouldn't think twice about with my 7 mag or 270 and good bonded or Barnes bullets.

The fact is that you can kill the snot out of deer with just a 22 lr if you always place the bullet well.I don't rely on enough gun to make up for poor shot placement but I've often needed something that would leave no doubt about penetration when offered a hard angle shot.

I would hunt the 223 but only knowing that there might be shots I would have to pass up that I wouldn't hesitate on with a different caliber.

You don't believe a Barnes out of a 223 will break a deer pelvis?

You don't believe a Barnes out of a 223 will break a deer pelvis?

I find it interesting that many argue the merits of the .223 as a deer round but never talk about any short comings.
The short comings are it's small wound channel and less damage than is made by larger bullets.
This doesn't matter if it shot is placed in the forward half of the chest cavity where it penetrates both lungs and lots of blood vessels. The buck isn't going far.
But how about the shots that go bad and hit something that doesn't bleed nearly as much ? Think a .22 caliber bullet will make as large a wound channel as a 7mm - .308 bullet of like construction and velocity ?
One doesn't hear much about fast .270 or '06' bullets that expand rapidly killing quickly with a hit behind the diaphragm. But Jack O'Connor used to write about such things.
I'm not saying this happens much on really big, tough animals, but it does on deer.
John Wooters, in his great book, Hunting Throphy Deer discussed the fact that one rarely gets the time to carefully place his shots on big, old bucks. For that job one needs extra killing ability. That's why he recommended cartriages between .26-.30 caliber pusing bullets between 130-150 grs. in weight between 2800-3000 fps. E

I do. My concern is if it will have the penetration necessary to reach vitals after 200 yards. Maybe it's unfounded but I would prefer that shot with my 7 mag.

I would hunt the 223 but only knowing that there might be shots I would have to pass up that I wouldn't hesitate on with a different caliber.