Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 1 in 8" Twist Tikka 223 and heavy bullets for deer.

I have a license to hntin the State forests here. Most of the game is smallish; rabbits, foxes, goats, the very odd pig, wild dogs and every blue moon a deer wanders in, usually fallow which are a reasonably light bodied animal.

Rather than be overgunned in thsoe forests which don't usually see deer, I plan to use my 223. I wouldn't want to pass up a shot on a deer if a suicidal one wandered my way.

60Gn Partitions were the first thing I thought of, then 70Gn Speers. The Swift Sirocco 75Gn also sounds good.

I would probably shoot mainly 55Gns bullets and carry a few heavy bullet loads in my pocket.

The WInchester Law Enforcement Ranger 223 ammo has a 60Gn Partition and this ammo is not much dearer that the bullet costs. When I got the rifle I was given a heap of ammo with target bullets, all 69gns or heavier and the rifle liked them.

I had a box of 223 American Eagles (55Gn) the rifle didn't like these at all, spat out a 2 1/2" group!

I think if the 60Gn partitions work I might just use these for everything and leave the 55Gn bullets for my 222 and 22/250 Remington 788s.

Fallow deer: "Adult bucks are 140�160 cm long and 85�95 cm shoulder height, and 70-100 kg in weight; does are 130�150 cm long and 75�85 cm shoulder height, and 40-50 kg in weight. Fawns are born in spring at about 30 cm and weigh around 4.5 kg. The life span is around 12�16 years."

100 kg is 220 pounds. That's as big as a big lower 48 Whitetail !

If I had to use a 223, it would be the 60 gr partition or 70gr TSX and use shoulder shots. (break em' down on the spot).

just use the heavier bullet for everything, don't carry both, it'll just create confusion or inaction

I have a CZ 527 carbine with a 18 inch barrel and was concerned the Federal premium with 60 grain partition wouls stabilize in the short barrel and slow(1 in 12 twist)I shot the rifle up to 150 yards and the load shot less than 2 inches at 150 with a 2 power heavy duplex scope ! This makes me believe that this load would satbilize in a longer barrel with faster twist.I have no experience with the Winchester load you speak of.
I have never used the load on any game animal as I just got the rifle a few months ago and our hunting season is long over But there are quite a few threads that mention the 60 grain partition for Game animals and it has good reports.
Look for 223 ammo for deer,223 for deer in either a search or in the forums them selves and perhaps you can find more info on this.
Craig

If you don't reload, or want to, I would buy a few boxes of 62gr Federal Fusions and not worry again.

I'd agree with the 60 grain Partitions. Just to add -- I have the same rifle and it stabilizes 55 grain Nosler BTs very well.

75gr Swift is a nasty bastard and I'd happily use it on all the above.

Of course a 62gr TSX is sweet for hoofed critters.

I was down at the local gunshop and they had boxes of Barnes 62Gn TX BTs.

Plumb nasty looking bullets. After discount, exactly $1.00 per bullet (ouch!).

They recommend a twist of 1:7" to 1:9", so my 1:8" is right on the money. These are a bit lighter than the Swift, but with the bullet construction, length and twist, they should drill deep enough to put venison in the freezer.

I've yet to catch one, though I've surely never paid close to a buck a bullet.

The do with aplomb! You need to find a new place to buy bullets

The 52 gr TSX also works well in a 222 for deer (where legal)

Based on Steelhead's recommendation I gave the 62 TSX a try. It will wreck shoulders and keep going.

Federal Barrier Blind 62gr Govt. load. Same/same as the 62gr Fusions. 80 yards quartering to. Entered just behind shoulder on near side and was found in the stomach. Around 18 inches of penetration. Shot another at 174 yards with it through both shoulders the day prior. Of course that deer collapsed.

How many you killed with it and where?

60 gr. NPT, yes.

70 TSX, no.

That bullet needs way more speed to perform than the .222 can dish out. Go lite for caliber with monometals and push hard. I'd shoot a 50 TSX as hard as it would go, or stick with the NPT.

DF

Larry,

You guessing, as usual. You know and can read on line just enough to give someone bad advice.

DF

They dont make a fuggin 52 gr. TSX....

Another you might try is the 64 gr. Win. power point. I keep hearing good things about that bullet for deer. I'll be trying them myself next season.

+1...heard the same.Many Times.

Damnit bro.. I was settin' him up for a big open mouth insert foot moment...

;-)