Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Is the 223 AI enough for deer

55gr sierras are they one of the better 55gr conventional 22cal bullets for larger game.My rifle does not like the heaver bullets and I do not want to shoot barnes so was wondering what is the toughest 55gr lead and cup bullet?

I have no doubt that rifle is a shooter when our old bud EddyBo finished working his magic on it, I miss that dude.

Congrats on a nice rifle and buck MSU.

Gunner

Why screw around?

Why not just get a 22-250 and be done with it?

well, if the regular .223 can do it...



65 grain Sierra

You damn big bore macho numbnuts...try a .204 on for size.

C&Cs by necessity as no .204 premiums/bonded/monos are made as far as I know. The Bergers may be fun to try though.




The .17 Rem and 25 HPs has worked fine on coyote sized critters, but haven't tried it on deer. Maybe this year.

Have you tried the Nosler Bonded Solid Base 64 gr.? I know it's heavier, but it's short and stubby. It's more about length than weight vs. twist. The 60 gr. Partition is another suggestion.

If those will stabilize, you'll like'em.

DF

Yep.

I've been waiting for a mono-metal .204.

DF

.221 Fireball - 45 gr Barnes X

Ive got a little 22 Hornet that fires that 45 gr tsx at 2900 fps, gotta try that on deer asap, nice little buck and rifle SCGN.

22 hornet 45gr tsx. Forget speed 13gr lil gun. Works well as does 40gr nbt.

You're the one that got me thinking my little Hornet rifle will work on deer Kaleb, with that exact pic right there.

I have an early .22 Hornet T/C Contender, Leupy pistol scope, Buehler base and rings.

Never thought about using it to kill a deer. Looks like it'll do the job with the right bullet.

DF

that wouldn't be legal here, there is a muzzle energy threshold we have to follow. no doubt it kills though.


animals care nothing for headstamps.

Basic 55 Grain Hornady with cannelure work good....

Right about bullet over headstamp...

It's hard for me to put my 26 Nos down long enough to pick up something else for hogs and WT's. Just too much fun burning lots of gunpowder...

DF

I've used the 64 Nosler Solid Base and the Speer 69 GK with much success out of my 9 twist 77 Hawkeye 223 Rem.

Seems by some accounts that I may be overgunned.

Naw, you not overgunned...

9 twist is a slam dunk.

I think someone mentioned a .22-250 and those are sometimes 12 or 14 twist. If the 64 BSB will stabilize, that's a good choice for most small to mid sized critters, as is the 60 NPT.

DF

The reason I opted for the 77 Hawkeye over most other BAs.

Can't say how tough the 55 Sierra is. Never used it. I did use the 65 grain Sierra Game King this past season and was not impressed. It broke up on a rib on a broadside lung shot from about 100 yards. Never had a 55 or 60 grain Hornady do that and I've killed a bunch of deer with both.. In fact, I've put the 55 Hornady through both shoulders of a mature doe from 80 yards and the core and jacket were still together just under the offside hide. All bullets fired from a standard .223. 65 Sierra's were loaded to 2900 fps and 55 Hornady's at 3200. Based on my experience, I'd have to say the 55 Hornady is tougher than the 65 Sierra.

So if you could pick one bullet as your do all load, coyotes to deer, what would it be? Keep in mind availability and cost as well. Something like the Hornady 68 or 75 bhp?