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Looking at the "standard" bullet offerings to try in addition to the Nosler 60-grain Partition. Which one of the following has been the best factory .223 ammo for deer in your experience?

Fusion 62 gr
Winchester 64 gr Power Point
Federal Power Shok 64 gr SP (listed as a medium game load on Federal's website)

Is there any factory .223 deer ammo I'm missing on my list besides the Barnes TSX?
Federal Premium makes the .223 with a 60gr. Nosler partition
You're right. I was looking to order one of the cup-and-core options that was also a proven performer in case the Federal Nosler Partition load didn't shoot well in the particular gun.
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My daughter toppled 2 mulies with my heavy barrel Savage in .223 shooting Winchester 64 grain ammo. 100% penetration each time shooting broadside through the chest organs. Great performance ammo!

Sherwood
Ramblin_Razorback: I have some extensive firsthand observations regarding a SUPERB 223 Remington factory offering for Deer/Antelope and on one Mt.Goat!
This factory offering is the Remington 55 grain PSP (Pointed Soft Point) cartridge.
I have seen this round kill NUMEROUS Mule Deer, Whitetailed Deer and Antelope literally in their tracks!
This includes a 31" (very mature) Mule Deer Buck killed with one shot!
It appears your interpretation/conception of lethality is premised solely upon bullet weight - it's not.
Lethality is premised upon a well placed shot and the proper transfer of a proper bullets energy (explosive or shocking power) inside the vital heart/lungs area of said game!
I have a friend here in SW Montana that for some reason has been killing Deer with his 204 Ruger and 40 grain bullets for several years now - again no secret just well placed bullets and a complete transfer of all the bullets energy in the vital area of the Deer.
Don't overlook the 55 grain offerings in the factory 223 Remington ammo - they work very well indeed!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
Varmint Guy - Thanks for the input. I wasn't making any judgment on bullet weight - I was just listing the loads marketed by major ammo companies as being intended for deer. As far as I know, Remington doesn't market any of their .223 ammo for deer, but it is good to know that the Rem 55 gr PSP works in that application. I know others on the Campfire have remarked how their 55 grain handloaded Hornady .223 rounds have performed well on deer-sized game, so I don't doubt that some 55-grain bullets work for the task.

How does the 55-grain PSP hold up through shoulders, or is it a strictly through the ribs proposition?
Don't forget about the Sierra 63 gr SP. It's a great deer bullet.
Patrick - Does anyone load the Sierra in factory ammo?
In hand loaded ammo a Barnes tsx in any weight is a very good option,twist will determine the grain of the bullet.
Fed 55TSX is the best. the 60NP ain't bad though
Originally Posted by Ramblin_Razorback
Patrick - Does anyone load the Sierra in factory ammo?


Not that I know of.
Originally Posted by Ramblin_Razorback
Looking at the "standard" bullet offerings to try in addition to the Nosler 60-grain Partition. Which one of the following has been the best factory .223 ammo for deer in your experience?

Fusion 62 gr
Winchester 64 gr Power Point
Federal Power Shok 64 gr SP (listed as a medium game load on Federal's website)

Is there any factory .223 deer ammo I'm missing on my list besides the Barnes TSX?


Another vote for 64 gr PP. Fantastic bullet!
Another good thread that needs a look.....223 in proper weight boooooolits seems a good choice for anyone hunting medium sized deer . Many here rave about the .223 AI as well.
Don't forget to check your State's hunting regulations since there may be a requirement of ft/lbs of muzzle energy or a minimum caliber for big game hunting.

It's it legal to use the 223 Remington, Federal ammo sells a 223 loaded with a 60 grain Nosler Partition bullet. That what I would use.
The 55gr Barnes TSX works great on deer. I handload them but Federal, Corbon and Barnes offer them in factory loads.
I just bought a few boxes of the 53 tsx to use in my cz 527 this year.I wanted the 55 ,but it was all cabelas had.
the box says that it needs a 1-12 twist to stabilize.does the 55 need a faster twist?
Barnes says 1-9"
Barnes say 1-9 for the 62 gr,cat number 22460,not for the 55.
at least not where Im looking.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tsx-bullet/
I couldn't get satisfactory accuracy from Federal's 60-gr NP load in any of my .223s. On the other hand, Federal's 62-gr Fusion load has delivered less than 1" groups in all my rifles. Two of them will do much better than that. I've never experienced anything less than complete pass throughs -- six deer and counting. It's not a flashy, expensive load, but works well.
Originally Posted by fluffy
Barnes say 1-9 for the 62 gr,cat number 22460,not for the 55.
at least not where Im looking.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tsx-bullet/


Agreed, the 55gr TTSX is 1-9"
Originally Posted by fluffy
Barnes say 1-9 for the 62 gr,cat number 22460,not for the 55.
at least not where Im looking.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tsx-bullet/



Also, why did you ask?
Rem 55 sp's work well, as do Fed Classic (blue box I think these days) do the job fine as well. Nothing fancy about them, but they tend to be accurate, effective and cost effective as well.

Dober
I'd take a serious look at the new Winchester 64gr PowerMax Bonded .223 ammo. It's designed specifically for deer & antelope. And its accurate in my AR-15. Sub MOA @ 100.
Also works great on 200lb feral hogs!
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Originally Posted by fluffy
Barnes say 1-9 for the 62 gr,cat number 22460,not for the 55.
at least not where Im looking.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tsx-bullet/



Also, why did you ask?


I ask because my CZ 527 has a 1-12 twist.
I dont see on Barnes web site where it says the 55 gr tsx needs a specific twist.Perhaps I've missed it.

"*Many different rifling twists are available in this chambering. It�s important to know your rifle�s twist
rate before selecting a bullet.
*To stabilize in flight, 45-grain Banded Spitzers and 53-grain TSX bullets require a 1:12� or faster
twist; 62-grain TSX and 55-grain MPG bullets need a 1:9� or faster twist."

http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/223RemingtonWeb.pdf
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Barnes says 1-9"


No it doesn't, check again. I shoot 55's out of 1:12 and it shoots 1/2" groups.
Originally Posted by fluffy
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Originally Posted by fluffy
Barnes say 1-9 for the 62 gr,cat number 22460,not for the 55.
at least not where Im looking.


http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tsx-bullet/



Also, why did you ask?



Well, they are VERY good about specifying, so if they didn't specify.



I ask because my CZ 527 has a 1-12 twist.
I dont see on Barnes web site where it says the 55 gr tsx needs a specific twist.Perhaps I've missed it.

"*Many different rifling twists are available in this chambering. It�s important to know your rifle�s twist
rate before selecting a bullet.
*To stabilize in flight, 45-grain Banded Spitzers and 53-grain TSX bullets require a 1:12� or faster
twist; 62-grain TSX and 55-grain MPG bullets need a 1:9� or faster twist."

http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/223RemingtonWeb.pdf
Originally Posted by cfran
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Barnes says 1-9"


No it doesn't, check again. I shoot 55's out of 1:12 and it shoots 1/2" groups.



Read the entire thread idiot.

1-9" recommendation for this 55.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tipped-tsx-bullet/
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Originally Posted by cfran
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Barnes says 1-9"


No it doesn't, check again. I shoot 55's out of 1:12 and it shoots 1/2" groups.



Read the entire thread idiot.

1-9" recommendation for this 55.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/components/rifle/tipped-tsx-bullet/


Thanks sunshine.
I wouldn't argue much with Steely when it comes to .223 or .223AI. Or Stick either, for that matter.
We have killed lots of pigs with the .223 Rem. PSP's.! Much harder to kill than an equal sized deer IMO.

stumpy
Originally Posted by toltecgriz
I wouldn't argue much with Steely when it comes to .223 or .223AI. Or Stick either, for that matter.


No doubt the smartest guys around.

To the original OP, 53/55 TSX is a good all around choice for deer.
I looked in my Barnes loading manual #4(latest)(When I remembered I had it)And no where does Barnes provide info for a 55 grain tsx,or ttsx bullet.
Originally Posted by fluffy
I looked in my Barnes loading manual #4(latest)(When I remembered I had it)And no where does Barnes provide info for a 55 grain tsx,or ttsx bullet.


Pick another makers 55 and work to that velocity. Don't be surprised if it takes a bit more powder.
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Originally Posted by fluffy
I looked in my Barnes loading manual #4(latest)(When I remembered I had it)And no where does Barnes provide info for a 55 grain tsx,or ttsx bullet.


Pick another makers 55 and work to that velocity. Don't be surprised if it takes a bit more powder.



I bought 2 boxes of 53 gr yesterday.my point was,I wonder if they are even making the 55 anymore.
Can't know, as I sling 62's.
55 grain factory loaded Barnes Vortex shot under 1 moa in my 1 in 12 twist mini-mauser last fall.

Ella
Barnes makes a 55 gr TSX (1-12" twist or faster) and a 55 gr TTSX (1-9" twist or faster) both are available as componet bullets.

The factory Barnes load uses the 55 gr TSX so that it can be used in 1-12" twist 223's.
No need for anything fancy to kill deer. The plain old Win. Super-X 55 gr. sp works fine.
Originally Posted by LBP
Barnes makes a 55 gr TSX (1-12" twist or faster) and a 55 gr TTSX (1-9" twist or faster) both are available as componet bullets.

The factory Barnes load uses the 55 gr TSX so that it can be used in 1-12" twist 223's.


if that is so,(and I dont know why it wouldnt be),why isnt it listed in the latest manual from Barnes?
Would the faster twist be a better match for the heavier bullets or are there other variables?
I loaded up several 64g power points for my little brother years ago. He killed several deer with them. Almost always got exits.

Bb
Originally Posted by toltecgriz
I wouldn't argue much with Steely when it comes to .223 or .223AI. Or Stick either, for that matter.
You youngsters crack me right the [bleep] up ! I was killing deer with .22's while dumb and dumber were still suckin' on mommy's teet.
Originally Posted by fluffy
Originally Posted by LBP
Barnes makes a 55 gr TSX (1-12" twist or faster) and a 55 gr TTSX (1-9" twist or faster) both are available as componet bullets.

The factory Barnes load uses the 55 gr TSX so that it can be used in 1-12" twist 223's.


if that is so,(and I dont know why it wouldnt be),why isnt it listed in the latest manual from Barnes?


Good question, I have no idea why they are not listed. The Barnes Tech Ryan confirmed this information yesterday.
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