If (when) I go .223 deer hunting, I’ll probably try the Nosler 64gr Bonded. Bought a couple hundred rounds of the factory ammo for $1 a pop and also have a box of the bullets. The factory stuff isn’t the fastest, and most won’t chamber in my Hawkeye it seems. When I get my new carbon Howa I’ll see how it likes them. The Mini-14 gobbles them right up, like everything else.
For what you’re doing, I wouldn’t overthink it, just place your shots properly with a decent softpoint and have a sharp knife handy.
