Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Have you used the .223 for deer/antelope?

I quit using the 53 TSX some time ago and opted instead for the 'newer' 55 grain TTSX

I shoot it both in .223 and .223AI...along with a bunch of others....


Load data is: .223-55 gr TTSX- 27.4 grains CFE223

.223AI- 55 gr. TTSX- 28.5 gr. CFE223



Plain vanilla 223 with 55 TTSX

I quit using the 53 TSX some time ago and opted instead for the 'newer' 55 grain TTSX

I shoot it both in .223 and .223AI...along with a bunch of others....


Load data is: .223-55 gr TTSX- 27.4 grains CFE223

.223AI- 55 gr. TTSX- 28.5 gr. CFE223



Plain vanilla 223 with 55 TTSX

Gotcha.

I needed to break out the old slide ruler for that.

9mm is gayer than a rainbow flag sticking out of Obama's ass, so I guess 9 really does equal 270.

God, I feel sooooo smart.

Thanks sir. I’m running a 12 twist so had to stick with the stubby 53 grainer. I just bought a jug of CFE. I’ll give it a whirl.

Well I guess I could qualify as one of those "older" hunters (not older than Ingwe) as I will be looking at my 71st birthday in June. I first killed a deer with a 22CF (a .222, actually) over 50 years ago. The load was a Norma 50 grain factory load, the range was 200 yards and the deer was DRT. One would have a hard time convincing me of the inadequacy of .22 CF's for deer and similar sized game. I may have killed one or two with a .22 WMR as well.

You're slumming some panache-less iron these days.

What happened to you....

This is a thread about .223's.

But it will work.

When I saw the plastTikka I thought Bernie Taupin; not gay but close enough.

I have a new Ruger Hawkeye in .223, along with a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 scope with the typical stepped crosshairs.

Haven't shot it, have barely had it out of the box.

Never used anything as small as the .223 for anything as big as antelope or deer (previous experience includes .243 Win, .257 Roberts, 7mm-08, .270 and 30-06), but I'm considering it for next hunting season here in Nevada. I don't hunt coyote, groundhogs or assorted vermin.

Anyone here want to pass on some words of wisdom concerning this rifle, my scope choice, preferred ammo, and max range if not twisting dials?

I'm pretty sure I'll be looking for some Win 55gr PowerPoints to start off with, although I can handload if factory ammo doesn't perform well in this rifle.

And actually, I was even considering trading off the rifle for something smaller and lighter (Howa Mini Action?), because I want my wife and kids to have something to use with minimum recoil if I can ever persuade them to come hunt with me.

Anyway, if you don't mind, tell me what you think the limitations of this pipsqueak cartridge are and how you put yours to work hunting medium-size game.

Thanks!

You have a .243 Win blah blah balh.....So why TF do you need to whack these animals with the .223????

there are a lot of deer shot with a 223 ,mostly by sharp shooters at night in cities that feel they need to control deer population without the use of public hunters. its kinda a dirty little secret being done they usally start on sunday night about 10;30 pm - 5;30am thru Thursday and always at night when most of the public are sleeping.,sharp shooters shoot all deer in the head when possible,all meat is givin too food shelf ,horns go to the states DNR.

This is great stuff, isn't it Scott?

Christmas is behind us and yet we keep getting gifts.
I predict a "man-up" directive coming shortly.