Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 62gr TSX In 223 On Deer

Another vote for CFE223

If you want to use a 223, that’s the bullet.

Got 62gr tsx for the first 5 in Wifes house gun, if that dont work, the 55gr Lehigh penetrators will start landing, she'll start receiving immediate communication from them at that time.

I have not used that bullet but I have seen it used on deer and antelope both. 2 deer and 3 antelope.

Shots were from about 60 to about 225 yards and all were good clean kills. Nothing to complain about at all.

They expand well on 300+ lb pigs without hitting bone, also on two 60 pounders when you can get them to line up😋

My brother shot two does with them at 270 yards with an AR-15. Bang, Bang...does running off. They ran about 75 yards each and pilled up.

Now he is running them out of a 24" 22/243 AI at 4000 fps....they do not take a step!

I have always used Varget, but have gone to CFE 223, because I have over 30 lbs of it.

I went on a deer hunt a couple years ago where it was requested to shoot mono's, they even paid for the ammo.
I got a couple box's of Remington 223HTP (high terminal performance)62gr TSX.
Was stunned when I went to the range, this ammo averaged 3 1/2" groups at 100yds, that wouldn't do.
I spent several range days,8 different powders and tried different seating depths to get this bullet to shoot well, one of the most finiky 22 cal bullets I have ever used. Finally came up with the magic combo for my rifle. IMR8208XBR would shoot consistent 1/2" groups.
When it came time on my hunt to pull the trigger it was a 100yard bang flop, was surprised at how well this bullet worked.

A copper bullet @ those higher speeds, out of a 22-250 is literally a bomb going off in side of them. Times sure change huh? When I was 15 yrs. old, I asked my dad if I should get a 30-30 or a 30-06 for deer hunting. He said gat the 30-06, it has more " oomph". Back then , I hunted with an old man that used a .243 Win. for deer and a 300 lb bear. He used an 87 gr. Hornady bullet . Thought he was crazy. Now we are using ammo half that size for 300 lb hogs. In a way , it is a good thing.

Boatanchor,

Mind sharing your load? I have some 8208 and understand that I am responsible for my own safety.

Thanks.

Frank

Has anyone seen any difference in accuracy or performance between the 62gr TSX vs TTSX?

They seem the same to me.

What twist in the 22/243 ai ?

If the performance is based on speed, why not drop in weight to 50 grains?

For only inside 100 yards where the OP is asking, I'd tend to agree that dropping down in weight would be beneficial due simply to the extra speed, well before the lower B/C starts being apparent. This is provided of course, that the 50 (or 53 or whatever) is as reliable and accurate as the 62 grainer is (which they generally have not been for me) though at only 100 yards the accuracy difference shouldn't matter much.

I think it should also be mentioned that (and I have zero idea where the OP is located) in the state of Wyoming to legally use a .223 Rem on deer the bullets needs to be at least 60 grains. There may be similar regs in other states, that the OP has to deal with. Just a thought.

I'm in the Adirondacks and hunt dense forest. I like the idea of the 62gr bullet being able to get to the vitals or break an off side shoulder from a variety of angles. Had a Barnes (cant remember if 53gr .224 or 85gr .243 from a 6x45 loose all 4 petals on a 25 yard shot on a buck hit on the humorous just below the shoulder joint. Recovered bullet looked like a 22LR bullet. That's what makes me lean toward the heavier 62gr. Have never shot them on game though.

Example of two, Barnes factory load, 125 yard , front chest, hit ribs going in and out , bloody heart and lungs filled chest cavity. Ran 20yards , dead on his feet all the way . Other shot twice at fast rate of fire ,75 yards , once in chest (first shot) second in neck, did not move at either shot until he fell dead... Joe

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Most bullets that are designed to open at lower velocity that distance will yield , will "blow up" at very close range. At twenty five yards about any hunting bullet would work, and most will have bomb like results. On the other hand, if you have the chance of shooting far enough to loose velocity at POI, the bullet needs to open at that velocity. This is why choices by individuals vary widely. Bullets are designed to function in a velocity window basically. Likely a 50 or 53gr TSX or TTSX, or many others for that matter would be well within the operating range of velocities you'll encounter from 150yds and less. The longer mono-metal may not stabilize as well as the lighter bullets would. One of my favorite out of slow twist barrels for hunting is the Nosler 64gr BSB. It's short length, soft point, bonded design stabilizes well, and the terminal results are quite good.

If you have a 1:8 or faster the Sierra 77gr TMK is pretty tough to beat.

I realize this is an old thread but felt compelled to answer. I have experimented a lot with .224 Barnes TSX and TTSX on game over the years. Whitetail doe were shot (intentionally) through a shoulder. (Easy, sure shots.) 45 and 50grn Barnes resulted in a large percentage of lost deer. Unfortunately, animals that are not recovered tell no tales.

Bottom line is that I don't shoot med/large game through the shoulder with ANY bullet lighter than 55grns. If a TSX won't do it, nothing will.