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.223 for whitetail - yes or no? #17513575 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. This subject has probably been beat to death on various forums, but what say the 'Fire? Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards? Let the schit-slinging begin.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513593 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 10,997 Likes: 3 Winchester, WY USA M memtb Campfire Outfitter memtb Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 10,997 Likes: 3 Winchester, WY USA No! memtb You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel “I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513596 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,905 Likes: 1 B benchman Campfire Outfitter benchman Campfire Outfitter B Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,905 Likes: 1 Yes. With a proper bullet. I like a 62gr Barnes.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513643 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 31 B BradFord Campfire Greenhorn BradFord Campfire Greenhorn B Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 31 Why use something barely adequate (if That) when a 243 or other 6mm will do it better? Last edited by BradFord; 08/14/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513658 08/14/22 Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 13,479 Likes: 3 Texas R rickt300 Campfire Outfitter rickt300 Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 13,479 Likes: 3 Texas You bet in fact some will say there is no better 400 yard Mule deer rifle in existance. Dog I rescued in January

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513670 08/14/22 Joined: Jul 2022 Posts: 142 J JENKINS9 Campfire Member JENKINS9 Campfire Member J Joined: Jul 2022 Posts: 142 No so many better choices out thier.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513709 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,951 Likes: 5 Georgia J JMR40 Campfire Outfitter JMR40 Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,951 Likes: 5 Georgia Adequate, yes. Ideal, no. Most people don't really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513749 08/14/22 Joined: May 2004 Posts: 56,174 Likes: 16 In the Swamps DigitalDan Campfire Kahuna DigitalDan Campfire Kahuna Joined: May 2004 Posts: 56,174 Likes: 16 In the Swamps It's adequate for little people, but one can be better served with something larger. I am..........disturbed. Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513781 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 2,849 Likes: 1 Henry Co Mo T Torqued Campfire Regular Torqued Campfire Regular T Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 2,849 Likes: 1 Henry Co Mo I have cleanly killed truck loads of deer with 222,223 and 220 swift. All loaded with a 53gr Barnes. All were inside of 200 yds. As stated in above posts it may not be ideal. But dammit it works well. Just because you're offended doesn't mean your right.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513805 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 19,238 Likes: 1 The Pennyrile of Kentucky JamesJr Campfire Ranger JamesJr Campfire Ranger Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 19,238 Likes: 1 The Pennyrile of Kentucky One of the biggest grizzlies ever killed was shot by an Indian woman using a 22 LR. Just because a cartridge will kill an animal doesn't mean that it's ideal. I've killed deer with the 223, but why use it when there are far better choices.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513844 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,069 Kansas skeen Campfire Outfitter skeen Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,069 Kansas Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513867 08/14/22 Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,245 Likes: 4 Retired CPO USN. Amarillo TX MAC Campfire Tracker MAC Campfire Tracker Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,245 Likes: 4 Retired CPO USN. Amarillo TX There isn't a whitetail alive that cannot be killed with a .223/5.56. But that doesn't make it a good deer round. Will it work? Yes, if you have a calm animal standing perfectly broadside. For many people that only hunt out of blinds or stands that is the sort of shot they get but I am a still hunter and walk my deer down. I can't plan of a perfect shot at a known range. My deer might be 30 yards away or he may be 300 yards away and he could be broadside, facing away, facing towards me or moving and there may be a canyon between us. For my money's worth I want a heavier bullet at 2900 fps at the muzzle. You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? BradFord #17513874 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 28,172 Here Or There luv2safari Campfire Ranger luv2safari Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 28,172 Here Or There Originally Posted by BradFord Why use something barely adequate (if That) when a 243 or other 6mm will do it better? I remember when the 243 was new and considered "barely adequate". I have two Valmet 12ga/rifle combos, one in 222 and one in 308. I carry the 308 when after deer and birds together. There is no substitute for some knockdown power. Hunt with Class and Classics Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513897 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas hanco Campfire Savant hanco Campfire Savant Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas 62 Barnes or 62 grain Bear Claw will kill cshit out of pigs. I’m sure they will kill deer just as well.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513910 08/14/22 Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 346 O OlderGuy54 Campfire Member OlderGuy54 Campfire Member O Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 346 Yes

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513928 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Originally Posted by Triggernosis This subject has probably been beat to death on various forums, but what say the 'Fire? Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards? Let the schit-slinging begin. Probably? Are we bored?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513951 08/14/22 Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 494 Merica M MadDog4298 Campfire Member MadDog4298 Campfire Member M Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 494 Merica Whitetails like grizzlies have evolved over time. To take down an adult whitetail buck you will have to have at minimum a 150 grain bullet traveling at 3550fps at impact. Yea I know so and so has killed them with the ole 06 for years and never had any trouble. Times are changing men , get you a fire breathing magnum dragon.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17513976 08/14/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Or further with a soft bullet. Now let the schitt slinging begin. Half the problem w small calibers is railroad spike tough bullets. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? skeen #17514054 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by skeen Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes. Another yes. Easily. ( You guys KNEW I would chime in...) It will blow a hole in your basic woodchuck you can stick your fist into. Put that same hole in the vitals of a deer, and start field dressing! I know this isn't exactly what the OP asked about ( a .223 at 250 yards) but its a .222 at 247 yards ( lasered) And yes...I have more than " a sample of one"... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514097 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 447 H hillbillyjake Campfire Member hillbillyjake Campfire Member H Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 447 Yes. @ingwe. Load and bullet used in the .222? A friend just picked one up. Thanks.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514109 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene J Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Last edited by Jackson_Handy; 08/14/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514140 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,268 Columbia, South Carolina S Sasha_and_Abby Campfire Tracker Sasha_and_Abby Campfire Tracker S Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,268 Columbia, South Carolina ABSOFRIGGINLUTELY I have taken an awful lot of deer and hogs with it out to 250. It runs out of steam further out... You can kill a deer (or hog) with just about any caliber as long as YOU make the correct shot placement. NO BULLET or CALIBER will make up for a poorly placed shot. "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went" Will Rogers

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? hillbillyjake #17514174 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by hillbillyjake Yes. @ingwe. Load and bullet used in the .222? A friend just picked one up. Thanks. That was a 45 gr Barnes TSX and 24 gr of 748 IIRC... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Sasha_and_Abby #17514219 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 10,815 The Palmetto State C cra1948 Campfire Outfitter cra1948 Campfire Outfitter C Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 10,815 The Palmetto State Originally Posted by Sasha_and_Abby ABSOFRIGGINLUTELY I have taken an awful lot of deer and hogs with it out to 250. It runs out of steam further out... You can kill a deer (or hog) with just about any caliber as long as YOU make the correct shot placement. NO BULLET or CALIBER will make up for a poorly placed shot. My fellow South Carolinian is correct. The first deer I killed with a rifle, in 1967 was drt at 200 yards with a Norma 50 grain factory loaded.222. The most recent deer I killed with a 22Cf was a large wt buck at 275 -300 yards with a 65 grain SGK. It’s not what you shoot them with, it’s how you shoot them. I am not so desperate to kill an animal that I blast away with Hail Mary shots at running deer in the woods. I’ve seen plenty of deer wounded and lost by those who do, usually excited kids shooting too much rifle. Just about any reasonable.223 load will work just fine. Mathew 22: 37-39

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? 10gaugemag #17514255 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 3,803 Western VA D Dude270 Campfire Tracker Dude270 Campfire Tracker D Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 3,803 Western VA Originally Posted by 10gaugemag Or further with a soft bullet. Now let the schitt slinging begin. Half the problem w small calibers is railroad spike tough bullets. This has been my experience as well

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? BradFord #17514358 08/14/22 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA Originally Posted by BradFord Why use something barely adequate (if That) when a 243 or other 6mm will do it better? It is not barely adequate. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a wound channel with a 223 and a 6.5 Creed, assuming good bullets.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514500 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 6,037 Likes: 2 almost there L lubbockdave Campfire Tracker lubbockdave Campfire Tracker L Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 6,037 Likes: 2 almost there yes, if the person pulling the trigger knows what they are doing...

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514550 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 T TheKid Campfire Outfitter TheKid Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 If you’ve never done it before then no, it isn’t near big enough. If you have then sure, it’ll kill deer or even bigger stuff further than the stated range and with “worse” bullets as well. At least this is what you will generally glean from answers to this type question here on the fire. There hasn’t been a deer born I’d be afraid to shoot with a 223 at 250 yards, I wouldn’t go out of my way to use a super hard bullet either. If you can shoot a 223 can be a pretty big gun.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17514613 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by skeen Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes. Another yes. Easily. ( You guys KNEW I would chime in...) It will blow a hole in your basic woodchuck you can stick your fist into. Put that same hole in the vitals of a deer, and start field dressing! I know this isn't exactly what the OP asked about ( a .223 at 250 yards) but its a .222 at 247 yards ( lasered) And yes...I have more than " a sample of one"... That's a pretty rifle. Is it a Remington BDL?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jackson_Handy #17514625 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? lubbockdave #17514630 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by lubbockdave yes, if the person pulling the trigger knows what they are doing... I've got that covered. Master classification in Service Rifle, 200-600 yards.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514656 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,347 Columbia, SC G GreggH Campfire Regular GreggH Campfire Regular G Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,347 Columbia, SC Yes. Proven it too many times to myself to say other wise. Dropped a nice 9 point and a big 6 point seconds apart one evening. Those two bucks died way too quickly to say a 223 isn’t enough gun. GreggH

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514713 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 5,182 Likes: 1 Middle Georgia T TrueGrit Campfire Tracker TrueGrit Campfire Tracker T Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 5,182 Likes: 1 Middle Georgia Yes. A .223 kills way above it's pay grade. Life is good live it while you can.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514731 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,446 Likes: 3 SW Georgia G Godogs57 Campfire Tracker Godogs57 Campfire Tracker G Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7,446 Likes: 3 SW Georgia Legally culled large numbers of deer (does) over the years with a 222. We kept shots inside 100 yards and 95% of the shots were high neck. DRT on pretty much every shot. Hornady factory 50 grain loads most of the time. You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514776 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene J Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes? They aren't needed. Just like bonded bullets aren't needed. But by all means if you want a narrow wound channel use a barnes.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jackson_Handy #17514820 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 3,048 Likes: 1 Florida J jc189 Campfire Tracker jc189 Campfire Tracker J Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 3,048 Likes: 1 Florida Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes? They aren't needed. Just like bonded bullets aren't needed. But by all means if you want a narrow wound channel use a barnes. Thats good to know. I just bought a box of Barnes vor-tx 55gr tsx. After reading this I think I'll stay with the 64gr soft points

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? jc189 #17514825 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene J Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene Originally Posted by jc189 Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes? They aren't needed. Just like bonded bullets aren't needed. But by all means if you want a narrow wound channel use a barnes. Thats good to know. I just bought a box of Barnes vor-tx 55gr tsx. After reading this I think I'll stay with the 64gr soft points Not saying they won't kill deer, but I would rather use the 64gr soft points if lead is legal.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jackson_Handy #17514910 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes? They aren't needed. Just like bonded bullets aren't needed. But by all means if you want a narrow wound channel use a barnes. Gotcha. I wish Hornady made the SST bullet in .223 (.224 for the picky ones). Is there another manufacturer's equivalent of the SST bullet in .223?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17514980 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,315 Northern USA P pete53 Campfire Outfitter pete53 Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,315 Northern USA yes for my 10 year old grandson for a deer , but for me for bigger bucks no i wanna a bigger cartridge always. LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515070 08/14/22 Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene J Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter Jackson_Handy Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8,740 Likes: 12 Abilene Google "77gr tmk hunting"

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? TrueGrit #17515091 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,174 Likes: 5 Central Louisiana D Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana D Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,174 Likes: 5 Central Louisiana Originally Posted by TrueGrit Yes. A .223 kills way above it's pay grade. For sure with good bullets. But just for kids. They kill deer on a regular basis but grown men MUST use bigger ordinance. Hmm… DF

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515189 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 447 H hillbillyjake Campfire Member hillbillyjake Campfire Member H Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 447 https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/ It’s quite a long read. But a lot of information with pictures. Sierra 77 grain TMK being the heavy favorite. Very dramatic wound channels. Last edited by hillbillyjake; 08/14/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? JamesJr #17515238 08/14/22 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 10,997 Likes: 3 Winchester, WY USA M memtb Campfire Outfitter memtb Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 10,997 Likes: 3 Winchester, WY USA Originally Posted by JamesJr One of the biggest grizzlies ever killed was shot by an Indian woman using a 22 LR. Just because a cartridge will kill an animal doesn't mean that it's ideal. I've killed deer with the 223, but why use it when there are far better choices. ^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^ memtb You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel “I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515572 08/14/22 Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,571 Western Pa C Chumleyhunts Campfire Regular Chumleyhunts Campfire Regular C Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,571 Western Pa I had great luck with the Fusion 62gr factory from a Ruger Ranch Rifle. Most shots were well within 100 yards, 2 were at moat 150 yards. None made it far. "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, used up, worn out, bottle of Jim Beam in one hand and a .45 in the other, loudly proclaiming WOW-- What a Ride!"

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515685 08/14/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Yes. I'd use one way past 250, and I wouldn't use a barnes...ever Why not a Barnes? They aren't needed. Just like bonded bullets aren't needed. But by all means if you want a narrow wound channel use a barnes. Gotcha. I wish Hornady made the SST bullet in .223 (.224 for the picky ones). Is there another manufacturer's equivalent of the SST bullet in .223? 55 grain Sierra Gameking. Get past 200 and a V-Max is wicked medicine. Seen it used from a Swift at about 350. No exit but bruised the opposite side of a ribcage on a large doe. No forward steps taken, jusy about 6 sideways steps and done. Personally I wouldn't be the least bit afraid of a 55 grain Ballistic Tip either. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515693 08/14/22 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 28,172 Here Or There luv2safari Campfire Ranger luv2safari Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 28,172 Here Or There My only objection to the 223 is guys who use spray n pray with an AR15 or similar. Hunters here aren't those guys and are responsible sportsmen who do it right. My garden variety Stag Arms surprised the hll out of me right out of the box, it shot so tight, better groups than several of my OK bolt guns. Unfortunately I have seen two different Bozos fire off five faster then my fingers move, then do it all over again at gut shot Bambis. I'm convinced these are the ones who give the 223 a bad rap. Hunt with Class and Classics Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515694 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Yes absolutely. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515737 08/14/22 Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,156 Likes: 4 Kentucky Hills R reivertom Campfire Outfitter reivertom Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,156 Likes: 4 Kentucky Hills My question is, with so many better choices, Why? If that's all you have, and can't afford to buy anything else, then I understand, but it sure wouldn't even make my top 20. Last edited by reivertom; 08/14/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515798 08/14/22 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . M mud_bogger Campfire Tracker mud_bogger Campfire Tracker M Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . Why not? Deer are easy to kill. And next to a 22lr, the 223 is the most shot caliber that I own. I know people that have shot deer with 55gr fmj's and they bitched about what little it did... huh no schit sherlock Wanna run a super tough bullet and you better break some bone... Otherwise make a good shot and your deer will die. This stuff isnt complicated

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515947 08/15/22 Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA S Seafire Campfire 'Bwana Seafire Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA I've used them several times... but since I believe in SMP or RN bullets, if I am going to use a 22 caliber bullet.... First choice would be a 70 grain Speer SMP, followed by a 63 grain Sierra SMP... yeah newer bullets may work, but I know those two bullets have been working for decades and decades. a 22.250 ramps that up substantially....in killing power. "Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC “Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17515953 08/15/22 Joined: Jul 2016 Posts: 4,123 Likes: 6 Mtns of Va and Wv Troutnut Campfire Tracker Troutnut Campfire Tracker Joined: Jul 2016 Posts: 4,123 Likes: 6 Mtns of Va and Wv They work. I've shot quite a few in Wva and on kill permits in Virginia. 223 , 22-250 and 223 WSSM i like the 50 gr Vmax in 223 and think archery type shots behind the shoulder broadside. 22-250 and 223 wssm i use a tougher 55 or 60 gr softpoint

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17517560 08/15/22 Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,268 Columbia, South Carolina S Sasha_and_Abby Campfire Tracker Sasha_and_Abby Campfire Tracker S Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 3,268 Columbia, South Carolina Yesterday afternoon, I had 8-9 hogs on two feeders. Some were 200 yards and behind some brush and most were at 297 yards. I shot one shoat at 40 feet and two 100lb + sows at 297. One of the farthest ones went 30 feet. The others were DRT. Ruger American Pred with 16" bbl shooting 62gr Gold Dot Factory at 2743 fps muzzle velocity. "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went" Will Rogers

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17518437 08/15/22 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,511 Likes: 1 Lived all over the world H hotsoup Campfire Outfitter hotsoup Campfire Outfitter H Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,511 Likes: 1 Lived all over the world I start my grandkids on a cut down savage axis .223 for the deer here on the farm. Shots are max 50 yards. Ammo is factory win power points 62gr I believe. Broadside through the lungs. Never lost a deer. After the first or second year they graduate to a cut down rem 700 in 243 win. I don’t let them hunt over fields until they move up to the 243.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17518492 08/15/22 Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 674 McKinney, TX P Petro Campfire Regular Petro Campfire Regular P Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 674 McKinney, TX Yes

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17518512 08/15/22 Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2 Wyoming W WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger W Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2 Wyoming Why there are far better guns. Kill them yes, but why screw around. Molon Labe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? WyoCoyoteHunter #17518532 08/15/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by WyoCoyoteHunter Why there are far better guns. Kill them yes, but why screw around. Perhaps a rifle that is chambered in .223 is the only rifle a fellow owns, that's why.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jackson_Handy #17518627 08/15/22 Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 214 B billtrev Campfire Member billtrev Campfire Member B Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 214 Yes. This Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Google "77gr tmk hunting" and Originally Posted by hillbillyjake https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/ It’s quite a long read. But a lot of information with pictures. Sierra 77 grain TMK being the heavy favorite. Very dramatic wound channels. Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? billtrev #17518735 08/15/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by billtrev Yes. This Originally Posted by Jackson_Handy Google "77gr tmk hunting" and Originally Posted by hillbillyjake https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/ It’s quite a long read. But a lot of information with pictures. Sierra 77 grain TMK being the heavy favorite. Very dramatic wound channels. Or on this very forum, https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10810582/2 The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? WyoCoyoteHunter #17519059 08/15/22 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . M mud_bogger Campfire Tracker mud_bogger Campfire Tracker M Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . Originally Posted by WyoCoyoteHunter Why there are far better guns. Kill them yes, but why screw around. How much deader can you kill a deer?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17519119 08/15/22 Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 28,212 Likes: 3 TN A alwaysoutdoors Campfire Ranger alwaysoutdoors Campfire Ranger A Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 28,212 Likes: 3 TN

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17519120 08/15/22 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . M mud_bogger Campfire Tracker mud_bogger Campfire Tracker M Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,078 Likes: 2 . A red head with a mini gun.......what could go wrong ! Looks like a fun package though Last edited by mud_bogger; 08/15/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17520535 08/16/22 Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 8,928 Likes: 4 M Magnum_Bob Campfire Outfitter Magnum_Bob Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 8,928 Likes: 4 Looked more like a brunette to me... nice looking package allright...mb " Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17521052 08/16/22 Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 3,432 eastern nc blindshooter Campfire Tracker blindshooter Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 3,432 eastern nc Sure it will. There are a lot of deer hunters in our area using Earschplittenloudenboomer elephant guns attempting to murder a <150lb animal. Watch them zero that thing, flinching and jerking out a large pie plate sized group. I'd say a .223 with a decent bullet that the average shooter can get much better hits with might be a better choice. Killed two doe's with 69gr SMK's. Both shot high in the neck and both fell in their tracks. Hey it was all I had at the time. I was spending all my money on match shooting! You gonna murder more deer after retirement? I said I was when I stopped working but it seems I put off all manor of tasks til I had "time", I've actually hunted less after retiring....

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? blindshooter #17521079 08/16/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by blindshooter Sure it will. There are a lot of deer hunters in our area using Earschplittenloudenboomer elephant guns attempting to murder a <150lb animal. Watch them zero that thing, flinching and jerking out a large pie plate sized group. I'd say a .223 with a decent bullet that the average shooter can get much better hits with might be a better choice. Killed two doe's with 69gr SMK's. Both shot high in the neck and both fell in their tracks. Hey it was all I had at the time. I was spending all my money on match shooting! You gonna murder more deer after retirement? I said I was when I stopped working but it seems I put off all manor of tasks til I had "time", I've actually hunted less after retiring.... I'm going to murder deer, trap coyotes, and catch fish.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17521095 08/16/22 Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 3,432 eastern nc blindshooter Campfire Tracker blindshooter Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 3,432 eastern nc Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by blindshooter Sure it will. There are a lot of deer hunters in our area using Earschplittenloudenboomer elephant guns attempting to murder a <150lb animal. Watch them zero that thing, flinching and jerking out a large pie plate sized group. I'd say a .223 with a decent bullet that the average shooter can get much better hits with might be a better choice. Killed two doe's with 69gr SMK's. Both shot high in the neck and both fell in their tracks. Hey it was all I had at the time. I was spending all my money on match shooting! You gonna murder more deer after retirement? I said I was when I stopped working but it seems I put off all manor of tasks til I had "time", I've actually hunted less after retiring.... I'm going to murder deer, trap coyotes, and catch fish. I hope you have a long and active retirement!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17523560 08/17/22 Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,534 Radcliff, Kentucky R ratsmacker Campfire Outfitter ratsmacker Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,534 Radcliff, Kentucky Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by skeen Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes. Another yes. Easily. ( You guys KNEW I would chime in...) It will blow a hole in your basic woodchuck you can stick your fist into. Put that same hole in the vitals of a deer, and start field dressing! I know this isn't exactly what the OP asked about ( a .223 at 250 yards) but its a .222 at 247 yards ( lasered) And yes...I have more than " a sample of one"... Is it true that your .223 indentifies as a .270?? You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17523625 08/17/22 Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 26,577 Likes: 3 Blue Ridge Mtns-Smokey Mtns R Raeford Campfire Ranger Raeford Campfire Ranger R Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 26,577 Likes: 3 Blue Ridge Mtns-Smokey Mtns I 'would' say yes, but I'm in Virginia where it's a no-go. FJB & FJT

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ratsmacker #17523628 08/17/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by ratsmacker Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by skeen Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes. Another yes. Easily. ( You guys KNEW I would chime in...) It will blow a hole in your basic woodchuck you can stick your fist into. Put that same hole in the vitals of a deer, and start field dressing! I know this isn't exactly what the OP asked about ( a .223 at 250 yards) but its a .222 at 247 yards ( lasered) And yes...I have more than " a sample of one"... Is it true that your .223 indentifies as a .270?? You will smoke a turd in hell for that remark. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Magnum_Bob #17523681 08/17/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by Magnum_Bob Looked more like a brunette to me... nice looking package allright...mb JFC you hornballs need to get out more. It looked like she was having a seizure. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17524337 08/17/22 Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,534 Radcliff, Kentucky R ratsmacker Campfire Outfitter ratsmacker Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 12,534 Radcliff, Kentucky Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by ratsmacker Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by skeen Originally Posted by Triggernosis .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Yes. Another yes. Easily. ( You guys KNEW I would chime in...) It will blow a hole in your basic woodchuck you can stick your fist into. Put that same hole in the vitals of a deer, and start field dressing! I know this isn't exactly what the OP asked about ( a .223 at 250 yards) but its a .222 at 247 yards ( lasered) And yes...I have more than " a sample of one"... Is it true that your .223 indentifies as a .270?? You will smoke a turd in hell for that remark. Well, I was gonna say "Creedmoor", but I thought you'd take offense..................lol You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17524355 08/17/22 Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,229 M MikeL2 Campfire Tracker MikeL2 Campfire Tracker M Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,229 I guess if you shoot 50 to 80 lb deer it would be ok.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? MikeL2 #17525047 08/17/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by MikeL2 I guess if you shoot 50 to 80 lb deer it would be ok. Lmao. We’ve shot deer from 120 pounds to 180 pounds. Only 1 has even moved after the shot. 55gr bullet. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? MikeL2 #17525436 08/17/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by MikeL2 I guess if you shoot 50 to 80 lb deer it would be ok. Yeah, because a 250# deer is so tough. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17525530 08/18/22 Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 871 NW Louisiana D DouginLa Campfire Regular DouginLa Campfire Regular D Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 871 NW Louisiana Alot of it is what type of conditions one hunts in, where I hunt I have to make sure of the shortest run as possible, preferably a quick drop. If it runs 100yds it's already in a swamp and lost. Plus the condition a person is in, if you are old and can't walk good enough to track, and your shot is gonna be under 50yds, DRT is needed. So I use a .30 or larger. I would use my 22-250 or 233 in open country.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Chumleyhunts #17525557 08/18/22 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA Originally Posted by Chumleyhunts I had great luck with the Fusion 62gr factory from a Ruger Ranch Rifle. Most shots were well within 100 yards, 2 were at moat 150 yards. None made it far. That is in oustanding deer bullet. When my grandkids haven't had my handloads, they have used that bullet. They usually get pass-throughs.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17525566 08/18/22 Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,905 Likes: 1 B benchman Campfire Outfitter benchman Campfire Outfitter B Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 8,905 Likes: 1 Originally Posted by Triggernosis This subject has probably been beat to death on various forums, but what say the 'Fire? Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards? Let the schit-slinging begin. The 223 will certainly kill a deer. My only problem with it, is that the hole is pretty small, and the blood trail is small. In actual practice, this has not been a problem, though. My wife has shot 2 small deer, and they were dead within 5 yards, and 25 yards, respectively. Tracking was not necessary. Both center lung shot, one at 81 yards, the other at 35 yards. The first was with a 55gr Fiocchi soft point, the other with a 62 gr. TSX. The 55gr did not exit.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17525595 08/18/22 Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 5,745 Likes: 1 North Carolina C colodog Campfire Tracker colodog Campfire Tracker C Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 5,745 Likes: 1 North Carolina A 223 might not "blow their lungs out" but It'll tear a hole in their lungs. 55gr Hornady, 60gr Partition, 64gr Nosler Bonded, 62 TTSX have all worked for me. They work on Antelope too. My current favorite is a 62gr Federal Open Tip Match ,MK 318, It's their barrier blind bullet that looks like a Trophy Bonded when sectioned. These are not bonded of course but it doesn't seem to matter. I bought a bunch on clearance and they work fine too. "Camping places fix themselves in your mind as if you had spent long periods of your life in them. You will remember a curve of your wagon track in the grass of the plain like the features of a friend." Isak Dinesen

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526052 08/18/22 Joined: May 2002 Posts: 4,082 Likes: 1 WA to NM erich Campfire Tracker erich Campfire Tracker Joined: May 2002 Posts: 4,082 Likes: 1 WA to NM Looking around the predator hunting sights and threads and there are a steady stream of post looking for bigger and better bullets for killing coyote with the 223 because shooters are getting too many runners and spinners, surprisingly it doesn't not seem to be an issue with shooters of 222 Rem, 204's, 221 FB's, even the 17's. So if a 223 Rem or 223 shooter find the 223 problematic on coyotes why does it become an effective round on game weighing 4-8 time more. I'm old enough to use a 243 on deer when it was considered marginal and found it so. But it was at the beginning of it's use and American arms companies had little experience making 6mm bullets for big game and it was bullet performance that made it marginal. After the first shot the rest are just noise. Make mine a Minaska Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526072 08/18/22 Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 T TheKid Campfire Outfitter TheKid Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 I think most people who post on predator sites talking about needing better bullets to kill coyotes with a 223 are rookies who probably can’t shoot. Guys who shoot Fireballs and 17s are usually loonies who load and shoot and are probably more serious hunters. I’ve never had issues killing a coyote with even rimfires, but I shoot a lot and know how, when, and where to shoot an animal. If a bullet will consistently give 12-14” of straight line penetration while producing a 2” diameter wound it’s plenty adequate for shooting deer, regardless of what it’s shot out of. And a plain old 55gr Hornady spire point out of a 223 will give exactly that type of performance.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526163 08/18/22 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 20,266 Likes: 19 T_Inman Campfire Ranger T_Inman Campfire Ranger Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 20,266 Likes: 19 Something tells me many of those complaining about bullet performance out of a .223 are those who don’t own anything but an AR and are shooting cheap, bull pack FMJs. The Kid is also probably right that they’re also those who can’t shoot. I have had zero issues killing ‘yotes with a .223, nor deer for that matter unless I make a poor hit, which has happened.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526292 08/18/22 Joined: May 2002 Posts: 4,082 Likes: 1 WA to NM erich Campfire Tracker erich Campfire Tracker Joined: May 2002 Posts: 4,082 Likes: 1 WA to NM Poor hits are part of the problem, a poor hit with a cartridge that passes through a deer is usually recoverable as there is double the chance of there being a discernable blood trail. A small bore bullet leave a very small entrance and no exit and even very little evidence of being hit. I've had 243 100gr Federals(1969) not open and pass completely through a deer and the deer kept right on walking never showing a sign of being hit. I followed up on the shot to see where the deer were headed and found the deer twenty yards into the woods, I was dumfounded and actually had to feel the underside of a leg to realize it was warm and the deer I shot at. The bullet passed through the deer cutting an artery and the body cavity filled with blood leaving no trail or even spots in the snow. Now I find a 100gr .257 NPT to be the minimum I'll hunt medium game with. I'll save the small bores for predators and varmints. I have gut shot a deer with a 35 Whelen 200gr RN and it left a softball sized exit and a very sick deer that was easily recoverable but did take a second shot to finish. Again, very little evidence of being hit other than hair and stomach contents spread across the forest floor. Same shot with a 223 would have been a lost deer in my opinion. Last edited by erich; 08/18/22. After the first shot the rest are just noise. Make mine a Minaska Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526370 08/18/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri My thought is everybody wants a "tough" bullet in small calibers. No thanks. The tougher, the smaller expanded diameter. Take a reasonably soft bullet and killing deer with a 22 caliber is no issue. We are talking a 250# animal and that's on some of the larger bucks, not exactly a big critter. Like has been stated before, this is why Partitions are such excellent killers, a very soft front end that expands pretty violently but a back end that gives an exit for blood trails if needed. 15 years ago I got on the 22-250 with 60 grain Partition kick. No telling how many deer I shot in 3 or 4 seasons as we hunted a suburban area where seeing 15 deer a day was common. No issues killing and I can actually only recall 2 runners which were easily found. Both were killed in heavy brush. Lung or shoulder shot deer. In the 223 a regular soft point is all that's needed. I still prefer a 55 grain Gameking in the 223 for deer. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526770 08/18/22 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 B Blackheart Campfire Ranger Blackheart Campfire Ranger B Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 The third biggest buck on my wall was killed back in 1993 with a Remington 788 .222 and a handloaded 50 gr. Nosler solid base. He was quartering away at 125 yards and dropped at the shot. The bullet hit at the last rib on the left side and the little solid base was recovered from the right shoulder. His lungs looked like grape jelly. He field dressed 172 lbs.. Since then a bunch have fallen to my .223's firing 55 gr. Nosler solid base, 55 gr. Hornady sp, 55 gr. Winchester sp and 65 gr. Sierra Gameking btsp.. No problem or complaints with the performance of any of them.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526807 08/18/22 Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 5,182 Likes: 1 Middle Georgia T TrueGrit Campfire Tracker TrueGrit Campfire Tracker T Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 5,182 Likes: 1 Middle Georgia I always have used 55gr Hornady sp, well really the bullets are seconds that look like the Hornady 55gr sp. This year I've been working on a Barnes 55gr ttsx load for my .223's I'd like to stretch my range out to 500yds. Using a 8+lb rifle, shooting off a good rest you can see brains and eyes explode. Using the high shoulder - neck shot you can see the hair fly and body caving in on impact. Never could see any of that shooting a .243 or larger caliber rifle. IMO bullet placement trumps everything else when it comes to killing power. Life is good live it while you can.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17526885 08/18/22 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1 Lincoln NM N NMpistolero Campfire Regular NMpistolero Campfire Regular N Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1 Lincoln NM [ I'm going to murder deer, trap coyotes, and catch fish.[/quote] "I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide" "No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM Jared

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? TrueGrit #17533899 08/20/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by TrueGrit I always have used 55gr Hornady sp, well really the bullets are seconds that look like the Hornady 55gr sp. This year I've been working on a Barnes 55gr ttsx load for my .223's I'd like to stretch my range out to 500yds. Using a 8+lb rifle, shooting off a good rest you can see brains and eyes explode. Using the high shoulder - neck shot you can see the hair fly and body caving in on impact. Never could see any of that shooting a .243 or larger caliber rifle. IMO bullet placement trumps everything else when it comes to killing power. My preferred load! I’ve posted a pic on here 1/2 dozen times of my sons deer he heart shot. The heart looked like a slinky. Mulie…shot at 98 yards. It’s the only one we’ve shot that ran at all after the shot. Ram 40yds downhill pouring blood out Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17534761 08/21/22 Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 2,146 Likes: 1 Idaho S smallfry Campfire Regular smallfry Campfire Regular S Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 2,146 Likes: 1 Idaho 55 gr Hornady SP from a 223 on a large doe at 80 yards. Double lung.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17535826 08/21/22 Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 2,007 Likes: 4 ‘Murca drop_point Campfire Regular drop_point Campfire Regular Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 2,007 Likes: 4 ‘Murca .223 Rem with the 70 gr. Barnes has served me well on several whitetail. Keep your shots at 300 yards or under, it'll do the trick. Further the expansion may be lukewarm. "Full time night woman? I never could find no tracks on a woman's heart. I packed me a squaw for ten year, Pilgrim. Cheyenne, she were, and the meanest bitch that ever balled for beads."

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17535839 08/21/22 Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 28,212 Likes: 3 TN A alwaysoutdoors Campfire Ranger alwaysoutdoors Campfire Ranger A Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 28,212 Likes: 3 TN Anyone tried out the little 18” threaded CVA cascade in 223? Barrel twist seems to be harder to find than Obama’s birth certificate.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17537068 08/21/22 Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 1,078 B Benbo Campfire Regular Benbo Campfire Regular B Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 1,078 I’ve shot about 10 deer with 223 and Sierra 1365’s. One ran maybe 85 yards. The rest were either bang flops or at most 25-30 yards death sprints (heart/lung shots). Those deer were all shot in open fields at maybe 75-225yards… if I was hunting in the woods id want a bigger caliber that left a good blood trail in case my shot wasn’t the best. As others have mentioned…it is a lot more about where you hit them than with what.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17537737 08/22/22 Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 12,346 Likes: 1 Greater Browningsville, KY shaman Campfire Outfitter shaman Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 12,346 Likes: 1 Greater Browningsville, KY My buddy, Bob, gave me a lot of good advice when I started writing for the outdoors. One of his gems was as follows: "Keep everything you write in a file drawer. After 8 years, you'll never have to write anything new. Nothing changes." I took his advice, only I put all my past work up on a weblog. He was right. Nothing changes. In fact, a few years ago, I started a feature over in the left sidebar of my weblog: On This Day. I think I asked this question for the first time back on shooters.com. It was the demise of this platform that brought me along with a bunch of other refugees to this august forum. I don't have the actual text of this thread at hand, but I asked the same very question and I was soundly trounced for trying to perform a "stunt" on a live animal. I did get some sound advice, and I had a load worked up for my Mini-14. However, I started having good luck with my 30-somethings, and the project slipped. Since then, I've acquired several .223 REM rifles including a minty Savage 325. Over the intervening 2+ decades I've seen the question of .223 REM on deer slowly migrate from a "stunt" to a "finesse round" to finally having enough acceptance that it has become a matter of personal taste. Me? I still have a 63 grain Winchester PP load cooked up. I just find that I still have a mountain of other projects to test, and .223 REM falls by the wayside. I don't know what will someday push me over the threshold. I'm like that kid on the side of the pool with his toes over the edge and his hands arching up over his head stuck in. He just can't make the first dive. Genesis 9:2-4 Ministries Lighthearted Confessions of a Cervid Serial Killer

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17537756 08/22/22 Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,622 Oklahoma PHWILLIE Campfire Regular PHWILLIE Campfire Regular Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,622 Oklahoma I have taken whitetail and antelope with the 223 using the 60 grain nosler partition and the 55 grain sierra game changer. Put the shot in the vitals and it works fine, as do most other centerfire rounds.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17537831 08/22/22 Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 5,492 Likes: 1 Boarmaster123 Campfire Tracker Boarmaster123 Campfire Tracker Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 5,492 Likes: 1 I wont be acquiring one for that specific use but I wouldn't hesitate to hunt deer with a .223 if I was somewhere without my deer rifles and someone handed me one to use. Life can be rough on us dreamers.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538030 08/22/22 Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 24,632 Likes: 29 Bozeman, MT shrapnel Campfire Ranger shrapnel Campfire Ranger Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 24,632 Likes: 29 Bozeman, MT This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538063 08/22/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana I'm kind of the opposite. I want a .223/5.56 with expanding bullets in a defensive scenario due to the ease of hits, effectiveness, and firepower on hand. I'd rather have .25cal or more for dedicated deer hunting, mainly due to better blood trails. With that being said, I have killed deer and hogs with the 223 and it will get the job done at reasonable ranges with bullets matched to the impact velocity. It's not my first choice when I head out on a hunt around thick cover, but isn't terrible for targets of opportunity. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? shrapnel #17538066 08/22/22 Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 1,313 South Louisiana Simplepeddler Campfire Regular Simplepeddler Campfire Regular Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 1,313 South Louisiana Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? Spot on!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538071 08/22/22 Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 5,142 Likes: 1 WI hillestadj Campfire Tracker hillestadj Campfire Tracker Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 5,142 Likes: 1 WI Yes or No? No BUTTT, if all the rifles except those chambered in 223 disappeared tomorrow I guess I'd be carrying one this fall and make it work.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538100 08/22/22 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 240 KY scratcherky Campfire Member scratcherky Campfire Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 240 KY In a word -- No! Man and man's best friend still looking at the green side of sod.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? shrapnel #17538125 08/22/22 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 I missed the conversation where a "223 is fine for deer" proponent expounded on the need for a 30-06 for self defense.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? shrapnel #17538139 08/22/22 Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 39,235 Likes: 37 Flyover Country Teal Campfire 'Bwana Teal Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 39,235 Likes: 37 Flyover Country Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? In my experience - I usually hear the opposite. "Why can I engage and kill terrorists who go 200lbs with a 223 but a 120-140 lb deer on the hoof is suddenly too much?" (disregard bullet construction differences in the 2 scenarios) I don't know the answer- would I hesitate to shoot a deer if all I had in my hands was a 223 with proper bullets? Nope. Would I generally select a 223? Nope. For me there's a difference between "prefer" and "works". Me

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Teal #17538353 08/22/22 Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 24,632 Likes: 29 Bozeman, MT shrapnel Campfire Ranger shrapnel Campfire Ranger Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 24,632 Likes: 29 Bozeman, MT Originally Posted by Teal Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? In my experience - I usually hear the opposite. "Why can I engage and kill terrorists who go 200lbs with a 223 but a 120-140 lb deer on the hoof is suddenly too much?" (disregard bullet construction differences in the 2 scenarios) I don't know the answer- would I hesitate to shoot a deer if all I had in my hands was a 223 with proper bullets? Nope. Would I generally select a 223? Nope. For me there's a difference between "prefer" and "works". The purpose for a cartridge in war is to wound, not kill. When you wound a soldier, you take 2 or 3 out of the battle as they attend to the wounded soldier. Kill one and you only lose one. It may not sound like good logic, but that is the theory of fighting a war. We are not fighting a war with deer.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538520 08/22/22 Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 8,901 Likes: 1 Montana P prairie_goat Campfire Outfitter prairie_goat Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 8,901 Likes: 1 Montana I see Shrapnel is still as full of crap as ever.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538525 08/22/22 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 58,593 Likes: 10 Paradise,Alaska Big Stick Campfire Kahuna Big Stick Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 58,593 Likes: 10 Paradise,Alaska In fairness,her "understanding" of Ballistics is fhuqking HILARIOUS and her Imagination and Pretend routinely take her to places that don't exist. Hint. Bless heart for trying though. Hint. Fhuqking LAUGHING!............... Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538542 08/22/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana We're also not talking just FMJ fighting ammo here. Having owned a couple of AR10 rifles in .308, I can tell you that I'd rather fight with a 5.56 with expanding ammo than a 7.62, unless you are maybe talking about some very long distances or armor. Self/home defense against criminals? An expanding 5.56 in a torso that's only 5-10 inches deep is going to be bad news, like shooting a broadside yearling deer. or an 80lb pig. Not sure a .30cal is making any difference there, except being harder to shoot and toting less ammo. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? JPro #17538547 08/22/22 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 A 40 grain Ballistic Tip isn't doing an unarmored torso any good.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? mathman #17538566 08/22/22 Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 8,901 Likes: 1 Montana P prairie_goat Campfire Outfitter prairie_goat Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 8,901 Likes: 1 Montana From first hand experience I know a 40 grain Ballistic Tip launched at 223 speeds will penetrate to a doe whitetail's tenderloin when shot head-on in the chest, killing her most assuredly.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17538745 08/22/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana My dad used to keep a couple of old pawn-shop .22 centerfires on a portable bench on his front porch, ready to go. It would be coyotes, pigs, or whatever that came out in his field and a 45-55gr V-max or HP in the lungs would shut stuff down pretty quickly, with nothing going more than 30-40yds. They might not bleed much, but they died dang fast, often right on the spot. FMJs and green tips from an AR in the same role? More stuff ran off to never be found. Dirt would fly off a pig's lungs but you'd often not locate a body. Bullet construction and impact velocity matter. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17539641 08/22/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Thus far bullet recommendations have covered the gamut from copper solids, to pointed soft points, to ballistic tips (varmint bullets?). Who knows.... I've got some 60gr Nosler Partitions I'm going to try. If they group well I will try them on some deer this season.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17539685 08/22/22 Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2 Wyoming W WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger W Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,803 Likes: 2 Wyoming I agree with Shrap. This .223 bullshit is like the 6.5 creed. I have shot game and a lot of it with /22 caliber rifles. But I have done it carefully, and realize for general hunting I want a larger caliber. A deer shot at sundown, doesn't give you much time to follow its trail.. I want something large with more bullet wt. and diameter. I don't shoot my deer over food plots or from box blinds. For those that do, I know it will work. But I still prefer a tradition deer rifle for my hunting. Molon Labe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17539698 08/22/22 Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 734 mn D doubleDs55 Campfire Regular doubleDs55 Campfire Regular D Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 734 mn Why not? I have shot a quite a few with just the Hornady 55 sp. Then the 65gr Serria GK. My latest is a 75gr Hornady BTHP. If you think rib shots get yer knife out. If you pray n spray at running deer that are out of range stay at home. I would have got him too but a Dad Blam snow flake hit me in da eye....

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? shrapnel #17540305 08/22/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by shrapnel Originally Posted by Teal Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? In my experience - I usually hear the opposite. "Why can I engage and kill terrorists who go 200lbs with a 223 but a 120-140 lb deer on the hoof is suddenly too much?" (disregard bullet construction differences in the 2 scenarios) I don't know the answer- would I hesitate to shoot a deer if all I had in my hands was a 223 with proper bullets? Nope. Would I generally select a 223? Nope. For me there's a difference between "prefer" and "works". The purpose for a cartridge in war is to wound, not kill. When you wound a soldier, you take 2 or 3 out of the battle as they attend to the wounded soldier. Kill one and you only lose one. It may not sound like good logic, but that is the theory of fighting a war. We are not fighting a war with deer. And most soldiers shot in war with a 5.56 are shot with an FMJ not a good soft point game bullet. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17540311 08/22/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by Triggernosis Thus far bullet recommendations have covered the gamut from copper solids, to pointed soft points, to ballistic tips (varmint bullets?). Who knows.... I've got some 60gr Nosler Partitions I'm going to try. If they group well I will try them on some deer this season. They will work/kill just fine. Not much "try" to it. Killed a slug of deer in a half assed urban area over a 3 or 4 season span with em. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? 10gaugemag #17540429 08/22/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA Originally Posted by 10gaugemag Originally Posted by shrapnel Originally Posted by Teal Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? In my experience - I usually hear the opposite. "Why can I engage and kill terrorists who go 200lbs with a 223 but a 120-140 lb deer on the hoof is suddenly too much?" (disregard bullet construction differences in the 2 scenarios) I don't know the answer- would I hesitate to shoot a deer if all I had in my hands was a 223 with proper bullets? Nope. Would I generally select a 223? Nope. For me there's a difference between "prefer" and "works". The purpose for a cartridge in war is to wound, not kill. When you wound a soldier, you take 2 or 3 out of the battle as they attend to the wounded soldier. Kill one and you only lose one. It may not sound like good logic, but that is the theory of fighting a war. We are not fighting a war with deer. And most soldiers shot in war with a 5.56 are shot with an FMJ not a good soft point game bullet. I can tell you once we switched to the 77 SMK in the early 2000’s that it was a game changer on putting folks on their ass. We weren’t concerned with wounding folks as much as killing them dead so they couldn’t make us dead. Semper Fi

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? beretzs #17540437 08/22/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by beretzs Originally Posted by 10gaugemag Originally Posted by shrapnel Originally Posted by Teal Originally Posted by shrapnel This nonsense has been discussed beyond reason. Most of the people that endorse the 223 and small calibers for game will be singing a different tune when you ask them about personal defense. How is it that small calibers and cartridges are such great game killers, but you need a canon to kill a human in a self defense scenario? In my experience - I usually hear the opposite. "Why can I engage and kill terrorists who go 200lbs with a 223 but a 120-140 lb deer on the hoof is suddenly too much?" (disregard bullet construction differences in the 2 scenarios) I don't know the answer- would I hesitate to shoot a deer if all I had in my hands was a 223 with proper bullets? Nope. Would I generally select a 223? Nope. For me there's a difference between "prefer" and "works". The purpose for a cartridge in war is to wound, not kill. When you wound a soldier, you take 2 or 3 out of the battle as they attend to the wounded soldier. Kill one and you only lose one. It may not sound like good logic, but that is the theory of fighting a war. We are not fighting a war with deer. And most soldiers shot in war with a 5.56 are shot with an FMJ not a good soft point game bullet. I can tell you once we switched to the 77 SMK in the early 2000’s that it was a game changer on putting folks on their ass. We weren’t concerned with wounding folks as much as killing them dead so they couldn’t make us dead. 👍 The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17557386 08/28/22 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 953 Virginia V vabowhntr Campfire Regular vabowhntr Campfire Regular V Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 953 Virginia Since I live in VA and we can’t use 22 cal centerfires for deer, I will have to take out my much more powerful 300 blk bolt action ruger American ranch. It does very well with the 110 gr Barnes at 2350 fps. But yes. I wish I could use a 223. Last edited by vabowhntr; 08/28/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17621269 09/20/22 Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,439 Florida D Dixie_Rebel Campfire Tracker Dixie_Rebel Campfire Tracker D Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,439 Florida The only time I would deer hunt with a 223/556 is if I had nothing else to use. Will it work? I’m sure it would. However, I believe there are far better options. Liberalism is a cancer Support Christian Family values

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17621294 09/20/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas hanco Campfire Savant hanco Campfire Savant Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas It will with a good bullet, but much better tools out there. I’d like a 243 at minimum.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17621304 09/20/22 Joined: Dec 2021 Posts: 2,347 Moss, Tn. roverboy Campfire Regular roverboy Campfire Regular Joined: Dec 2021 Posts: 2,347 Moss, Tn. Yeah, what Hanco said, with good designed bullets, it is decent. And of course the faster .22 centerfires are better than .223 is. Why do I have to press 1, for English?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17622193 09/20/22 Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8,826 Likes: 6 Central, Texas L LBP Campfire Outfitter LBP Campfire Outfitter L Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8,826 Likes: 6 Central, Texas I just finished up sighting in 3 rifles today for an upcoming pronghorn hunt .223, .223 AI, and 22-250. 88 eldm’s in the 223 AI, 75 gr Gold Dots in the .223 and 22-250. I’d shoot any deer or antelope that’s ever lived with any of the three. Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have. The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming. Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? roverboy #17622457 09/20/22 Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,243 Likes: 6 TX J Jeffrey Campfire Tracker Jeffrey Campfire Tracker J Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,243 Likes: 6 TX Originally Posted by roverboy Yeah, what Hanco said, with good designed bullets, it is decent. And of course the faster .22 centerfires are better than .223 is. Faster can be a double edged sword, IMO. Proper bullet is key, but judging by this thread, there are many good ones out there. Still, you need the right twist for many and the standard 1-7/9 in a 223 vs a 1:14 in a 22-250 could be critical. I like the 70 Speer semi-spitzer in my 223. Performance is the same from muzzle to 200 yards. Complete pass through and good expansion.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17622758 09/21/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky These threads crack me up. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17622834 09/21/22 Joined: Mar 2018 Posts: 1,278 R Razorhog Campfire Regular Razorhog Campfire Regular R Joined: Mar 2018 Posts: 1,278 Yep!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17622839 09/21/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. They make me wonder why there's a desire to elevate deer to be purt near bulletproof.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17623010 09/21/22 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA Originally Posted by Triggernosis Thus far bullet recommendations have covered the gamut from copper solids, to pointed soft points, to ballistic tips (varmint bullets?). Who knows.... I've got some 60gr Nosler Partitions I'm going to try. If they group well I will try them on some deer this season. Those bullets will NOT disappoint. Those, Fusions and Nosler Bonded bullets aren't sexy, but they damn sure get the job done.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17623042 09/21/22 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 30,905 Likes: 20 Rural Utah USA T tikkanut Campfire 'Bwana tikkanut Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 30,905 Likes: 20 Rural Utah USA Sure As long as the shooter knows how to use it 64 gr bonded Nosler should work Even a 53 V max in the ear........ T R U M P W O N ! U L T R A M A G A !

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17623121 09/21/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma G gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana G Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. Trump Won!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? gunner500 #17623166 09/21/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. It'll work Fo'Sho' and it doesnt take a handful of Kingsford briquets to load each round, like your other guns! "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17623181 09/21/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA I use the 77 grain Sierra TMKs in the ARs and bolts. Once you see the damage they do you’ll never wonder if they’ll kill a scrawny deer again. Semper Fi

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? tikkanut #17623268 09/21/22 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA Originally Posted by tikkanut Sure As long as the shooter knows how to use it 64 gr bonded Nosler should work Even a 53 V max in the ear........ That bonded bullet DOES work. It is a wrecking ball. Ingwe has more experience than I do with it. It is seriously nasty. A deep penetrator that is devastating on tissue.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17623303 09/21/22 Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota Bugger Campfire Outfitter Bugger Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota I've not got the 64 grain Bonded bullet to shoot well in two of my 223's - I have not tried it in my 223 that set up for varmints. I ordered some 65 Partitions which have not shown up yet. I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17623341 09/21/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma G gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana G Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. It'll work Fo'Sho' and it doesnt take a handful of Kingsford briquets to load each round, like your other guns! Word ; ] 26gr CFE-223 to the rescue, came across 800 rounds of new LC match brass last year, loaded up 300 62gr TBBC and 500 64gr Nosler's, as my retarded ass does, was running them through Wifes 223 house guns by hand and a couple didn't want to chamber, wont run that for her, she'll just have to use the factory Federal XM556FBIT3M loads, bud gave me 5 cases of those 10 years ago, she's GTG with those, same bullet as my handloads, but now here i sat with 800 rounds of great hand loaded ammo, remembering what all you've done with 223 made the choice easy, but a bolt rifle i can shoot them in, perfect excuse! Big B, 8 twist should spin those 77gr STMK's, no? Trump Won!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? gunner500 #17623352 09/21/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. It'll work Fo'Sho' and it doesnt take a handful of Kingsford briquets to load each round, like your other guns! Word ; ] 26gr CFE-223 to the rescue, came across 800 rounds of new LC match brass last year, loaded up 300 62gr TBBC and 500 64gr Nosler's, as my retarded ass does, was running them through Wifes 223 house guns by hand and a couple didn't want to chamber, wont run that for her, she'll just have to use the factory Federal XM556BCT3 loads, bud gave me 5 cases of those 10 years ago, she's GTG with those, same bullet as my handloads, but now here i sat with 800 rounds of great hand loaded ammo, remembering what all you've done with 223 made the choice easy, but a bolt rifle i can shoot them in, perfect excuse! Big B, 8 twist should spin those 77gr STMK's, no? Easily and all day long. I know there are better, meaning more sleek 75-80 grain bullets, but as far as tooling up the Dillon and churning out 1000 at a rip there isn't a better one for me. I use 26.5 grains of LVR, CCI450's and LC range brass for my stuff and man, it shoots. About 2700'ish or a bit more from 16-18" uppers and 2800 from 20" bolt guns. I am sure I could do faster, but with the way they fly I don't mess with the charge bar on the Dillon. Semper Fi

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? beretzs #17623365 09/21/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma G gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana G Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma That'll work, sounds great Big B, Thanks Man, those little bonded boogers of mine [62-64gr] should run 3100 from 22" Ruger bolt barrel, got pics of a monster wild sow that needs one of those in the shoulder ; ] Trump Won!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? gunner500 #17623374 09/21/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA Originally Posted by gunner500 That'll work, sounds great Big B, Thanks Man, those little bonded boogers of mine [62-64gr] should run 3100 from 22" Ruger bolt barrel, got pics of a monster wild sow that needs one of those in the shoulder ; ] They are definitely a different animal with some good bullets in them. I'd not be happy, but I could do alot of stuff with a 62 grain TTSX as well. That's about my second favorite 224 bullet. Semper Fi

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? beretzs #17623387 09/21/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma G gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana G Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma Yes Sir, if i had not ran into these 62-64gr bonded bullets the 62gr TSX/TTSX would have been the exact bullet i would have loaded, it's a fuggin buzzsaw! Trump Won!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Bugger #17623480 09/21/22 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger PaulBarnard Campfire Ranger Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 26,593 Likes: 18 Metairie, LA Originally Posted by Bugger I've not got the 64 grain Bonded bullet to shoot well in two of my 223's - I have not tried it in my 223 that set up for varmints. I ordered some 65 Partitions which have not shown up yet. "Well" is relative. I won't be showing pics of my 3 shot groups with them, but down here where a 100 yard shot is about as long as you'll get, a 1.5 inch group is more than adequate.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17625238 09/21/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. Me too. You can tell who has and who hasn’t. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? tzone #17625891 09/22/22 Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 10,815 The Palmetto State C cra1948 Campfire Outfitter cra1948 Campfire Outfitter C Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 10,815 The Palmetto State Originally Posted by tzone Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. Me too. You can tell who has and who hasn’t. This has got to be the most frequently seen example of those who haven’t done it telling those who do what a bad idea it is. Mathew 22: 37-39

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? TheKid #17626031 09/22/22 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,653 Likes: 1 Midwest SKane Campfire Ranger SKane Campfire Ranger Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,653 Likes: 1 Midwest Originally Posted by TheKid There hasn’t been a deer born I’d be afraid to shoot with a 223 at 250 yards, I wouldn’t go out of my way to use a super hard bullet either. If you can shoot a 223 can be a pretty big gun. Yep. Don't care if it's a 85# doe in Texas or a 300# buck in Saskatchewan. WWP53D

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? PaulBarnard #17626058 09/22/22 Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota Bugger Campfire Outfitter Bugger Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota Originally Posted by PaulBarnard Originally Posted by Bugger I've not got the 64 grain Bonded bullet to shoot well in two of my 223's - I have not tried it in my 223 that set up for varmints. I ordered some 65 Partitions which have not shown up yet. "Well" is relative. I won't be showing pics of my 3 shot groups with them, but down here where a 100 yard shot is about as long as you'll get, a 1.5 inch group is more than adequate. About 6 MOA in one and 4 MOA in the other. I suspect the twist is the problem. I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17628658 09/22/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip I used some Winchester 64gr bonded bullet and got patterns as well/ Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17628680 09/22/22 Joined: Sep 2022 Posts: 58 S ScottyLTD Campfire Greenhorn ScottyLTD Campfire Greenhorn S Joined: Sep 2022 Posts: 58 In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ScottyLTD #17629040 09/23/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by ScottyLTD In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear. I know theres a lot of gun violence in WA, but what are you allowed to use for hunting deer? "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17629086 09/23/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by ScottyLTD In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear. I know theres a lot of gun violence in WA, but what are you allowed to use for hunting deer? There's.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17629097 09/23/22 Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 19,100 Likes: 3 Colorado Springs, CO, USA S saddlesore Campfire Ranger saddlesore Campfire Ranger S Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 19,100 Likes: 3 Colorado Springs, CO, USA On the other end, is a 300 Winchester mag too much for killing a deer? Last edited by saddlesore; 09/23/22. If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Whttail_in_MT #17629113 09/23/22 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by ScottyLTD In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear. I know theres a lot of gun violence in WA, but what are you allowed to use for hunting deer? There's. Touche' !!! "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? saddlesore #17629138 09/23/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Originally Posted by saddlesore On the other end a 300 Winchester mag too much for killing a deer? Way over penetrates.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ingwe #17629162 09/23/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,110 Likes: 3 Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by ScottyLTD In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear. I know theres a lot of gun violence in WA, but what are you allowed to use for hunting deer? There's. Touche' !!! Imagine, if you will, a forum entitled Dear Hunting.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? saddlesore #17629235 09/23/22 Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota Bugger Campfire Outfitter Bugger Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2014 Posts: 10,456 Likes: 2 NE South Dakota Originally Posted by saddlesore On the other end a 300 Winchester mag too much for killing a deer? I shot a couple of does with the 300 one year expecting long range (for me) shots. The first doe was about 20 feet. The second was much closer. It seemed to work ok. Didn’t retrieve the bullet so I’m not sure. 😬 I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? vabowhntr #17629248 09/23/22 Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,174 Likes: 5 Central Louisiana D Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana D Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,174 Likes: 5 Central Louisiana Originally Posted by Dixie_Rebel The only time I would deer hunt with a 223/556 is if I had nothing else to use. Will it work? I’m sure it would. However, I believe there are far better options. Originally Posted by vabowhntr Since I live in VA and we can’t use 22 cal centerfires for deer, I will have to take out my much more powerful 300 blk bolt action ruger American ranch. It does very well with the 110 gr Barnes at 2350 fps. But yes. I wish I could use a 223. I’m working with a Ruger 300 BKO. What’s your best 110 TAC load? DF

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17629348 09/23/22 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT J Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT A little over 40 years ago we used a .243 Win and 22-250 on mule deer. Erratic results were experienced to say the least. My stepdad at the time always over estimated distance and swore a person could hold dead on a deer out to 400 yards with the .243 and DRT. It was more in the 200-300 yard range, but there were some dramatic results. He preferred the 80g varmint bullets and was not a handloader. I shot a little buck a little bit back and with no blood showing it got away. Then he was all about shooting deer with the 22-250 and it did a decent job at times. I shot another little buck at 300 yards behind the ear. The bullet hit where I was aiming. Of course, it was DRT. Later I shot a doe at ~100 yards taking off the arteries on top of the heart. She just kept walking like nothing had happened as we watched a blood stain grow on her side and than she just fell over. Shot another doe that might have been too far back that we never recovered. Both lost deer (the one with the .243 and this one) were traveling well and had non-shooters in our party jump ahead of me and spooked them out of the country. My last deer with that cartridge was a doe at 10-20 ft as she ran by me. I hit her in the hip dropping her and then had to finish her off. Obviously a bad shot. But, what was interesting is the bullet dished out a lot of meat exposing the pelvis, but did not break it. These were all varmint type bullets and obviously not all hit well. What I did notice was more blood from my 30-06 and it had the capability to break bone compared to the varmint bullets we used at the time. I didn't use .22 on deer again until a few years ago when my son started hunting. This was due to reading post by ingwe and others about how effective they were. Well, shooting the 64g Winchester PP out of an 18" barreled AR my son made 4 (what should have been) killing hits on a large-bodied mule deer buck. Longest shot was a little over 100 yards. The deer came back closer to us after the hit. Then as it stood broadside at less than 100 yards he shot it 3 more times, 2 in the lungs and one that should have been a heart shot but broke the leg and deflected into the ground. Finally blood started coming out of his nose and he fell over. On dressing him out we discovered the first shot hit the liver with little damage and the lung shots pretty much penciled through with little damage, but none exited. I almost gave up on it right there, but taking ingwe's advice I bought some Barnes bullets to try, but then sold the AR to buy something else so haven't tried them yet. The only .22 centerfire I currently have is a .220 Swift with a 14" twist that Barnes says is too slow for the bullets so haven't tried them yet.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? PaulBarnard #17630881 09/23/22 Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 Brad Campfire 'Bwana Brad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 Originally Posted by PaulBarnard Originally Posted by BradFord Why use something barely adequate (if That) when a 243 or other 6mm will do it better? It is not barely adequate. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a wound channel with a 223 and a 6.5 Creed, assuming good bullets. The Lycra King Speaks! “Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17630886 09/23/22 Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 Brad Campfire 'Bwana Brad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 Originally Posted by Triggernosis This subject has probably been beat to death on various forums, but what say the 'Fire? Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards? Absolutely, yes. “Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jeffrey #17631420 09/23/22 Joined: Dec 2021 Posts: 2,347 Moss, Tn. roverboy Campfire Regular roverboy Campfire Regular Joined: Dec 2021 Posts: 2,347 Moss, Tn. Originally Posted by Jeffrey Originally Posted by roverboy Yeah, what Hanco said, with good designed bullets, it is decent. And of course the faster .22 centerfires are better than .223 is. Faster can be a double edged sword, IMO. Proper bullet is key, but judging by this thread, there are many good ones out there. Still, you need the right twist for many and the standard 1-7/9 in a 223 vs a 1:14 in a 22-250 could be critical. I like the 70 Speer semi-spitzer in my 223. Performance is the same from muzzle to 200 yards. Complete pass through and good expansion. Yeah, I forgot about most .22-250 and .220 Swift having a slow twist. There's a Wildcat round called .224 Texas Trophy Hunter that is a 6mm Remington case necked down to .224 with a fast twist. Why do I have to press 1, for English?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17631485 09/23/22 Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA S Seafire Campfire 'Bwana Seafire Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA I did an experiment a number of years ago.... Found some 4 x 6 sized steel plates laying on the ground over at the range locally, at the 100 yd berm. Thickness was 3/8 thick. I was shooting a 223, and 10 shots drill right thru them. Bolt action, 55 grain Hornady SP, fueled by 12.5 grains of Blue Dot. MV 2500 fps. I didn't think I should be seeing the bullets plowing right thru the plate. So I took several home, and loaded up 40 rounds for an experiment. Chose both 55 grain Hornady SPs, and Hornady 55 gr FMJ. Loading 10 of each bullet. First batch with 12.5 grains of Blue Dot. Second group was loaded with H4895 IIRC, but MV was 3150 fps, equivalent to military specs for MV. Set 4 plates on the bank behind the target stands at 100 yds. Each plate got 10 shots, first two plates with the Blue Dot loads with an MV of 2550 fps. 10 SPs and 10 FMJ on the second plate on the left.... then the other two plates were to the right of that. Those two plates were shot, with 55 gr SP at 3150 fps MV on the left, and 55 gr FMJ at 3150 fps MV on the right. Results surprised me immensely. With an MV of 2550 fps with Blue Dot load, each 10 bullets penetrated thru the plate they were shot at., this being 100 yds. The next 2 plates on the right... 3150 fps, with H 4895, each 10 bullets were shot at 100 yds also. ALL 10 bullets, with 55 gr SP, and then 10 bullets of 55 gr FMJ @3150 fps. EACH bullet that left the muzzle at 3150 fps, hit and splattered on the steel plates.. None of them penetrated the plates at all. Where as the bullets shot at 2550 fps MV at 100 yds, EACH one penetrated the steel plate it was shot at. I wasn't seeing what I was expecting to see. In fact, just the opposite. Since that experiment 10 plus years ago, I've used the Blue Dot load with the 223 and they have dropped the deer each time. Less recoil makes the load easier to shoot for younger or female shooters, and gives a much better shot placement. Conclusions from the Steel Plate experiment.. At 3150 fps MV, the bullets did not have enough structural integrity to penetrate thru the 3/8 inch steel plate. However, slow the same bullet types down to 2550 fps MV and at 100 yds, each type had the ability to penetrate the steel plate, drawing the conclusion, at the slower speed it had the structural integrity to overcome the structural integrity of the steel plates. Draw your own conclusions, but above are the experiences and conclusions that I drew. Some of the campfire members her have seen the steel plates, as I keep them in the back of my Honda Pilot. "Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC “Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Dirtfarmer #17641137 09/27/22 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 953 Virginia V vabowhntr Campfire Regular vabowhntr Campfire Regular V Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 953 Virginia Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer I’m working with a Ruger 300 BKO. What’s your best 110 TAC load? DF I run 20 gr of h110. Gets me close to 2400fps. Slightly faster than the factory load. Not sure about the coal, but it is close to factory loaded length. Have used it on a few deer from 75-163 yards. Has worked like a charm so far. Oh, and with sub MOA accuracy. Took it out to check before the hunt on Sat, conditions were just about perfect. At 150 yards it cut the vertical line on the target 1.2” above the bullseye. Puts me just over 2” high at 100 and 2” low at 200. That’s as far as I plan to shoot that one and a long shot in my hunting areas. Really, really like this round/bullet/powder combo. Last edited by vabowhntr; 09/27/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? ScottyLTD #17641201 09/27/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas hanco Campfire Savant hanco Campfire Savant Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 151,871 Likes: 22 Texas Originally Posted by ScottyLTD In Washington state, nothing smaller than 6mm for dear. I think it should be that way everywhere

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Seafire #17641413 09/27/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis OP Campfire Tracker OP Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,332 Eastern N.C. Originally Posted by Seafire Conclusions from the Steel Plate experiment.. At 3150 fps MV, the bullets did not have enough structural integrity to penetrate thru the 3/8 inch steel plate. However, slow the same bullet types down to 2550 fps MV and at 100 yds, each type had the ability to penetrate the steel plate, drawing the conclusion, at the slower speed it had the structural integrity to overcome the structural integrity of the steel plates. Does this really make sense? I mean, is it supported by physics? Very interesting, regardless. Last edited by Triggernosis; 09/27/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Just a Hunter #17642064 09/27/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by Just a Hunter A little over 40 years ago we used a .243 Win and 22-250 on mule deer. Erratic results were experienced to say the least. My stepdad at the time always over estimated distance and swore a person could hold dead on a deer out to 400 yards with the .243 and DRT. It was more in the 200-300 yard range, but there were some dramatic results. He preferred the 80g varmint bullets and was not a handloader. I shot a little buck a little bit back and with no blood showing it got away. Then he was all about shooting deer with the 22-250 and it did a decent job at times. I shot another little buck at 300 yards behind the ear. The bullet hit where I was aiming. Of course, it was DRT. Later I shot a doe at ~100 yards taking off the arteries on top of the heart. She just kept walking like nothing had happened as we watched a blood stain grow on her side and than she just fell over. Shot another doe that might have been too far back that we never recovered. Both lost deer (the one with the .243 and this one) were traveling well and had non-shooters in our party jump ahead of me and spooked them out of the country. My last deer with that cartridge was a doe at 10-20 ft as she ran by me. I hit her in the hip dropping her and then had to finish her off. Obviously a bad shot. But, what was interesting is the bullet dished out a lot of meat exposing the pelvis, but did not break it. These were all varmint type bullets and obviously not all hit well. What I did notice was more blood from my 30-06 and it had the capability to break bone compared to the varmint bullets we used at the time. I didn't use .22 on deer again until a few years ago when my son started hunting. This was due to reading post by ingwe and others about how effective they were. Well, shooting the 64g Winchester PP out of an 18" barreled AR my son made 4 (what should have been) killing hits on a large-bodied mule deer buck. Longest shot was a little over 100 yards. The deer came back closer to us after the hit. Then as it stood broadside at less than 100 yards he shot it 3 more times, 2 in the lungs and one that should have been a heart shot but broke the leg and deflected into the ground. Finally blood started coming out of his nose and he fell over. On dressing him out we discovered the first shot hit the liver with little damage and the lung shots pretty much penciled through with little damage, but none exited. I almost gave up on it right there, but taking ingwe's advice I bought some Barnes bullets to try, but then sold the AR to buy something else so haven't tried them yet. The only .22 centerfire I currently have is a .220 Swift with a 14" twist that Barnes says is too slow for the bullets so haven't tried them yet. LMAO. Poor shooting and you're blaming Ingwe for saying it works? My kids have taken 5 deer with the .223 Win and 55gr bullets. None requiring a second shot. None closer than 50 yards and only one took a step. It was pouring blood the entire time it was stumbling down the hill. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Brad #17642072 09/27/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by Brad Originally Posted by Triggernosis This subject has probably been beat to death on various forums, but what say the 'Fire? Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards? Absolutely, yes. Shot mine at 50, 100, and 200 yesterday. Same as always 1/2 MOA with 55gr TTSX. Of course it was one of those junk Kimber Montana's with a crappy Leupold 2.5-8 VX3 Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? tzone #17643646 09/27/22 Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 14,537 Likes: 5 Calgary, AB, Canada Jordan Smith Campfire Outfitter Jordan Smith Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 14,537 Likes: 5 Calgary, AB, Canada Originally Posted by tzone Originally Posted by Just a Hunter A little over 40 years ago we used a .243 Win and 22-250 on mule deer. Erratic results were experienced to say the least. My stepdad at the time always over estimated distance and swore a person could hold dead on a deer out to 400 yards with the .243 and DRT. It was more in the 200-300 yard range, but there were some dramatic results. He preferred the 80g varmint bullets and was not a handloader. I shot a little buck a little bit back and with no blood showing it got away. Then he was all about shooting deer with the 22-250 and it did a decent job at times. I shot another little buck at 300 yards behind the ear. The bullet hit where I was aiming. Of course, it was DRT. Later I shot a doe at ~100 yards taking off the arteries on top of the heart. She just kept walking like nothing had happened as we watched a blood stain grow on her side and than she just fell over. Shot another doe that might have been too far back that we never recovered. Both lost deer (the one with the .243 and this one) were traveling well and had non-shooters in our party jump ahead of me and spooked them out of the country. My last deer with that cartridge was a doe at 10-20 ft as she ran by me. I hit her in the hip dropping her and then had to finish her off. Obviously a bad shot. But, what was interesting is the bullet dished out a lot of meat exposing the pelvis, but did not break it. These were all varmint type bullets and obviously not all hit well. What I did notice was more blood from my 30-06 and it had the capability to break bone compared to the varmint bullets we used at the time. I didn't use .22 on deer again until a few years ago when my son started hunting. This was due to reading post by ingwe and others about how effective they were. Well, shooting the 64g Winchester PP out of an 18" barreled AR my son made 4 (what should have been) killing hits on a large-bodied mule deer buck. Longest shot was a little over 100 yards. The deer came back closer to us after the hit. Then as it stood broadside at less than 100 yards he shot it 3 more times, 2 in the lungs and one that should have been a heart shot but broke the leg and deflected into the ground. Finally blood started coming out of his nose and he fell over. On dressing him out we discovered the first shot hit the liver with little damage and the lung shots pretty much penciled through with little damage, but none exited. I almost gave up on it right there, but taking ingwe's advice I bought some Barnes bullets to try, but then sold the AR to buy something else so haven't tried them yet. The only .22 centerfire I currently have is a .220 Swift with a 14" twist that Barnes says is too slow for the bullets so haven't tried them yet. LMAO. Poor shooting and you're blaming Ingwe for saying it works? My kids have taken 5 deer with the .223 Win and 55gr bullets. None requiring a second shot. None closer than 50 yards and only one took a step. It was pouring blood the entire time it was stumbling down the hill. Chamberings get blamed often for poor bullet selection and placement.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17643753 09/27/22 Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 243 The flat woods B Buckshot77 Campfire Member Buckshot77 Campfire Member B Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 243 The flat woods Yes, with good bullets, the 223 is a killer. Only one I've ever shot a deer or hog with was a 62 grain Barnes. I've killed hogs that were pushing 300#, and it did a number on them. All side shots, not in the ear hole. I liked that bullet in the 223 so much, I went to the 130 Barnes in my 308. I honestly had better blood trails with the 62 in the 223 than the 130 in 308 It might be lonely at the top, but it's a bitch at the bottom.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? tzone #17649205 09/29/22 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT J Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT Originally Posted by tzone Originally Posted by Just a Hunter A little over 40 years ago we used a .243 Win and 22-250 on mule deer. Erratic results were experienced to say the least. My stepdad at the time always over estimated distance and swore a person could hold dead on a deer out to 400 yards with the .243 and DRT. It was more in the 200-300 yard range, but there were some dramatic results. He preferred the 80g varmint bullets and was not a handloader. I shot a little buck a little bit back and with no blood showing it got away. Then he was all about shooting deer with the 22-250 and it did a decent job at times. I shot another little buck at 300 yards behind the ear. The bullet hit where I was aiming. Of course, it was DRT. Later I shot a doe at ~100 yards taking off the arteries on top of the heart. She just kept walking like nothing had happened as we watched a blood stain grow on her side and than she just fell over. Shot another doe that might have been too far back that we never recovered. Both lost deer (the one with the .243 and this one) were traveling well and had non-shooters in our party jump ahead of me and spooked them out of the country. My last deer with that cartridge was a doe at 10-20 ft as she ran by me. I hit her in the hip dropping her and then had to finish her off. Obviously a bad shot. But, what was interesting is the bullet dished out a lot of meat exposing the pelvis, but did not break it. These were all varmint type bullets and obviously not all hit well. What I did notice was more blood from my 30-06 and it had the capability to break bone compared to the varmint bullets we used at the time. I didn't use .22 on deer again until a few years ago when my son started hunting. This was due to reading post by ingwe and others about how effective they were. Well, shooting the 64g Winchester PP out of an 18" barreled AR my son made 4 (what should have been) killing hits on a large-bodied mule deer buck. Longest shot was a little over 100 yards. The deer came back closer to us after the hit. Then as it stood broadside at less than 100 yards he shot it 3 more times, 2 in the lungs and one that should have been a heart shot but broke the leg and deflected into the ground. Finally blood started coming out of his nose and he fell over. On dressing him out we discovered the first shot hit the liver with little damage and the lung shots pretty much penciled through with little damage, but none exited. I almost gave up on it right there, but taking ingwe's advice I bought some Barnes bullets to try, but then sold the AR to buy something else so haven't tried them yet. The only .22 centerfire I currently have is a .220 Swift with a 14" twist that Barnes says is too slow for the bullets so haven't tried them yet. LMAO. Poor shooting and you're blaming Ingwe for saying it works? My kids have taken 5 deer with the .223 Win and 55gr bullets. None requiring a second shot. None closer than 50 yards and only one took a step. It was pouring blood the entire time it was stumbling down the hill. You may need to re read it. There were bad hits and good hits. None were good results that weren't head shot. I didn't blame ingwe, but took his advice on .22 CF and didn't have good results with the bullets used. All the .22 CF I used were a few decades before I knew of ingwe and as I pointed out all were varmint type bullets. Chances are high it was a poor bullet on my sons deer and again following ingwe's advice and others bought the Barnes, but haven't had the chance to use them yet.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Jordan Smith #17649225 09/29/22 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT J Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT Originally Posted by Jordan Smith Originally Posted by tzone Originally Posted by Just a Hunter A little over 40 years ago we used a .243 Win and 22-250 on mule deer. Erratic results were experienced to say the least. My stepdad at the time always over estimated distance and swore a person could hold dead on a deer out to 400 yards with the .243 and DRT. It was more in the 200-300 yard range, but there were some dramatic results. He preferred the 80g varmint bullets and was not a handloader. I shot a little buck a little bit back and with no blood showing it got away. Then he was all about shooting deer with the 22-250 and it did a decent job at times. I shot another little buck at 300 yards behind the ear. The bullet hit where I was aiming. Of course, it was DRT. Later I shot a doe at ~100 yards taking off the arteries on top of the heart. She just kept walking like nothing had happened as we watched a blood stain grow on her side and than she just fell over. Shot another doe that might have been too far back that we never recovered. Both lost deer (the one with the .243 and this one) were traveling well and had non-shooters in our party jump ahead of me and spooked them out of the country. My last deer with that cartridge was a doe at 10-20 ft as she ran by me. I hit her in the hip dropping her and then had to finish her off. Obviously a bad shot. But, what was interesting is the bullet dished out a lot of meat exposing the pelvis, but did not break it. These were all varmint type bullets and obviously not all hit well. What I did notice was more blood from my 30-06 and it had the capability to break bone compared to the varmint bullets we used at the time. I didn't use .22 on deer again until a few years ago when my son started hunting. This was due to reading post by ingwe and others about how effective they were. Well, shooting the 64g Winchester PP out of an 18" barreled AR my son made 4 (what should have been) killing hits on a large-bodied mule deer buck. Longest shot was a little over 100 yards. The deer came back closer to us after the hit. Then as it stood broadside at less than 100 yards he shot it 3 more times, 2 in the lungs and one that should have been a heart shot but broke the leg and deflected into the ground. Finally blood started coming out of his nose and he fell over. On dressing him out we discovered the first shot hit the liver with little damage and the lung shots pretty much penciled through with little damage, but none exited. I almost gave up on it right there, but taking ingwe's advice I bought some Barnes bullets to try, but then sold the AR to buy something else so haven't tried them yet. The only .22 centerfire I currently have is a .220 Swift with a 14" twist that Barnes says is too slow for the bullets so haven't tried them yet. LMAO. Poor shooting and you're blaming Ingwe for saying it works? My kids have taken 5 deer with the .223 Win and 55gr bullets. None requiring a second shot. None closer than 50 yards and only one took a step. It was pouring blood the entire time it was stumbling down the hill. Chamberings get blamed often for poor bullet selection and placement. Poor bullets I agree and some were poor placement. The bullets were what was available at the time (over 40 years ago.) That still doesn't mean a larger caliber wouldn't have done better, especially on the deer shot in the hip or the one my son shot which was supposed to be a better bullet. The smallest caliber I shoot and my kids shoot currently is the 6.5 Grendel with excellent results. I would like to shoot something with the better .22 bullets, but I don't have a rifle to shoot them yet.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17649270 09/29/22 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 B Blackheart Campfire Ranger Blackheart Campfire Ranger B Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 It doesn't take special modern bullets to kill the shyt out of deer with a .22. I started killing them with the .222 and .223 back in '91. Bullets I used back then were the old 50 and 55 gr. Nosler solid base and the Win. and Horn. 55 gr. soft points. I have an 8 point on the wall from '91 and another from '93 taken with the Noslers, one with the .222 and the other the .223. The '93 buck weighed 172 lbs dressed and one quartering shot through the lungs from 125 yards put him down on the spot. The little Nosler hit near the last rib on the left side and was recovered from the right shoulder.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Blackheart #17649312 09/29/22 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT J Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,185 MT As I understand it Nosler Solid Bases were a fairly tough bullet. Were they pretty tough in .22 caliber?

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Just a Hunter #17649338 09/29/22 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 B Blackheart Campfire Ranger Blackheart Campfire Ranger B Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 Originally Posted by Just a Hunter As I understand it Nosler Solid Bases were a fairly tough bullet. Were they pretty tough in .22 caliber? From what I could tell, not terribly. They seemed to expand readily/easily and did a lot of damage to the lungs. The bullets I recovered from the far side of deer were expanded clear down to the base with little and sometimes no lead left in them. About the only .22 cal. bullets I wouldn't shoot deer with from a .223 and expect decent results would be fragile stuff like the V-max, Hornady SX and Speer TNT. Ordinary 55 gr. sp's usually work fine.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17649452 09/29/22 Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 NJ D Dusty246 Campfire Regular Dusty246 Campfire Regular D Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 NJ My 223 sits right next to my 06 in the safe. Hard to grab the little gun on the way to Cooperstown camp. I have it sighted in with 52 Barnes and may bring it for a doe and then see what I think. Bad shoulder and all I have a nice light load for the 06 with 4895 and 150 Horns at 2800.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? gunner500 #17650698 09/30/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma G gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana gunner500 Campfire 'Bwana G Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 Oklahoma Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. Welp, put the little Ruger 223 on the bags last night before dark, the 62gr TBBC and 64gr Nosler Bonded's run an average of 3076 fps over CFE-223 powder in the LC brass, both bullets shot into a bit less than an inch and a half at 100 for 5 rounds, had 8-10 mph variable winds out of the west, firing dew north, groups settled an inch or so right of center at 1.5" high, will be centered close enough in calm winds, and certainly good enough for 250 yard hunting, smacked the 200 yard steel a couple times, little slugs still packing some pretty descent wallop at that range. There's a monster black russian sow on the mountain that dearly needs to meet my new rifle. Trump Won!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17650852 09/30/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip That should do just fine Gunner. But you know that. Shot mine at 200 on Monday. I love that little rifle. 55gr ttsx over 4198. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? gunner500 #17650873 09/30/22 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA B beretzs Campfire Ranger beretzs Campfire Ranger B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 15,331 Likes: 4 Northeast USA Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by gunner500 Originally Posted by ingwe These threads crack me up. LOL, 223 Greenhorn here Sir, that said, and in your honor, i had gun bud find and order me a Ruger American Predator 8 twist 223, i have rings and spare 2.5-8 and 6.5-20 Leupold scopes, 62gr Bearclaws and 64gr Nosler Bonded's at 3100+ fps from the 22" barrel would have to do a real bangup job on deer and pigs this side of 250 yards, i intend to find out this season. Welp, put the little Ruger 223 on the bags last night before dark, the 62gr TBBC and 64gr Nosler Bonded's run an average of 3076 fps over CFE-223 powder in the LC brass, both bullets shot into a bit less than an inch and a half at 100 for 5 rounds, had 8-10 mph variable winds out of the west, firing dew north, groups settled an inch or so right of center at 1.5" high, will be centered close enough in calm winds, and certainly good enough for 250 yard hunting, smacked the 200 yard steel a couple times, little slugs still packing some pretty descent wallop at that range. There's a monster black russian sow on the mountain that dearly needs to meet my new rifle. I think you’ll have fun with it Gunner. I’m not sure you’ll even know it went off though being as you’re so used to other larger pushers. Semper Fi

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17650902 09/30/22 Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 T TheKid Campfire Outfitter TheKid Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 I’d like to try some of those TBBCs. I’m not a fan of super hard bullets in the 223 and they look like they open pretty wide. The TSX is one of my least favorites. They penetrate like dammit but make narrow wounds IME. Best to keep them on bone.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? TheKid #17650977 09/30/22 Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 13,777 Likes: 6 J JCMCUBIC Campfire Outfitter JCMCUBIC Campfire Outfitter J Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 13,777 Likes: 6 Originally Posted by TheKid I’d like to try some of those TBBCs. I’m not a fan of super hard bullets in the 223 and they look like they open pretty wide. The TSX is one of my least favorites. They penetrate like dammit but make narrow wounds IME. Best to keep them on bone. I'm on the shoulder with the TTSX out of the .223/.223AI. I keep trying to talk myself into sending one through the lungs but I just haven't done it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17650995 09/30/22 Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,315 Northern USA P pete53 Campfire Outfitter pete53 Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 8,315 Northern USA i just ordered some 70 gr. Hammer Hunter bullets for my grandson`s AR-15 223/556 for deer hunting he is only 10 years old and skinny ,grandson can handle this recoil on a AR-15 and the Hammer bullets should work great for him. LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? JCMCUBIC #17651036 09/30/22 Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 20,813 outside the burgh B battue Campfire Ranger battue Campfire Ranger B Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 20,813 outside the burgh Originally Posted by JCMCUBIC I'm on the shoulder with the TTSX out of the .223/.223AI. I keep trying to talk myself into sending one through the lungs but I just haven't done it. FWIW....Seen it a couple times...One took a step and the other ran around in a small circle and fell over. Another was hit chest center and never took a step. laissez les bons temps rouler

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17651101 09/30/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana In my experience, the Barnes really needs speed to wreck lungs well. I shot them in 223AI at 3,300 or so and they worked fine on deer and hogs, although I only shot them inside 150yds or so. Little buzz-saws at that speed. Lung hits were actually okay on blood trails. Not amazing, but fairly okay. I shot a coyote at 200-250yds with the same bullet from an AR carbine and it was not impressive at the lower impact speed. He needed several body hits to go down. I think the bigger-cased, high-RPM .22 centerfires make the most of the 60-70gr mono bullets, as they have the horsepower to make them perform. Your standard 18-22" .223 bolt gun or AR is better off with a softer bullet if you want to shoot 60-75gr, and if you want to go with a mono, I'd look at a 50-55gr version to keep the speed up. I believe that several posters here on this thread feel the same way. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17651221 09/30/22 Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 T TheKid Campfire Outfitter TheKid Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 I’ve used the 53gr TSX a good bit out of 223s with 16 to 20” barrels. As I stated above, if they didn’t hit bone they weren’t impressive for me. At those speeds the 55gr Hornady SP was much more decisive. In my opinion and experience, at the speeds attainable in an 18” 223 the 77TMK is the unrivaled king of terminal performance.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17651326 09/30/22 Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,559 NE South Dakota H Hunterapp Campfire Regular Hunterapp Campfire Regular H Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,559 NE South Dakota "Is the .223 Remington an adequate cartridge for deer out to a distance of 250 yards?" I sayl less than a preferred choice IMHO. Can it work? Sure the 223 can work very well Id guess. Never tried the 223 on deer & hope to never do so. Bullet choice & velocity can make a big difference. Ill stick with a 6mm caliber for my minimum choice. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control & Proverbs 21:19

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? TheKid #17651364 09/30/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana Originally Posted by TheKid In my opinion and experience, at the speeds attainable in an 18” 223 the 77TMK is the unrivaled king of terminal performance. I should have grabbed some of those cannelured blems that were available a while back. The 77TMK really sounds like a winner, if you can find them and don't mind paying for them. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17651402 09/30/22 Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 T TheKid Campfire Outfitter TheKid Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,202 Likes: 4 I scarfed a bunch of them when Larry had the seconds. So far I’ve only found one that was an actual blem and it was broken in half at the cannulure. My only wish is that I bought more when they were available.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17656537 10/01/22 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 74 HICKORY BryanAustin Campfire Greenhorn BryanAustin Campfire Greenhorn Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 74 HICKORY https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Deer-Season-XP/X223DS 44-40 Website - https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester 44-40 Videos - https://juxxi.com/channel/4440Cartridges

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17663012 10/03/22 Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA S Seafire Campfire 'Bwana Seafire Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 42,873 Likes: 8 Southern Oregon USA Why not? I like the 60 grain SP Hornady, the 63 SMP Sierra and best, the 70 SMP from Speer. Each one will kill above their paygrade "Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC “Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17669360 10/05/22 Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,034 Likes: 4 Idaho B Burleyboy Campfire Outfitter Burleyboy Campfire Outfitter B Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,034 Likes: 4 Idaho After my hunt this morning and my 10 year old missing a nice 4x4 at under 100 with the mini howa mtd lss grendel I put together for him I think I should have just let him use my lightweight 16" ar. He asked to use the ar and it had a 20 round mag of 60g partitions in it and I just said no you're using this bolt gun. I'm finding that 10 is pretty young to be deer hunting stalking style not from some ground blind or elevated stand where they have a good rest. It just hard for young inexperienced kids to get set up in a hurry in a field shooting position where you have to improvise with whatever is near by to try and make a rest. I really am starting to think a lightweight ar with an adjustable stock in 223 is the ideal 10 year olds deer rifle for one who's actually out stalking animals not waiting to ambush one from a bench. That little ar has a lightweight 16" Black hole weaponry 3 groove 8 twist and a ctr stock. The kids love it. My 7 year old would bank rupt my running cases of ammo through if I let him. My 8 year old daughter says she likes it better than her purple rascal and wants me to build her a purple ar. I think for the my 7 and 8 year olds first deer guns I will just build them lightweight ARs. Maybe I'll find some pencil weight 6mmx45 barrels so I can burn up all the 85g partitions I have. Then when they get a little bigger say 12 I'll build them bolt guns in something a bit bigger. I can't imagine how the leftists would freak reading that someone is considering building ars for his kids at age 10. I just really think they'll make good deer guns for smaller kids. I let my 10 year old use the ar in the morning if the right opportunity presents again. He told me on the way home tonight that I don't have to find him another big 4x4 he said he just wants to shoot a buck, any buck. Bb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17669956 10/06/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip We big kids miss too. Tell him not to worry about that! But a gun they like and are comfortable shooting is a must. No matter the situation. Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17670772 10/06/22 Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie H Hook Campfire Regular Hook Campfire Regular H Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie Was out playing with my AR earlier this week. It has an upper built by a buddy that is a 16", 1/9 twist, with a 223 Wilde chamber. Over the 2 years I've had it, it has just impressed me as a good fun gun, usually getting around 1.5 MOA more or less. All my shooting with it has been with 50 and 55 gr bullets, with one attempt with 64 gr WWs. It didn't like te 64 grainers at all. Because of the tighter twist, I decided to try some other heavier bullets. Unfortunately, because of the shortages, I am down to just 55 grainers and one box of these: I don't know where they came from, probably some long ago trade or group purchase, but they've been sitting there for years. Anyhoo, I loaded up a handful to try. The first three shot group went into 0.33". Subsequent groups were 0.67", 0.98", and 0.6". They only clocked in at 2660 fps but were dang sho shooting close. Here is the question....has anyone used these things and will they expand on a deer? I called Nosler yesterday and the technician could not find this bullet in any of the catalogs or sales materials he had on hand. Since they only went back to 1975 or so, he thinks the bullet was probably from the 60s when they were making them by hand. The box refers to them as 'Solid Base' and not 'Match' so it really doesn't help much. Unless I can get definitive information on how well they will expand on a deer, I'll either pass using them or only take head or CNS shots. I'd hate to shoot a deer in the boiler room and have it just pencil through or explode on the rib cage. Last edited by Hook; 10/06/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? tzone #17670783 10/06/22 Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,169 Likes: 14 Battle Born B bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana B Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,169 Likes: 14 Battle Born Originally Posted by tzone We big kids miss too. Tell him not to worry about that! But a gun they like and are comfortable shooting is a must. No matter the situation. Bingo. Kids are never going to be that quick at that age, you just have to be patient and allow them to get a lot of practice. When I was that age, I was out in the desert shooting jackrabbits. Most kids do not get that kind of practice anymore. So, take them to the range and work with them. Make it fun and keep them off the bench!! When you are young, that is when you need to learn how to shoot from your hind legs. Offhand, offhand, offhand. Shoot from the bench later on in life, but learn them right from the start.. and no, more lead slung at deer or elk downrange is not the answer. I hope that is not was he was alluding to. If so, that is a piss poor belief. 1 shot 1 kill.. Give him a single shot that is lighter, if need be. Originally Posted by raybass I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. Originally Posted by Pharmseller You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Hook #17670800 10/06/22 Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,169 Likes: 14 Battle Born B bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana bsa1917hunter Campfire 'Bwana B Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 48,169 Likes: 14 Battle Born Originally Posted by Hook Was out playing with my AR earlier this week. It has an upper built by a buddy that is a 16", 1/9 twist, with a 223 Wilde chamber. Over the 2 years I've had it, it has just impressed me as a good fun gun, usually getting around 1.5 MOA more or less. All my shooting with it has been with 50 and 55 gr bullets, with one attempt with 64 gr WWs. It didn't like te 64 grainers at all. Because of the tighter twist, I decided to try some other heavier bullets. Unfortunately, because of the shortages, I am down to just 55 grainers and one box of these: I don't know where they came from, probably some long ago trade or group purchase, but they've been sitting there for years. Anyhoo, I loaded up a handful to try. The first three shot group went into 0.33". Subsequent groups were 0.67", 0.98", and 0.6". They only clocked in at 2660 fps but were dang sho shooting close. Here is the question....has anyone used these things and will they expand on a deer? I called Nosler yesterday and the technician could not find this bullet in any of the catalogs or sales materials he had on hand. Since they only went back to 1975 or so, he thinks the bullet was probably from the 60s when they were making them by hand. The box refers to them as 'Solid Base' and not 'Match' so it really doesn't help much. Unless I can get definitive information on how well they will expand on a deer, I'll either pass using them or only take head or CNS shots. I'd hate to shoot a deer in the boiler room and have it just pencil through or explode on the rib cage. Use a 55gr Hornady sp interlock. That will take all the guess work out of it. You can burn those 68's up on paper and steel. Won't take very long in an AR.. Stretch that AR out to 4-500 with those bullets and see how they do. You may be surprised. Originally Posted by raybass I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. Originally Posted by Pharmseller You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? bsa1917hunter #17670839 10/06/22 Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie H Hook Campfire Regular Hook Campfire Regular H Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie Originally Posted by bsa1917hunter Use a 55gr Hornady sp interlock. That will take all the guess work out of it. You can burn those 68's up on paper and steel. Won't take very long in an AR.. Stretch that AR out to 4-500 with those bullets and see how they do. You may be surprised. I killed a half dozen or so deer with the 222 and 55 grainers back when I was a teenager. The only deer since then with a 22 was with my L46 Sako using a 55 gr Hornady SP. All of the above shots produced DRTs. I have several hundred of the Hornadys and have faith in them to do the trick, but just like the idea of a heavier bullet in the AR. My L46 was rechambered from 222 Rem before I got it and has a 1/14 or so twist. The 55 gr Hornady is the biggest bullet it will handle. I tried some of the aforementioned 64 gr WWs in it while playing with the Noslers in the AR yesterday and they missed the 14"X14" target! I found where one of them went through the backing board sideways. However, it shoots the 55 Hornadys into tiny groups consistently. Naw, I would just love to kill a deer using the Noslers. A hundred yards is all I can safely shoot on my property, and I don't get much fun out of shooting groups after establishing what the bullet/load/rifle can do. I only shot 3 shot groups so as to leave more of the bullets to 'do business' with. IF it turns out not to be a good hunting bullet and IF I back off from using head/CNS shots, I'll plan on hunting yotes with it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17670843 10/06/22 Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,843 Texas southtexas Campfire Tracker southtexas Campfire Tracker Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,843 Texas Regarding the Solid Base bullets, this is from Nosler's website: "1972 The Solid Base® bullet was introduced. John’s next hunting bullet design was the Solid Base®, unique because of its thick, solid base and tapered jacket. This streamlined boat tail set a new standard for aerodynamics among hunting bullets, but also provided incredible terminal performance on deer-sized big game. Solid Base® varmint and target bullets were built on the same principal, and these quickly set a high standard for accuracy." I never used the 22 cal Solid Bases, but the 6mms, 25s, 264s, and 270s were my favorite bullets. Still mad at Nosler for discontinuing.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Hook #17670871 10/06/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,067 Likes: 7 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,067 Likes: 7 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario Originally Posted by Hook Because of the tighter twist, I decided to try some other heavier bullets. Unfortunately, because of the shortages, I am down to just 55 grainers and one box of these: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/306278/1 https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...s/11290194/old_nosler_solid_base_red_box https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12679937/old-nosler-solid-bases-hps Haven't read them yet, so not sure if these old threads will be any help ! Paul. "Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17670880 10/06/22 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,067 Likes: 7 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,067 Likes: 7 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario I did use Nosler 55gr solid base, outta my .222, on pigs, back in Australia, growing up. My mind says 24.7 grains of W748, but it was a long time ago. Paul. "Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17670901 10/06/22 Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 4,555 Middle Ga K killerv Campfire Tracker killerv Campfire Tracker K Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 4,555 Middle Ga knock on wood, never lost a deer with one, all have fallen within eye sight, using the 62gr federal fusions. My kids are older now and using more sufficient calibers. Last edited by killerv; 10/06/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Hook #17670914 10/06/22 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,880 Likes: 8 Originally Posted by Hook Was out playing with my AR earlier this week. It has an upper built by a buddy that is a 16", 1/9 twist, with a 223 Wilde chamber. Over the 2 years I've had it, it has just impressed me as a good fun gun, usually getting around 1.5 MOA more or less. All my shooting with it has been with 50 and 55 gr bullets, with one attempt with 64 gr WWs. It didn't like te 64 grainers at all. Because of the tighter twist, I decided to try some other heavier bullets. Unfortunately, because of the shortages, I am down to just 55 grainers and one box of these: I don't know where they came from, probably some long ago trade or group purchase, but they've been sitting there for years. Anyhoo, I loaded up a handful to try. The first three shot group went into 0.33". Subsequent groups were 0.67", 0.98", and 0.6". They only clocked in at 2660 fps but were dang sho shooting close. Here is the question....has anyone used these things and will they expand on a deer? I called Nosler yesterday and the technician could not find this bullet in any of the catalogs or sales materials he had on hand. Since they only went back to 1975 or so, he thinks the bullet was probably from the 60s when they were making them by hand. The box refers to them as 'Solid Base' and not 'Match' so it really doesn't help much. Unless I can get definitive information on how well they will expand on a deer, I'll either pass using them or only take head or CNS shots. I'd hate to shoot a deer in the boiler room and have it just pencil through or explode on the rib cage. It's newer than the sixties and I'm pretty sure it's Nosler's take on a hpbt match bullet. I don't have my old Nosler manual handy to check. What it will do in flesh I can't say.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Hook #17672231 10/06/22 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri 1 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 10gaugemag Campfire Ranger 1 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 18,940 Likes: 2 Missouri Originally Posted by Hook Was out playing with my AR earlier this week. It has an upper built by a buddy that is a 16", 1/9 twist, with a 223 Wilde chamber. Over the 2 years I've had it, it has just impressed me as a good fun gun, usually getting around 1.5 MOA more or less. All my shooting with it has been with 50 and 55 gr bullets, with one attempt with 64 gr WWs. It didn't like te 64 grainers at all. Because of the tighter twist, I decided to try some other heavier bullets. Unfortunately, because of the shortages, I am down to just 55 grainers and one box of these: I don't know where they came from, probably some long ago trade or group purchase, but they've been sitting there for years. Anyhoo, I loaded up a handful to try. The first three shot group went into 0.33". Subsequent groups were 0.67", 0.98", and 0.6". They only clocked in at 2660 fps but were dang sho shooting close. Here is the question....has anyone used these things and will they expand on a deer? I called Nosler yesterday and the technician could not find this bullet in any of the catalogs or sales materials he had on hand. Since they only went back to 1975 or so, he thinks the bullet was probably from the 60s when they were making them by hand. The box refers to them as 'Solid Base' and not 'Match' so it really doesn't help much. Unless I can get definitive information on how well they will expand on a deer, I'll either pass using them or only take head or CNS shots. I'd hate to shoot a deer in the boiler room and have it just pencil through or explode on the rib cage. Mid to late 80s manufacture. Should be able to find something of comparable length that may shoot just as good. Here is what I would try. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010522133?pid=199027 Last edited by 10gaugemag; 10/06/22. The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? bsa1917hunter #17673194 10/07/22 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip T tzone Campfire 'Bwana tzone Campfire 'Bwana T Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 46,745 Just The Tip Originally Posted by bsa1917hunter Originally Posted by tzone We big kids miss too. Tell him not to worry about that! But a gun they like and are comfortable shooting is a must. No matter the situation. Bingo. Kids are never going to be that quick at that age, you just have to be patient and allow them to get a lot of practice. When I was that age, I was out in the desert shooting jackrabbits. Most kids do not get that kind of practice anymore. So, take them to the range and work with them. Make it fun and keep them off the bench!! When you are young, that is when you need to learn how to shoot from your hind legs. Offhand, offhand, offhand. Shoot from the bench later on in life, but learn them right from the start.. and no, more lead slung at deer or elk downrange is not the answer. I hope that is not was he was alluding to. If so, that is a piss poor belief. 1 shot 1 kill.. Give him a single shot that is lighter, if need be. My kids first deer was comical actually. I had him practicing all fall. I'd have him run 20 yards and back so his heart rate was up a bit, then shoot the deer target. Stuff like that to make it fun. But his first one... we were set up in the stand and we saw a deer within 2 minutes of being up there. It wasn't shooting light even yet. So we set the gun up on the rest and waited a second. Then another one ran in, no BS.....right into where he had the gun lined up. He said "she's right in the scope" I looked at my watch and was going to say I think it's time now. But what happened was I said "I"....and then there was a BOOM!! Camp is where you make it.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Burleyboy #17673267 10/07/22 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana JPro Campfire Ranger JPro Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,247 Northern Louisiana Originally Posted by Burleyboy After my hunt this morning and my 10 year old missing a nice 4x4 at under 100 with the mini howa mtd lss grendel I put together for him I think I should have just let him use my lightweight 16" ar. He asked to use the ar and it had a 20 round mag of 60g partitions in it and I just said no you're using this bolt gun. I'm finding that 10 is pretty young to be deer hunting stalking style not from some ground blind or elevated stand where they have a good rest. It just hard for young inexperienced kids to get set up in a hurry in a field shooting position where you have to improvise with whatever is near by to try and make a rest. I really am starting to think a lightweight ar with an adjustable stock in 223 is the ideal 10 year olds deer rifle for one who's actually out stalking animals not waiting to ambush one from a bench. That little ar has a lightweight 16" Black hole weaponry 3 groove 8 twist and a ctr stock. The kids love it. My 7 year old would bank rupt my running cases of ammo through if I let him. My 8 year old daughter says she likes it better than her purple rascal and wants me to build her a purple ar. I think for the my 7 and 8 year olds first deer guns I will just build them lightweight ARs. Maybe I'll find some pencil weight 6mmx45 barrels so I can burn up all the 85g partitions I have. Then when they get a little bigger say 12 I'll build them bolt guns in something a bit bigger. I can't imagine how the leftists would freak reading that someone is considering building ars for his kids at age 10. I just really think they'll make good deer guns for smaller kids. I let my 10 year old use the ar in the morning if the right opportunity presents again. He told me on the way home tonight that I don't have to find him another big 4x4 he said he just wants to shoot a buck, any buck. Bb The absolute best training tool I EVER had was a youth model RWS .177 break-open with a 4x scope. We got it for Christmas when I was about 10 and my brother was 7. Aside from the initial sight-in and occasional zero-check, it never saw a benchrest or sandbags. We shot cans, birds, varmints, grasshoppers, you name it, all from improvised field positions, be it bracing against a tree, shooting off somebody's shoulder, or kneeling behind the railing of the backyard deck. It taught us how to judge a rest, get our body where it needed to be, acquire the target, and break the trigger at the right time. It was invaluable experience, and made me into a pretty decent shot when it was time to hunt deer in the following years. Now with even more aplomb

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? New_2_99s #17674223 10/07/22 Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie H Hook Campfire Regular Hook Campfire Regular H Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,958 The Heart of Dixie Originally Posted by New_2_99s I did use Nosler 55gr solid base, outta my .222, on pigs, back in Australia, growing up. My mind says 24.7 grains of W748, but it was a long time ago. Were the ones you used hollow points or did they have a lead tip? Last edited by Hook; 10/07/22.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17698356 10/14/22 Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 5,042 Likes: 5 H Hogwild7 Campfire Tracker Hogwild7 Campfire Tracker H Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 5,042 Likes: 5 If you shoot them all in the throat or head. Shooting in the body you better be a good tracker.

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17698898 10/15/22 Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 2,007 Likes: 4 ‘Murca drop_point Campfire Regular drop_point Campfire Regular Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 2,007 Likes: 4 ‘Murca Most people talk out their rear on this topic, but my group friends and I have taken no less than 25 whitetail with the same load. Never had to track a single one amongst us. "Full time night woman? I never could find no tracks on a woman's heart. I packed me a squaw for ten year, Pilgrim. Cheyenne, she were, and the meanest bitch that ever balled for beads."

Re: .223 for whitetail - yes or no? Triggernosis #17698907 10/15/22 Joined: Feb 2020 Posts: 1,392 York County, PA W WStrayer Campfire Regular WStrayer Campfire Regular W Joined: Feb 2020 Posts: 1,392 York County, PA A .223 for deer is like taking your fat cousin to the prom...if that us all you got, well...