Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting .223 for whitetail - yes or no?

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There are two sides in this conversation.
Both, think you are talking about the other.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂


I think it's both.

Anyone who would think a 223 won't kill deer is an idiot.
22LR kills tens of thousands of cows ever year.
Most, easily.

Don't think many here think it can't work.

They think there are better choices.


Ones that don't require such specific bullet choices.
Ones that don't require using marksmanship as a virtue signal.

Not that often a 270 and up, for deer, conversation becomes so
focused on bullet. Or there are so many quotes about
"It's where you hit 'em, marksmanship first..."
Curious that?

Have seen numerous deer shot with a 22-250. Never a fail, big meat loss
if the shoulder got hit.

Would try a fast twist 223 just to see what all the fuss is about.
Can't use an AR, no interest in buying a bolt just to find a deer rifle.
Got that covered from 243-338.

Will work like you never imagined possible.

The good thing about a Partition is it is very soft so immediate expansion kills quickly.

Not like these tougher bullets everybody wants to use in sub calibers that leave narrow wound channels.

The Partition, Nosler Bonded and Fusion all expand very well and penetrate deeply. They all make mush of soft tissue.

Think he is comparing the wound channel to that of a conventional SP.

If a guy isn't comfortable using one then don't use it.

Shot a nice whitetail buck tonight with a .222 and 55 grain hollow point gamekings . Broke his neck at 52 yds. Pretty low drama. My boys and I have shot close to 40 deer with this rifle and bullet combo. Some lung shots, but mostly neck, and head shots. Pretty lethal combo. I have alot of confidence in it.

I know. The actual wound channel inside is more than I've seen from a conventional SP. The entrance and exits are smaller than a SP, IMO.

If that bullet works anything like the SBT it's wicked.

We have shot a lot of deer with the SP Game king from 223 up to the Swift. Mainly lungs and its usually instant lights out.

I'm going to have to try some SGK's.

I'm going to have to try some SGK's.

Good stuff, Thanks T and Big B, yes, the little rifle has no recoil, the 2.5-8 Leupold is plenty for any 250 yard max hunting, i intend to find out what those little slugs will do this season.

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.

I've wondered how many Indian women with 22's have been killed by PO's grizzlies. You hear about stuff like this because it's the exception, not the rule. The other 99% of bear hunters with 22's get hashed but that's expected.

I shot an antelope with my .223 and 62 gr Federal Fusions this year.

Worked VERY well.

I’ll be using that gun more often for BG now. Picked up some 77 gr TMKs last week. Schits gonna get bloody. Real bloody.

I've wondered how many Indian women with 22's have been killed by PO's grizzlies. You hear about stuff like this because it's the exception, not the rule. The other 99% of bear hunters with 22's get hashed but that's expected.

Grabbed a Butler Creek cap for the objective, couple camo duct tape wraps around scope tube, that ugly little Ruger American Predator 223 is ready for all weather pig popping, 11 rounds on board of 62gr Bearclaw at 3100 has got to count for something ; ]

What powder are you using?