Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Its possible that a .223 works on deer better than 30-06?

I tend to stay out of these pizzing contests, because actual experience counts for very little on this forum when weighed against post count or "popularity."

But, I'm compelled to offer:

Several years back I took a contract in the Philippines. It turned out thet we were assigned guards armed with AR-15s because of the kidnappings on the particular island. Once I discovered that, I brought back from my first R&R, classified as "crane parts" two 9 twist barrels and 600 rounds loaded with 60 grain Partitions. Over the next year I took several dozen Philippine Sambar ("brown deer") and countless boar. Based on that I've used since a 22-250 AI and 70 grain TSX to cull some 3 dozen whitetail, and IMO YES, they are fully the equal of .30 cal on whitetail...but what does actual experience mean vs the internet?

Ha! :-)

Yep.

Like the Ricky in your avatar! Who's Susanna?

Journeyman, it seems to me- at least I'm taking the question this way- that the question is a broad one. In other words, what's best under "all" circumstances. Even PH (Steelhead) said he wouldn't use a CF .22 one a mule deer hunt that mattered. Which is comical.

I'd use a CF .22 in a hot heartbeat in certain circumstances. In more "general" circumstances there are better choices. Steelhead (PH) thinks so too. 30-06 is one of them.

I don't doubt for a second that a .223 won't kill a deer most of the time.

I simply prefer a little more THUMP for the few times I shoot at a deer.

I said I might not, more because I don't want to listen to the 'expert' guides that have the same experience with it as you do. I can only suffer idiots for so long.

Jeff should just stick with what he knows, [bleep].

Last whitetails (3) I shot with the 22-250 AI and TSX was Christmas day - seeing the steam hit the cold air as the critter drops like swatted by the hand of God MUST be experienced to be believed

Bart watched me shoot an 8 point in Texas with the 223AI and said it was the fastest he has ever seen a deer drop.

Must have been luck......

He said that again today....

He wacked a dude today with his truck too...

Was it the fastest he ever saw a dude drop.......grin

That too...grin...

.233 for deer that's way too much gun, I prefer to hunt them with My daisy co2 pistol, A .223 is just overkill..........547.

Does Barnes make a TSX for that Daisy ?

Bullshit. You said you wouldn't take it on a $6000 trophy deer hunt for one simple reason- because you know that no matter how good it might be in controlled circumstances, and I believe you that it's good, it's not ideal in a situation where a) you really care, and/or b) the circumstances are not predictable.

Both a) and b) apply for all the deer hunting I personally do.

Thanks for finally admitting that BTW. You could have saved the forum a lot of grief by just conceding that a year ago...

Steve,
I'm confused by your signature line - I have myriad literature from the various hunting organizations I support that list the Bangles, including Susanna Hoffs, as the biggest enemies to hunting extant...?

If i stopped listening to everyone that was anit gun/hunting I would be left with Ted Nugent and...................?

Or how about actors ? Or chain stores ? ect ect.

you're a load your mother should have swallowed.

Stick with what you are good at Jeff, turning oxygen into carbon dioxide

Anyone on a hunting website that supports an avowed (not to mentioned "honored") PETA supporter is a hypocrite of the highest order, at the very least.

I give thousands each year to support our rights - the loss of music or film vs. the loss of the lifestyle I was raised in and love is not even a contest...

If it offends you put me on ignore