223 cal for Deer
 

Is this a good choice. I have heard different opinoins? What is your's?

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Im fine using one for deer but wouldnt recommend purchasing one ifsomeone waslooking fora new gun for deer hunting. Ihave an O-U Savage in 223 and 12 Gauge and have shot 2 deer with the 223 both using 55grn Hollow Points.

I think most people would agree that at least a 243 would be the caliber of choice, some will prob say thats not enough.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

It will kill deer, but it is less than ideal. I've got a .223 and love it, and I've even shot and killed hogs with it, but if I'm hunting something bigger than coyotes, I prefer to carry a larger caliber rifle.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Same here. It works with perfect shot placment but does not offer much when less than ideal shots are tried. I prefer 25 caliber as minimum.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Alot of younger hunters in Texas kill many deer with the .223....Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement....

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Sure, I knowfriends who swear by em. I don't. One long time 22-250 user I know however couldn't find a trophy this year. He has taken dozens with it. Mostly doe. But now he is all bent and said he's going to use a 30-06 next year. Anyway it goes with a gun, you are a significant advantage to deer. But when the moment of truth comes to take a fine animal, you don't want any excuses.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

It will work but it is not recommended. You really should use a bigger caliber. If for no other reason than out of respect for the deer.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

I guess you could kill a deer with a sling shot if you hit it just right ... but does that make it right? I would never use a .22cal for deer ... if you can handle the recoil of a .22cal centerfire, you could just as easily handle a .243 (which is marginal to me anyway). Far better would be the light kicking .30-30 or something similar.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

.223 is plenty for whitetail. Put the shot in the right place, instead of depending on the sheer size of the bullet to compensate for marginal shot placement.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Amen brother Amen

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

I have killed many deer with mine using 70gr Speer SSP handloads. I wouldn,t use it on big deer,and it does have its limits as do all guns.It,s really done the job thought and on a lot of wild hogs as well. Bullet placement is the big factor in all hunting situtations,no matter what one shoots. vangunsmith

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

I agree 100 percent.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Ive never used mine for deer hunting cause its iilegel in are state but I see no reason why it wouldnt kill a deer I dont think it matters how big a hole is in the deers heart or lungs if its there thats all that matters however I was wondering on the blood trail thats the only part I dont like but if their shot good I guess thats not a real big deal either

If I could I would use a bigger gun though jmo

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

As previously stated, I wouldn't use anything smaller than the 243 for deer...just out of respect for the animal...

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

For me, the .243 would be the minimum! The .22 CF's are legal here, but I just don't think that using something that you have to be "perfect" with, is worth it! No, I do not think that bigger, makes up for accuracy, but bigger does give you "reasonable room for error!" If it's legal, use 'em if you wish, just use good hunting bullets! I would NEVER recomend the .22's to newbies! I know I'll hear many, "it was my first gun," stories, but again theres too much perfection involved with them to suggest rookies use them!

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

Yes the 223 is enough for deer ,although shot placement is critical. You must use a good game bullet and their arn't many choices here. My favorite ( my go to round) is the speer 70 gr simi sptr. ,it's constructed heavy enough to penetrate completely on a broad side lung shot,and will leave them plenty dead.Nosler makes the partition in a 60gr. but for me it isn't accurate enough. Sierra is making a gameking 65gr. for deer size game although extremely accurate as most sierra bullets are I've not tried them on game yet. I here lots of people saying sierra's don't hold together well on game but I'd have to dissagree, they have never let me down. Do understand that a 223 isn' going to leave much of a blood trail ,but is at least as humane as a broadhead, or moreso! Just pick your shot carefully or you'll end up wounding and loosing your deer. Bigger is better.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

I had to add one more thought to this forum. Many seem to think that since shot placement is more critical with a smaller caliber rifle you shouldn't use them, and at the same time they probably would not hesitate to use an indian pistol. Any 223 with a good scope should group into three inches or less at 200 yds, a good bow would doughtfully group inside an eight inch pie plate at 30 yds under hunting conditions, but most hunters wouldn't hesitate to bow hunt. This is food for thought not criticizem. I'm not implying thay a good compound bow can't group very well but adrenilen screws the best of them up!

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

The 223 is enough cartridge for taking a deer when proper bullets are used. its a simple fact, and its kinda getting boring argueing about it. as long a controlled expansion bullet like a 60.gr. nosler partition is esed the bullet will expand and completly pass through the animal depositing a lot of its energy into the deer. it dosent really matter how much energy a cartridge has, a properly placed 222lr is better than a poorly place 300 win.mag.

RE: 223 cal for Deer
 

I agree with JagMagMan. .243 would be the minimum I'd hunt whitetail deer with. Even that is a bit on the light side. I would say .270, .30 cal, 7mm mag. For type of hunting in N. MN where I sometimes hunt .30-06 is a good all around choice, if shots are 150 yds or less as they ar 98% there. They have many choices of not only slug weights and types to suit most any situation within those limits. A .30 caliber 06 or .300 WM will do considerably more internal damage and have a greater shock affect on a deer than a lesser caliber like .223 you mention.

That's my opinion.