.223
 

I talked with my cousin who is a avid hunter.
He said that the 30-06, 7mm-08 or .270 is overkill.
Although thier nice guns, there just way more gun then you want for Florida.
He said that he killed all his deer and hogs 250lb+ with a .5mm or his .222

Anyway it looks like the .222 is phasing out(?)

I was thinking on the .223 any thoughts on this caliber?

Edited by - Xcommercial fisherman on 01/10/2003 20:05:19

RE: .223
 

I would rather have too much than not enough.
IMO the 7mm-08 or .270 would be great.

RE: .223
 

I've dropped deer with just about everything from .222 to .375 H&H and I've seen friends drop a heck of a lot more....

The best performers in my opinion are .243 Win, 6MM Rem, .257 Roberts, .25-06. I consider the .260 Remington an equal in this group although I know no one that has one yet.

I agree that the .270-.30-06 group is far more powerful than truly needed, but they'll still do a good job.

The .223 might be a real winner for you.....personally, I'd step up to the next group. Trailing a wounded deer without snow and no exit hole can be very frustrating indeed!!

RE: .223
 

I went looking at a gun store today and the guy there said I should go with a .308
He said a .223 or a .243 would not humanely kill a deer.
I really don't want a moose killer, I just want something in between that will get the job done.

They had a used Winchester model 70 .308 for $370

RE: .223
 

the 243 gets such a bad rap for use on deer.the sad fact is its the shooter thats the problem not the cartridge. if the bullet is put where it should be(as it should be with any round) it will drop a deer in short order.just had to get that off my chest,sorry.

RE: .223
 

Unlike everyone else I will vote against the 223 as a deer round. A 223 will do the job under the right conditions. The problem is that unless you have alot of experiance and self-control the right conditions will be few and far between. Do yourself a favor and use at least a 243. If you're concerned with recoil the 243 and 7mm-08 are proven performers and are still easy on the shoulder. The 308 is a great deer caliber. It's ALWAYS better to be overgunned.

RE: .223
 

You can tell that guy that told you a .243 isn't adequate for deer that the last 11 whitetails that I have shot didn't agree with him. I stopped using my 7mm mag because it didn't kill any faster than my 243 and the 243 was lighter, and more accurate. I don't think you could go wrong with the .243, you could still use the lighter weight 55-60gr bullets.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: .223
 

Misinformed DG? Misinformation and experience are two different things.
Just because he prefers a smaller caliber over an elk killer does not make him misinformed. He has 5 deer mounts on his wall and a dozen pics.
Remember were talking about Florida here. A 200lb deer is a monster. Deer and hog are the largest game down here.

Anyway I talked with 3 other hunters around here and they all agree with what Josh has said.

Edited by - Xcommercial fisherman on 01/12/2003 09:22:34

RE: .223
 

Hey friend....that .308 would not have been a bad buy.....

There's two things.....the cartridge and the shooter. If the shooter does his thing well, the cartridge don't mean too much at all. If the shooter does just a good job.....a little extra cartridge helps to compensate. However, there comes a time when the cartridge can't compensate because the shooter messed up too badly. Missing a deer with a .222 is exactly the same as missing it with a .460 Weatherby magnum!!!

If you didn't drop that deer in it's tracks with a .243, you wouldn't have done so with a .30-06 either!!!!

In all sincerity, I'd be buying a .260 Remington.....It's one helluva cartridge!!! But any of the cartridges listed on this thread will get the job done!!!!!

RE: .223
 

.223 is ok for deer if you pick your shot and can shoot. If not Id go with more gun at least the .243. As for 30-06 7-08 .270 as over kill awhole lot of hurters use these and the 30-06 is probly the most used caliber in the US. As for .223 going away ROFL the US military is still using it strong so dont think for a min that it will go away anytime soon.

3DNWV

RE: .223
 

The 223 Rem is not a deer cartridge and should not be used as one. It is a varmint cartridge at best and most bullets do not hold up well on deer sized game.

RE: .223
 

I agree with those who say the .223 is not a deer caliber! Any shot that is less than perfect will be a lost deer. I consider the .243/6MM to be the minimum for deer. The .243 is light on the shoulder and will handle any whitetail around! If you can handle more gun, then go for something like a 7MM/08 or larger, there is no such thing as overkill! It just can't be "too dead!"
But with the .223 class calibers there is such a thing as "not dead enough!" With the good low recoil, hard hitters on the market today, there is just no good reason to use a varmint gun on deer. It is just plain inhumane!

RE: .223
 

You can kill a fly with a teaspoon or with a fry-pan. But a fly swatter works a lot better. I don't know much about the deer or the hunting conditions in Florida. If you are willing and able to only take standing broadside shots at undesturbed deer at less than 100 yds. Or if you are hunting with hounds(that will find your shot deer) and you have a semi auto and shots are at running deer at 50 yds. and less. Maybe the 223 will do. I would tend to say it is not the best deer round.
I live in Alberta where bucks can be really big and not all that plentiful. Sometimes a monster steps out on a powerline 300 yds. away and you have to take a shot as he walks away from you or not see him again. Then I want a good heavy slug traveling at warp speed in an accurate rifle. I shoot 140 grin bullets from a .264 win. mag. in a win. model 70 bolt gun.

Robin

RE: .223
 

a .223 will kill deer but so will a .38spl. now i use a .357mag but my shots are less than 25yards and i have some hot loads in it. id rather use my .357 than a .223.

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

RE: .223
 

A 30-30 would do everything you ever needed for deer/hog hunting in Florida, and you should be able to get a used one in excellent condition for less than $250.

To answer you question, no. None of those calibers would be an overkill. They would all be wiser choices than a 223 when shooting at that once in a lifetime buck.

RE: .223
 

all of those gun are good even the 30/30 iv taken a lot of deer with that but look at it frome this pont of vew the 3006 has more diferint laods than any ather and every stor you go to has ammo for it but the most inportin thing is shoot plays mint thats number 1