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Antelope and 223???

Is the 223 enough for antelope say 300yards or less??

RE: Antelope and 223???

what is a good bullet??? Iam going to us an AR from DPMS arms, 16" stainless bull barrel, 2.5-10X40 optics, shoots under 1"MOA

RE: Antelope and 223???

Might kill one, but you'll want to check as to whether a .223 is legal/sufficient in the game laws of the state you're hunting.

I know the .223 isn't legal in Wyoming for ANY big game.

RE: Antelope and 223???

Homer was right in CO must be a .24 or bigger, looks like the 243wssm is getting a plane ticket:-)

RE: Antelope and 223???

Def check to see if its legal....if so, I'd say heavier bullets are better.....50-75gr....

talked to a guy in MT who loved using his .220 swift on antelope all the way out to 300-500yds.
course thats more powder/power....so I would assume the swift would shoot those heavier bullets faster and with more energy.

Either way you'd want a premium bullet, not a hollowpoint.....

.243-.270 is a better route to take I'd say.

RE: Antelope and 223???

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dalebow

Is the 223 enough for antelope say 300yards or less??

Nope! There's a reason it's not legal in some states, It's not a good big game caliber. JMHO. It's fine for prarie dogs and yotes though! You should be very satisfied with your .243, but bring your .223 to smokes some pd's while your here!!

RE: Antelope and 223???

I've used a .243 Win on antelope for years and never had one stagger more than 75 yards from where he was hit, using plain-jane greenbox 100 gr CoreLokts.

Your .243 WSSM should be fine

RE: Antelope and 223???

Wouldn't be my first choice, and 300 yards would be pushing it in my opinion with a .223. Woodchucks at that distance for sure, but large game at that distance seems a bit iffy to me.

.243 is just about the perfect gun for that scenario in my opinion.

Paul

RE: Antelope and 223???

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Colorado Luckydog

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dalebow

Is the 223 enough for antelope say 300yards or less??

Nope! There's a reason it's not legal in some states, It's not a good big game caliber.

There are 7 states do not allow rifle hunting. There are 43 states that allow rifle hunting.

4 states require at least .23 caliber (KA, MN, VA, WY)

4 states require at least .24 or .243 caliber (CO, CN, IA WA)

35 states allow .22 Centerfires.

Of the 35 that allow .22 Centerfires, 5 have energy restrictions. 2 of these say 1200 ft lbs of Muzzle Energy, 1 says 1000 ft lbs of Muzzle Energy, 1 says 900 ft lbs at 100 yards, and 1 says 1000 ft lbs at 100 yards.

RE: Antelope and 223???

Thanks Homes this is my first hunt for the speed goat

RE: Antelope and 223???

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ipscshooter

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Colorado Luckydog

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dalebow

Is the 223 enough for antelope say 300yards or less??

Nope! There's a reason it's not legal in some states, It's not a good big game caliber.

Great homework, but it has nothing to do with what I said. To you it may be fine, to me it's not enough gun. To each his own.Just because it's legal, doesn't make it the best choice to hunt with. I'm glad it's not legal here in Colorado. It may be legal somewhere to hunt grizzlies with 22's, but I'm not gonna do it. :D

RE: Antelope and 223???

Obviously for anyone who asks the question "is it enough" there must have been some doubt to begin with. Antelope are not terribly difficult to bring down but there are much better choices than a .22 cal. I prefer to use a gun that I will never have to ask "is this enough".