Which of these marginal calibers? .30 Carbine vs .223?
 

A .30 Carbine or .223 for deer hunting? Okay, I know these two calibers are questionable at best and always bring out some very strong opinions. I DO NOT hunt with either one of these(I use .45-70 and .303 Brit:happy0001:). But just for fun, if these were your only two options, which would you use for deer hunting?? Not limited to military ball of course.

ive heard of people using a .223. you need good shot placement and it will get the job done. I think it could take a deer down better than a.30 carbine though. i wasnt familiar with the ballistics of it so i googled it. said it had half the energy of a 30-30 winchester. i wouldnt use either really but i go with the .223. i'd try to make a heart shot or head shot.

Between those two go with the .223. The .30 caliber carbine is pretty pitiful powerwise. Neither would be my choice but the .223 is easily the superior of those two.

Neither, if you feel that they are marginal (I do). My father used an M-1 30 cal. carbine in the 60's and killed a deer with it. Then he got smart and upgraded to a 30-06 (which I still have).

Neither! But if I had to use one it would be the .223!

I agree.

Biker

A 223. is a far superior cartridge!!! The 30 carbine is just about useless for anything.

The .30 caliber carbine, but only at bow range. LOL !!!



I do like the .223 as a Predator/Varmint round though !


I always want to use enough gun..........I owe it to the animals I hunt.

The .30 Carbine has approximately the energy of a .38 special. Not exactly what I would want to take deer hunting. The .223 is much more powerful, but still on the small side for deer. If I had to take one, I would take the .223 loaded with a 60 grain Nosler Partition or a 64 grain Power Point. With good shot placement, either will take a deer at reasonable ranges.

I remember reading an article that I believe stated the .30 carbine had more energy at 100yds than a .44 mag did at 25yds, something to that affect, and just how the .30 is often states as being too light for deer, but almost no one would 2nd guess using a .44mag on a deer up close.