223 for deer and hogs....
#1
223 for deer and hogs....
I have a freind that uses his 223 for deer and hogs with great success. He makes neck shots, out to 200 yards. My 223 is very accurate out to 200 yards and was considering giving it a try. My first thought was that the bullet was too small, but there isn't a whole lot of hard stuff in the neck of a deer, and if you hit that (spine) that should end it. On hogs, he says he shoots just behind the ear. Anyway, I thought I'd throw this out , to see what you all think. Thanks.
#2
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
If you can place your bullet within one inch of the point of aim and know where to aim and can do it every time under any condition then your 223 will work well. If you can't then move up a few calibers to give yourself a little more room for error. Shot placement is everything.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Georgetown, Texas
Posts: 528
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
Yep. . it will work but you better shoot pretty good. You will likely get lots of folks that will flatley state it is too small.
JMO but I won't go any smaller than a .243 for Hogs and Deer myself.
JMO but I won't go any smaller than a .243 for Hogs and Deer myself.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Posts: 1,964
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
IMHO, most folks talk a better marksmanship game and write a better marksmanship game than what they can actually deliver in real life hunting situations.
Is the .223 all you got? Bit light for my style.
Of course if it's legal in your state, then there is no one person to stop you.
If you decide to go for it anyway, then good luck and Texas is a great state --- a whole 'nother nation --- great hunting/gun tradition --- please stay there and don't come to Colorado to hunt.
Since you asked what I think, there it is, just my $.02
EKM
Is the .223 all you got? Bit light for my style.
Of course if it's legal in your state, then there is no one person to stop you.
If you decide to go for it anyway, then good luck and Texas is a great state --- a whole 'nother nation --- great hunting/gun tradition --- please stay there and don't come to Colorado to hunt.
Since you asked what I think, there it is, just my $.02
EKM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The praries,hillsides and bushes of Saskatchewan
Posts: 179
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
It would work, but id look at something at least .243 or larger its not fair to the animal if it has to suffer and unless you can make a neck shot 100% of the time i would move up in caliber!
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
Anyway, I thought I'd throw this out , to see what you all think.
#9
RE: 223 for deer and hogs....
I've had pretty good luck with mine. Most of my shots are at coyotes, so I normally use V-Max from Hornady. They work great on anything less than 100 lbs. For game that requires penetration, Federal makes a 55 grain BTHP that works a lot better. I think it is a Sierra bullet. It shoots a little different, so I have to change the zero on the scope.