I know some don't like this caliber for deer , but some do, especially the low recoil.
Looking for recommendations for a heavy bullet to make a few deer rounds with, shots will be taken within 150 yds of the animal.


Search feature turned up a bunch of threads, sorry to beat the horse again.

You will want to use the heavyest bullet that you can in this cal. My Speer reloading book lists the 70 grain has the heavyest, I really don't know if this will work for white tail deer, I am used to hunting with 30 cals that shoot bullets in the 150-165 range and they work well. This year I am going to hunt with a 243 useing 90-100 grain bullets. I posted a question on this web site a couple of weeks ago asking if the 243 was enough gun for white tail deer and 90% thought it was more than enough gun but I am not sure about the .223 The most important part is shot placement, the .223 has been legal for big game in several western states so if you can shoot it well than why not give it a try?

Make sure you have the right twist for heavy bullets. I would use a 60 gr. Nosler Partition. If I would have drawn a Pronghorn tag I would of used a 60 gr. Partition in my 220 Swift out to about 250 yds. Good luck

Ridge Runner hit the nail on the head. I also killed many deer and my kids have killed some using 55 grain sp ,and put the bullet where it belongs.Thats what we are all taught. You will be fine with 55 gr and up.good luck

i used sierra 63gr to take a deer at 200+ a few years back and got really lucky. Keep the shots at 150 or less and use a barnes tsx (53gr?) that way you dont have to worry about rifle twist and it still has plenty of punch and will hold together not explode like mine did.

I think you mean 60 gr right...??

What twist are you using for a 160gr nosler 22 cal bullet and where to you get em? Doesnt it take up alot of case capacity..........or maybe you meant to say a 60gr partition

I stand corrected. I just finnished loading 160 gr. Nosler Partitions. Good luck.

Thanks for all the reply's fellas. This AR has really become my favorite gun to shoot , low recoil, light carry.. If I fill the freezer this yr. with her , the .270 will start to collect some dust.
Reloading components are still like hens teeth, found some Barnes tripple shocks , but they were pricey at 30$ / 50, settled on Sierras gamekings hpbt 17.00 / 100
Gonna put em on top of H335/ IMR3130/ and Varget & see which my rifle likes best at the X.

I have taken a deer with a 55gr using my AR. 55 gr are actually more deadly than the 62. The military used to use 55 gr but went to the 62 over the years. The 55 gr usually will not punch through, but rather will cause more damage inside, where the 62 will shoot through.

If you like the AR, one option that you might consider is a 300 Whisper. It is a new upper that goes on the AR lower. What you have to do is cutdown the 223 brass, load a lighter weight powder, but it holds a 30 cal bullet. The cost of this upper runs around $350.00 but allows you to shoot a different cal from the same AR using the same Mags. Look it up in the internet and you will get some info. I use my 223 for varmet and fun shooting, then use the Whisper for hunting deer and other large animals. It is still accurate well past 200 yards but is about as loud as a 9mm.