Deer Hunting with .223??
03-15-2010, 10:24 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 9
Deer Hunting with .223??
It’s time to bring some answers to an ongoing internet debate. Can the .223 be used for deer hunting? Well here we go…..
The short and easy answer is yes it can kill a deer. Is it the best round for deer hunting? Probly not, but that doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be used. The people arguing that a .223 shouldn’t be used for deer hunting are concerned that it won’t give the deer a quick clean kill. However, the majority of the people arguing this point have never used a .223 for deer hunting. Most of the hunters that do use a .223 think its completely fine. When it comes to clean kills, shot placement is much more important than caliber.
The next question would be weather or not it’s legal in your state. I’ve hunted with a .223 in Hawaii and in California legally so I’d assume it’s ok for the majority of the states but of course you should double check. To hunt with a .223 in California you have to use a grain that shoots with high enough foot pounds. Plus, several companies are now producing rounds specifically for deer hunting for the .223.
So the answer is Yes, a .223 can be used for deer hunting and can cleanly take it down if you put it in the right spot. If you’re buying a rifle specifically for deer hunting then I’d suggest a 300wsm or a 30-06. But if you want a fun gun for cheap target shooting that you can still use for hunting then a .223 will work.
The short and easy answer is yes it can kill a deer. Is it the best round for deer hunting? Probly not, but that doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be used. The people arguing that a .223 shouldn’t be used for deer hunting are concerned that it won’t give the deer a quick clean kill. However, the majority of the people arguing this point have never used a .223 for deer hunting. Most of the hunters that do use a .223 think its completely fine. When it comes to clean kills, shot placement is much more important than caliber.
The next question would be weather or not it’s legal in your state. I’ve hunted with a .223 in Hawaii and in California legally so I’d assume it’s ok for the majority of the states but of course you should double check. To hunt with a .223 in California you have to use a grain that shoots with high enough foot pounds. Plus, several companies are now producing rounds specifically for deer hunting for the .223.
So the answer is Yes, a .223 can be used for deer hunting and can cleanly take it down if you put it in the right spot. If you’re buying a rifle specifically for deer hunting then I’d suggest a 300wsm or a 30-06. But if you want a fun gun for cheap target shooting that you can still use for hunting then a .223 will work.
03-16-2010, 04:28 AM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
I definitely wouldn't buy a .223 for deer hunting. You can kill a deer with a 76 Ford pickup also, but I wouldn't buy one of them for hunting deer either. There are just better choices IMHO.
03-16-2010, 05:14 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mount Vernon Ohio
Posts: 178
After reading such an expert post, I for one feel a lot better about using my .223 for deer. Now if I could just get some wolf FMJ ammo for my .17HMR and google a shot placement chart I would have the perfect Bigfoot Yeti hunting rifle and expert knowledge to go with it.
03-16-2010, 08:33 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Republic of Texas
Posts: 12,040
It's legal in something like 38 of the 43 states that allow deer hunting with rifles. It'll work if you use the right bullet, and wait for the right shot. But, there are much better choices out there. I like my .243 or my 7mm-08...
03-16-2010, 08:43 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Audubon & Red Rock, Penna.
Posts: 4,472
If you like arming yourself with what would be considered the minimum and only when everything goes right, knock yourself out.
Could you catch a shark on 2lb test? I'm sure it's possible.......
Could you catch a shark on 2lb test? I'm sure it's possible.......