.223 is enough for whitetail
#32
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
Good question. The tracking distance might even be longer using the 55 gr FMJ in the vitals. I'd probably just shoot it in the side of the head if i was using the FMJ. Notice that the bow was never grabbed and I have plenty of confidence in shooting my bow. It's time to eat not play tracker.
#34
223 for deer
223 for deer or bear is a joke,,,the whole point here is ethical shots,,sorry but 223 dont cut it,,if i was lost and all i had was 223 or bow at 40 yrds ,,come on get real,,,some of these coments border on stupidity,,how many bear have you shot with a 223,the us military took on the 5.56mm because it was easy to shoot with little or no recoil.that dont make it a bear or deer bullit.why would someone buy a 223cal rifle to use for big game when a 243 or larger firearm cost the same...come on boys grow up and step up
#35
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 1,305
You can never be to sure whats meant as a joke in some hunting forums.I got into a debate in another forum regarding head shots with the .223 for culling deer.IMO head shots on deer are not an ethical choice.Far to great a chance the deer will move or the shot might be off a bit.I finally gave up in frustration.See it here-
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/...3/m/8751055531
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/...3/m/8751055531
#36
The .223 with proper bullets works fine on deer. I know a guy who quit using his .25-06 and .30-06 because he says his .222 puts them down quicker. I know another guy who says he found the .222 to be a better deerslayer than his .30-06 also. I carry a .22-250 for deer occassionally.
#37
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South East Pa.
Posts: 526
I used to hunt in Maryland and was talking to an older hunter that had a .30 carbine. He said it worked for him. I would not want to use a .30 carbine but don't think twice about my .223 0r 22 Hi-power. I did not stand in the woods and argue with him about his favorite rifle because I never used one. When I was a kid I was convinced a .243 was too light for deer. That was from listening to older guys that never used one. I have used all kinds of calibers over the years and now I can barely remember the time I had to blood trail one. When I was younger I listened to the same nonsense about shooting deer in the "vitals" from older guys. I now use mostly lighter calibers and hit them in the neck,shoulder or head. Yes, I said head.
Of all the different rounds I have used to shoot them in the so called "vitals", the 7-30 Waters is probably the one that made me track the farthest. I would definitely take a .22 center fire over that. I hunt public land, and usually in two states. My buddies and I have dropped a lot of deer that were already hit near the vitals(Within a 16" radius). Some are hit in such weird places we can't figure out what was being aimed at. Some of my friends are magnum fans, but I don't preach to them, as they seem to do O.K.
Of all the different rounds I have used to shoot them in the so called "vitals", the 7-30 Waters is probably the one that made me track the farthest. I would definitely take a .22 center fire over that. I hunt public land, and usually in two states. My buddies and I have dropped a lot of deer that were already hit near the vitals(Within a 16" radius). Some are hit in such weird places we can't figure out what was being aimed at. Some of my friends are magnum fans, but I don't preach to them, as they seem to do O.K.
#38
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 49
But when a hammer is not readily available a wrench could be an easier way to bang in a small nail rather than make a trip to the work bench for that one small particular job
#39
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 49
The .223 with proper bullets works fine on deer. I know a guy who quit using his .25-06 and .30-06 because he says his .222 puts them down quicker. I know another guy who says he found the .222 to be a better deerslayer than his .30-06 also. I carry a .22-250 for deer occassionally.
#40
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 49
223 for deer or bear is a joke,,,the whole point here is ethical shots,,sorry but 223 dont cut it,,if i was lost and all i had was 223 or bow at 40 yrds ,,come on get real,,,some of these coments border on stupidity,,how many bear have you shot with a 223,the us military took on the 5.56mm because it was easy to shoot with little or no recoil.that dont make it a bear or deer bullit.why would someone buy a 223cal rifle to use for big game when a 243 or larger firearm cost the same...come on boys grow up and step up
Last edited by coach1299; 07-29-2010 at 07:14 AM.