Whole lot of lung shot talk. Why? Years ago I figured out if you shoot deer through the flat shoulder bone with lighter caliber rounds it drops them right there and really does little meat damage. I never intentionally shoot a deer through the lungs anymore, too many bad experiences tracking or someone else finishing it off. If I can't get a broadside shot on the shoulder a neck shot works. I went through the big bullet stage, 220gr 8mm, .358 Win.,7.62x54, .300 mag.....,what a waste of good meat. I was young and paid attention to "experts" around the campfire. I had problems with the occasional bullet not opening up on lung shots and that makes for a long tracking session. I don't think I would take anything heavier than a .300 Savage out anymore. If you don't trust your shooting ability, maybe some practice is in order.

My brother got his first deer with a 223 and dropped it in its tracks....just have to know where to shot it.

The best is a .243 semi auto. The recoil is NIL, and the velocity of a .243 leaves a MaSSive exit wound.

and if you want weight, use the 100gr.

I'm trying to figure out what gunplummer means when he says they'll drop if you shoot them through the flat shoulder bone...I've read several people say they've dropped deer with the 223 by shooting them in the shoulder. The only deer I ever lost was with a 30-30 shoulder shot.

I guess they mean high on the shoulder and towards the back...anyway...I just ordered a Saiga 223 and I feel pretty good about shot placement but am a little worried about having to track after a lung shot.

I typically drop them with a 16 ga. slug or put a lung shot on them with a 30-06 which so far has kept them within about 50 yards...I got this Saiga for 300 bucks at classic arms and would like to start using it for deer. I am a little hesitant but willl probabaly take a good shot if I get one. to me...this is a beautiful gun for 300. I even like the sporterized version...not going to convert it to look pretty cause I'm not asking whatever's on the other end for a date...

If in fact, it's all about shot placement ?

I guess it doesn't matter what caliber you're using, huh.

....... just use the "right" bullet ???



Right tool for the right job !

OP i suggest you get a 308 and put a limbsaver pad on it. I guarantee you it will not kick as much as 223.

Limbsaver pads are very underrated. When I had my liver transplant 13 years ago my Dr that was also a hunter suggested that I use a lighter caliber than my 06. He told me to try the limbsaver pad I did and WOW.

I didnt even want an 06. but Wally World had ordered it for a guy in Brazil and the guy never picked it up. So I got a super deal on a Weatherby V in 06. I love that gun. But with the recoil pad I really like it.

Yeah, I can't get on board with that 308 not kicking as much as a 223 even with a limb saver.

There is many the deer that has died to the .223. I guess they are all going to have to come back to life since they were killed with an unethical caliber, and every body needs to go and buy a howitzer to make sure that the deer is killed as quickly as possible. I have used a .270 and a .30-30 all my life for deer but would not hesitate to grab a .223 for deer hunting. My sister killed one last year with it in its bed. Shot it right under the ear never moved. Shot placement is the key and a good bullet helps. And I can personally say that if it can kill a 150 pound hog it will kill a 200 pound deer no problem. We use AR-15s for hogs all the time and they do the job just fine.

Sure a .223 will kill deer, but there are plenty of other calibers that will be more lethal and ethical. Unless your going for head shots I would get something bigger. The smallest I would recommend is a .243 even then that's a little small IMO. I have a 243 and a 30-06 but I always take the 30-06 because its more lethal and ethical. A 30-06 or .308 have just a tiny bit more recoil than a .243, and when you got buck fever in the woods you won't even feel it.

I got a nice head shot on a doe with my savage heavy barrel 223. 68grain BTHP did the trick. Those 223's are deadly accurate in the right gun