.223 bullet type and weight for deer

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bucksnort13

New member
I am going to hunt deer this year with a .223 AR-15 I want to know what would be a good bullet weight out of a 1-9 twist barrel. I also want to know what would be a good bullet type for this. I have some 55 gr Winchester soft points would these be alright for deer or should I get a heavier grain bullet weight.
 
55 grain cup and core like your Winchester PP are more for varmints. I think Winchester markets 62 or 64 grain bullets for deer. If using a 55 grain bullet I'd opt for the Barnes TSX a solid copper bullet.
 
I have used nose 60 gainers with excellent results. This year it will be Barnes tsx 55 grainers. Good bullets are important in the .224s
 
my 1:9 barrel seems to dislike anything but 55 grain bullets. you may try 55gr nosler partitions. my older brother stole it one year and took a decent buck with standard 55gr soft points but partitions would likely give you the best weight retention.
 
Nosler 60 grain partition (.223 & 22/250)
Hornady 60 grain spire point and the obsolete 60 grain "barrier buster" at the limited velocities of the .223
Speer 70 grain semi-pointed(.223 & 22/250)
Those are the bullets I've seen kill deer with consistent performance. By this I mean not just pure broadside ribcage hits but taking reasonable shots requiring more than minimal penetration.
 
.223 depends on the size your hunting. If your hunting Florida deer its probably ok but .223 is move a small to medium game round. If your going after 270-300 bucks I'd recommend a better round.
 
Most people posting they want to start using a .223 for deer hunting never say where or how they want to use it. It makes a big difference. I take my AR out when it is raining and sneak around trying to spot or jump one. It is laurel, boulders and downed trees with broken up terrain. I doubt I ever shot a deer with it over 70 yards. I don't reload for it and use either Remington 55 grain Corlockts or Hornady 55 grain V-Max box ammo. Never had a problem with either. If you are planning to shoot across fields, you might want to go with a heavier bullet.
 
Where I hunt I have never made a shot over 80 yards I know that the 223 round has limits I was more interested in if i should get a heavier bullet weight. I right now use 55 grains I just want to hear some of the options and opinions about the type of bullet and weight that works best out of a 223 on deer.
 
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Thanks Unlicensed Dremel I will take a look I think I have my answer though I am going to get some 64 Power points and see how they group at 100 yards.
 
Maine deer scoff at the .223 and recommend the .243 as the minimum cartridge. At least that's what the last two told me. :D
 
lots and lots of people use the 64gr power-points, am not familiar with your 55gr. are you handloading yourself? I would say the nosler partition or the hornaday GMX if you need to stay near the 55gr area. if yu have a 1:8 or 1:7, your options open up considerably.

if you are not hand-loading, and your gun shoots the 64gr, I would stick with those, they sell them under the super-x name I believe
 
If not a handloader, a buddy of mine just bought and test fired some Fusion 62 grainers out of his Handi Rifle, shot extremely well and the bonded 62 grain bullet will certainly handle a deer monster.
 
Sat in a blind saturday evening with a young feller on his first deer hunt ever. Shortly before dark a fat spike buck walked out about 50 yards away and stood there like it didn't have a care in the world. Gave him time enough to get the little Handi Rifle in .223 out the window, hammer back, and squeeze off a shot. Buck dropped in its tracks, the 60 grain Nosler Partition hit a little high, got the top part of the lungs, and bottom edge of the spine along with the decending aorta etc. About an hour earlier I had heard a shot from the location a friend was hunting with his daughter and a DPMS AR in .223, with some 62 grain soft points one shot one kill as well, then received a text/photo from another buddy with his son of a decent buck taken with the Handi Rifle in .223 and some 62 grain Fusion ammo, all one shot kills. Guess that answers the questions about a .223 Rem. Feed it good ammo made for hunting, keep the range reasonable, put the bullets where they belong and keep your knife sharp and camera charged up.
 
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