Kreyzhorse
New member
Smokey Joe makes a great point and his advice should be taken to heart.
.223 enough for deer
- Thread starter ro2
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Smokey Joe makes a great point and his advice should be taken to heart.
Colorado Redneck
New member
.223 adequate for deer? Sure..
My family owned a 25-35 model 94. One of my brothers and I combined killed 7 mulies, and one of mine was a nice big robust 4 X 4. That shot was over 200 yards across an alfalfa field at dusk. The 117 gr. round nose hit him high in the shoulders, and went clear through. He dropped where he stood. Neither my brother or I wounded an animal and had to track it.
Larger guns make for bigger bangs, and are fun to talk about, but IMHO too much emphasis is put on the caliber and energy of guns for hunting deer. I read with amusment the ads about "So and So from Texas killed this white tail buck with his 300 winchester mag at 90 yards." Why put up with all of the recoil and muzzle blast to kill a 150 pound animal, when a 243 or 25-06 will do it just fine? If you are elk hunting, then the larger guns may be worth the effort.
My family owned a 25-35 model 94. One of my brothers and I combined killed 7 mulies, and one of mine was a nice big robust 4 X 4. That shot was over 200 yards across an alfalfa field at dusk. The 117 gr. round nose hit him high in the shoulders, and went clear through. He dropped where he stood. Neither my brother or I wounded an animal and had to track it.
Larger guns make for bigger bangs, and are fun to talk about, but IMHO too much emphasis is put on the caliber and energy of guns for hunting deer. I read with amusment the ads about "So and So from Texas killed this white tail buck with his 300 winchester mag at 90 yards." Why put up with all of the recoil and muzzle blast to kill a 150 pound animal, when a 243 or 25-06 will do it just fine? If you are elk hunting, then the larger guns may be worth the effort.
While I agree with a lot of your post I wouldn't go around shooting deer with a .25-35 either. I don't know how long you have been hunting in CO but I know the ft lb requirement has been in place for rifles for at least 18 years. Even though both rifles will kill deer of that I have no doubt, but I'd hate to explain that to an DOW officals that catch you hunting with that rifle.
With the .223 for hunting deer where legal it all boils down to proper bullet selection. Stick with the premium stuff and in most cases you will get your deer. Just don't expect a varmint bullet to bring one down.
Colorado Redneck
New member
25-35 legal for deer
Taylorce--
You are correct about the ballisic requirements for hunting rifles in Colorado. That regulation was in effect when we were hunting with the gun. We lived out in the hills in western Colorado, and were never approached by a game warden. The hardware store sold more 25-35 ammo than any other caliber. It was a great little gun. My brother sold the gun in 1970....that was dumb...it was a pre-64 model in great condition. The statute of limitations has expired.
I can't brag about being a "straight arrow" but eventually all of us grew up, and left those times behind.
Taylorce--
You are correct about the ballisic requirements for hunting rifles in Colorado. That regulation was in effect when we were hunting with the gun. We lived out in the hills in western Colorado, and were never approached by a game warden. The hardware store sold more 25-35 ammo than any other caliber. It was a great little gun. My brother sold the gun in 1970....that was dumb...it was a pre-64 model in great condition. The statute of limitations has expired.
I can't brag about being a "straight arrow" but eventually all of us grew up, and left those times behind.truth be told, more deer have been taken with .22's by poachers than any other caliber. i, as a kid, learned to hunt with a .223 and never had a problem downing deer. it's all about shot placement. you can shoot a deer with a .338 in the guts or hind quarters and never find it.
Loaded4yote
New member
I would have to agree with CamoCop.
In my area firearms must be .22 caliber centerfire in order to take a deer. That means .22 hornet is legal. Granted I doubt I would use my Hornet as a deer rifle, but both my granfathers shot many, many deer with a .22 long rifle.
Last year I took my only buck with my .22-250. The deer never knew he was hit.
Shot placement is important. So is the design of the bullet.
For example: If you reload .22-250 in the 32 gr Barnes Varmint Grenade. Don't expect a deer to drop in it's tracks.
At the same time with a round in .223 or .22-250 loaded with Remington's 55 gr Soft Point. The expansion is controled, the wound cavity would be more along the lines of the type of bullet you would hunt with.
Basicly it boils down to the bullet. Not the rifle.
In my area firearms must be .22 caliber centerfire in order to take a deer. That means .22 hornet is legal. Granted I doubt I would use my Hornet as a deer rifle, but both my granfathers shot many, many deer with a .22 long rifle.
Last year I took my only buck with my .22-250. The deer never knew he was hit.
Shot placement is important. So is the design of the bullet.
For example: If you reload .22-250 in the 32 gr Barnes Varmint Grenade. Don't expect a deer to drop in it's tracks.
At the same time with a round in .223 or .22-250 loaded with Remington's 55 gr Soft Point. The expansion is controled, the wound cavity would be more along the lines of the type of bullet you would hunt with.
Basicly it boils down to the bullet. Not the rifle.
22-rimfire
New member
I personally feel that the 223, 222, 22-250, 218 Bee, and 22 Hornet are all too small for an effective deer caliber on normal sized whitetail deer. Sure, you can do it, but a lot depends on you. My rule of thumb is 243/6mm or larger for whitetail and I prefer something in the 270 thru 30-06 range. But I know, if it is legal in your state, you'll use your 223. So, I don't know why you bothered asking. It is a fairly common thread topic here and the AR fans all want to hunt deer with their AR's in 223.
Boris Bush
Moderator
I have relatives that were alive when a 22 rimfire was legal to use (in my home state) and more deer fell to that caliber than I have ever shot with shotguns pistols and rifles combined. A larger caliber will not magicaly "kill" better. I have watched a deer get shot by a .375 H&H only to run into the nastiest tangle of underbrush I ever did see. The shooter claimed He missed and was ready to giveup. I heard the bullet impact and went into that tangle despite the experts proclimation of a miss. It was soooo thick I left my rifle benind and got on hands and knees to get into it. The deer was shot too far back with a bullet too heavily built for deer and went through with little damage done inside. It was also still alive and was finished with a pistol round to the head.
If this hunter would have had a .223 it would be a great reason to not use a .223, but it wasn't a .223. Any caliber is inadequate if you place your shot wrong, not just a .223. While I have shot deer with a 22 Hornet and a couple with .223 I would not do it on purpose, if it was all I had I would make do. Just like any caliber you have to make sure you use the proper projectile...
If this hunter would have had a .223 it would be a great reason to not use a .223, but it wasn't a .223. Any caliber is inadequate if you place your shot wrong, not just a .223. While I have shot deer with a 22 Hornet and a couple with .223 I would not do it on purpose, if it was all I had I would make do. Just like any caliber you have to make sure you use the proper projectile...
Yes, the 223 Cal. is enough gun for whitetail deer, in the right hands that is. Its all about shot placement and knowing your weapon and its limitations. You have got to realize you are not shooting A 30-06,7MM Mag. or another of the large cals. You will learn that the 223 Cal. will not be as forgiving as one of the big bangers. Choose your shots wisely and you will be OK. Hornady has A 75gr. soft point that works great on whitetails.
Loaded4yote
New member
Right, however, you should be sure your rifle will fire the bullet accuately enough. Hornady recommends rifles with a 1 in 9 or faster twist rate for bullets over 65 gr.
Most factory bolt action rifles will have 1 in 12 or slower twist for the lighter bullets.
IMHO Best bet is find a round that shoots well and isn't designed to fragment on impact and has good penetration.
And I'd have to agree shot placement is a huge factor with smaller caliber rifles.
TheNatureBoy
New member
You CAN harvest deer with a .223 but.............. I wouldn't hunt deer with a .223 myself. I'd start with a .243. Thats just me : )
In November 2001 I had heart surgery (4 way by pass) and I wanted to go deer hunting in December, after Christmas. My surgeon was not real pleased but told me to use nothing larger than a 223. I did so and Xeroxed an eight point buck and a doe. I was using a NEF Handi-Rifle with a 223 55 gr. V-max bullet. It is all about shot placement. My brother and my best friend did all of the field dressing and skinning which means it was a great year.
TheManHimself
New member
I've heard that in Iraq and Afganistan, a 62gr .223 FMJ bullet is being used quite effectively on animals roughly the same mass as deer, which may or may not be so doped up on opium they don't even feel the pain of being shot, may or may not be wearing body armor, and in most cases are shooting back. Unless you consider the average Whitetail to be a tougher and more dangerous game animal than the above, I would say that if .223 is legal for deer where you live, then a .223 loaded with a 60-70gr bullet made for deep penetration (i.e. Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX) is perfectly adequate for deer as long as you're a good enough shot to place it in the vitals.
