.223 enough for deer
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22-rimfire
New member
All I can say is "things happen" when you are deer hunting. Sometimes things are just about perfect and you can take a clean shot. But often things aren't so perfect which is why I suggest 243/6mm or larger for deer.
Deer burger? I have most of the deer ground into deer burger.
Deer burger? I have most of the deer ground into deer burger.
Lawyer Daggit
New member
Taylorforce1- I do not live in the US- so legality issues in US states do not effect me. Of course if using a .224 projectile is illegal in your state I would not recommend it.
I realise there are so called multi purpose calibres out there- and I certainly consider the .257 Roberts to be a better choice than the .243 Winchester, because of the superior range of projectiles available for it, however in my respectful opinion these compromise calibres are too noisy (spooking game and making farmers and their families jittery) and recoil too much to be considered a serious contender as a varmint gun, which is likely to be fired many times during an outing.
The Deer I come across here are Fallow, not Whitetail (indeed I have never hunted Whitetail) and they tend to be about the size of a goat. I have found that with proper bullet placement I always quickly kill the animal with this calibre (.222).
When hunting with the intention of taking a Fallow deer I carry my 7x57.
I realise there are so called multi purpose calibres out there- and I certainly consider the .257 Roberts to be a better choice than the .243 Winchester, because of the superior range of projectiles available for it, however in my respectful opinion these compromise calibres are too noisy (spooking game and making farmers and their families jittery) and recoil too much to be considered a serious contender as a varmint gun, which is likely to be fired many times during an outing.
The Deer I come across here are Fallow, not Whitetail (indeed I have never hunted Whitetail) and they tend to be about the size of a goat. I have found that with proper bullet placement I always quickly kill the animal with this calibre (.222).
When hunting with the intention of taking a Fallow deer I carry my 7x57.
Lawyer Daggit
New member
Fremmer- I am limey by birth but Australian by adoption!
Yes, I believe the .223 is the minimum for hunting whitetail deer provided you have quality ammunition and proper shot placement.
He is the my daughters first deer she shot at about 70 yards with my AR using Hornady TAP 60 grain bullets. The deer ran about 30 yards after she was shot. Couldn't see the entrance wound and there wasn't an exit wound. She shot it in the heart and lungs, the bullet fragments even penetrated the bladder. Awesome ammunition.
He is the my daughters first deer she shot at about 70 yards with my AR using Hornady TAP 60 grain bullets. The deer ran about 30 yards after she was shot. Couldn't see the entrance wound and there wasn't an exit wound. She shot it in the heart and lungs, the bullet fragments even penetrated the bladder. Awesome ammunition.
oneounceload
Moderator
use the heavier bullet weights and the.223 will kill deer....I personally prefer a 7-08, my 7 mag was too much on mulies....
Nope. But by driving a full-sized 4x4 Pick-up Truck, (as opposed to a Honda Civic) you expand your capabilities. As for the .gov choosing the "Civic", it is a question of economics for them. It is cheaper to feed a 1/2 million "Civics" and train 1/4 million new "Civic" drivers every year than it is to do the same with 4x4 pick-ups and drivers for them. It matters not, to them, if a few civic driver get squished on the freeway because their vehichle wasn't up to the task.
If you are hunting deer that weigh more than 100 lbs on average, and the buck of a lifetime steps out of a treeline 200 yards away while you are carrying your poodleshooter (which many here deem adequate provided the shot is short and conditions are ideal and the deer is small and and and...) one of 4 things will happen:
1) You will wisely realize that the shot is beyond the capabilities of your equipment, and pass on the shot, kicking yourself because you did not bring enough gun.
2) You let buck fever get the best of you and take the shot, wounding the deer, though not enough to recover it. The deer runs off, to die slowly as you kick yourself for not bringing enough gun.
3) You let buck fever get the best of you and take the shot, and through a COMBINATION of your skill and a lot of LUCK the bullet performs well enough to kill the animal quick enough that you can recover it. This is probably the worst outcome, as your tales of the deed will no doubt encourage others (perhaps less skilled or lucky) to try to surpass it with longer shots or smaller guns, resulting in MORE lost animals.
4) You let buck fever really get to you and you miss altogether, though it would be hard to tell as your popgun's round doesn't make for much of a kugelschlag......
Commute in a Civic if you MUST, but it sure is nice to be able to have the ability to do some hauling if the job calls for it.
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AWESOME Pic!!!
Awsome bullet placement.
Is that little pink spot low on the deer's left side the entance wound?Busted bladder.....:barf: That would be a "bullet failure" in my book. But then, the primary object in hunting for me is meat, and I am not fond of urine as a marinade.......
Smokey Joe
New member
I'm curious...
Jim Bob 86--What the (beep) is a "kugelschlag"???
Jim Bob 86--What the (beep) is a "kugelschlag"???
Jeff Cooper used that term (It is Dutch/Afrikaans or German- kugel means ball in both languages, IIRC. Schlag is "to hit" in Duetsche, also IIRC) in his writings. It is the sound of a bullet hitting an animal. It is plainest with big bullets, on big animals..... my granpa had a different word for it- "WHOP!"
Smokey Joe
New member
Thankyou!!
Jim Bob 86--Thx for explaining. The Germans do come up with some truly delightful words!
Jim Bob 86--Thx for explaining. The Germans do come up with some truly delightful words!
Boris Bush
Moderator
jimbob86
Or we could go with #5
The longest kill I ever got on any deer was more than 700 yards away with a 12 gauge shotgun............... IMPOSSIBLE. Maybe someone who is good with a 12 gauge could do it, but not me with the opensights and Foster pill I was armed with. I chose option 5, what is option 5. Option 5 is to getup and hunt. I put my 155 pound butt into gear and closed in on him by more than 600 yards and made a killing shot at 88 yards.
Pressing the trigger is but .02% of hunting for me. I hunt first, then I kill the animal. Give me a gun and I will find a way to make it work, not complain I cann't kill with it at 200 yards............
Or we could go with #5
The longest kill I ever got on any deer was more than 700 yards away with a 12 gauge shotgun............... IMPOSSIBLE. Maybe someone who is good with a 12 gauge could do it, but not me with the opensights and Foster pill I was armed with. I chose option 5, what is option 5. Option 5 is to getup and hunt. I put my 155 pound butt into gear and closed in on him by more than 600 yards and made a killing shot at 88 yards.
Pressing the trigger is but .02% of hunting for me. I hunt first, then I kill the animal. Give me a gun and I will find a way to make it work, not complain I cann't kill with it at 200 yards............
Jack O'Conner
New member
This is my daughter. She toppled this mule deer with one shot the neck at about 80 yards or so. This was during the early Youth Season. She hunted from ground blind with my super accurate prairie dog rifle - Savage 112-V in 223 with Winchester 64 grain ammo.
When you shoot dogtowns all summer like we do, precision shots are not difficult at all.
She currently hunts with 30-30 or .243 rifle. Hunting buck during regular season is not the same as early Youth Season. The bucks tend to be a little more spooky and less inclined to stand and stare.
In summary, .223 is fine for IDEAL shooting conditions. But when distance is far or shot must be made from offhand, the heavy barreled .223 is a poor choice indeed.
Jack