.223 for hunting whitetail

What do you think about using a .223 for whitetail deer?

  • too weak, wouldn't use it

    Votes: 25 22.9%

  • underpowered, but will still do the job

    Votes: 43 39.4%

  • decent (an average round)

    Votes: 31 28.4%

  • a good choice

    Votes: 8 7.3%

  • one of the best calibers for whitetail

    Votes: 2 1.8%
  • Total voters
    109
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I have shot 2 mule deer with 223 Federal Fusion ammo. Shots were under 100yrds and I have meat in the freezer. Neither deer took another step. There are much better rds for deer hunting out there but the 223 will work if you do your part, good bullets and good shot placement are key.
 
There is an almost identical thread started by the OP, only without the poll. Same thing: the limiting factors in using a 223 for deer are bullet construction and shot placement. Use a good bullet, and it will perform adequately. I have known people who regularly use 22-caliber centerfires for deer, although I do not. If you read all of the posts, you will notice that most of the people who claim they are using 223 for deer are not using 55 gr varmint bullets.

I think that with proper bullets, a 223 can cleanly harvest a deer in many places around the country. I say many places because there are areas where long shots in windy conditions are the norm. There are also areas where the deer run up to 300 lbs on the hoof as opposed to the areas where the average deer runs 80 lbs on the hoof. When you combine large animals with long shots in windy conditions, there is less margin for error, and I think the 223 is a poor choice in those cases.
 
We all have our thoughts on it. Just myself only I think it's a hair light. But with a calm hunter using the correct bullet, and shot placement, like any rifle it would work.
 
The horse has been dead a long time. Many threads on this with varying ops. Use the search function. I use a 223 for coyotes and chance vermin. Hell, Karamojo Bell kill a pile of elephants with a 7x57! I wouldn't use a 223 on deer, ever. I sure wouldn't use a 7x57 on elephant, either. Thanks to Major Dave.
 
A lot of professional hunters in NZ swear by the .222 and .223.

257 Roberts is as small as I would go for Whitetail or Fallow sized deer, on some of the smaller species like Roe deer the 22's would be fine.

I guess this decision comes down to the size of the species, range and shooters experience.
 
"...the military uses it..." Military usage and hunting aren't the same thing.
"...kill a pile of elephants with a 7x57..." Head shots taken by an extremely good shooter who knew elephant anatomy as well as he knew his rifle.
Using a .223 for deer is about the bullet used. The problem is too many inexperienced hunters who just buy a box of ammo without considering the bullet. Sales clerks don't always ask what the ammo is for either. Applies to the .243 and all of the mid cartridges too. Chucks or bear? Different bullet.
 
Not enough led for most shooters (me included). Not that I couldn't take a buck with a 223, but I'd rather use a 300wm than a 223. I'd rather have too much and DRT a buck rather than wound it and make it even more challenging for it survive.
 
It has been said so many time before. I think I will say it again though, it is a little small but it will get the job done with proper shot placement and the correct bullet. By bullet I mean, don't use a varmit round like the 55 gr. balistic tip by nosler.

If you must use a .223 for hunting deer make sure that you have a good zero on the weapon and that you know your limitaions when it comes to field shooting (because it is differant than range shooting). Also use a good hunting round that will give good pentration while making as large a cavity as possible (Barnes makes a good bullet for the .223 hunter).
 
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