Idaho 45 Vaquero
New member
.223 (5.56) on pronghorn?
I'm planning on hunting pronghorn antelope next fall. My main hunting rifle has been a modified 30-06 (necked up to .31 cal and loaded with 200 grain bullet, and hot loaded). Great on elk and mule deer for longer ranges. Have noticed a couple times that it can be kinda hard on the meat on a mule deer buck sometimes at shorter ranges. I got blood shot all over one side of the chest cavity just under the skin once. Not sure whether I should use it against an antelope which is considerably smaller. Also the hunting season is early on in September and kinda hot in the Idaho desert so I want to minimize meat damage in the hot weather.
The next smallest rifle short of a 30 caliber that I have is an AR-15 20'' barrel HBAR. I have a scope that is all set just right for shooting out to 400yds. I realize that .243, .25-06, and such are more ideal calibers, but I don't own any of them. I'm thinking of just using my AR-15.
Of course shot placement is always key. Has anybody here used .223 with much success on longer range big game?
By the way .223 is technically legal in Idaho for big game.
I'm planning on hunting pronghorn antelope next fall. My main hunting rifle has been a modified 30-06 (necked up to .31 cal and loaded with 200 grain bullet, and hot loaded). Great on elk and mule deer for longer ranges. Have noticed a couple times that it can be kinda hard on the meat on a mule deer buck sometimes at shorter ranges. I got blood shot all over one side of the chest cavity just under the skin once. Not sure whether I should use it against an antelope which is considerably smaller. Also the hunting season is early on in September and kinda hot in the Idaho desert so I want to minimize meat damage in the hot weather.
The next smallest rifle short of a 30 caliber that I have is an AR-15 20'' barrel HBAR. I have a scope that is all set just right for shooting out to 400yds. I realize that .243, .25-06, and such are more ideal calibers, but I don't own any of them. I'm thinking of just using my AR-15.
Of course shot placement is always key. Has anybody here used .223 with much success on longer range big game?
By the way .223 is technically legal in Idaho for big game.