Thread: 223 on deer

hey guys

So i got me a sauer 100 in 223, its got a 10 twist barrel


I plan on using it on fallow and the odd red.

I plan on testing 53 vmax, and 60gr vmax in it, and the use that for goats and stuff, while using the equivalent softpoint on deer.

But now i read some guys use the vmax on deer too, mainly at little bit longer distances.

Who shoots deer with the 223 and vmax bullets? What distances do you get them out to?

Be keen to hear how they go for you.

Shot placement and all that is important obviously, i have no trouble putting a bullet where i want it, and i do let deer walk when i cant.

Cheers

Used to use a 223 on stewart island thinking that small deer means you can get away with a smaller calibre. Worked fine if you stick to head and neck shots, lost a couple with chest shots and changed to a 308... crosshairs on front half, pull the trigger! (But quite but you get the idea) this is of course all short distances under 100m usually.

I'm curious why you want to restrict yourself to varmint projectiles for shooting deer ?

Personally I would rather go for a more traditional projectile, something like a Sierra Gameking, or Barnes TSX. There is a 55gr SP Gameking, I use the 65gr version in a 8.5 twist.

There is a ton of info on both those (in 223) on here.

I've used the 60gr vmax a bit on fallow and yearlings, neck shots inside 200y.
Very messy on body shots even over 200y.

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I'd be inclined to get some cheap Hornady 55 gr soft points and use them on everything.

Hornady 55 grn SP work very well.

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Used 53 vmax on a short range neck shot on a red yearling and it worked well but I would worry about them exploding on shoulders and not penetrating enough for other shots or on bigger deer. No other experience with them though. Federal 62grain yellow box and 55grain blue box work wonders have shot several deer with them reds and fallow

Not an ethical choice in my opinion a bullet designed to fragment rapidly will a the fantail said blow a wide shallow crater. I've used the 62 grain belmont extensively on fallow to 200 yards but prefer the Sierra hpbt 55 grain it's an astonishingly good bullet and has accounted for quite a few red deer.

either the hornady 55grn or best of all barnes 50 grn ttsx....those wee mono jobbies are just the ticket....chest shots and down they go.

I agree with 7mmwsm but if you are going to do it at least do it as well as you can.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Not an ethical choice in my opinion a bullet designed to fragment rapidly will a the fantail said blow a wide shallow crater. I've used the 62 grain belmont extensively on fallow to 200 yards but prefer the Sierra hpbt 55 grain it's an astonishingly good bullet and has accounted for quite a few red deer.

223 is an ok round for clear shots accurately placed but not so good for punching through scrub or poorly placed shots.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Personally I think you should just use a gun which is more suited to shooting deer.

This is realistic, its the boy-man saying.A boy can't always do a mans job but a man can always do a boys job.

65gr sierras

Originally Posted by NewbieZAR

Shot placement and all that is important obviously, i have no trouble putting a bullet where i want it, and i do let deer walk when i cant.

Cheers

Spoken like a true pro

Sierra gamekings in any of their flavours. Made for game. As others have pointed out those vmaxes are made for varmints. Doesn't mean you cant kill deer with them, just that you will kill more reliably and more humanely with a bullet designed for bigger game.