Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by caberslash

Sorta.

On the right compound bow/crossbow setup, you are transferring a huge amount of energy at shorter ranges, the right arrow with go straight through ballistic glass.

Trajectory (and hence range) is the weak point of arrows, not killing power.

That being said I'll take a .223/.222 anyday!

ACTUALLY its not huge energy transpher that does that...its sectional density pure and simple...
many years ago on bullshit TV show thats incredible they did a demo with firearm Vs Bow n arrow into a sandbag..the bullet was of course stopped as it expended its energy into sand,the arrow however kept on sailing through,as the front of arrow is trying to slow down the bum of arrow is still pushing it along,like a train sort of thing.

Originally Posted by Kiwikev

100% agree with Micky....150yd, broadside, through the crease, 55grn sp.....keep it simple.

That’s fine if you want to limit yourself.
You are leaving a lot of performance on the table though. ‘Cos the 223 uses trauma and damage to kill rather than foot pounds of energy, a heavier soft projectile at reasonable velocity will win every time.

for me...its more a case of,the projectiles and loads I use ,Im really confident out to that range and KNOW they will work fine..past that,my confidence isnt the same,so happier to let animal walk...its actually why I onsold the lovely wee 7.62x39mm short bolt action I had....the chance of a 300 yard shot is often on where I normally bush hunt,I felt that rifle also was 150yard and no more...in my hands.
IF I ever manage to wear out my .223 barrel,a fast twist jobbie will allow heavier projectiles and longer range,untill then Im happy to limit myself somewhat......or take the 270w

Originally Posted by makka

I was thinking the 80gn targex, how do they go on animals?
The build all hinges on what happens first, I find a 1:8 223 barrel at the right price or the 243ai reamer I have been waiting on turns up, then I'll run the 95gn targex in it

@makka the 95gr targex hasn't been available for quite some time. However the 105gr is and it is absolutely outstanding. Kills way better than it should. 600 yards plus so fair bit more than I'd ever do with a .223.
When I can track down a new tikka with the 1:8" I'll probably trade my current .243 in for it and whack an ai reamer up it as well.
With reloder 26 still get about 2900fps with the 105gr out of an 18" 1:9" barrel.

Sorry bit off track for this thread.

Last evening. 2@175 yds. 80 grn Targex. First one neck, second one lung.

If you zoom in the first pic you can see them about 20 yds apart after I had shot them.

Good work @Tahr lovely looking rifle. A savage?

Originally Posted by Dama dama

Good work @Tahr lovely looking rifle. A savage?

Savage Lightweight re- barrel'd with 1:8 Trueflight. Jaco on here did the work.

Awesome looking county well done.

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Awesome looking county well done.

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Quite a load for the old guy by the time I had the legs too. Crossed over to the face then followed the ridge and back round.

I'm finding the 22 cal impressive, whilst nite hunting with thermal spotter and infr I had a sambar stag walk to the bush edge of the paddock. A Hillar shot with the 22 hornet and win 46 gr hp, thirty yrd sprint and he's now ready to be processed .

Nice work Tahr. What sort of scope is that youre running on said 223??

Mine is ready apparently. I just have to go to Cambridge to get it. Crook with the flu atm so not going anywhere!!

Originally Posted by tac a1

Nice work Tahr. What sort of scope is that youre running on said 223??

Mine is ready apparently. I just have to go to Cambridge to get it. Crook with the flu atm so not going anywhere!!

https://tractoptics.com/riflescopes/...ng-rifle-scope

There are some rotten bugs around at the moment. Whats your rifle?

To make it 3 for 3, this one wandered into my torch on the way home. About 100 yards. With a light in its eyes, rifle on a solid bi-pod and an accurate rifle it wasn't fair really. Neck shot.

On my way home I was thinking about the difference a good trigger makes. That Savage has great trigger that Jaco fiddled with. Ive got a Timmy for it but haven't bothered.

First try with 52 grain Hammer Hunters yesterday. 3,400 fps from 20" barrel. Group about .75 moa. 4 shots for 3 (front on one didn't drop straight away so it copped another one).

This one at 150 yards. Good blood trail down the hill and vicious exit. The other 2 were 40 and 80 yards. All were pass throughs. Shoulder shots and nothing ran further than 10 yards.





This one 40 yards. Top of its heart blown off.

@Tahr they obviously go very well.
Compared to the run of the mill Barnes what do they do diggerently?