Thread: 223 on deer

Agree with gimp. The .243 suppressed or 308 ,just gives you more bargain for error and less precise placement...bigger pill= bigger hole /deeper hole and usually an exit...two hole for the red stuff to fall out of. The .223 or triple 2 is and has always been best in cool calm hands of experienced rifleman who can place the shot where it works best. You can cart gravel in concrete mixer behind mayoral Mercedes,but in back of ute makes more sense.

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

It's an awesome little shooter I really love it.
Shot a couple of reds and quiet a few fallow with it shot it on the range out to 600M

Thank you. I never used Sako before, including 223 in bolt action. I am sort of old fashion, still like traditional rifle that looks like k98.

Agree with the idea that a larger caliber than 223 is probably better to start with but don’t completely agree with gimp that you’ve got to reload to get full potential out of 223. Currently at about 42 less dear than year day number for the year and most have been shot with 55 gr SP’s. Admittedly I’ve been hunting for more than a year or two.

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

It's an awesome little shooter I really love it.
Shot a couple of reds and quiet a few fallow with it shot it on the range out to 600M

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Clearly not a safe queen.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Clearly not a safe queen.

Looks like its out on a nice day in Taranaki/Wanganui to me?

Originally Posted by greensmurf46

Hi, newish to bush hunting..planning on a superlite howa carbon stock due to weight carrying in bush...looking at 223 mini vs superlite howa 6.5...

From what ive stalked so far ive seen no more than 100 or 180 m visibility e.g. kaimais area...so is 223 all i need?

@greensmurf46 a good bullet in a .224 centrefire can be very destructive. Here’s a pic that I took this morning while butchering the deer I killed last weekend with my 22 creedmoor.
I’ve cut underneath the right shoulder and pulled it down to show damage.
Arrow shows bullet entrance where it completely shattered the major leg bone and joint. Circle is the hole where the bullet went though the ribs (about 2” diameter) The whole right shoulder area was toast, no meat salvageable. Very large wound considering the ‘marginal’ status of the cartridge. Big ELD-Ms fired from big cartridges make a sickening amount of mess.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

@greensmurf46 a good bullet in a .224 centrefire can be very destructive. Here’s a pic that I took this morning while butchering the deer I killed last weekend with my 22 creedmoor.
I’ve cut underneath the right shoulder and pulled it down to show damage.
Arrow shows bullet entrance where it completely shattered the major leg bone and joint. Circle is the hole where the bullet went though the ribs (about 2” diameter) The whole right shoulder area was toast, no meat salvageable. Very large wound considering the ‘marginal’ status of the cartridge. Big ELD-Ms fired from big cartridges make a sickening amount of mess.

Attachment 265066

Bullet weight and velocity so it can be compared to the subject .223?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Bullet weight and velocity so it can be compared to the subject .223?

Sure. 88 ELD-M at approx 2700fps impact. A touch more ‘horsepower’ than the 223, but I’ve seen similar with the 223 and ELD-M and TMK.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Clearly not a safe queen.

No they are made to be used.
Believe it or not I do look after it.

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Originally Posted by Maxx

Looks like its out on a nice day in Taranaki/Wanganui to me?

Yip Wanganui and Ruahine

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Even the best off-the-shelf options gives up a bit in maximum effective range to handloads. Good to maybe 400m for me

Originally Posted by gimp

Even the best off-the-shelf options gives up a bit in maximum effective range to handloads. Good to maybe 400m for me

Attachment 265077

Yeah that’s fairly anemic. Same projectiles in my reloads does 2850 from 20”. Not scolding it either.

Originally Posted by gimp

Even the best off-the-shelf options gives up a bit in maximum effective range to handloads. Good to maybe 400m for me

Attachment 265077

That's perfect velocity for me as I'll only be shooting from 15m to 150m with it and I don't reload.
That ammo is like rocking horse shit. Hard to find and none available in all the stores Ive been to so far from the Waikato down to the Waiarapa.

Originally Posted by 9STAGS

That's perfect velocity for me as I'll only be shooting from 15m to 150m with it and I don't reload.
That ammo is like rocking horse shit. Hard to find and none available in all the stores Ive been to so far from the Waikato down to the Waiarapa.

It’s very easy to make for anyone that reloads ammo.

I am considering to buy my first 223 rifle next year. I think 223 is the best tool for me since I like small games as well, and I do `t think for now I will pull the trigger when I see a big red.
Do you think it`s necessary to have a scope? I am confident that I can take an accurate shot with iron sight out of 200 yards.
What is the usual range as your experience when you spot a sika deer or fallow deer?
My choice is limited because I will need wood stock, sako is my favorite but how about CZ 457?