Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by gimp

I'm not so sure about the validity of the position.

I will admit that the likes of barnes and heavier projectiles have upped the effectiveness of the 224s but will stick to the thought you still got to put that pill in with more precise placement than with a bigger heavier round...
and looking at what type of heavier projectiles you fellas are using even those two are somewhat chaulk n cheese LOL.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

Originally Posted by TeRei

My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

Uncle and good mate had same happen and they both then emptied mags at it...7mm mag and 44 mag which kind of flips it on its head.
to each thier own.... we make our choices and live with results..if do go for walk in next two days the 222 and 223 will stay home and I will carry something throwing heavier pills....

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

There's something wrong if he taking 3 shot from a .223 to kill a wallaby.
The 55grn Hornady is a great pill for them cheap and hits them bloody hard

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Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

Shot placement is a key part of ethical hunting irrespective of calibre ...

Have lost count of the number of deer neck-shot with either 222 or 223 over the years. As others have stated, you need to be reasonably competent to pull off a good neck shot, doesn’t matter what caliber. One observation I’ll make is that a lot of hunters don’t actually know the correct aiming points to connect with spinal column and associated major blood vessels. A bit of anatomy study doesn’t go astray. I’ll be out goat culling over the roar period, not targeting deer but if I come across them I’ll shoot them with 223. Having said that, if I do go out looking for a decent head a 308 will be in my hand in all probability. A bit of authority doesn’t go astray at times, maybe added peace of mind.

It just keeps working. 380m



280m

Originally Posted by gimp

It just keeps working. 380m

Attachment 247139

280m

Attachment 247142

Great stuff do you ever use the .260 any more

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Great stuff do you ever use the .260 any more

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I haven't found a reason to take it out hunting since I got this .223

Originally Posted by gimp

It just keeps working. 380m

Attachment 247139

280m

Attachment 247142

Nice shooting.

Did the stag make it far?

Originally Posted by charliehorse

Did the stag make it far?

Dropped on the spot and kicked a bit. Shot placement centre through the shoulder, lungs soup.

Good shit, assuming the 80g eldm.

Originally Posted by charliehorse

Good shit, assuming the 80g eldm.

Correct