Thread: 223 on deer

77grn Sierra Tipped. Low shoulder shot at 188 yds. Just took a few steps. 9pm so very gloomy.

Nice sized hind, no problem for the mighty 223

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

Nice sized hind, no problem for the mighty 223

16 taken off this property and next door for HB flood victims.

77 grn Tipped Sierra. 2930 fps from Standard Tikka. Just under surface on off side shoulder. 188 yds (big Red hind in pic above). Impressive.

This evening. 80 grn Targex. 150 & 200 yds. Lung shots. Neither went further than 10 yards.

Good shooting n tasty.

All this talk of .223 and seeing how effective they are on deer with the heavier pills has got me wanting to scratch an itch. Shot many deer over the years with .223 but it was a 1/12 and always run it with 55gr core-lokt, didnt handload. Did the job but i have to say im pretty impressed seeing the terminal performance some of you are getting with loading some of the heavier pills.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

All this talk of .223 and seeing how effective they are on deer with the heavier pills has got me wanting to scratch an itch. Shot many deer over the years with .223 but it was a 1/12 and always run it with 55gr core-lokt, didnt handload. Did the job but i have to say im pretty impressed seeing the terminal performance some of you are getting with loading some of the heavier pills.

I enjoy needing to be that little bit more precise and the calibers' precision. And its great using something that is not obnoxious.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I enjoy needing to be that little bit more precise and the calibers' precision. And its great using something that is not obnoxious.

Not to mention the primer situation is a tad bit easier being SRP

Originally Posted by Tahr

I enjoy needing to be that little bit more precise and the calibers' precision. And its great using something that is not obnoxious.

Obnoxious is a great way to put it. I have had my share of shoulder thumping percussion instruments. Thats the thing I love about my 223. NO recoil and very little noise with .243 performance with the right bullet.

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Obnoxious is a great way to put it. I have had my share of shoulder thumping percussion instruments. Thats the thing I love about my 223. NO recoil and very little noise with .243 performance with the right bullet.

Same here. i have a 300wsm i use for tops hunting & even with the supressor its still a thumper. Id say 75% of the deer i have shot over the years were with a .223 . Sold it a while back intending to replace it with a 1/8 twist .223 but ended up going down the 6.5 creedmoor road thinking a little more juice wont hurt + help with longer shots and although it has been great, reading threads like this makes me think i should have just stuck to the original plan haha.

52grn HP speer at all of 40ish yards took care of fallow spike the other day out with RUMPY n son.... tight into crease and missed bone,offside shoulder was pretty well rooted once I saw sence and listened to Rumpy that all those bloodshot bits arent worth carting out LOL.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

52grn HP speer at all of 40ish yards took care of fallow spike the other day out with RUMPY n son.... tight into crease and missed bone,offside shoulder was pretty well rooted once I saw sence and listened to Rumpy that all those bloodshot bits arent worth carting out LOL.

Yeah. A lung shot with any cup and core of any weight from a .223 inside 200 yards is a dead deer. I used to use 52 grn Sierra match in my .222 back in the day and still sometimes use the 52eldm/.223 if I come across deer while wallaby hunting. Ive sort of figured that if you are sure of a lung shot just let them be and wait. If you get excited and give them another one it sends everything into a spin - the deer and you - the deer will run further. One careful lung shot and keep everything relaxed and they wont be far away from the shot. Finding a deer shot with a .223 seems to work in the inverse ratio to how many excited shots you plunk into it.

Ouch. 80 grn Targex. 200 yards.

Given most of these shots seem to be sub250m are you guys dialling much or just holding high shoulder for long shots?