Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Fat belly Dog

Went and had a look at a couple of 223s at the local gunshop today.

They have a new Browning X-Bolt supper light CF stainless factory cut to 16.6" any thoughts on the X-Bolt?

Cheers FBD

I don't believe the are actually CF just hydro dipped synthetic, if your ok with that I haven't heard anything else negative about them. for me personally I find the X bolt a bit to slender for my large frame and Sasquatch hands but that's not a knock on the rifle it just doesn't fit me.

Originally Posted by Fat belly Dog

Went and had a look at a couple of 223s at the local gunshop today.

They have a new Browning X-Bolt supper light CF stainless factory cut to 16.6" any thoughts on the X-Bolt?

Cheers FBD

Mine is an X Bolt Hunter. Blued/wood as they don’t make them in stainless left handed. They make the 223 on a genuine extra short action and the magazine will take 2.4”OAL.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Mine is an X Bolt Hunter. Blued/wood as they don’t make them in stainless left handed. They make the 223 on a genuine extra short action and the magazine will take 2.4”OAL.

Whats the trigger like?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Whats the trigger like?

I have been setting up a hells canyon for a mate.
Got the spring from aussie and still pretty average.
Just put a timney in the budget when you buy one.
Wish Tikka did a 300 prc!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

I have been setting up a hells canyon for a mate.
Got the spring from aussie and still pretty average.
Just put a timney in the budget when you buy one.
Wish Tikka did a 300 prc!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

they make a .223, get one of them instead

Wish Tikka did a short action

Originally Posted by Tahr

Whats the trigger like?

The trigger standard was pretty rubbish. I have just put in a lighter spring from High Velocity Hunting Australia (about $25 delivered) and it has made a big difference. Still not target quality but acceptable for my average marksmanship.

X Bolt - good. They almost always need a trigger job which entails a new trigger spring
That CF model is only carbon colour coated. Its not a carbon stock.

My small contribution to this thread. Good sized Red hind shot at 240 mtrs with a 64 gr Winchester Deer Season round. She was sitting and chewing , it wasn't an easy shot ( for me) as she was a little tucked up in the matagouri .
Perfect conditions but I couldn't close any more distant. I have shot a lot of 223 on rabbits out to 450 mtrs so felt comfortable but not ideal.
She went lights out and never moved . I love the 223 but I do feel under gunned with it on deer . I think for me it's very capable but I prefer a bigger hitter just for peace of mind.
However with members like Tahr and Gimp nailing them it shows experience goes along way.

Re the browning - Terrible triggers. Even with the spring mod, hopeless imo. The only way to fix it is put a timney or similar aftermarket trigger in. So if your going down the browning road, factor trigger cost into your budget. Other than that, nice rifles, i liked mine alot.

60g NBT@3100fps

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

60g NBT@3100fps

Attachment 222400

What's the bulge under the ear?

Yep, I’m a Hornady 55gr SP fan
Put simply, they just work.
If I want to go bigger the 243 has the Hornady 87gr HPBT
Never felt the need to change things up TBH

I shot a spiker in the shin (operator error). Reasonably sure that isn't fatal with any cartridge.

The determining factor for fatality appears to be, based on the evidence, was it shot in an appropriate place with an appropriately constructed bullet? The selection of appropriate places available doesn't appear to be any smaller using appropriate bullets (70-80gr) in 223 than anything else

Originally Posted by gimp

I shot a spiker in the shin (operator error). Reasonably sure that isn't fatal with any cartridge.

The determining factor for fatality appears to be, based on the evidence, was it shot in an appropriate place with an appropriately constructed bullet? The selection of appropriate places available doesn't appear to be any smaller using appropriate bullets (70-80gr) in 223 than anything else

I have done the same with a 358 NM years ago - it's definitely not a fatal shot ...