Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Old_School

Look, you probably have a point, there is alot ive been going through in this thread.
When I was looking at rifles at H&F, the guy there steered me away from .223 which i was inquiring about since my friends recommended i go that way.
He told me they wont easily take down a deer unless you hit in the right spot, in saying that, my friends mostly go for head/neck shots most of the time, he does also use 7mm08 a fair bit too.
Perhaps the shopkeeper felt since i was an adult, and not a 16yo that it would be more suitable for me to go for something larger?
Im not saying that a younger shooter should not jump in with a .308/303 or any other heavy caliber either, but there are other options.



Yes good advice, one of my friends had a 7.62x39 and was a great rifle, not much recoil, but still had plenty of punch at your target.
But most shops ive spoken too have recommended .308 to me, I think price and availability of ammo was also one factor in all of this.

Regarding .223 ammo, i also assume there is quite a variety to choose from and correct ammo selection would be critical.

I do `t have too much experience of using 223 and 556 NATO, but I did have some experience of using 7.62x39 and 54r on multiple platforms before. Talking about humane kill, in my humble opinion first is you can hit the kill spot, not two MOA away. 7.62x39 is not designed for accurate shooting out of 80m, it `s for close quarters. Once before I was thinking use bow for hunting since I have encountered many deer, goats, pigs in where I can `t use firearms, but I gave it up. I can use bow to hit a target out of 40m, but I do `t think the energy left could kill a goat instantly, unless the arrow punch through the heart or head.
I was that close to buy a bushmaster in Auckland before the event in Chch since I shot M16A1 regularly once a year before, and that was sweet. 7.62x39....no

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Must try the 64g gamechanger again soon

Working my way through 50 and 60g V-Max at the moment for bulk shooting

Have 55g gameking and 60g NBT for the special stuff

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How do those Gamechangers go?

Originally Posted by Old_School

I know a few people that shoot deer with a 223 but its not a caliber I would recommend any new shooters using on deer unless you are confident you can get a good kill shot to the head.
I think the main reason they use 223 is the cheap ammo cost and low recoil.

My mate was introduced to deer via my old Browning A Bolt. He shot 2 deer on his first outing. He bought an X bolt and unfortunately for big stgs up the coast he slays them with 55gr Barnes. He shoots a lot of deer. His best this roar of a 320 DS stag. Guess what he shot it with. LOL.

Originally Posted by Tahr

How do those Gamechangers go?

Sorted a load with 2208 @3100fps

Shot a few goats n reds then parked them up until I’m through the 65g Gamekings and 60g vmax

Dropped both goats and deer well,never checked wound channel

You don't have to do anything different with a .223 than with any other cartridge if you load decent bullets. Shoot the animal in the big important organs up the front, through the shoulder if you like. It dies.

Shot 4 deer with the 60 grain Hammer Hunter last evening. 3100 fps. Ranges 150 - 230 yards. All shoulder/chest shot and all pass throughs. 3 of them big lumps of red spikers. One shot each and only one ran (35 yards). Impressive. Expensive too.

You don't get the petal damage around the exit like you do with the bigger caliber Hammers but I guess that its going on inside 'cos its pretty gooey in there.




Exit

Originally Posted by Tahr

Shot 4 deer with the 60 grain Hammer Hunter last evening. 3100 fps. Ranges 150 - 230 yards. All shoulder/chest shot and all pass throughs. 3 of them big lumps of red spikers. One shot each and only one ran (35 yards). Impressive. Expensive too.

You don't get the petal damage around the exit like you do with the bigger caliber Hammers but I guess that its going on inside 'cos its pretty gooey in there.

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Nice work

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

Has anyone tried the cutting edge 60gr raptors or 78gr MHTs?

Haven’t heard of anyone using them. The 78’s will need a 1-7” twist barrel and I don’t imagine they (.223s with 1-7” twist barrel) are very common.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Haven’t heard of anyone using them. The 78’s will need a 1-7” twist barrel and I don’t imagine they (.223s with 1-7” twist barrel) are very common.

1:8 should do 77's etc

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

1:8 should do 77's etc

Not solid copper ones…. Manufacturer states 1-7” required

there just about is niche there for blunt monos.like the 30/30 ones so a reasonably heavy projectile will still stabalise in lesser twist..yes I know compromise will be lesser BC and will slow down quickly..but would allow a more heavy pill to be used up close....

Originally Posted by Tahr

Shot 4 deer with the 60 grain Hammer Hunter last evening. 3100 fps. Ranges 150 - 230 yards. All shoulder/chest shot and all pass throughs. 3 of them big lumps of red spikers. One shot each and only one ran (35 yards). Impressive. Expensive too.

You don't get the petal damage around the exit like you do with the bigger caliber Hammers but I guess that its going on inside 'cos its pretty gooey in there.

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Comparison test?

Originally Posted by TeRei

Comparison test?

Not enough use to truly compare really. But on a price/effectiveness ratio the Targex 69, 74 and 80 win. All less than half the price of the Hammers and all kill well. The Targex leave good wound channels but seldom exit although the 80's sometimes do. The 60 Hammers' all exited (I like that). The best wound channels and killing of all that I use are with the 77 Sierra Tipped but they are a bit spendy too, but not like the Hammers for price.

Overall I dont think the Hammers are worth the cost in the .223 but if you want penetration and ensured kills they are probably right up there - especially on bigger reds. You dont seem to quite get the petal churn with these smaller Hammers like the bigger caliber ones do. Ive still got 80 or so left so will keep using them and keep reporting. Its all interesting and fun.

The obvious clue is that for you the heavier pills are doing better? Interesting.