Thread: 223 for deer hunting?

The little .223 is my favorite cal for spring/summer hunting deer or the like. I have shot more animals with it than any other calibre. I have lost one, due to poor shot placement and to me, that is too many.
I use a shitty little hornady 55gr sp but 99% of my shots are clean shots.
I never attempt a body shot unless I need the meat and cant get a clean one. I like to know the ground and where the bugger is going to run as well.
You never, ever want to be rushed using one. You need to be patient and deliberate especially in the bush.
TBH and without trying to sound wanky I reckon you need to have shot a fair few animals before trying to use one exclusively, but you have to start somewhere eh.

a couple of months ago scribe did a great article on the 222. seeing the bullet hitting the deer through the scope . when using a 223 with 75 gr to 90 gr bullets is that still possible and also what about a 243 with 85gr. cheers

Originally Posted by jefftrevor

a couple of months ago scribe did a great article on the 222. seeing the bullet hitting the deer through the scope . when using a 223 with 75 gr to 90 gr bullets is that still possible and also what about a 243 with 85gr. cheers

I have not had a 223 that I thought would stabilise a 75 to 90 gr so don't use them. Current rifle is 1 in 12 twist so 60's are the highest I go. I have such success with the fast 55's and that is what I am currently loading.

These suit my method of shooting through the ribs admirably. It doesn't take a heavy bullet to break in and the organ damage from the 55gr is something to see. Rib shots give a wide margin of error. (Base of the neck to last rib)

On a long shot I might hit the shoulder, though I curse the loss of meat as both shoulders are often destroyed.

Now I content myself with one deer at a time. But if I want a second I will shoot the lead animal on the last rib back destroying the liver but keeping it on its feet for the few seconds necessary to kill the other.

Head and neck are a sometimes shot and I have no complaints with the 55's there either.

If I went back to the 243 (though that is not likely now) I would continue to use the 85 sierra HPBT because we had such success with them over the years.

This may be an old fashioned view. But dead is dead and as far as I know there are no degrees of dead. It is a long time since I wounded a deer.

second part of my question is. I bought my rifle brand new 50 years ago, a parker hale 270. it is a great accurate rifle but I have never seen the bullet hit the deer. it is the only rifle I have used is this normal or is it bad technique.I have toyed with the idea of getting a 223 but not if I am not able to see the bullet hit the deer.

Originally Posted by jefftrevor

second part of my question is. I bought my rifle brand new 50 years ago, a parker hale 270. it is a great accurate rifle but I have never seen the bullet hit the deer. it is the only rifle I have used is this normal or is it bad technique.I have toyed with the idea of getting a 223 but not if I am not able to see the bullet hit the deer.

If you are able to follow through on your shot and watch it you should be able to see the bullet impact on the deer. Generally though at closer ranges with a higher powered rifle you won't see the bullet impact as in the time it takes for you to recover from the recoil it has already hit the deer. A rifle with less recoil allows you to watch the shot a bit easier.

Originally Posted by Scribe

I have not had a 223 that I thought would stabilise a 75 to 90 gr so don't use them. Current rifle is 1 in 12 twist so 60's are the highest I go. I have such success with the fast 55's and that is what I am currently loading.

Dad and I use the sierra 63gr SMPs - they are simply deadly on deer. As you mention the worst bit about shoulder shooting them is you loose the meat. My 223 is a 1:9 twist and Dad's a 1:12 twist. Both stabilise the 63gr projectiles fine.

Originally Posted by Scribe

If I went back to the 243 (though that is not likely now) I would continue to use the 85 sierra HPBT because we had such success with them over the years.

Yep, using these in my .243 at the moment. And I thought my 223 was bad for damaging meat! The 85gr Sierra HPBTs kill stuff dead - very impressed!

Originally Posted by Gillie

Dad and I use the sierra 63gr SMPs - they are simply deadly on deer. As you mention the worst bit about shoulder shooting them is you loose the meat. My 223 is a 1:9 twist and Dad's a 1:12 twist. Both stabilise the 63gr projectiles fine.


Yep, using these in my .243 at the moment. And I thought my 223 was bad for damaging meat! The 85gr Sierra HPBTs kill stuff dead - very impressed!

I was wondering if anything over sixty grains would stabilise in the 1.12 twist Gillie. Thanks for that information. Yes those Sierra 85 hollow point can make a mess. Shoot ribs or head and neck.

Originally Posted by Gillie

Dad and I use the sierra 63gr SMPs - they are simply deadly on deer.

Yep, using these in my .243 at the moment. And I thought my 223 was bad for damaging meat! The 85gr Sierra HPBTs kill stuff dead - very impressed!

@Gillie would you mind sharing powder and starting point load data ?

Originally Posted by Happy

@Gillie would you mind sharing powder and starting point load data ?

@Happy

In the 223 with the Sierra 63gr SMPs i am using BM2 powder. Starting For a starting load i would recommend 24gr and work your way from there.

In the 243 with the Sierra 85gr HPBT i suggest you work with your reloading manual. I am running a relatively hot load with these.