223 for deer hunting?

You don't automaticly have to discard the shoulders if shot there, usually the actual damage is confined to a 3 inch diameter circle, yes there will be blood between the muscles but the muscles themselves will usually be fine if separated and trimmed.

just saying :)

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

You don't automaticly have to discard the shoulders if shot there, usually the actual damage is confined to a 3 inch diameter circle, yes there will be blood between the muscles but the muscles themselves will usually be fine if separated and trimmed.

just saying :)

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Some shoulders are of the yearlings I have shot are real bad. I am not picky but I even have trouble persuading the Labs its edible. It smells like meat but it sure doesn't look like or have the texture of meat that I would eat.

Usually a few razor sharp slivers of copper with pulverised shards of bone are mixed in with it that I would hate to bite on or swallow. I gnashed a piece of steel shot recently that nearly knackered a tooth and sent me out of my seat hollering like a Bantu.

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Originally Posted by Scribe

I gnashed a piece of steel shot recently that nearly knackered a tooth and sent me out of my seat hollering like a Bantu.

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Oh the mental image that conjures. I have broken more than one tooth through sitar experiences. Not fun at all.

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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!

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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.

Whats the easiest way to work out the twist rate of your barrel if you dont know it?

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Originally Posted by Rusky

Whats the easiest way to work out the twist rate of your barrel if you dont know it?

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a tight patch on cleaning rod.
mark its depth and rotation then pull out slowly till it has done one turn and mark.
measure between marks, 12 inches would be 1 in 12 or one turn for every 12 inches.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

a tight patch on cleaning rod.
mark its depth and rotation then pull out slowly till it has done one turn and mark.
measure between marks, 12 inches would be 1 in 12 or one turn for every 12 inches.

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+1

Or if its a modern rifle google it, most manufacturers will post their twist rates.

What rifle is it?

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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!

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

Its a ZKK 601 brno 223. I knew how to do the rod thing but have only a pull through so not sure if it will work properly.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

a tight patch on cleaning rod.
mark its depth and rotation then pull out slowly till it has done one turn and mark.
measure between marks, 12 inches would be 1 in 12 or one turn for every 12 inches.

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Very Useful Cam - especially if you suspect it may have been re-barrelled.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

Its a ZKK 601 brno 223. I knew how to do the rod thing but have only a pull through so not sure if it will work properly.

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I am pretty sure those had a 1:12 twist.
No, the pull through won't work ;)

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Originally Posted by Happy

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

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@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.

Came upon this old thread as I have just bought a Tikka T3X Superlite Aspire in 223Rem. I love the rifle & have tried 2 bullets - Hornady 55 gr SP cannelure & Sierra 60gr HP. Just 60 rounds fires in 5 shot groups & some promising 1 inch groups could be fine tuned. The Dierra 60gr HP does not feed properly as the HP tip hits the barrel edge and does not feed into the chamber.

I also have some old bullets - 55 gr Nosler Flat base SP and Sierra 60 gr SP. I think the 60gr SP will feed like other SPs and may be good on fallow deer.

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Originally Posted by Scribe

I have over the years developed an affection for the hollow point. Kawekakid I have been eyeing the hollows that xring is making with interest. I just think a 60gr hollow point projectile would be the best in my rifle.

Mostly this is just intuition but I have this feeling. Up until recently I Have been using the lighter hollow points on deer with good success but I feel they are a bit frangible.

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Good to see my opinion from 11 years ago was correct