Thread: 223 for deer hunting?

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 ?

Yep, i would agree with R93 on that. I started with a .303 before i graduated to a .223. Both my father and i use 63gr sierra SMPs and they work great.

Shot while roaring in the bush. Straight in the chest and he dropped on the spot.

Far out Gillie, bush? Thats what we call a clearing at home

Originally Posted by R93

Far out Gillie, bush? Thats what we call a clearing at home

Yep, that is a beautiful spot that one, can easily get a 80m shot in the "bush". Not many deer there but we are successful more often than not

Just ribbing ya Gillie, but I am sure I have never hunted bush like that. It would be an advantage for the animals as well as they would see my boofhead from even further away

hey thanks for the info. i have shot plenty of game and always out sniffing around in the scrub. i know how to take my time with shots etc. i just wanted to see what other people thought as i have never used a 223 to hunt deer. i use a 7mm and i have had them run 80m before tipping over. i think its all about shot placement more than what you shoot really.

Well you should go for it if your keen. I love using mine. I always know I have made a good shot at whatever range by the loud click sound when ya hit bone.
That and when they fall rather abruptly from your sight picture

It is an area i have often thought a thermal imaging device would be a huge advantage.

A .223 will do the job, but a bigger cal will do it better. In saying that, I've shot more animals with a .223 than any other calibre, so they can't be that bad?

I'd say use whatever rifle you have total confidence in and that'll be the one you shoot the best.

kj

What 55gr pills are you guys using on deer? Any luck with the 55gr SGK's?