223 for WT deer

[mosin46]

what loads have proved reliable for modest size WT deer (FL/GA)
i have seen several that look good and are well reviewed. what has worked for the members here? my AR is 1 in 9 16" bbl.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: 223 for WT deer

53 gr Barnes TSX and 60gr Nosler Partitions have done real good for us.

 

[George63]

Re: 223 for WT deer

there is a 70 gr round nose hunting bullet that should work in a 9 twist at midway, probably only for 200 yds but nothing in 223 would have good energy beyond that

 

[mosin46]

Re: 223 for WT deer

i only plan to use the AR in very close areas and as emerg backup. my scope is 1-4. my eyes can't make much use of 4x anything beyond 100 anyway. is the RN a bullet for reloading or is there some factory ammmo with it? will check midway.

 

[Steve Jensen]

Re: 223 for WT deer

The heavier the bullet the better. That said, placement is still king. I've seen deer killed with .22 rimfire and wounded with 45-70's.

 

[battle-scarred]

Re: 223 for WT deer

the deer you are hunting are pretty small, and just about any .223 will work with good shot placement. To the above poster: whoever shot a deer with a .22 should be shot with a .22, just sayin. Its unethical to say the least.

 

[scotharr]

Re: 223 for WT deer

75gr Swift Scirocco bullet is the best I could find.

 

[Kino]

Re: 223 for WT deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ggmanning</div><div class="ubbcode-body">53 gr Barnes TSX and 60gr Nosler Partitions have done real good for us. </div></div>

+1000 These bullets killem!

 

[marduk185]

Re: 223 for WT deer

have did it with 55 nosler ballistic tips but wondering if 69 sierra matchkings might be just as good. 223 works but it aint optimal and placement is key.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: 223 for WT deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">75gr Swift Scirocco bullet is the best I could find. </div></div> Expensive but works like a charm as well as the Barnes 70 GR TSX.

 

[NoveSPR]

Re: 223 for WT deer

I would think that the SMK's thin jacket would fragment too much too quick upon contact.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: 223 for WT deer

77 smk will get the job done.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: 223 for WT deer

62 gr Barnes over Varget. The bullet went in the front of the near shoulder and hit bone, it wrecked the shoulder and was recovered under the hide on the off flank. Couldn't have performed better.

 

[Rhinomax]

Re: 223 for WT deer

Haven't killed a deer but a 60 grain nosler partion has killed a bunch if hogs at or place here in GA

 

[msalm]

Re: 223 for WT deer

Other bullets that work well and are more resonably priced are the Win 64gr power point and the Hornady 60gr SP or HP.

 

[southpaw68]

Re: 223 for WT deer

I find the 65g Sierra GameKings to be every bit as accurate as the Sierra MatchKings out to 100 yards and perform well on does or small bucks... I only hunt does with them during doe season here in MO. I'd hate to come up short with a .223 on a decent sized buck. As others have said...shot placement is most certainly more critical with this round on deer sized animals.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: 223 for WT deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: southpaw68</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I find the 65g Sierra GameKings to be every bit as accurate as the Sierra MatchKings out to 100 yards and perform well on does or small bucks... I only hunt does with them during doe season here in MO. I'd hate to come up short with a .223 on a decent sized buck. As others have said...shot placement is most certainly more critical with this round on deer sized animals. </div></div>

We have killed some good sized deer with a .223 As long as you use decent bullets it performs as well as anything I have ever used. This is for 140-150 yds and closer. A gut shot deer with a 30/06 is going just as far as a gut shot deer with a .223. Shot placement is important no matter what you shoot.

 

[southpaw68]

Re: 223 for WT deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ggmanning</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: southpaw68</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I find the 65g Sierra GameKings to be every bit as accurate as the Sierra MatchKings out to 100 yards and perform well on does or small bucks... I only hunt does with them during doe season here in MO. I'd hate to come up short with a .223 on a decent sized buck. As others have said...shot placement is most certainly more critical with this round on deer sized animals. </div></div>

A gut shot deer with a 30/06 is going just as far as a gut shot deer with a .223. Shot placement is important no matter what you shoot. </div></div>

Good point... I personally have never made a bad shot on a deer with a gun so I cannot speak from experience (not bragging...just truth), but I have seen bad shots made by others and I'd say you are correct with your assessment.

 

[MLC]

Re: 223 for WT deer

53 TSX over a case full of H-335.
The ones I've shot have hated that combo.
All have been neck or shoulder/lung shots and all have done the bang flop routine.
It makes a nice wound channel so if your shot isn't spot on there should be a good leak on one or both sides