223 four deer ?

jetsfan-24 · 10-09-2010, 19:15

which is better four deer federal 55 grain barnes tsx or federal 60 grain nosler partition ?

CanyonMan · 10-09-2010, 22:16

Probably won't like my answer but use something other than the 223.

CM

K.Kiser · 10-09-2010, 22:44

No way I will condone anything ballistically less than a .243 for deer, and that is with careful bullet placement and quality bullet selection... If you must use a .223 then I would probably go with the barnes... It's starts out lighter but maintains it's weight while penetrating which allows it to maintain more velocity while traveling through the animal and to penetrate deeper...

Big Bird · 10-11-2010, 08:40

Inside of 125-150 yards with perfect conditions. I have no issues with it. Beyond that the round lacks the energy to do the job reliably.

Your average 50 cal muzzleloader with round balls has less energy...

Esox357 · 10-11-2010, 08:43

64 grain winchester power points is also yet another round used for deer. The partitions would be my first choice but the barnes should work as well. Esox357

RED64CJ5 · 10-11-2010, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Bird

Inside of 125-150 yards with perfect conditions. I have no issues with it. Beyond that the round lacks the energy to do the job reliably.

Your average 50 cal muzzleloader with round balls has less energy...

I agree.

I took a deer with .223 last year. It was right at 125yds and I really think it was almost too long a shot. Not my cleanest kill and I will never use .223 again for deer. It was a backup gun I was using (another story.)

GeorgiaGlockMan · 10-11-2010, 17:38

If I was going to pick from my .223 stores it would be the 64 gr win PP.

water_daddy · 10-12-2010, 07:15

I shot a nice buck last year that had an intact and mushroomed 223 bullet in it's front shoulder. The wound had completely healed over and bullet simply lay about 1/2 into the shoulder. I've made similar shots with my 30 cals and always have mechanically broken down the deer in addition to bullets and fragmented bone hitting the vitals. Knowing how different the 223 can behave compared to big game hunting rounds, why take the risk?

As Big Bird pointed out on energies....many of the 50 cal round ball loads have similar and often less ft/lbs than the 223. However a 175-180 round ball travelling at 1600+ , despite it's inferior energy will be a more consistent deer slayer. Same with FACTORY loaded 22-50 vs 454 Casull; most 22-250 has a hair more energy than the 454; however taking on big brown bears...there is an obvious better selection. I had a spiteful friend try to push his 22-250 to the upper limits (4000 fps) to challange the whole energy debacle. Well he threw a wrench in the whole energy arguement....his loads were so hot that the bullets were spinning apart and he could not hit a 100 yd target. Seems even though he maxed out energy.....it was useless. You are dealing with living creatures that deserve respect....don't be that internet commando that just has to prove something. Rule of thumb: 243 and up for whitetail.

FPS · 10-15-2010, 16:08

The 60grain Nosler is fine for deer when placed right.

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n0vember · 10-15-2010, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPS

when placed right.

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when placed right, a .22short will suffice. But as hunting brings with it a rather large sum of factors that could go wrong and interfere with proper shot placement, I can not recommend using a .223 on game heavier that 20-25lbs.

I have taken quite a few european roe deer with a .222, they weigh around 20lbs and if you limit yourself to 100 yards, don't hunt when it is windy and have a dog to track wounded game, it works.. somehow.

K.Kiser · 10-15-2010, 18:01

Very true Water Daddy, as many people never have a second thought about the rpm's that a bullet spins when fired at super speed... We had the same problem with a .220 Swift, and hitting a paper target at 100 yards was a real iffy question and not to mention that a bullet spinning that fast will certainly have deplorable penetration even if it strikes an animal before it slings apart... Agreed, a .243 with premium bullets and a competent shooter is the ethical minimum...

FPS · 10-16-2010, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0vember

when placed right, a .22short will suffice. But as hunting brings with it a rather large sum of factors that could go wrong and interfere with proper shot placement, I can not recommend using a .223 on game heavier that 20-25lbs.

I have taken quite a few european roe deer with a .222, they weigh around 20lbs and if you limit yourself to 100 yards, don't hunt when it is windy and have a dog to track wounded game, it works.. somehow.

I hunt in the mountains of Vermont where there are no long shots. 50yds is typical. I use the 60grain nosler in my Remington Model 7 with success. I understand the limits and hunt accordingly.

saddlebum · 10-17-2010, 12:35

next some idiot will try to kill one with an arrow

10 Ring Tao · 10-19-2010, 00:08

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.htm...&f=23&t=626832

noway · 10-19-2010, 05:23

Typically noway's rules of thumb, if the bullet doesn't have 3digits in the weight numbers, it's not suited for deer imho. ( 1xx or heavier )

Yes a 22short could and has killed deer, but that doesn't make it suitable as hunt caliber.

CanyonMan · 10-21-2010, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by noway

Typically noway's rules of thumb, if the bullet doesn't have 3digits in the weight numbers, it's not suited for deer imho. ( 1xx or heavier )

Yes a 22short could and has killed deer, but that doesn't make it suitable as hunt caliber.

Amen Amigo I agree with you !

I been sayin the same thing for years, but it has't sank in yet.

Stay safe.

CM