.223 Rem deer rifle???

[Rocky Raab]

See Big Joe? Like I said, there ARE people who insist on using a .223 for deer.

Guys like Ridge Runner are who that Federal ammo was made for.

And now you know.

[Ridge Runner]

I do want to add, the deer here are small, the 2 biggest bucks I've ever killed were 4.5yo deer, they both weighed 126# dressed. I wouldn't use a 223 on any of the northern deer, but they work here where the deer average about 100#, with the right bullet and proper shot placement.
RR

[shooterjon]

223 for deer! NOT don't care what they say bullet placement ,static shock and the hipe goes on.you should have a minimum of 1000 ft.pounds to 1500 ft pounds to be hunting deer and here in Idaho we can run across some decent size deer so the minimum I would go out with is a 243 with a 100 gr projectile!

[temmi]

...I was on a lease un West Texas (the deer are not giants) and have personally seen one member loose 2 deer to a .223 at 100 -150 yards. I know the deer will drop with a well placed shot… but if not there is not much of a blood trail…

[Mickey Rat]

I have a fried who's dad killed tons of deer with a 22 MAG. He was a carefull shot and over the years never lost one.

My brother used a 223 Browning single shot to take a medium sized deer (125 lb) with no problem.

In Alabama the 223 is legal. I don't agree. My son wanted to take a deer with his 223 and wouldn't change his mind, so I bought some Barnes 223 for deer loads. Thankfully, he reconcidered.

I agee that just because it CAN be done doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done. Special cases can be reconsidered. It is now legal for a legally blind person to use a laser sight and a partner to deer hunt. That's OK with me. Same as using a crossbow (my neighbor has MS and used a crossbow to get an antelope).

[Andy L]

Its legal here to use any centerfire. That means 17Rem, 204 Ruger, ect.... are legal. Smart? No. Legal yes.

22s arent big enough IMO, but alot of folks around here swear by the 22-250 as the end all round for everything....

[Brant Buster]

I killed tow Utah mule deer with the .223, and do not recommend the practice!

Why did I do it? It was the only riofle I had that season.



I agree that the .243's/6mm's ought to be the minimum legaL caliber for hunting any deer.

Shot placement may be key, but an appropriate amount of kinetic energy and guarenteed bullet upset can help A LOT if the bullet is a little off!

Nearly every hunter/shooter I know isn't a good enough shot to prevent cripples with a .223-class round. Myself included.

[Andy L]

I agree you shouldnt use 22s for deer. I disagree about being a law about it. We have enough laws..... JMHO

Andy

[dakotah]

Well if you are a veterinarian and the deer was tied up and you got within a couple of feet from its head and the deer was looking straight at you and you had a decent bullet that would penetrate the skull and...

[tooldummy]

I have owned several .223's, and still own 2. I haven't ever shot a deer with a .223 though. But in my opinion it just isn't enough gun for the job. I've seen deer run 75 yards or so after being shot in the heart with a 12 guage rifled slug. I feel that the minimum for deer would be a .243. With inexpensive guns such as the H & R single shot out there, if I were to plan an rifle deer hunt I would probably spring for a single shot in .243, .270 or maybe .308 and have enough gun.

[Oleman]

It's encouraging to see most people use good sense. Too many deer left dead in the woods and my State enacted a law that to hunt for deer you needed to use at least a .243. Statistics don't lie.

[gdaddybill]

What most of the adamant "no 22 caliber users" seem to be missing is that there is a new interest in long, heavy 22 caliber bullets pushed at relatively high speed that seem to do a good job on deer. The 224 tth seems to have re-ignited this interest even though the 22 HI Power has been around a long time with it's slightly larger bullet.

My choice was a 22-250 with a 1-9 twist. Took a doe several weeks ago with the new 62 grain Triple Shok and she did run 100 or so yards with a high lung shot but there was plenty of blood trail and a 50 cent size exit hole.

The same evening I used a 416 Remington Mag with 300 grain Northern Precision polytip (don't think Northern Precision is still in business) and H4895 (60% reduced load) to take large spike. Bullet entered at left front leg and exited from the left ribs--destroying vitals inbetween. Deer still went 40 yards on three legs and escape adrenalin. Actually found the deer before we found the blood trail though the blood was quite obvious--it started further back than we expected. Wasn't trying to prove anything with the 416--it is just very accurate and deserves to be used. I'm not sure where this leaves me in the caliber controversy so next week I'm taking a 300 Weatherby and a 44 mag.

[Riposte1]

The favorite cartridge of poachers around here (and we have a lot) is the .22 LR. Also I know a few fellows who take pride in killing deer with the .222 and .223. So yes, it will kill a deer.

I have killed one with a 5.56 but it was hardly a sporting context, I was testing ammo and gathering meat for a barbeque at a military site. Neither me or the deer was immediately impressed though she did finally become convinced that she was invited for dinner.

I would tend to agree with Rocky's description above and cannot do better. To be sure, placement is critical with any cartridge but I like to do all my hunting before I shoot.

Then again, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. I never went Deep Sea fishing with a fly rod but I guess it could be done - if that is your bag, more power to you!

Riposte

[Common-senseEA]

the 223 is marginal for deer even though I have taken 3 deer and 6 hogs with the 223 and all the animals took only one shot. I reload the 75 grn hrdy bthp at 2900 fps bushmaster varm. with a 3x9 leupold. the most important aspect is shot placement with the 223, the larger calibers do give forgiveness in shot placement but then why would you take a "possible" shot in the first place. the bullet did break up when it entered the body cavity but did a very good job inside. most bullets did not exit therefore not as good of a blood trail. I would not use this round on anything larger than a middle of the run (#150lb) deer. but is a good round for the hunter that does not like the sound or kick of the larger cal. rifles. the 223 is a great beginner round for kids grad. from the 22lr. befor the 243.