223 for Deer Hunting

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09-30-2018, 08:54 AM
MunneY

223 for Deer Hunting

Okay, I know this is probably going to be a controversial subject, but I'm not looking to get into ethics here. I've killed more than my fair share of deer with this caliber and am confident in it.

Backstory is... I'm helping a buddy of mine take a young lady with Cerebral Palsy on her first deer hunt at a local farm here in town. The young lady is very small and frail and we've decided on this caliber because I have a youth model TC Contender that is VERY small and easy for her to use.

Anyone hunted deer with the 50gr Zmax? I also have some of the 62 gr bullets around but am not opposed to buying a specific bullet for this. Cost is NO option here.
09-30-2018, 08:55 AM
CritterGitter

I'm a big fan of the 65 grain Sierra gamekings myself. What's the twist of your riffling?

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09-30-2018, 08:57 AM
Wes Sage

Our biggest seller, and best reported bullet is the 65gr Sierra as mentioned above.
I have had customers drop a lot of deer, hogs, etc with them, and they are SUPER accurate
09-30-2018, 09:03 AM
EUDE75

First off thank you. That's a good thing you and your buddy are doing. I've taken a few handicap people on hunts. They truly appreciate it and will talk about it forever. Not many people will take the time to help those that can't go on their own. Now to your post. I haven't used a 50gr but I have used a 55gr. I don't see why the 50 wouldn't work just fine. Good luck and I hope she gets a nice one.

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09-30-2018, 09:14 AM
SAWMAN

I have killed tons of deer with a 223Rem or 5.56X45. I believe that the "secret" is . . . fast twist + speed + well made bullet. I prefer the Barnes 55gr TSX. Put it on the shoulder,hit bone going in.
Does a fine job.
Down here quite a few people hunt with the 223/5.56. Single shots,bolt guns,AR's . . . they use them all.
SHOT PLACEMENT is #1 . . . then ^^^^ above. --- SAWMAN
09-30-2018, 09:26 AM
MunneY

Quote:

Originally Posted by CritterGitter

I'm a big fan of the 65 grain Sierra gamekings myself. What's the twist of your riffling?

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It looks like its 1:12. I'll have to go look up load data on them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Sage

Our biggest seller, and best reported bullet is the 65gr Sierra as mentioned above.
I have had customers drop a lot of deer, hogs, etc with them, and they are SUPER accurate

Awesome. I'll jump on the site and take a look

Quote:

Originally Posted by EUDE75

First off thank you. That's a good thing you and your buddy are doing. I've taken a few handicap people on hunts. They truly appreciate it and will talk about it forever. Not many people will take the time to help those that can't go on their own. Now to your post. I haven't used a 50gr but I have used a 55gr. I don't see why the 50 wouldn't work just fine. Good luck and I hope she gets a nice one.

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Thanks for that. We both try to do what we can. I make it a point to let any kid that wants to hunt come hunt with me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAWMAN

I have killed tons of deer with a 223Rem or 5.56X45. I believe that the "secret" is . . . fast twist + speed + well made bullet. I prefer the Barnes 55gr TSX. Put it on the shoulder,hit bone going in.
Does a fine job.
Down here quite a few people hunt with the 223/5.56. Single shots,bolt guns,AR's . . . they use them all.
SHOT PLACEMENT is #1 . . . then ^^^^ above. --- SAWMAN

These are AR deer so they arent big northern monsters. I've killed plenty just like you say.
09-30-2018, 10:06 AM
Wes Sage

If it is a 1:12 a lighter bullet will be needed. Maybe do the 50gr if that is the case.
09-30-2018, 10:51 AM
dramsey35

My wife uses 55grn remington corlok and has taken a deer the last 2 years with them here in southwest arkansas. Ran no more than 25 yards. Also remeber shot placement is key.

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09-30-2018, 12:36 PM
SAWMAN

If your gun has 1:12 twist bbl,remember that the solid copper bullets are somewhat longer than the same weight bullet that has lead in it's makeup.
If bullet is of the "no lead" makeup,I would not use anything over a 50gr. If lead core a 55gr should be good/ok.
Remembering that back in the day when I carried a XM177E2 with it's 12 twist bbl . . . we tried to switch from the M193 to the M855 (55 to 62gr) and they would tumble (destabilize) after leaving the short bbls. --- SAWMAN
09-30-2018, 01:25 PM
dramsey35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAWMAN

If your gun has 1:12 twist bbl,remember that the solid copper bullets are somewhat longer than the same weight bullet that has lead in it's makeup.
If bullet is of the "no lead" makeup,I would not use anything over a 50gr. If lead core a 55gr should be good/ok.
Remembering that back in the day when I carried a XM177E2 with it's 12 twist bbl . . . we tried to switch from the M193 to the M855 (55 to 62gr) and they would tumble (destabilize) after leaving the short bbls. --- SAWMAN

1/9 twist 16 inch ar

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09-30-2018, 01:46 PM
handcannon

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunneY

Okay, I know this is probably going to be a controversial subject, but I'm not looking to get into ethics here. I've killed more than my fair share of deer with this caliber and am confident in it.

Backstory is... I'm helping a buddy of mine take a young lady with Cerebral Palsy on her first deer hunt at a local farm here in town. The young lady is very small and frail and we've decided on this caliber because I have a youth model TC Contender that is VERY small and easy for her to use.

Anyone hunted deer with the 50gr Zmax? I also have some of the 62 gr bullets around but am not opposed to buying a specific bullet for this. Cost is NO option here.

I've killed many a deer with the 55 gr. Don't know why a 50 gr wouldn't do it if it's placed in the right spot. Good luck. That's a great thing your doing.
09-30-2018, 03:34 PM
Jonathan riddle

I have had great luck with 55 grain soft points. The 50 grain should work well also

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09-30-2018, 03:40 PM
SAWMAN

Remembering . . . for bullet stabilization . . . bbl twist rate is far more important than forward velocity.
Meaning . . . the difference in just a couple revs per inch of bbl is far more important than several hundred fps of bullet velocity. --- SAWMAN
10-01-2018, 10:24 AM
Quigley

I set up an ar15 for my wife and kids to hunt with. If they go with we hunt out of a box blind with about a 200-250 yard shooting lane. Have taken half a dozen or so deer with the 65 grn game kings. Have yet to disappoint.

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10-03-2018, 10:05 AM
MAGGUNS44

So where is the shot placement everyone talks of?
10-03-2018, 10:08 AM
Quigley

I tell my wife to aim for the boiler room.

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10-03-2018, 10:10 AM
Wes Sage

Some people shoot for the neck, Some the head, and some the boiler room.
Really varies from person to person, especially with the 223 caliber
10-03-2018, 10:13 AM
EUDE75

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Sage

Some people shoot for the neck, Some the head, and some the boiler room.
Really varies from person to person, especially with the 223 caliber

Exactly. I like a neck shot.

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10-04-2018, 03:00 AM
GaryS

I haven’t had any issues putting a 64 grain power point or 65 grain gameking in the chest. Less than 100 yard blood trails every time.

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10-04-2018, 04:46 AM
2wheelDuke

Somewhere I've got a photo I took from an old gun book. I found it around the time that the gun grabbers were on a tear and I kept seeing the talking point about "sporting use." Well this article was talking about how many deer had been taken with the .223 Remington and how light and handy an AR-15 was to carry in the woods.

Of course the 2nd Amendment has nothing to do with hunting, but it doesn't hurt to shoot their initial claim to hell at the same time.
10-05-2018, 02:29 PM
Wolfdog

Killed a couple with 55 grain Hornady soft points. Did just fine. Also used the 64 grain Winchester on one did fine as well.
10-09-2018, 12:38 PM
Leadpoison

What bullet best for deer? 1/9 twist .223
10-09-2018, 12:39 PM
Quigley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leadpoison

What bullet best for deer? 1/9 twist .223

I like the 65 gr Sierra game king

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10-09-2018, 01:07 PM
Leadpoison

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quigley

I like the 65 gr Sierra game king

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Thank you. I might try them.
10-09-2018, 01:22 PM
elkoholic73

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 589
My wife just shot this guy this morning using Barnes TTSX 65gr.(edit 62gr) bullet in 1:9 twist 16" Stag AR. We tried Nosler, Game king and Barnes, her AR shot best groups in our testing with barnes. Good Luck!!
10-09-2018, 01:57 PM
SAWMAN

Double check the weight of that bullet. I do not believe thst Barnes makes a 65gr TTSX.
I know that they make a 62 and 70gr in .224".
I love the 62gr TSX. --- SAWMAN
10-09-2018, 04:13 PM
elkoholic73

You are correct .. it’s a 62gr. Thanks for that.

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10-10-2018, 04:41 AM
SAWMAN

Have killed deer with the 62's. Great bullet. Suggest you stick with them.
Congrats to the lady. You got a hunter there now. --- SAWMAN
11-23-2018, 07:03 PM
frankenstienARshooter

Thanks for the info, I have an AR build with a 1/9 Stoner bbl (Frankenstien) & the deer here in N.Florida aint very big, so that 62 gr. Barnes sounds worth a try, I'm gonna use either H335 or CFE223, whichever gives me good groups....
11-24-2018, 06:09 AM
SAWMAN

One of my AR's has a 1:9 twist bbl. It seems not to like any bullet (jacketed lead) over 60gr. It will shoot the 60gr NosPart's great but not anything heavier.
The Barnes 62gr TSX does not shoot good (4MOA) at all. Have not tried anything heavier. The bbl is marked "1:9" and have confirmed it with a cleaning rod. I have cleaned the bbl very well using JB Cleaner and checked it with a bore scope.
The gun is a keeper and the 60gr NosPart is great for these NW Fla. deer. I can live with that. --- SAWMAN
11-24-2018, 06:40 PM
Jokker78

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunneY

Okay, I know this is probably going to be a controversial subject, but I'm not looking to get into ethics here. I've killed more than my fair share of deer with this caliber and am confident in it.

Backstory is... I'm helping a buddy of mine take a young lady with Cerebral Palsy on her first deer hunt at a local farm here in town. The young lady is very small and frail and we've decided on this caliber because I have a youth model TC Contender that is VERY small and easy for her to use.

Anyone hunted deer with the 50gr Zmax? I also have some of the 62 gr bullets around but am not opposed to buying a specific bullet for this. Cost is NO option here.

I have not hunted with a 223.
But my brother has killed more deer in the last 3 years with 55 grain z max that I loaded.
11-24-2018, 07:06 PM
JeffreyDeGraff

Per Sierra. Their 60gr hp (designed for 220 swift, 22-250 velocities) has worked well on deer out of 223 with velocities kept between 2800-3000fps. I’m going to give those a try because my rifle has a 12” twist. If it had a faster twist, I would use the 65gr Sierra gameking.

JTD
11-25-2018, 04:35 AM
SAWMAN

Could be wrong,but I would be surprised if the 12 twist would shoot the 60gr bullets accurately.
Are those bullets a flat base ?? What rifle do you have that has a 12 twist bbl ?? --- SAWMAN
11-25-2018, 05:05 AM
JeffreyDeGraff

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAWMAN

Could be wrong,but I would be surprised if the 12 twist would shoot the 60gr bullets accurately.
Are those bullets a flat base ?? What rifle do you have that has a 12 twist bbl ?? --- SAWMAN

Yes it is a flat base. A bunch of people shoot the 60gr Sierra hp and 60gr Nosler partitions from 12” twist rifles. According to Sierra 12” is adequate for their 60gr hp, and 10” is required for the 65gr gameking.

JTD
11-25-2018, 07:48 AM
SAWMAN

Amazing . . great to hear. The longer barrel guns ??
Gotta give them a try in my 11",1:12 twist XM177E2. Been looking for a "just in case" hunting load.
It will not shoot the M855 green tips. Not enough lead I suspect,+ the length,being a boat tail. --- SAWMAN
11-25-2018, 07:56 AM
JeffreyDeGraff

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAWMAN

Amazing . . great to hear. The longer barrel guns ??
Gotta give them a try in my 11",1:12 twist XM177E2. Been looking for a "just in case" hunting load.
It will not shoot the M855 green tips. Not enough lead I suspect,+ the length,being a boat tail. --- SAWMAN

Didn’t specify barrel length, just 2800-3000fps. I guess if you can attain 2800 (or close) from an 11” barrel, you should be good to go. I have never tried them, so all of this info is from Sierra, but I do have a partial box on hand that I am at least going to try to work up a load.

JTD
11-27-2018, 11:27 AM
JeffreyDeGraff

I was watching a video on you tube. This guy was shooting the 55gr hornady sp w/ cannelure into 10% ballistic gel. First picture shows 3000fps impact velocity. Second picture is 2750fps impact velocity. Very interesting results. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5947839277.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f200359a0f.jpg

JTD
11-27-2018, 06:24 PM
Clopez

That’s interesting on the difference in penetration and weight retention.

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