223 for Deer Hunting

[Jokker78]

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.

[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

[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

[JeffreyDeGraff]

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

[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

[JeffreyDeGraff]

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

[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.


JTD

[Clopez]

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


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