.223 bullet type and weight for deer

[bucksnort13]

I am going to hunt deer this year with a .223 AR-15 I want to know what would be a good bullet weight out of a 1-9 twist barrel. I also want to know what would be a good bullet type for this. I have some 55 gr Winchester soft points would these be alright for deer or should I get a heavier grain bullet weight.

[taylorce1]

55 grain cup and core like your Winchester PP are more for varmints. I think Winchester markets 62 or 64 grain bullets for deer. If using a 55 grain bullet I'd opt for the Barnes TSX a solid copper bullet.

[Panfisher]

I have used nose 60 gainers with excellent results. This year it will be Barnes tsx 55 grainers. Good bullets are important in the .224s

[tahunua001]

my 1:9 barrel seems to dislike anything but 55 grain bullets. you may try 55gr nosler partitions. my older brother stole it one year and took a decent buck with standard 55gr soft points but partitions would likely give you the best weight retention.

[Mobuck]

Nosler 60 grain partition (.223 & 22/250)
Hornady 60 grain spire point and the obsolete 60 grain "barrier buster" at the limited velocities of the .223
Speer 70 grain semi-pointed(.223 & 22/250)
Those are the bullets I've seen kill deer with consistent performance. By this I mean not just pure broadside ribcage hits but taking reasonable shots requiring more than minimal penetration.

[Orion6]

My daughter uses the 64 grain Power Points. They work extremely well.

[hoss1969]

.223 depends on the size your hunting. If your hunting Florida deer its probably ok but .223 is move a small to medium game round. If your going after 270-300 bucks I'd recommend a better round.

[Gunplummer]

Most people posting they want to start using a .223 for deer hunting never say where or how they want to use it. It makes a big difference. I take my AR out when it is raining and sneak around trying to spot or jump one. It is laurel, boulders and downed trees with broken up terrain. I doubt I ever shot a deer with it over 70 yards. I don't reload for it and use either Remington 55 grain Corlockts or Hornady 55 grain V-Max box ammo. Never had a problem with either. If you are planning to shoot across fields, you might want to go with a heavier bullet.

[bucksnort13]

Where I hunt I have never made a shot over 80 yards I know that the 223 round has limits I was more interested in if i should get a heavier bullet weight. I right now use 55 grains I just want to hear some of the options and opinions about the type of bullet and weight that works best out of a 223 on deer.

[Unlicensed Dremel]

Be sure to check out these two recent threads on same / similar subject:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=548444

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=553310

my 1:9 barrel seems to dislike anything but 55 grain bullets.

Now THAT's weird. You just never know with a rifle. I would have expected that statement you had said 1:12. My 1:12 Ruger 77 shoots the 64 grain Nosler "bonded flat base" (and flat front) bullet reasonably well, though not great.

[bucksnort13]

Thanks Unlicensed Dremel I will take a look I think I have my answer though I am going to get some 64 Power points and see how they group at 100 yards.

[Picher]

Maine deer scoff at the .223 and recommend the .243 as the minimum cartridge. At least that's what the last two told me.

[skizzums]

lots and lots of people use the 64gr power-points, am not familiar with your 55gr. are you handloading yourself? I would say the nosler partition or the hornaday GMX if you need to stay near the 55gr area. if yu have a 1:8 or 1:7, your options open up considerably.

if you are not hand-loading, and your gun shoots the 64gr, I would stick with those, they sell them under the super-x name I believe

[Panfisher]

If not a handloader, a buddy of mine just bought and test fired some Fusion 62 grainers out of his Handi Rifle, shot extremely well and the bonded 62 grain bullet will certainly handle a deer monster.

[Panfisher]

Sat in a blind saturday evening with a young feller on his first deer hunt ever. Shortly before dark a fat spike buck walked out about 50 yards away and stood there like it didn't have a care in the world. Gave him time enough to get the little Handi Rifle in .223 out the window, hammer back, and squeeze off a shot. Buck dropped in its tracks, the 60 grain Nosler Partition hit a little high, got the top part of the lungs, and bottom edge of the spine along with the decending aorta etc. About an hour earlier I had heard a shot from the location a friend was hunting with his daughter and a DPMS AR in .223, with some 62 grain soft points one shot one kill as well, then received a text/photo from another buddy with his son of a decent buck taken with the Handi Rifle in .223 and some 62 grain Fusion ammo, all one shot kills. Guess that answers the questions about a .223 Rem. Feed it good ammo made for hunting, keep the range reasonable, put the bullets where they belong and keep your knife sharp and camera charged up.

[Brotherbadger]

Winchester PP 64gr, or the federal fusion msr 62gr.