best factory deer load in 223 - Page 2

seanie · June 25, 2009, 12:11 PM

What about Varmint Grenades?

treefarmernc · June 25, 2009, 01:16 PM

I use 55gr Remington High Velo. loads and 60gr hand load with my 22-250; the 223 would be about the same. Soft points or hollow points both work good. I would say use at least 55 gr, although 50gr would do the job.

treefarmernc · June 25, 2009, 01:36 PM

D@#^ this is an old thread! Better late than never.

Deadguy · June 26, 2009, 08:32 AM

No seanie, don't even try the "varmint grenade" type bullets on deer. They will not give deep enough penetration. They will, however make a nasty looking wound on the surface....

johnwilliamson062 · June 26, 2009, 09:36 AM

I agree with many that the 223 is not the best round to use on deer unless you are one of our new Kordish Overlords.

Quote:

I know many people who have killed deer humanely

I just love it when people use the term humanely when describing the 223 for hunting. We shoot a whole lot of humans with it. Some in the gut, some in the legs, a couple in the hips. I have to assume that all of these shots are humane as it is a human shooting a human. They certainly can't be bovine shots.

getupatree · June 26, 2009, 08:41 PM

I am considering the Winchester Power Point 64 gr PSP. It is rated for CXP2 game and looks to be the ticket...Also the Remington Ultra Core-Lokt 62gr

pwillie · June 28, 2009, 02:54 PM

I have using Weatherby 257 for many years. Speed kills 100 gr. bal.tip.3500 fps.What will the 223 do?

700REM · July 9, 2009, 09:30 PM

The 223 is a varmint round plain and simple.Yeah it will kill a deer.But why take the chance.

skydiver3346 · July 9, 2009, 09:58 PM

I used to hunt a little with my .223 using Winchester 64 grain soft point bullets. I killed everydeer I shot (3 of them) but never felt really comfortable with using that gun. Probably because I listened to all the other guys telling me I was foolish to hunt with a .223 rifle.

As far as having to trail a deer after shooting one with a .223, I know a lot of folks who had to look for deer after shooting them with a .30-06 or .270. So, if you can shoot a .5 group with your .223, then by all means go for it, (head of neck shots if possible) less meat damage too.
Good luck.

blhseawa · July 30, 2009, 03:54 AM

In Washington state, my home state, the minimum caliber for deer hunting is 24 caliber. As a result the .223 Rem, which is 22 caliber, would be illegal!

In South Carolina the minimum caliber for deer hunting is .243 caliber, at least according to my son who lives there, again, as a result the .223 Rem, which is 22 caliber, would be illegal!

I can't speak for game laws in all the other states, but I wouldn't be surprised to see similar restriction, some states on the eastern seaboard require rifled shotgun slugs only.

YMMV

longranger · July 30, 2009, 05:45 AM

Wyoming does not allow .223 cal for big game,.24 cal min. Thank God reasonable people prevail here.

June 25, 2009, 01:16 PM	#27
treefarmernc Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 186	I use 55gr Remington High Velo. loads and 60gr hand load with my 22-250; the 223 would be about the same. Soft points or hollow points both work good. I would say use at least 55 gr, although 50gr would do the job. __________________ The mightiest oak in the forest was once only a little nut that stuck its ground.

June 25, 2009, 01:36 PM	#28
treefarmernc Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 186	D@#^ this is an old thread! Better late than never. __________________ The mightiest oak in the forest was once only a little nut that stuck its ground.

June 28, 2009, 02:54 PM	#32
pwillie Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 115	223 I have using Weatherby 257 for many years. Speed kills 100 gr. bal.tip.3500 fps.What will the 223 do? __________________ "Happy to be here"

July 9, 2009, 09:30 PM	#33
700REM Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 32	The 223 is a varmint round plain and simple.Yeah it will kill a deer.But why take the chance. __________________ Nothin ****' me off worse than a High Fence ! Shooting captured animals - is NOT hunting !

July 9, 2009, 09:58 PM	#34
skydiver3346 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,222	.223 for deer? I used to hunt a little with my .223 using Winchester 64 grain soft point bullets. I killed everydeer I shot (3 of them) but never felt really comfortable with using that gun. Probably because I listened to all the other guys telling me I was foolish to hunt with a .223 rifle. As far as having to trail a deer after shooting one with a .223, I know a lot of folks who had to look for deer after shooting them with a .30-06 or .270. So, if you can shoot a .5 group with your .223, then by all means go for it, (head of neck shots if possible) less meat damage too. Good luck.

June 25, 2009, 12:11 PM	#26
seanie Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 147	What about Varmint Grenades?

June 26, 2009, 08:32 AM	#29
Deadguy Member Join Date: April 17, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 93	No seanie, don't even try the "varmint grenade" type bullets on deer. They will not give deep enough penetration. They will, however make a nasty looking wound on the surface....

June 26, 2009, 08:41 PM	#31
getupatree Member Join Date: May 4, 2009 Posts: 36	I am considering the Winchester Power Point 64 gr PSP. It is rated for CXP2 game and looks to be the ticket...Also the Remington Ultra Core-Lokt 62gr

July 30, 2009, 03:54 AM	#35
blhseawa Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Location: Des Moines, WA Posts: 220	In WA State and SC it is moot ... In Washington state, my home state, the minimum caliber for deer hunting is 24 caliber. As a result the .223 Rem, which is 22 caliber, would be illegal! In South Carolina the minimum caliber for deer hunting is .243 caliber, at least according to my son who lives there, again, as a result the .223 Rem, which is 22 caliber, would be illegal! I can't speak for game laws in all the other states, but I wouldn't be surprised to see similar restriction, some states on the eastern seaboard require rifled shotgun slugs only. YMMV __________________ Buy and hold is my method of gun ownership!

July 30, 2009, 05:45 AM	#36
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Wyoming does not allow .223 cal for big game,.24 cal min. Thank God reasonable people prevail here.