.224" bullets for deer...

Jbotto · April 8, 2010, 02:05 AM

Anybody have any experience with .224" bullets on deer? What would you recommend? I have a Stevens 200 with a 1:9" barrel. I am thinking of the 65 Grain Sierra GameKing Bullets. Also looking at the 60 grain Nosler Partition. I'd like to use a 65-70 grain bullet but, I don't really know how heavy of a bullet I can get away with in my barrel, so any help on this would be great! Thanks in advance!

Scorch · April 8, 2010, 02:56 AM

The Nosler Partition bullet is the one typically recommended when people atart talking about hunting deer with a 223 or 22-250. It is semi-pointed, so it is short enough to be stabilized in the slower twist barrels.

For a fast twist barrel, you might want to try Barnes TSX 62 or 79 gr, HeviShot 70 gr, Speer 79 gr SSP, Swift Scirocco 75 gr.

flashhole · April 8, 2010, 06:55 AM

Speer makes a 70 grain Round Nose that would work well on deer. My 223 1:9 twist has a tight chamber so the bullets have to be seated rather deeply. It compresses the powder but shoots accurately.

DiscoRacing · April 8, 2010, 07:30 AM

i have a 1:9 and use a nosler competition 69gr hpbt

griz · April 8, 2010, 08:53 AM

The Barnes X bullet works well too.

Irish80prf · April 8, 2010, 12:58 PM

1:9 twist stevens can go up to 69 grain bullets according to the manual but I would guess you could go a little heavier with good accuracy. I think the Nosler partitions would be a good choice for deer. I have some 60 grain bullets I'm going to load up for coyote hunting.

Jim243 · April 8, 2010, 01:11 PM

Can not open MN DNR regs file is dammaged??

You are kidding, yes? MN deer with a 223. Plan on shooting bambi or just head shots? Just take out your 30-30 and go hunting.

Jim

Jbotto · April 8, 2010, 01:30 PM

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/reg.../full_regs.pdf

Thanks Jim for your concern. I am at a limited budget and a second rifle is not viable. MN changed the laws two years ago if I'm not mistaken. I'd love to use a .30 caliber on deer, but it just won't work that way for a few years (truck repairs and college) I am not going to take risky shots, as I don't believe in doing so with any firearm. My plans as of now are spending all summer testing different loads and seeing what I like, if I end up not liking what I see, I will use my 12 guage. I flinch bad with slugs, but shoot my .223 very well. I'm much more comfortable with it. Also, I'm not planning on shooting anything past 75 yards with it, as I understand the limitations of the cartridge and the size of the deer here.

Thanks to everyone else! I am researching possible loads/bullets in my free time. Keep up the replies!

edward5759 · April 8, 2010, 01:38 PM

had a Deer farm, when he had to harvest a few of them he would use a 22Hornet. it worked well for him.
I would tease him about it.
Ed

celtgun · April 8, 2010, 07:11 PM

To my understanding the 223 is very popular in Canada for whitetail. Don't the ranges they are shooting at, but they sure have some big ones.

Pray and Shoot Daily.
Lee Jones(Celtgun

cornbush · April 8, 2010, 07:51 PM

The 53gr Triple Shock works good out of mine, 1-9 twist Ruger.

sk330lc · April 8, 2010, 08:01 PM

The 65gr and 55gr sp Sierra Gamkings are perfect for deer. They work great!
Neck and heart lung shots work perfectly for the 223 at moderate ranges out to 100yards or so. The nosler 60gr Partition is an other great bullet.

uncyboo · April 8, 2010, 08:02 PM

I think I would use either the Partition or one of the Barnes'.

Bamashooter · April 8, 2010, 08:06 PM

you should be able to shoot the 65gr. sierra gamekings with no problem. gameking is an excellent hunting bullet, my 1/9 twist will shoot 77gr. SMK's with no problem. my son has killed deer with the 65.gr. gameking. they both ran but not very far, but ive shot deer with a 30-06 and had to go get em.

riverwalker76 · April 8, 2010, 09:27 PM

A 223 will easily take deer with the proper shot placement. After all ... the US Military uses it as their primary cartridge.

As a matter of fact .... I know of 1 Elk that was taken in Perry County , KY this past season with a Remington 700 SPS in .223!

It's all about shot placement folks.

Christchild · April 8, 2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

It's all about shot placement folks.

At's a Roger... ...and bullet performance...Barnes.

Jbotto · April 12, 2010, 12:17 AM

Hey, Thanks everyone for all the help! I'll do some more research on all those mentioned and see what works best in my gun!

April 8, 2010, 02:05 AM	#1
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	.224" bullets for deer... Anybody have any experience with .224" bullets on deer? What would you recommend? I have a Stevens 200 with a 1:9" barrel. I am thinking of the 65 Grain Sierra GameKing Bullets. Also looking at the 60 grain Nosler Partition. I'd like to use a 65-70 grain bullet but, I don't really know how heavy of a bullet I can get away with in my barrel, so any help on this would be great! Thanks in advance!

April 8, 2010, 02:56 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	The Nosler Partition bullet is the one typically recommended when people atart talking about hunting deer with a 223 or 22-250. It is semi-pointed, so it is short enough to be stabilized in the slower twist barrels. For a fast twist barrel, you might want to try Barnes TSX 62 or 79 gr, HeviShot 70 gr, Speer 79 gr SSP, Swift Scirocco 75 gr. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 8, 2010, 06:55 AM	#3
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Speer makes a 70 grain Round Nose that would work well on deer. My 223 1:9 twist has a tight chamber so the bullets have to be seated rather deeply. It compresses the powder but shoots accurately. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

April 8, 2010, 01:38 PM	#9
edward5759 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ. 30 miles from water, two feet from Hell. Posts: 355	A freind of mine had a Deer farm, when he had to harvest a few of them he would use a 22Hornet. it worked well for him. I would tease him about it. Ed

April 8, 2010, 07:11 PM	#10
celtgun Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2008 Location: SE North Carolina Posts: 203	223 for deer To my understanding the 223 is very popular in Canada for whitetail. Don't the ranges they are shooting at, but they sure have some big ones. Pray and Shoot Daily. Lee Jones(Celtgun

April 8, 2010, 07:30 AM	#4
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	i have a 1:9 and use a nosler competition 69gr hpbt

April 8, 2010, 08:53 AM	#5
griz Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	The Barnes X bullet works well too.

April 8, 2010, 12:58 PM	#6
Irish80prf Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Location: north country of Missouri Posts: 245	1:9 twist stevens can go up to 69 grain bullets according to the manual but I would guess you could go a little heavier with good accuracy. I think the Nosler partitions would be a good choice for deer. I have some 60 grain bullets I'm going to load up for coyote hunting.

April 8, 2010, 01:11 PM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Can not open MN DNR regs file is dammaged?? You are kidding, yes? MN deer with a 223. Plan on shooting bambi or just head shots? Just take out your 30-30 and go hunting. Jim

April 8, 2010, 01:30 PM	#8
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/reg.../full_regs.pdf Thanks Jim for your concern. I am at a limited budget and a second rifle is not viable. MN changed the laws two years ago if I'm not mistaken. I'd love to use a .30 caliber on deer, but it just won't work that way for a few years (truck repairs and college) I am not going to take risky shots, as I don't believe in doing so with any firearm. My plans as of now are spending all summer testing different loads and seeing what I like, if I end up not liking what I see, I will use my 12 guage. I flinch bad with slugs, but shoot my .223 very well. I'm much more comfortable with it. Also, I'm not planning on shooting anything past 75 yards with it, as I understand the limitations of the cartridge and the size of the deer here. Thanks to everyone else! I am researching possible loads/bullets in my free time. Keep up the replies!

April 8, 2010, 07:51 PM	#11
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	The 53gr Triple Shock works good out of mine, 1-9 twist Ruger.

April 8, 2010, 08:01 PM	#12
sk330lc Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 26	The 65gr and 55gr sp Sierra Gamkings are perfect for deer. They work great! Neck and heart lung shots work perfectly for the 223 at moderate ranges out to 100yards or so. The nosler 60gr Partition is an other great bullet.

April 8, 2010, 08:02 PM	#13
uncyboo Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: Shelby, MT Posts: 1,013	I think I would use either the Partition or one of the Barnes'.

April 8, 2010, 08:06 PM	#14
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	you should be able to shoot the 65gr. sierra gamekings with no problem. gameking is an excellent hunting bullet, my 1/9 twist will shoot 77gr. SMK's with no problem. my son has killed deer with the 65.gr. gameking. they both ran but not very far, but ive shot deer with a 30-06 and had to go get em.

April 8, 2010, 09:27 PM	#15
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	A 223 will easily take deer with the proper shot placement. After all ... the US Military uses it as their primary cartridge. As a matter of fact .... I know of 1 Elk that was taken in Perry County , KY this past season with a Remington 700 SPS in .223! It's all about shot placement folks.

April 12, 2010, 12:17 AM	#17
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	Hey, Thanks everyone for all the help! I'll do some more research on all those mentioned and see what works best in my gun!