223 bullet to use

bungiex88 · August 13, 2015, 11:56 AM

Wanting to reload my 223 for deer what bullet is a good bullet for short range deer hunting.

Marco Califo · August 13, 2015, 12:06 PM

Sierra 65 gr.SPBT or Speer 70 gr SPFB

T. O'Heir · August 13, 2015, 02:06 PM

What's the rifling twist in your rifle?

bungiex88 · August 13, 2015, 11:29 PM

My bad 1~9

Marco Califo · August 13, 2015, 11:38 PM

1:9 twist is good for the 65 gr SPBT and 70 grn RN.
75 grns and over may not stabilize, but those are not hunting bullets (OTM, SMK, etc.).

Panfisher · August 14, 2015, 07:59 AM

My 1:9 twist Remington R15 has done well on deer with Both the Nosler 60 Grain partition and the 55 grain Barnes TSX.

jason.copas · August 14, 2015, 08:11 AM

I've seen people recommend the Hornady 60gr soft point as well, but no experience here. .223 is still not legal for deer in my state.

skizzums · August 14, 2015, 09:23 AM

I would go with a mono like hornaday GMX, Barnes is great too but the same cost for half the bullets. Neither are cheap, but for hunting you shouldnt need more than one box. With your twist, I would assume best accuracy from the 50-50gr GMX, note that these bullets are lighter in terms of density, so they are larger/longer than standard 55gr bullets. Regardless, they impressive bullets with fantastic penetration and 95% retention and good expansion. Google some gel tests.

bfoosh006 · August 14, 2015, 01:25 PM

I really like the Nosler 64gr Bonded Solid Base...tough bullet.

Noslers outlet frequently has them on sale.... and they do right now.... $24.95 / 100

Flat rate shipping... $12.... regardless of 1 box or 20.

http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosle...run-100ct.html

Great accuracy from my AR's.

Noslers online load data is ( IMHO ) conservative though... a Google search will give you more options.

balderclev · August 16, 2015, 08:58 PM

I've killed deer with 55r bullets. When using 223 for deer hunting, it is all about shot placement. I only take neck shots and they are always drt.

WVMountaineer · August 17, 2015, 11:39 AM

If it were me, I'd not worry about the bullet grains past trying to pick one that shoots with the 1:9 twist. In other words, the 55 through 70 grain is all good with the hunting bullets. Personally, my gun is a 1:8 twist and shoots the 55-60 grains awesome. And, they are Hornady soft points. It is a great little bullet. God Bless

603Country · August 17, 2015, 03:18 PM

I don't deer hunt with my 223, but I do shoot pigs and coyotes. And some of the pigs get rather large. So far, in my actual use, I've used 55 gr Nosler BT's on coyotes and they work great. On pigs, however, they didn't kill the pigs quite fast enough, causing me to blood trail through vines and thorns. So I went to different bullets. I can say that the 60 gr Nosler Partition, if not the best, is tied for best. The 65 grain Sierra Gameking seems as good and is very very accurate - more so than the Partition. I also bought a bunch of 64 gr Nosler Bonded Solid Base bullets, but have not had a chance to try them on pigs or coyotes. If you want great accuracy, I have to suggest the 65 gr Sierra GK. If you want penetration, I ran a 60 gr Partition through a pig the long way (starting just below the tail). Impressive.

None of those bullets will stabilize in my 220 Swift. The Partition and the Nosler BSB are marginal, depending on weather, but I gave up on them and went to the Sierra 55 gr Gameking. Haven't tried that one on pigs yet.

August 13, 2015, 11:56 AM	#1
bungiex88 Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2015 Location: central pa Posts: 264	223 bullet to use Wanting to reload my 223 for deer what bullet is a good bullet for short range deer hunting. __________________ Life is to short to give a darn

August 13, 2015, 12:06 PM	#2
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Sierra 65 gr.SPBT or Speer 70 gr SPFB __________________ ............

August 13, 2015, 02:06 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	What's the rifling twist in your rifle? __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 13, 2015, 11:29 PM	#4
bungiex88 Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2015 Location: central pa Posts: 264	My bad 1~9 __________________ Life is to short to give a darn

August 13, 2015, 11:38 PM	#5
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	1:9 twist is good for the 65 gr SPBT and 70 grn RN. 75 grns and over may not stabilize, but those are not hunting bullets (OTM, SMK, etc.). __________________ ............

August 14, 2015, 07:59 AM	#6
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	My 1:9 twist Remington R15 has done well on deer with Both the Nosler 60 Grain partition and the 55 grain Barnes TSX.

August 14, 2015, 08:11 AM	#7
jason.copas Junior Member Join Date: August 9, 2015 Posts: 9	I've seen people recommend the Hornady 60gr soft point as well, but no experience here. .223 is still not legal for deer in my state.

August 14, 2015, 09:23 AM	#8
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I would go with a mono like hornaday GMX, Barnes is great too but the same cost for half the bullets. Neither are cheap, but for hunting you shouldnt need more than one box. With your twist, I would assume best accuracy from the 50-50gr GMX, note that these bullets are lighter in terms of density, so they are larger/longer than standard 55gr bullets. Regardless, they impressive bullets with fantastic penetration and 95% retention and good expansion. Google some gel tests. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 14, 2015, 01:25 PM	#9
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	I really like the Nosler 64gr Bonded Solid Base...tough bullet. Noslers outlet frequently has them on sale.... and they do right now.... $24.95 / 100 Flat rate shipping... $12.... regardless of 1 box or 20. http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosle...run-100ct.html Great accuracy from my AR's. Noslers online load data is ( IMHO ) conservative though... a Google search will give you more options.

August 16, 2015, 08:58 PM	#10
balderclev Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2013 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 120	I've killed deer with 55r bullets. When using 223 for deer hunting, it is all about shot placement. I only take neck shots and they are always drt.

August 17, 2015, 11:39 AM	#11
WVMountaineer Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2015 Posts: 330	If it were me, I'd not worry about the bullet grains past trying to pick one that shoots with the 1:9 twist. In other words, the 55 through 70 grain is all good with the hunting bullets. Personally, my gun is a 1:8 twist and shoots the 55-60 grains awesome. And, they are Hornady soft points. It is a great little bullet. God Bless

August 17, 2015, 03:18 PM	#12
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I don't deer hunt with my 223, but I do shoot pigs and coyotes. And some of the pigs get rather large. So far, in my actual use, I've used 55 gr Nosler BT's on coyotes and they work great. On pigs, however, they didn't kill the pigs quite fast enough, causing me to blood trail through vines and thorns. So I went to different bullets. I can say that the 60 gr Nosler Partition, if not the best, is tied for best. The 65 grain Sierra Gameking seems as good and is very very accurate - more so than the Partition. I also bought a bunch of 64 gr Nosler Bonded Solid Base bullets, but have not had a chance to try them on pigs or coyotes. If you want great accuracy, I have to suggest the 65 gr Sierra GK. If you want penetration, I ran a 60 gr Partition through a pig the long way (starting just below the tail). Impressive. None of those bullets will stabilize in my 220 Swift. The Partition and the Nosler BSB are marginal, depending on weather, but I gave up on them and went to the Sierra 55 gr Gameking. Haven't tried that one on pigs yet.