.223 reload for deer - Page 2

bamaranger · July 13, 2016, 02:54 AM

We're likely wandering a bit, as the OP was bout loads and reloads. But...I think the interest in the .223 for deer is driven by the enormous upsurge in popularity of the AR. Yes, you can find AR's in other (and better deer) calibers, but .223 is the most prolific. Where legal, folks want to hunt with their AR, typically in .223/5.56

WVMountaineer · August 6, 2016, 09:57 PM

My cousin, who had Muscular Dystrophy, killed a dozen or so deer with a 223 bolt gun. Before he got to weak to hold aim well. The last one ran about a 1/4 of a mile. It was a bad shot. But, we found it dead The others ran 20-100 yards. Just like with bigger calibers. He did this with cheapo factory rounds starting 25 years ago up to about 8 years ago. It's like hunting with everything else. Shot placement is what counts.

FWIW, I intend to kill one or two this year with a 55 grain Hornady Soft point. Good luck and God Bless

603Country · August 6, 2016, 10:14 PM

I think Bamaranger is right. Lots of guys, and some that I know, bought AR's with no real reason to do so - other than the perceived cool factor. And now that they have one, what will they do with it. Shooting cans at the dump is fun. Now what? Well, we'll go hunting, and shoot a deer. So here we are.

A buddy of mine went through all of that. Finally bought a Ruger American in 308.

Still, I have shot a few deer with my 223 bolt gun. It works, but I have better options.

aerod1 · August 23, 2016, 09:21 PM

I use 55 gr. bulk jacketed soft point over 24.3 grains of H335 . After heart surgery my surgeon didn't want me using a big caliber . I took an 8 point buck and a doe 1 month after a 4 way bypass surgery . My grandson shot his first 3 deer using the same rounds . He shoots a 250-3000 now . One of his was a nice 9 point buck . It's all about practice and shot placement . All were one shot kills . I shot a 246 pound boar hog at 110 yards with the same cartridge . That was also a one shot kill .

BoogieMan · August 24, 2016, 02:25 PM

Plenty of deer have been taken with 22LR and plenty have been lost with a 30-06. But, I believe in quick clean kills and I dont personally feel the 223.5.56 is enough for deer. If your set on using it then stick with heavier controlled expansion bullets.

Art Eatman · August 24, 2016, 06:41 PM

R&D in bullet design has moved the .223 way up the utility ladder. That said, it's still on the marginal side. I'd be really picky about my shot, passing on an angling shot at a large deer.

Dufus · August 24, 2016, 07:04 PM

I have used the Nosler 60 gr partition and plan on trying the 64 gr Bonded Solid base.

Gunplummer · August 25, 2016, 04:25 AM

I also have used 55 Grain Remington soft point. Sometimes Hornady V MAX. Depends on where I am hunting. The V MAX is for close up shots in the thicker stuff. I lung shoot them and all have gone down under 50 yards. Either bullet, I never had one go over 50 yards. Most about 15. If you are not the best of shots , or get rattled when you see a deer, think bigger bullet.

Picher · August 25, 2016, 09:52 AM

I'm a big fan of Hornady's GMX bullets, using them in .243 Win, .270 Win, and 30-06. (Don't care for Barnes, due to metal fouling.)

They now make them in .223 in 50, 55, and 70 grain weights. If I HAD to use the .223 Rem to hunt deer (I don't), I might use the 55 in bolt guns and 70s in ARs.

I don't recommend any varmint-type bullets for deer, regardless of cartridge!

MarkCO · August 25, 2016, 10:00 AM

Look at the Barnes TTSX or TSX. 62 or 70 grains.

purple_yota27565 · August 25, 2016, 12:37 PM

I loaded up some 65 grain Sierra game kings over a charge of varget loaded to standard length and they have worked well on deer for my nephew. I just got some 60 gr partitions that I haven't had time to work up a load for but I have high hopes.

Gunplummer · August 27, 2016, 08:48 AM

Sometimes varmit style bullets are just what you need. Everybody jumped on the "Heavy bullet-Deep penetration" bandwagon because, well, who knows why? I have had problems with .250 bullets opening up at close range when the hit is in a soft area. Some hunters told me they had the same problem with their .243's. Bigger and tougher does not mean better at close range. I never had a problem with Remington Corlokt bullets opening up at close range, but I have not used anything new from them either.

July 13, 2016, 02:54 AM	#26
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	wandering We're likely wandering a bit, as the OP was bout loads and reloads. But...I think the interest in the .223 for deer is driven by the enormous upsurge in popularity of the AR. Yes, you can find AR's in other (and better deer) calibers, but .223 is the most prolific. Where legal, folks want to hunt with their AR, typically in .223/5.56

August 23, 2016, 09:21 PM	#29
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	I use 55 gr. bulk jacketed soft point over 24.3 grains of H335 . After heart surgery my surgeon didn't want me using a big caliber . I took an 8 point buck and a doe 1 month after a 4 way bypass surgery . My grandson shot his first 3 deer using the same rounds . He shoots a 250-3000 now . One of his was a nice 9 point buck . It's all about practice and shot placement . All were one shot kills . I shot a 246 pound boar hog at 110 yards with the same cartridge . That was also a one shot kill . __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

August 24, 2016, 02:25 PM	#30
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Plenty of deer have been taken with 22LR and plenty have been lost with a 30-06. But, I believe in quick clean kills and I dont personally feel the 223.5.56 is enough for deer. If your set on using it then stick with heavier controlled expansion bullets. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

August 25, 2016, 10:00 AM	#35
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	Look at the Barnes TTSX or TSX. 62 or 70 grains. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

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August 6, 2016, 09:57 PM	#27
WVMountaineer Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2015 Posts: 330	My cousin, who had Muscular Dystrophy, killed a dozen or so deer with a 223 bolt gun. Before he got to weak to hold aim well. The last one ran about a 1/4 of a mile. It was a bad shot. But, we found it dead The others ran 20-100 yards. Just like with bigger calibers. He did this with cheapo factory rounds starting 25 years ago up to about 8 years ago. It's like hunting with everything else. Shot placement is what counts. FWIW, I intend to kill one or two this year with a 55 grain Hornady Soft point. Good luck and God Bless

August 6, 2016, 10:14 PM	#28
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I think Bamaranger is right. Lots of guys, and some that I know, bought AR's with no real reason to do so - other than the perceived cool factor. And now that they have one, what will they do with it. Shooting cans at the dump is fun. Now what? Well, we'll go hunting, and shoot a deer. So here we are. A buddy of mine went through all of that. Finally bought a Ruger American in 308. Still, I have shot a few deer with my 223 bolt gun. It works, but I have better options.

August 24, 2016, 06:41 PM	#31
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	R&D in bullet design has moved the .223 way up the utility ladder. That said, it's still on the marginal side. I'd be really picky about my shot, passing on an angling shot at a large deer.

August 24, 2016, 07:04 PM	#32
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I have used the Nosler 60 gr partition and plan on trying the 64 gr Bonded Solid base.

August 25, 2016, 04:25 AM	#33
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I also have used 55 Grain Remington soft point. Sometimes Hornady V MAX. Depends on where I am hunting. The V MAX is for close up shots in the thicker stuff. I lung shoot them and all have gone down under 50 yards. Either bullet, I never had one go over 50 yards. Most about 15. If you are not the best of shots , or get rattled when you see a deer, think bigger bullet.

August 25, 2016, 09:52 AM	#34
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I'm a big fan of Hornady's GMX bullets, using them in .243 Win, .270 Win, and 30-06. (Don't care for Barnes, due to metal fouling.) They now make them in .223 in 50, 55, and 70 grain weights. If I HAD to use the .223 Rem to hunt deer (I don't), I might use the 55 in bolt guns and 70s in ARs. I don't recommend any varmint-type bullets for deer, regardless of cartridge!

August 25, 2016, 12:37 PM	#36
purple_yota27565 Junior Member Join Date: June 19, 2016 Posts: 8	I loaded up some 65 grain Sierra game kings over a charge of varget loaded to standard length and they have worked well on deer for my nephew. I just got some 60 gr partitions that I haven't had time to work up a load for but I have high hopes.

August 27, 2016, 08:48 AM	#37
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Sometimes varmit style bullets are just what you need. Everybody jumped on the "Heavy bullet-Deep penetration" bandwagon because, well, who knows why? I have had problems with .250 bullets opening up at close range when the hit is in a soft area. Some hunters told me they had the same problem with their .243's. Bigger and tougher does not mean better at close range. I never had a problem with Remington Corlokt bullets opening up at close range, but I have not used anything new from them either.