Things That Might Make You Reconsider Deer Hunting With a .223

Specializedjon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2019
Messages
8,079
Location
Culleoka (Middle TN)
Would never do it. Seen to many little brown men take multiple shots with a 5.56 and just keep coming. And a head shot to me is just to small a target and unethical with little room for error. If you are off you just blow their jaw up and they suffer. In MY opinion the .223 shouldn't be legal for deer. .243 should be the minimum. The recoil is manageable for even small children and older people. Heck my grandmother shoots my 25-06 every now and then.
THIS made my day. Thanks Rakkin6.
 

Creek

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
3,566
Location
Dickson County, TN
This question is primarily intended for those who feel like a .223 is not large enough caliber for deer, though others are obviously welcome to give input.
Just curious, what's your opinion about using a crossbow during archery season when compared to other forms of archery ?
 

Rakkin6

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
7,189
Location
Clarksville
This question is primarily intended for those who feel like a .223 is not large enough caliber for deer, though others are obviously welcome to give input.
Just curious, what's your opinion about using a crossbow during archery season when compared to other forms of archery ?
I used a compound for 12 years but recently switched to a crossbow. I've had surgery on both shoulders and wear braces on my wrists due to carpal tunnel. I have the strength to pull back that is not an issue. It is the holding back that hurts a lot. Even with an 80%-90% let off I still can't hold back for more than a few seconds before I have to let completely down. It's strange, it's like when I lift weights I can't use a barbell anymore or it tears my right shoulder up for the rest of the day I have to stick with dumbbells. Docs said it is just the motion/form of certain movements will always be like that.

That being said I really can't sit back and say I am against crossbow use while using ok me myself. I know that some of the crossbows they are coming out with now are crazy. Shooting over 500 fps which is insane.bhtnthey are also $4,000 dollars so I don't think I will see a lot of them in the woods.
 

Omega

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2018
Messages
7,731
Location
Clarksville, TN
I ran into a 6.5 CM video that showed these toward the end; 62 grain Speer Gold Dots, 58 grain retention, 16" penetration into ballistic gel, I think these would take 2 or 4 legged game pretty darn well. And gold dots are not as good as some of the Barnes offerings (shown below but no stats). Again, not advocating their use, unless that is all you have, but these seem to be very capable of taking game with good shot placement.

1645498152626.png

55 Grain Barnes Triple-Shock

iu
 

rifle02

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
1,439
Location
Sale Creek
I would not encourage the use of 5.56 or 223's for deer. I would also not encourage 22-250 for deer but I know of 2 people who use that and have killed many deer even some big bucks. So it depends on bullet choice and shot placement but not everyone is that conscious of what they're doing or even very intentional about what they choose.
 

DeerCamp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2020
Messages
3,844
None. Already have three that will do the job and not on the market for another. One of the outdoor magazines had an article about Eskimos using the old .222 on caribou. All in shot placement.
I think that's mostly true. But its also about bullet quality too.

I've helped track deer shot with a .223 that went WAY further than they should have for the reason stated above.
 

Deer Assassin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2003
Messages
106,674
Location
Kingston Springs
30-06 is the perfect elk and moose gun in my opinion. The 180 gr nosler partition is just the right sd, bc and is on the sweet spot on velocity to maximize bullet performance
I have no idea what BC has to do with it. Most moose shots arent at long enough distance for it to matter.

In fact your 180 partition has a bc of .361 and sd .271

the 160 partiton in 277 has a much better bc of .434 and sd of .298


[SECTIONAL DENSITY
A bullet's sectional density also affects the amount of damage it can cause. Sectional density (a bullet's weight in pounds divided by its diameter squared) describes a bullet's length for its diameter: The higher the number, the longer the bullet. Generally speaking, the larger a bullet's sectional density, the deeper it will penetrate.



to say the 06 is a better IMO is not necessarily correct and it is not wrong either

it depends on bullet every cartridge will kill a deer some better than others but bullet choice on a particular game animal is key

and all the people on here there are .308 bullets larger than 220 there are 240 and 245 off the top of my head
but a lot of 06 wont have the twist to stabilize

the 277 bullet selection does include the rare 170 round nose speer and 180 barnes round nose and now the new nosler 170 bt

i would not use the 170 bt the 170 speer has been discontinued in the 70s but i do have 180 of them
i dont believe the barnes 180 are around any more either

a 160 partition will work fine
 

Joe2Kool

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2002
Messages
854
Location
Knoxville, TN USA
Although I'm not advocating it, many have said it, bullet and shot placement is key. Grew up on a hog farm in NC. Watched many die from a 22 pistol placed between the eyes. Doesn't mean it is effective for hunting, just that shot placement is the key. Heck, bullet deign wasn't even a consideration!
 
Top