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.223 for Deer? Thoughts?
#7228712
07/18/18 09:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548
SenkoSamurai
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548 |
What are the pros and cons of the .223 for deer? Any experiences good or bad? Any tips? Both bolt action and on a AR platform
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228716
07/18/18 09:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,670
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,670 |
Only pro is that you may already own one, and I guess low-recoil. Pretty much everything else is a con.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228738
07/18/18 10:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
We have been down this road before many times....use the search button and you find a lot of old threads and many of them locked down.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228760
07/18/18 10:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,892
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 12,892 |
here we go again ...
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228764
07/18/18 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,802
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 110,802 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228787
07/18/18 11:05 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140 |
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228798
07/18/18 11:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,941
Simple Searcher
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,941 |
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228810
07/18/18 11:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,823
RattlesnakeDan
Veteran Tracker
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,823 |
Shoot em' in the neck and it's a done deal.
Just like Jesus, sometimes you gotta kill some hogs. Lone Star Mesquite . com RattleSnake Dan's Shredding Service
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7228840
07/19/18 12:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
Shoot em' in the neck and it's a done deal. According to the THF, this is an unethical shot. You will see at least 2 pictures to prove it. It matters not what your personal experience is. Don’t do it. It’s frowned upon by the real hunters that have killed at least 30 deer over a lifetime. Don’t even consider a head shot, that is the most unethical and can’t possibly put down a Wily Whitetail.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228875
07/19/18 12:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,956
don k
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228888
07/19/18 01:01 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,360
bronco71
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228944
07/19/18 02:03 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
223 blows too big of a hole in a deer I prefer my game .17.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7228946
07/19/18 02:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,908
Gacman
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,908 |
A .223 is not a viable deer cartridge.
1. Several times of the years I've been on leases and heard guys bragging about "with a .223 just shoot them in the head or the neck, that's what I do" and I've seen and heard stories from them and their hunting buddies about deer running around missing ears, the sides of their faces, or lower jaws. Most of these deer die in a few days, they all suffer.
2. IMO an experience shooter can shoot deer in the neck, but really only under 150 yards AND with a much higher caliber than a .223 like a .270 or bigger. They should take the shot from a good rest only with a rifle they know is sighted in very well. Even then it's risky and many don't recommend it.
3. I've shot several deer with one of my .223 AR-15's and once with a Browning single shot with an elongated octagon long range barrel. A couple of them I shot out of bow stands during rifle season so I was at close range < 40 yards. The little does with a good lung shot don't go far, unless you are using FMJ's, which you shouldn't. Use hunting ammo. I've dropped a cull buck with an AR, but only cause I caught his spine. I feel lucky not to have wounded any deer with a .223, but spend a day hunting with me and my friends will explain to you why they have called me the "sniper" of the group for years, which they admit they are not.
4. It's just too risky in most scenarios imo for most people. A big bodied buck will run too far almost regardless of where you hit him. A .223 won't produce much of a blood trail either. I no longer shoot deer with a .223 due to the risk/reward. I don't want to wound a deer.
4. Just go with a bigger caliber rifle. Sure a .223 can take down a man, as our military uses .223's. But as you may understand, a wounded enemy taxes their resources far more than a dead one. So that may be part of their reasoning.
5. I'm sure some others can offer up pros and cons, those are just mine. And I recommend starting youths with a .243.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229035
07/19/18 03:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,043
Texas buckeye
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Posts: 11,043 |
And a .223/5.56 won't ethically kill pigs either, but don't tell that to the dozens I have laid down with one shot. They must have fallen asleep or something due to the lack of noise from the rifle...
A .223 will kill a deer, you just have to know its limitations. Is it the best tool to kill a deer for a stand hunter? no.
But if that is all you can afford and you "need" to hunt with a .223, it can do the job if you do yours. Get proper hunting rounds, not FMJ as has been said earlier, and make sure the rifle is sighted spot on. The margin of error gets smaller with the smaller caliber bullets, so make sure it is precise and you can make the shot. Don't take a shot longer than about 125 yards as the energy bleeds off quickly due to the lower weights, but inside that you should be fine with a properly placed shot.
If you can, get a larger caliber rifle. Makes your job easier for sure.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229093
07/19/18 04:33 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265
maximus_flavius
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265 |
I don’t need nothin bigger than my trusty .218 Bee
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229148
07/19/18 09:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 6,170 |
For your 12th post, you picked a good topic to stir up a reaction. Good luck, get you some and welcome to the forum!
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: Jimbo]
#7229161
07/19/18 10:12 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,056
HWY_MAN
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For your 12th post, you picked a good topic to stir up a reaction. Good luck, get you some and welcome to the forum! Yea that subject hasn't come up this month, but we did the Hi-Fence and low fence covered. Now we have to wait until next month to do it again.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229197
07/19/18 11:43 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Gringocazador
Tracker
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If you have a custom AR 15 that’s really cool looking, they kill much better. Drop everything dead in their tracks.
Thanks, Billy
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: Jimbo]
#7229259
07/19/18 12:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,426
Choctaw
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For your 12th post, you picked a good topic to stir up a reaction. Good luck, get you some and welcome to the forum! Yep, considering his other posts he's just stirring the pot.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229280
07/19/18 01:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,580
redchevy
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Posts: 39,580 |
Wow its been a while since we strolled down this trail.
I think its not the best option available but is plenty adequate and have chose it to carry to the hunting woods many times when I had other options such as a 270.
I believe you can do a few things to make it a better option. 1. practice makes perfect, practice shooting 2. Shoot a bullet designed for hunting, not a 45 grain HP (my favorite is a 60 grain nosler partition) 3. Keep your ranges short, I like less than 150 yards.
My brother, sister in law, and myself have collected quite a pile of deer with our 223.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: stxranchman]
#7229281
07/19/18 01:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8pointdrop
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 5,294 |
We have been down this road before many times....use the search button and you find a lot of old threads and many of them locked down. Yuup!! Learned a lot of this forum and one lesson was -Shoot what you want deer and gun wise, don’t worry about other’s opinions.-
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: HWY_MAN]
#7229284
07/19/18 01:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8pointdrop
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294 |
For your 12th post, you picked a good topic to stir up a reaction. Good luck, get you some and welcome to the forum! Yea that subject hasn't come up this month, but we did the Hi-Fence and low fence covered. Now we have to wait until next month to do it again. And fence line hunting. Need a spike debate!!
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229287
07/19/18 01:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,035
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,035 |
Your AR is your best bet for using the .223 on deer. That way you can keep shooting after the first wound. I recommend 30 rnd mag.
The North has double last names. The South has double first names.
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: pertnear]
#7229304
07/19/18 01:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8pointdrop
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294 |
Your AR is your best bet for using the .223 on deer. That way you can keep shooting if you’re a terrible shot. I recommend 30 rnd mag. Fixed it for ya...
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Re: .223 for Deer? Thoughts?
[Re: SenkoSamurai]
#7229319
07/19/18 01:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,177
DH3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,177 |
Another "attack" mode when the O.P. asks a simple question. If a .223 will kill a hog, it WILL kill a deer. Arguments on the BEST caliber to hunt deer with will go on for days.
Old age and treachery beats youth and stupid every time!
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