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.223 for deer hunting #5472800 12/12/14 03:14 PM
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Bissett Offline OP
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I hunted with an AR over the weekend and just loved it. It gave me the itch to go get one myself, mainly for deer hunting. I've heard different things about them such as if I use a higher grain bullet it should be fine. Do these really make good deer guns? What grain is recommended for deer, coyotes, hogs, etc? Also I have a 30-30 now and haven't had a deer run more than 25 yards before going down. What can I expect with the AR?


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472813 12/12/14 03:21 PM
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dkershen Online Content
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You can expect to loose a few compared to the same shot with a 30-30.

Let the debate begin. aim


To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472814 12/12/14 03:21 PM
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kind of a big deal
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Depends on where you plan on hitting them.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: dkershen] #5472817 12/12/14 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted By: dkershen
You can expect to loose a few compared to the same shot with a 30-30.

Let the debate begin. aim


Not if he hits them in the same spot as the 30-30.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472830 12/12/14 03:25 PM
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My first deer rifle was a single shot .223. Never lost or wounded a deer I shot at. That being said, I would not feel comfortable using that caliber now.


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472835 12/12/14 03:28 PM
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I will support using a 223 with good ammo on deer within moderate ranges; however, I would not want it to be my go to deer rifle. I would much rather a 243, 260, 270 etc for a dedicated deer rifle.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472845 12/12/14 03:31 PM
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Bissett Offline OP
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I'm asking for a reason. If it's not strong enough to get the job done, I'm not going to buy one. But the places I hunt, theres really not many shots I could take over 80 yards and most of them are within 50 so I know I could I could put it on the money. But it is hunting and sometimes things don't go as you plan


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472850 12/12/14 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bissett
I'm asking for a reason. If it's not strong enough to get the job done, I'm not going to buy one. But the places I hunt, theres really not many shots I could take over 80 yards and most of them are within 50 so I know I could I could put it on the money. But it is hunting and sometimes things don't go as you plan


You are golden then.


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Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472855 12/12/14 03:36 PM
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50y-80y? You could put it in their ear at that range.
I'd say good to go as well.


Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472893 12/12/14 03:57 PM
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Here we go...

Bring in Captain Obvious the Ambiguously resident Attorney


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472894 12/12/14 03:57 PM
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If your just wanting in an AR style just get a 6.8 and your good out to 150 or better just my 2cents

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472906 12/12/14 04:02 PM
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i love them and will make a post at the end of the year with all the deer taken this year with an AR. my 12 yr old nephew just shot his first doe over thanksgiving at 100 yards with a 50gr .223 softpoint. the bullet did not exit but did leave blood trail and crushed rib on entry then destroyed the heart and broke 2 ribs trying to exit.deer ran 20 yards...

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472907 12/12/14 04:02 PM
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It's plenty. This topic has been worn out on here.. there's a bunch of guys who will say "absolutely not, it's too small, physics, you need knockdown power (whatever that is), etc, etc...". I've killed HUNDREDS of deer and hogs with my .223. Many out past 100 yards. Head shots on hogs drop them like rocks and shoulder blade shots will anchor deer in their tracks. It's not my only rifle, I have bigger, but I love my .223 and no one will convince me it's 'not enough gun'. I use Remington Core-Lokt 55 gr pt soft pt.

Last edited by DuckCoach1985; 12/12/14 04:04 PM.
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472910 12/12/14 04:02 PM
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My kids are 8 and 10. They both use the same American Arms Kids size .223. They have killed whitetail bucks, does, and even a 30 inch Aoudad. They have not lost a single animal. My son shot a 148 inch 9 point last year that was an 8 year old deer and did not even run 40 yards after being shot. Its all about shot placement and distance. I don't let my kids shoot past 80-85 yards. I make sure animal is broadside or close to broadside and I make sure before we get in the blind,by reviewing game cam pictures, that they know were they are going to shoot the animal if the opportunity presents itself. Never lost one yet. But they practice before deer season. I just don't let them fire away in the fall, then not shoot for 8 months. I think .223 is plenty big for kids to use, but like Red Raider 3933 said above I am not comfortable with that caliber for myself and prefer a
30-06.

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472913 12/12/14 04:03 PM
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Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472937 12/12/14 04:15 PM
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Bissett Offline OP
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Sorry if this topic has been worn out already, I figured it had. I looked through the previous few pages and didn't see a post on it and I don't feel like looking though every post made on here. Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far. Good stuff


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472962 12/12/14 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bissett
Sorry if this topic has been worn out already, I figured it had. I looked through the previous few pages and didn't see a post on it and I don't feel like looking though every post made on here. Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far. Good stuff


I don't feel it was directed at you Sir...you had a question and you asked...Fun to hunt with a lighter caliber at times, good luck Amigo!


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: SniperRAB] #5472971 12/12/14 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted By: SniperRAB
Originally Posted By: Bissett
Sorry if this topic has been worn out already, I figured it had. I looked through the previous few pages and didn't see a post on it and I don't feel like looking though every post made on here. Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far. Good stuff


I don't feel it was directed at you Sir...you had a question and you asked...Fun to hunt with a lighter caliber at times, good luck Amigo!


Definitely not directed at you!

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472977 12/12/14 04:35 PM
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I agree^ All the feedback I got was pretty good except for the here we go again haha but I understand it. There's always going to be those topics that keep popping up and I'm sure it gets old to a lot of people.


Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: SniperRAB] #5472985 12/12/14 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: SniperRAB
Here we go...

Bring in Captain Obvious the Ambiguously resident Attorney


Hate to say it... especially somewhere where Nog can read it, but I used to feel the exact same way as him. I had a buddy that hunted with a 223 a lot. I bought one to varmit hunt with and decided to give it a try at deer. It surprised me how well it works with good ammo.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5472993 12/12/14 04:44 PM
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Shot away, I shot a pig at 320 yds didn't lead enough due to cross wind. Hit back hams crippled him right there, finish the hunt, the bullet didn't exit but was felt on opposite side at skin. The pig weight was about 280. Used 62 grn hp.

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Harley7892] #5473007 12/12/14 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: Harley7892
Shot away, I shot a pig at 320 yds didn't lead enough due to cross wind. Hit back hams crippled him right there, finish the hunt, the bullet didn't exit but was felt on opposite side at skin. The pig weight was about 280. Used 62 grn hp.


Ill use one, but in no way do I see how a 320 yard luck shot that somehow contacted the spine in a hogs arse is good to prove its adequacy. popcorn


It's hell eatin em live
Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5473008 12/12/14 04:51 PM
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NP is off sheep hunting, so don't think he can "chime in". IMO, there are much better calibers for deer and maybe much more flexibility. Can you kill a deer with a .223? of course.

I don't get the "fun factor" though, maybe because I don't shoot allot at game anymore, I take a buck most of the time and then I am pretty much done, a few shots a year at WT and Elk. I can sure see the advantage for the AR platform in .223 for getting in the backside of a bunch of hogs, now that would be fun shoot'n.


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Dennis

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: redchevy] #5473020 12/12/14 04:57 PM
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I use an AR15 in 7.62x39 for deer hunting and have not had one go more than 50-70 yards after the shot. Most make it about 10. I'm shooting a 155 gr soft point so the impact energy is there.

The nice thing about the 7.62x39 is that the ammo is the same price as the 5.56 so shooting for the sake of hearing it go band is still economically feasible. Also have never had a hog go anywhere after it was shot.

Re: .223 for deer hunting [Re: Bissett] #5473031 12/12/14 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bissett
I agree^ All the feedback I got was pretty good except for the here we go again haha but I understand it. There's always going to be those topics that keep popping up and I'm sure it gets old to a lot of people.


I started with a 222 55 years ago then went bigger and bigger calibers for years. Now I'm back to a 223 and loving it. If it gets meat on both ends when I pull the trigger then I don't enjoy it nowadays. grin

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