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Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 #5955538 10/01/15 03:52 AM
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Curious what ammo y'all would recommend for deer hunting with a .223 I was thinking...Black Hills Ammunition 223 Remington 62 Grain Barnes Triple-Shock X Bullet. Any other thoughts? I know some will say another caliber, but lets stick to .223 ammo recommendations if we can lol


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955551 10/01/15 04:06 AM
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Not saying it wont kill'em but typical behind the shoulder shot with .223/5.56 usually ends in a LONG blood trail if finding at all. Now I have seen DRT also. Worked at a processor right out of high school and found countless 20 Caliber rounds just under the skin that were healed up just fine. Just my experience


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955556 10/01/15 04:09 AM
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I went with Federal Fusion 62gr (NOT MSR), but I have other guns so that may not get a kill this year.


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955559 10/01/15 04:10 AM
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You are not the first to ponder such a question on this forum. There are lots of opinions. I use Hornady 75 grain BTHP. It's the largest .223 I have found, expands well and wreaks havoc for such a small bullet. As with any caliber, shot placement is key, but even more so with a lighter caliber.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955627 10/01/15 09:24 AM
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I use a hand load 64g power point by nosler. Prefer high shoulder to drop them in their tracks, but behind the shoulder works fine too. Haven't lost a deer with the .223

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955642 10/01/15 10:11 AM
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I load 65 gr SGKs.


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955786 10/01/15 01:01 PM
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I use a 50gr vmax, it's a tack driver, shoot em in the heart and your good to go... Killed a couple hogs with it too

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955805 10/01/15 01:14 PM
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I have used Remington 55 grain PSP for high-shoulder shots with great success.


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Brian C.] #5955885 10/01/15 02:10 PM
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A 'typical' behind the shoulder shot with my .223 over the last 20 years or so has been a short walk to where i saw the deer (or hog) die. 'Typically' less than 50 yards.

I shoot 55gr Remington PSP. Fiance uses that rifle now.

Last edited by DuckCoach1985; 10/01/15 02:10 PM.
Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5955901 10/01/15 02:17 PM
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Federal 60 grain nosler partition is best ive found for a standard twist 223.


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956058 10/01/15 04:13 PM
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I have had a lot of success out of my 22-250 with a Hornady 60gr BTSP. I have taken deer out to 440 yds and never had a deer walk more than 30 yds. I would think you will have similar results out of a .223. That being said I think the accuracy of the round is more important than any other factor as proper shot placement with a small caliber is the battle you can't lose.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956080 10/01/15 04:24 PM
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I reload and I like the Nosler 55 grain ballistic tip. Hit the deer in the heart lung area or neck and they go no further than 30 yards. For some reason Ive yet have had s hog or deer stop the round. Always a pass thru

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956186 10/01/15 05:38 PM
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In my experience, Black Hills 75 grain BTHP has been devastating.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956738 10/01/15 11:43 PM
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Federal Fusion 62 gr up

As has been said multiple times already, shot placement is key cheers


Originally Posted by East...
Originally Posted by East...
I will get off in a little bit

You shouldnt have said that
Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956840 10/02/15 12:52 AM
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Wouldn't recommend this small caliber for deer. The last thing you want is to track a trophy for days. Try something with some knockdown power....Take it off its feet!

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Pintail Pummeler] #5956914 10/02/15 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: Pintail Pummeler
Wouldn't recommend this small caliber for deer. The last thing you want is to track a trophy for days. Try something with some knockdown power....Take it off its feet!

Or learn how to shoot well and anchor them in their tracks with a .223 whichever works for you.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5956950 10/02/15 02:05 AM
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http://www.midwayusa.com/product/129470/...=ProductFinding


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/494440/...=ProductFinding

These would be a good start.... I have shot plenty with a 222, and a copper bullet in the right spot will do the job...

Last edited by 505ed; 10/02/15 02:06 AM.
Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5957091 10/02/15 03:19 AM
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Glad to see the good reviews on the 55gr tsx. I've got the Barnes Vortex loaded in my AR. I've never killed anything but paper and a few armadillos with it. I think I'm gonna haul it and the .308 to the blind this year since I'll be in a box blind instead of a tree stand.

Until I shoot something bigger than an armadillo with it I probably won't trust it for a trophy buck. I know that sounds dumb but its a mental thing for me I suppose. I like punching .30 caliber holes in deer. Maybe this will be the year to change that.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: stxranchman] #5957422 10/02/15 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
I have used Remington 55 grain PSP for high-shoulder shots with great success.


Do you ever have issues with that load blowing up/not penetrating the shoulder?


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: txtrophy85] #5957443 10/02/15 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
I have used Remington 55 grain PSP for high-shoulder shots with great success.


Do you ever have issues with that load blowing up/not penetrating the shoulder?


Never had one yet.


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Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: 8pointdrop] #5957469 10/02/15 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: 8pointdrop
Originally Posted By: Pintail Pummeler
Wouldn't recommend this small caliber for deer. The last thing you want is to track a trophy for days. Try something with some knockdown power....Take it off its feet!

Or learn how to shoot well and anchor them in their tracks with a .223 whichever works for you.


Here we go... popcorn

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: stxranchman] #5957472 10/02/15 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
I have used Remington 55 grain PSP for high-shoulder shots with great success.


Do you ever have issues with that load blowing up/not penetrating the shoulder?


Never had one yet.


x2 including the second biggest buck ever killed on our ranch and many head shots on big boars.

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: Antler Addicts] #5957728 10/02/15 04:30 PM
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223/ 22-250 are NOT deer calibers

these calibers are ILLEGAL in some states because they are not suitable for deer!!!

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: ctonsmitty] #5957733 10/02/15 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: ctonsmitty
223/ 22-250 are NOT deer calibers

these calibers are ILLEGAL in some states because they are not suitable for deer!!!

This thread pops up every year and we hear the same thing, a .223 will not work on deer. Never stops me and lots of others here from killing plenty every year. Bows kill deer fine, why won't 223?

Re: Ammo for Deer Hunting with .223 [Re: ctonsmitty] #5957748 10/02/15 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: ctonsmitty
223/ 22-250 are NOT deer calibers

these calibers are ILLEGAL in some states because they are not suitable for deer!!!



there is a difference between shooting a 120 lb Texas whitetail and a 250 lb mule deer in Colorado.


I've killed a pile of deer with a .22-250. its not ideal for all scenarios, but its fine for whitetail in a lot of areas of the state when shooting 75-150 yards under a feeder


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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