Using a .223 for deer

[bigg edd]

I shot a doe with a 53gTSX. Went 20 yards. Destroyed both lungs. This year im using a 62g TSX out of my AR. I load all my own stuff. Use a quality bullet and use your head. Save the vmax and ballistic tips for prairie dogs.

[TruthWalleyes]

I pass on all deer that i don't have a near 100% kill shot. I also like the added comfort of having a round that has slightly more room for error when a mistake happens.

Do as you will. I hate seeing wounded deer - whether found dead or left for dead.

[countyline]

Looking for some input that maybe has been posted before beside recent. I'm gonna try and use my Rem .223 for deer this year. My R-15 VTR .223 is just pasting marks with the so called 64 gr deer loads. BDR Nikon. My shots will not exceed 120 yards. My question is, will this load effectively punch the vital region for a clean kill or should I target a head or neck shot? I have a Rem model 700 that will not pattern from a bench at 100yds with 180gr loads better than a 6 inch group.

Maybe try a different load in that 700. Check your rings and scope. I have always thought of taking my 223 out. But with the Taliban running away after several hits I dont think so. If people run away a deer will twice as far.

[Whoaru99]

Maybe try a different load in that 700. Check your rings and scope. I have always thought of taking my 223 out. But with the Taliban running away after several hits I dont think so. If people run away a deer will twice as far.

LOL.

[BlackArrow1]

I'm unfamiliar with a TSX load. Can you elaborate, and where you get them? Currently patterning the same with all .223 loads out to 100yds. Shooting Win Super X 64 gr power points for this season. But my Hornady Vmax 55gr, Rem 55 gr, Federal hollow pts 55gr, and some cheap Russian fmj's all shoot the same. Within 2 inches.

[Neighbor_guy]

Once my primary tag is filled with the 20ga (full rifled barrel H&R single shot slug gun) I will be trying the .223 (Olympic Arms 20" target master) Just to settle the argument and see the results for myself.

I have every confidence in it, shoot it better than any other rifle in the locker, and most of my stands are 55yard shots max.

Of coarse several people here will tell you that the 20ga isn't good enough for deer either.

As I stated before, never under estimate confidence in your weapon of choice.

[bigg edd]

Barnes triple shock x bullets. Solid copper, no lead. I shot a doe with the 85g .243 tsx that I recovered. Straight on shot. Entered the front chest, found the bullet under this skin in the hind quarter. Dropped her in her tracks. Bullet still weighted 85 g with perfect expansion. I have loaded this bullet and shot deer in 223, 243, and 30 06. All performed perfect. It's the only bullet I will use any more. Can be ordered online or at the big C. I think Federal offers it in a factory load.

[Whoaru99]

Federal does not appear to offer a TSX or TSX-like factory load for 223. However, Winchester and Remington seem to.

That said, while I'm sure TSX is a fine bullet, I think any of the good bullets will work OK. By good I mean one of the bonded core rounds (Rem, Fed, Win all offer bonded bullets in .223) or one of the premium bullets with good reputation for expansion and retained weight like, but not limited to, the Nosler Partition loaded by Federal in .223.

All the offerings can be viewed on their websites. Remington's HSOforum could stand some searching by caliber improvement though, IMO.

[Musky Buck]

I simply don't know anyone who uses a .223 for deer, my uncles would ridicule me to no end, I'm sure sissy would get used a lot using a gun with no recoil, accurate they are we used to shoot blackbirds with one my buddies a heavy fox/coyote guy. I carried an M 1 30 carbine from world war 2 last season after I bagged a buck already to try to make drives with the boys, brought it along for fun, I don't need buck # 2 but figured I could really let drive at a coyote or fox, without messing my scope up on the .06 but no luck. Use whatever is a legal firearm and take very high % shots and you'll be fine, but I want 180 grains of serious shocking power, dad gut shot a 12 pointer years back and it dropped him right there, waited an hour rolled him over and I said dad, you can field dress this varmint, P U wow that smell was violent.

[bigg edd]

Shot a doe with the 62g TSX out of my AR Saturday. Straight on shot at 60 yards. Completely seperated the top of the sternum. Got both lungs. Dropped on impact, got up and hobbled 30 yards. Done.

[Whoaru99]

I simply don't know anyone who uses a .223 for deer, my uncles would ridicule me to no end, I'm sure sissy would get used a lot using a gun with no recoil,

I'd probably use a .223 in that situation just to rub their fur backwards.

[huntnfish]

I'd probably use a .223 in that situation just to rub their fur backwards.

You and I think alike.