223 four deer ?
- Thread starter jetsfan-24
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Sunray
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First look into the legalities of using a .223 in PA. Semi-autos are not legal for deer hunting in PA.
The bullet has to be made for deer sized game. Like Art says, most, 55 grain bullets used in factory ammo are varmint bullets. Those are not suitable for deer.
The rifle your daughter will be using matters too. The rifling twist has to be fast enough. And your daughter has to be able to hit a 9" pie plate, at 100 yards, every time.
The bullet has to be made for deer sized game. Like Art says, most, 55 grain bullets used in factory ammo are varmint bullets. Those are not suitable for deer.
The rifle your daughter will be using matters too. The rifling twist has to be fast enough. And your daughter has to be able to hit a 9" pie plate, at 100 yards, every time.
My 02: Can't say I'd use a .223 for deer at all, but I know people have and do take them that way. For a young, inexperienced deer hunter I think a 30.30 is a better choice, as is a 7.62 by 39 mm. Neither of these rounds produce significant recoil and they are more likely to produce DRT kills than a .223. I sure wouldn't like to chase around the countryside after a deer that would have dropped on the spot and stayed there if I'd used a more suitable weapon.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I only had this happen once. I was using an 8x57mm. All the rest had to be tracked down. They were all taken with 30.06s. .308s, 7mm/.08. Caliber does not garantee a DRT situation.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
In Virginia .24 is the lowest caliber allowed, precluding the use of 223.
Me, a Marlin 1894c in .357 with 180 gr bullet works great out to 100 yds
Me, a Marlin 1894c in .357 with 180 gr bullet works great out to 100 yds
Hi jimmyraythomason: Believe me, I know caliber doesn't guarantee a DRT situation, but I know shot placement makes a big difference and jmho a larger caliber, without getting into sizes that turn deer into instant sausage, decreases the chances of having to chase a wounded animal all over creation, as long as I do my part. Few things can make a hunter feel worse than losing a wounded animal.
Of the 4 deer my friends and I took during the last year, all were DRT. The first 3 fell to 30.06, the last one to an SKS.
None of these shots was more than about 80 yds, not so much because we can't hit anything farther away, but because the terrain where I live is very rocky and brushy with lots of trees, hills and ravines. It's not very common to even see a deer much farther away than that, let alone get a clear shot at it.
Of the 4 deer my friends and I took during the last year, all were DRT. The first 3 fell to 30.06, the last one to an SKS.
None of these shots was more than about 80 yds, not so much because we can't hit anything farther away, but because the terrain where I live is very rocky and brushy with lots of trees, hills and ravines. It's not very common to even see a deer much farther away than that, let alone get a clear shot at it.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I have helped track heart/lung shot deer over hundreds of yards. Deer with their heart shot out by 30-30 win. and 30.06 that ran almost a 1/4 mile before expiring. I shot one small doe with a 30.06,150grn bullet that completely eviscerated her. I tracked her until it got dark then started to rain so I waited until morning to resume the search. I found her around noon(strictly by chance since the rain had washed away all sign). The shot ,from behind,traveled the full length of the body and ended up in the chest. The heart and lungs were non-existant. The lttle deer had crossed a stream and two barbed wire fences.
Well, I know this goes against what a lot of the experts say, but I try to nail deer in the head, preferably to take out the base of the skull to knock out the central nervous system. This isn't as big a challenge as it sounds when you're within 100 yds of your target. I'm not interested in traipsing around up and down hills and ravines looking for a wounded deer, and in TX, if your deer runs and crosses onto someone else's property you cannot go after it without the owner's permission either. Not a lot of people will give permission since they figure they just have to find the deer and they've got free venison. I've seen too many deer run a few hundred yards or more after being heartshot, so I get close and aim for the head.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Nor do I. It is also the law here in Alabama (ALL land is posted by law).
jimmyraythomason
Member
Excellent spot. All legal calibers(and some non-legal) will give DRT results from such a shot. CNS shots are the only garanteed DRT,regardless of caliber.
Tacbandit
Member
Quote: from blackops
"And you shouldn't critique any of those errors utilizing "Umm" in a sentence or forgetting the apostrophe in “elses“ (else's).
IMO, a 223 is too light, but considering this is for an 11 year old girl, that's quite understandable. I would recommend utilizing the heaviest bullet and positioning her as close as possible for the shot."
Or maybe forgetting the . in .223 ?
"And you shouldn't critique any of those errors utilizing "Umm" in a sentence or forgetting the apostrophe in “elses“ (else's).
IMO, a 223 is too light, but considering this is for an 11 year old girl, that's quite understandable. I would recommend utilizing the heaviest bullet and positioning her as close as possible for the shot."
Or maybe forgetting the . in .223 ?
jimmyraythomason
Member
Why? If this child can shoot it well and the proper deer weight/type bullet is used,I see no problem with this choice. DON'T give the girl a cannon she's too afraid to shoot.
Tacbandit
Member
Jimmyraythomason... my post was only in reference to the fact that the post I quoted had mistakenly referenced ".223" as "223"
I don't have a problem with that caliber as a deer round...It's not my first choice, but if it's what you have, and it's legal...take your best shot. I was just making the point that we can get a little too critical about things that don't really matter. I'm sure the OP didn't come on here to get grammar lessons...or any of the other posters, either...
I don't have a problem with that caliber as a deer round...It's not my first choice, but if it's what you have, and it's legal...take your best shot. I was just making the point that we can get a little too critical about things that don't really matter. I'm sure the OP didn't come on here to get grammar lessons...or any of the other posters, either...
If your daughter can hit what she shoots at reliably, and you are there for any needed backup shots, go for it. It will be a great experience for her! I started mine out on a .243 and mounted the first buck they shot which they still have on display in their homes many years later. I have used my single shot heavy barreled Rossi .223 with 55 gr Remington Ultramax sps to drop a few deer when the opportunity presented while out coyote hunting. Shots were within about 100 yards right behind the shoulder and while none of the deer were “DRT”, none took more than a few steps before piling up.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Sorry Tacbandit,I misunderstood your post. I for one don't care about the correct grammar as long as I can understand what's being said.
Tacbandit
Member
No problem, JRT...I just like to see us keeping it "High Road"....
jimmyraythomason
Member
My sincere apologies Tacbandit! I read your post yet again and your meaning jumped out at me! I had completely mis-read your comment! I guess I only saw what I was expecting to see and saw it wrong.
d2wing
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My duaghters used a SKS 7.62x39, 30-30 lever action and .243 bolt action. Of those the SKS was hard for them to handle as it was front heavy. The 30-30 worked fine but kicked some, the .243 was ok. An AR wasn't legal then but is now. I used one after shoulder surgery and was happy with it. I am pretty sure they would have liked it best. Low recoil, easy to handle, accurate and in my experience, just as effective as any of those cartridges.
Hangingrock
Member
Tell you honest the .223 would be a big step up for a lot of people in this neck of the woods. As a kid I recall that the 25-20 (generally considered a varmint and small came cartridge) was used by some of the old timers to take deer. Shot placement often allows what I consider marginal to be acceptable dependent on circumstance.
tommyintx
Member
Bullet construction and shot placement, combined with velocity are all that really matter. I don't believe there's anything on the planet that could survive a good hit from a 22-250 with a TSX.
Go for the 53 grain TSX. It's very accurate, and the bullet has a great design. I've tested 20+ rounds into water barrels and all had uniform expansion, and 99%+ weight retention.
Go for the 53 grain TSX. It's very accurate, and the bullet has a great design. I've tested 20+ rounds into water barrels and all had uniform expansion, and 99%+ weight retention.
janobles14
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read the newest Field and Stream. petzel tackles this topic pretty well. in a nutshell he says what everyone here always says...everytime...repeatedly.
tough bullets in higher weights, under 200 yds, placed well = dead deer.
tough bullets in higher weights, under 200 yds, placed well = dead deer.
Tacbandit
Member
Again....It's not my preference for a deer caliber, but a capable one, none the less. Many deer have been harvested with .223 rounds in various configuration. It can be done, for sure.
MYREDTAIL
Member
When in doubt about a 223.win A head shot will alway's do the trick, expecially if your a meat hunter & not worried about, the horne's etc.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Since this is the umpteenth go-round on this subject, let's give the poor old horse a rest...
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