One caliber is too big and slow, the other is too small and fast !

[d2wing]

.223 works pretty well on big bucks, 14 pointer here.

 

[DocRock]

Hey Doc - it is a 45 Long Colt - Not the 45-70. Thanks.....

My mistake and apologies. Not worth scoping really.

 

[BigBlue 94]

45LC. Buffalo bore or equivalent ammo.

223 is borderline too small for the whitetails here which have quite a bit of body mass. It was only recently legalized for deer here.

45LC and 44-40 essentially cleared the plains of deer at the end of the 19th century. They are plenty capable of putting down deer, even in BP form.

 

[Hokkmike]

My mistake and apologies. Not worth scoping really.

Absolutely no apologies needed. I don't believe I have ever shot a .45-70. Certainly something I'd like try some day.

 

[MacAR]

In preferential order, my suggestions:

Keeping in mind I don't know how good your eyesight is, I'd look into a peep sight for the 32 WS. I have them on a couple rifles and they're a marked improvement over standard irons. Up until yesterday I had a William's on my '06 and it was deadly out to about 175 yards.

As far as the 45, I'd look at buffalo bore ammo. They have some stout loads for that cartridge that would be more than capable of taking deer at 100 yards or a touch over.

The 223 is, in my mind, on the verge of being light for deer. But many have fallen to it. A 65 grain load, or heavier, would do the job. Just make sure the shot is clear, though; 223 doesn't play well with brush. The 32 or 45 does better should an errant limb or bush stray into your path.

Mac

 

[ThomasT]

I have a friend who hunts in east Tx with a 223 and switched to the Barnes Triple Shock bullets and said they killed way better than the soft points he had been using. But Tx deer are not normally that big. Of the two rifles I would use the 45 colt and since your Marlin should be scopeable I would ad a low power scope. I am partial to the 2x7 models myself. Thats what I had on my 44 mag Marlin when I killed a deer with it. And its more than accurate enough for 125 yard hunting.

Last year I bought a Ruger American in 243 for $275 off GunBroker NIB. I have been happy with it so far. The last several years I have used and loaned out my Remington model 7 in 7-08. That is a deer killing sucker. The gun is small and light. I would recommend a Ruger American in 7-08 if you end up buying another rifle.

 

[JBradley500]

I'd try a peep site on that model 94.

 

[BigBlue 94]

For reference, i shoot whitetail, which can top 250lbs here, with a 243 with a 75gr HPBT at like 3400fps.

 

[Vlad3572]

I have taken a few Wisconsin white tails with a .223, usally when out coyote hunting. I prefer a bigger bullet, usually use a Marlin GG in .45 70, but the .223 shot in the shoulder has caused several to drop in their tracks. These shots were around 100 to 125 yards with .55 grain tripple shocks. Keep the range right with good placement and the .223 works fine.

I've also taken one with the .45 colt Blackhawk 7.5 inch barrel, but at less then 50 yards., recovered within 25 yards or so.

 

[Macchina]

45 LC all day long!

This year was the first year I used 223 for deer. A perfect stationary 35 yard broad-side shot.
3 good shots (he stumbled and gave me a couple opportunities for follow up shots) on a nice 6 or 7 point and then he booked it not leaving a speck of blood. I spent hours looking for him and never found him or a spot of blood. I shot him through the chest at least twice (the third shot I'm unsure of) and he is dead somewhere more than a few hundred yards with no blood from where I shot him. It's like he turned to into a ghost.

On the other hand I have cleanly taken quite a few deer out to 125 yards with both 357 Mag and 44 Mag rifles and every one bleed well or more likely dropped right there.
I think the larger diameter PCC are underrated for DRT shots. My experience has been any deer I feel comfortable shooting dies right away with a revolver cartridge rifle!

 

[Ru4real]

Deer head shots out to 300 yards with the 223. Or the white spot under their chin if they are looking at you. Practice on prairie dogs or wood chucks, they are about the same size as a deer head. DRT

Deer boiler room shots out to 150 yards with the 45 Colt. Trajectory limits range. Dead in 50 yards.

Both require a steady hand, and buck fever will mess everything up.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you're hunting the PA hardwoods, .45 Colt. I hunted PA for years and never took a shot over 125 yards; most were inside 100.

That said, I second the idea of another shooting iron. If you want to stay with a lever gun, a .30-30 will give you a bit more range. Or look for a good second-hand Remington 760/7600 in .30-06. Used to be they were plentiful and relatively inexpensive in PA.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

Deer head shots out to 300 yards with the 223. .

That is a great way to cut the jaw off a deer or end up taking out it's esophagus.

 

[cdb1]

(I am considering selling my 1953 Model 94 in .32 WS) I have tried hunting with iron sights and it is just not working with my older eyes. I cannot bring myself to put a scope on this beautiful lever action.

Gun talks and expert commentary both explain that these rounds are usable at shorter ranges for deer. For the .45 the maximum distance would be 75 yards while the .223 might extend out to 150.

If you sell your .32 Winchester Special I’d say the odds are good the next owner will scope it so why not you? That would be the expedient move.

I have zero experience with revolver cartridge rifles. I happen to believe the .223 is fine for deer and it’s fine a lot further out than 150 yards. For many years I was totally against .223 for deer but finally changed my mind after seeing to much evidence to the contrary.

 

[marksman13]

If it were me, I’d go with the 223 and stick with heavier bullets. I have killed a lot of deer with a 16” barreled AR in 223 using 69 grain Federal GMM ammo and never lost a deer with a high shoulder shot using that combo. I always kept shots under 200 yards.

 

[Random 8]

I suspect most recommendations for the 223 are from folks who can expect many opportunities at deer through the season and can therefore practice extreme shot choice/placement discipline. This is not so with my hunting in Northern MN heavy cover, often public lands, and likely not so if the OP only gets 4 hunting days per year.
Having a large pile of ammo is no excuse to use inferior equipment, especially when so many good rifles may be had so cheaply. You like Cowboy? Pick up a Marlin in 30 30 or 35 Rem. Both will drive through on a hard quarter when your buck materializes out of the underbrush and offers a fleeting moment to aim and fire. A modern bolt gun in 6.5 CM or up will do likewise. Both are easy to scope and won't break the bank. Find a compact 2x7 with a heavy reticle and you'll be good to go. You can still shoot up that 223 at targets and varmints, or in the present climate, likely finance your new rifle.

 

[Picher]

I'm with Hog-Hunting Harry: The 55 grain (.223) Federal Trophy Copper fits the bill with a B.C. of .305 and a velocity of about 2,400 fps at 240 yards. Just because you have lots of .223 ammo, don't "cheap-out" and refuse to buy a box of better ammo for deer.

Also, choose carefully where you shoot a deer with the light cartridge, preferably, a heart or lung shot, or for a close shot on a stationary deer...in the neck.

 

[Hokkmike]

If you sell your .32 Winchester Special I’d say the odds are good the next owner will scope it so why not you? That would be the expedient move.

I have zero experience with revolver cartridge rifles. I happen to believe the .223 is fine for deer and it’s fine a lot further out than 150 yards. For many years I was totally against .223 for deer but finally changed my mind after seeing to much evidence to the contrary.

I'm hearing you about the next owner. It is just me. I think a scope on a 94 is like a beard on a beautiful woman....

 

[Hokkmike]

Just because you have lots of .223 ammo, don't "cheap-out" and refuse to buy a box of better ammo for deer.

My ammo is mostly ball anyway - so I WILL definitely buy deer appropriate ammo - THANKS !

 

[Ru4real]

That is a great way to cut the jaw off a deer or end up taking out it's esophagus.

That’s how it would end for YOU, so obviously not your shot. Don’t imply your lack of experience or lack of skill applies to others. Like I stated in my post, it requires practice and a steady hand, and I stand by that.

 

[CraigC]

I suspect most recommendations for the 223 are from folks who can expect many opportunities at deer through the season and can therefore practice extreme shot choice/placement discipline. This is not so with my hunting in Northern MN heavy cover, often public lands, and likely not so if the OP only gets 4 hunting days per year.
Having a large pile of ammo is no excuse to use inferior equipment, especially when so many good rifles may be had so cheaply. You like Cowboy? Pick up a Marlin in 30 30 or 35 Rem. Both will drive through on a hard quarter when your buck materializes out of the underbrush and offers a fleeting moment to aim and fire. A modern bolt gun in 6.5 CM or up will do likewise. Both are easy to scope and won't break the bank. Find a compact 2x7 with a heavy reticle and you'll be good to go. You can still shoot up that 223 at targets and varmints, or in the present climate, likely finance your new rifle.

I have to agree and most folks who use marginal cartridges don't also stipulate that they pass on any shot that isn't picture perfect.

That’s how it would end for YOU, so obviously not your shot. Don’t imply your lack of experience or lack of skill applies to others. Like I stated in my post, it requires practice and a steady hand, and I stand by that.

I have to agree with Harry. I've taken them when it was the only opportunity I had but head shots are a huge gamble. A deer's head is the one part of its body that moves the most and without warning, except perhaps the tail. The target is not the head but the brain and on even a big deer, that is tiny. Same with neck shots. Experience or skill has little to do with it.

 

[CraigC]

If you sell your .32 Winchester Special I’d say the odds are good the next owner will scope it so why not you?

I seriously doubt it. Most folks these days can't be bothered with paying a gunsmith to drill and tap for scope mounts. Let alone those awful side mounts.

 

[cdb1]

I’ve seen an awful lot of pre-angle eject 94’s with side mounts.

 

[cdb1]

I have to agree and most folks who use marginal cartridges don't also stipulate that they pass on any shot that isn't picture perfect.



I have to agree with Harry. I've taken them when it was the only opportunity I had but head shots are a huge gamble. A deer's head is the one part of its body that moves the most and without warning, except perhaps the tail. The target is not the head but the brain and on even a big deer, that is tiny. Same with neck shots. Experience or skill has little to do with it.

I agree with Harry too.

 

[CraigC]

I’ve seen an awful lot of pre-angle eject 94’s with side mounts.

I have too but none that were done recently. Most people just aren't going to go to the trouble when there's probably a Marlin on the rack right next to it that's ready to go.