Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Dreamer

Nice one and @gimp bring back your videos!

Originally Posted by gimp

I keep thinking about it, but I get a lot more hunting done just hunting...

C’mon !

Make with the content already…… that cool little rifle is begging for a PATHFilmsNZ YouTube esposé.

Good sh*t @gimp

Love your confidence and the fact you go full send with the .223!

Go you @gimp! Most excellent. You are a true .223 savant. I have put mine to one side until their antlers fall off.

Where did the ELDM strike and how did it perform?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Go you @gimp! Most excellent. You are a true .223 savant. I have put mine to one side until their antlers fall off.

Where did the ELDM strike and how did it perform?

I'd say I'm an unreasonable optimist, or purely irrational

Hit high in the shoulder and broke the spine, died instantly.

Originally Posted by gimp

I'd say I'm an unreasonable optimist, or purely irrational

Hit high in the shoulder and broke the spine, died instantly.

Great! And it was a wonderful pic too.

Here's another interesting bit of .223 performance and quite different to the soft ELDM & Sierra tipped. More like Cam's 65 grain but a bit harder and controlled expansion. This was shot not long ago with a Nosler 64 grain bonded solid base (not the old Nosler solid base-this is a modern bonded bullet that has sadly just gone out of production). I have 200 hundred of them. The 62 grain Speer Gold Dot perform in a similar fashion and they are still available. https://www.nzammo.co.nz/product/165...ategoryId=1513

Shot was about 120 yards and hit at an angle in the shoulder and the bullet penetrated right through and out the paunch. They penetrate like crazy and one went right through a big lump of a Red spiker. They are bowling along at 3150 fps.

In balance I think I prefer the big soft target bullets because they seem to have a higher shock and damage factor, but you need a 1:8 twist. In my 1:9 Savage theses little Nosler's are pretty damn good, albeit that Ive only shot 3 deer with them. All one shot kills.

Exit


In, under the shoulder.


Out.


The big Red that one went right through at 240 yards. Ran about 25 yards.

I'll offer my 2c here.

Got mates down these ways who use 223 for reds as bush rifles. They typically run 60gr + projectiles.

Sierra 65gr Gamekings being the go to for most. From what I've gathered their neck shooting, behind the shoulder aiming for the lungs in much the way a bow hunter would or shoulder shooting.

Most are having no problems with the deer dropping within a few steps. I've shot a few fallow pre 2019 and it worked really well with the likes of the 64gr powershoks et but I just dont for reds as although I can absolutely place my shot I like to know full well I've got plenty of gun. Hence why I own 7mm and 30cals.

One mate runs a 13" howa mini action, bush hunts and man can he put a few down.

I hope my rambling helps the OP

I run a 22-250 and am looking at putting some 62-64gr pellets through it instead of the standard 55gr that most ammo comes with off the shelf just to have a slightly better for bigger targets than goats.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I run a 22-250 and am looking at putting some 62-64gr pellets through it instead of the standard 55gr that most ammo comes with off the shelf just to have a slightly better for bigger targets than goats.

Sierra make a 63 grain semi-pointed flat base bullet.

It's rated for 1:14-1:12 barrels.

Don't let the 'Varmiter' tag fool you!

https://www.sierrabullets.com/produc...ber-63-gr-smp/

So is there any accepted wisdom on what would be an 'ideal' barrel twist rate for dropping reds?

Originally Posted by Strummer

So is there any accepted wisdom on what would be an 'ideal' barrel twist rate for dropping reds?

anything tight enough to stabilize projectiles.... guys have been dropping reds with 50grn projectiles since the 222 was invented.... the deer havent got any harder to kill.

Originally Posted by Strummer

So is there any accepted wisdom on what would be an 'ideal' barrel twist rate for dropping reds?

1:8.

Originally Posted by Strummer

So is there any accepted wisdom on what would be an 'ideal' barrel twist rate for dropping reds?

Greetings Strummer,
1 in 8" twist for the .223 not only for dropping reds but for all purposes. I load both the 169grain and 55 grain projectiles in my 1 in 8" twist Tikka and both shoot equally as well and by happy chance almost to the same place. So far the .223 has been shouted down by other inhabitants of the rifle cupboard when a walk in the bush is considered but I really should include a load with a hunting projectile as well. I expect it will shoot just as well and likely to much the same place.
Regards Grandpamac.

Clearly that should be 69 grains. The 8" twist would not stretch that far. Note to self: Read through posts more carefully in future.

Yes, I was more meaning: are the projectiles heavier than the 60ish grn mark better medicine? Faster twists can stabilise these better...so theyre the way to go?

buy a 243......or a 22hp savage both were made many years ago to do what a fast twist .223 is doing now...be able to shoot 80ish grn projectiles fast....
seriously if you arent shooting past 150 yards,just be happy with the rifle you have...pick your shots and enjoy the venison.