Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Just back from 14 days on Stewart Island and after shooting a yearling buck with the wee Tikka 223, I have to say that the experience was less than satisfactory. Shot placement was the issue and that is on me. Walked in on it and a doe in waist high crown fern so only option was a frontal shot close in. Bullet (55gn) hit dead centre, travelling full length without hitting anything vital before exploding in the back wheels, decimating both hips joints. Wasn’t going anywhere so quietly finished off with a knife.
Not saying I’m done with the 223 but I think this has just reinforced that time and shot placement is more critical with the light weights, for me anyway. I think a caliber with a bit more mass like the 270, which I’m used to, would have gutted, skinned, and hung up the carcass with that shot.
I don’t want to make excuses, it is what it is and on the odd occasion you can’t allow for all the variables, it’s just that it created doubts and as we all know, doubt creates lack of confidence and that is the road to shooting hell.

The positive is that I’ve been mulling over a more purpose built bush gun for the past year, light, compact, slightly heavier caliber, but will still comfortably wack ‘em over out to 150-200yrds. Will progress that.

Poor performance can happen with any bullet, but in this day and age it doesn't make any sense to be using 55gr bullets in a .223 with a fast twist barrel. The heavier 70-80gr bullets work a lot better if you select an appropriate option.


Also, shot the first spring deer with the .223 the other day after hibernating for winter, big fat red hind at 230m, shoulder shot with 80gr ELDM, wobbled a couple of steps and died.