Thread: 223 on deer

[QUOTE=HUNTY;1389572]

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.
[COLOR="#FF0000"]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


I sold a 7x57 years ago because of the same experience that you have just described, except my bulls up was with 3 stags that needed finishing off with a knife, looking back now, i realize that it wasn't the caliber or placement that was at fault, it was simply a case of wrong projectile, you will never find a projectile that is suitable for all shooting distances or different deer breeds (fallow yearling- red stag) But some projectiles are better suited than others at covering all scenarios.
Not sure if you reload or were using factory ammo, but that projectile traveled a long way before mushrooming.

Running with the last of the H&F stuff that came with the rifle. Twist rate is 1:12 so running heavier bullets not really an option. Will start reloading early next year and be a bit more circumspect about shot placement. It’s still a great wee rifle and has plenty of uses around here.