Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

Originally Posted by TeRei

My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

Uncle and good mate had same happen and they both then emptied mags at it...7mm mag and 44 mag which kind of flips it on its head.
to each thier own.... we make our choices and live with results..if do go for walk in next two days the 222 and 223 will stay home and I will carry something throwing heavier pills....

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

There's something wrong if he taking 3 shot from a .223 to kill a wallaby.
The 55grn Hornady is a great pill for them cheap and hits them bloody hard

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Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

Shot placement is a key part of ethical hunting irrespective of calibre ...

Hopefully I am Replying to "turtleSO' , new to forum. I have shot hundreds of deer with my .222 shooting 55gn HORNADY SPs . Everything up to sambar. Never neck shots on roaring stags. I used to cull roos in Australia legally with tags with the same setup.
If you hit them anywhere from the shoulder up they will go down . If your mate was taking 3 shots then he probably should also be using a .308 . ALL calibres need shot placement for ethical hunting of any animals.