Thread: 223 on deer

I also have a load for 2208 and 69gr tmk that's really accurate. Haven't shot any deer with them yet, anyone tried centre shoulder shots on reds with these?

Originally Posted by Triso75

I also have a load for 2208 and 69gr tmk that's really accurate. Haven't shot any deer with them yet, anyone tried centre shoulder shots on reds with these?

Yep they work fine, I use 2206H but will be similar

Awesome thanks mate.

Well, been following this thread for a long time.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but your fallow and reds all look smaller than ours.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Well, been following this thread for a long time.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but your fallow and reds all look smaller than ours.

Well spotted mate, it’s because NZ guys are genetically built, manly, valiant

Makes the animals appear smaller

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Well spotted mate, it’s because NZ guys are genetically built, manly, valiant

Makes the animals appear smaller

Lol. That was quick.

Actually some not much bigger than the dogs!

Found this under the skin on the offside shoulder of a Fallow stag. .223, 73gn ELDM, the Stag was at 411m, perfectly side on, punctured both shoulder blades. the projectile had obviously lost all its steam when it went through the off side shoulder blade, there was very little meat damage on that side. The stag took about 4 steps and fell over.

Very good, what's your muzzle velocity?

Originally Posted by gimp

Very good, what's your muzzle velocity?

They are quite mild loads 2760fps. Using up some 2208, 25gn. Tikka T3x 20" barrel.

So about 1800fps impact velocity - still expanded and worked. Good stuff

Originally Posted by gimp

So about 1800fps impact velocity - still expanded and worked. Good stuff

It kind of throws the ft lbs of energy theory out the window. roughly 570 ft lbs. It seems that the damage done by bullet fragmentation trumps energy. I'm a bit of a new comer to the concept of the .223 being a capable deer cartridge but this performance was impressive, at least to me.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Well, been following this thread for a long time.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but your fallow and reds all look smaller than ours.

These 2 fallows from the weekend were pretty small, mother and son.
Most of it is eaten already, after the neighbour got plenty and my boy popped around with the Grandkids theres very little left.
I don't mind because it's a good excuse to get out again.

From memory I use American Whitetail 223 60gr. Havent had any issues yet. Anyone else using the same?

Sorry not a deer this time. 100lb boar, 73gr ELD-M @ 240m.

Originally Posted by Jkprodigy

From memory I use American Whitetail 223 60gr. Havent had any issues yet. Anyone else using the same?

I was using them when I first got my 223, I now hand load but duplicated the above ammo by using hornady 62sp and 25.5gr 2206H.
Even though I use other fancy projectiles like the 77TMK's the good old 62gr SP's are my favourite.