Thread: 223 on deer

Say success is deer on the ground anchored where they should be.
Big deer in thicker country you soon start losing a few with the 223

It's not that simple, and never will be. Margin for error could well mean projectile choice. Example the thread on 150gr ELDX. they seem a poor choice in magnum chambering yet they are still killing. While a similar poor choice in 223 might not.

Margin for error might also mean shot angle choice etc.

And of course bulet weight and dimensions do have some effect, or we would all be using .17 cals, 22 rimfire, hornet etc.

66 pages of evidence on this thread would suggest it probably works fine most of the time

Originally Posted by Scortched earth

What is the success rate of hits with the 223?id take a guess 65-75%
Maybe 80% bit higher with a bigger cal.
Many many variables but somewhere around that

Is that how many you find you lose with the .223? Mad

Originally Posted by Scortched earth

What is the success rate of hits with the 223?id take a guess 65-75%
Maybe 80% bit higher with a bigger cal.
Many many variables but somewhere around that

3-4 deer lost for every 10 shot?

If that estimate is based on real experience then something is badly wrong.

The only logical explanation is if 3-4 deer are being badly shot. Shot angle is usually partly or wholly to blame.

Precision shooting with a suitable .224 cal bullet at 2800-3000fps or faster, I would love to meet the 3-4 deer that can survive the degree of vitals wounding clearly evidenced in this voluminous thread.

Gut feel is the few naysayer comments above inc. our Aussie friends is a function of “read the thread title, ignore the 2600 posts, go straight to the end and post a comment anyway.”

Genius move!

Originally Posted by Scortched earth

Say success is deer on the ground anchored where they should be.
Big deer in thicker country you soon start losing a few with the 223

With a rusty Remington, taco scope, sighted in to hit a beer box at 50 yards and using mixed ammo off the ute floor. East coast style. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Tahr

With a rusty Remington, taco scope, sighted in to hit a beer box at 50 yards and using mixed ammo off the ute floor. East coast style. Maybe.

At least with a taco scope he'll have something to eat while considering his next move.

Originally Posted by Tahr

With a rusty Remington, taco scope, sighted in to hit a beer box at 50 yards and using mixed ammo off the ute floor. Maybe.

I have an old pickle jar full of random .223 rounds, collected from various ute interiors, side-by-side cubbies, oilskin jacket pockets, ute tray dog boxes, tool boxes… I pulled the plastic cover off a Hilux handbrake assembly a few years ago and found a Prvi .223 round interfering with the mechanism. A piece of wire wool and Brasso and it’s all good as new.

Originally Posted by Tahr

With a rusty Remington, taco scope, sighted in to hit a beer box at 50 yards and using mixed ammo off the ute floor. East coast style. Maybe.

Hey don't pick on the East coasters, half of Southland will want to be in on that deal too

Originally Posted by Scortched earth

What is the success rate of hits with the 223?id take a guess 65-75%
Maybe 80% bit higher with a bigger cal.
Many many variables but somewhere around that

I’d be more than a bit pissed off if that was my success rate. Without searching through log books, if I could find them, my personal percentage including deer, goats and pigs is around 93-95%. Fkd up two shots at deer this morning through not reading wind right so that hasn’t helped. Still got them eventually though. 65-70% hit rate even from chopper and you be getting replaced fairly sharpish. And I’m not the greatest of shots these days.

Not what I said mate.I’m just throwing a rough guess out there for the average joe kiwi hunter.
Of the last 100 you hit with the 223 how many we’re laying where they should be ?
What would your estimate be of anchored 223 deer?

Confidence in what projectile you are using goes along way. Allied with placing that pill in the head and neck avoids crashing around in the scrub for wounded deer. If you are not sure about your ability you should not be taking that shot. Cruelty with aimless wounded deer deserves a flogging. 2C. Yes we were out last night till 3am . Yes we saw 2 different deer. We made an assessment and they remained unhurt.

Originally Posted by Scortched earth

Not what I said mate.I’m just throwing a rough guess out there for the average joe kiwi hunter.
Of the last 100 you hit with the 223 how many we’re laying where they should be ?
What would your estimate be of anchored 223 deer?

All of them...or the shot isn't taken... It's been said thousands of times over the last ?50?? Years....the whole thing is to know when NOT to shoot...and don't... If the shot isn't on,it's not on,wait or let it walk. The margin for error thing is there but it's a year or two since I shot a deer fair up the arse pipe on purpose...a .308 with 180s gave me confidence it would anchor animal....that said,the only time I've ever shot wrong deer.was aiming at fallow buck in mist,didn't see doe in front of him. Shot took her inch above and inch in from base of tail, side on. She was paralyzed in back wheels and made it twenty yards before stopping to see what bit her in arse,allowing me to pop her eyeballs out with next shot. Can't recall anything shot with .224 getting more than hundy yards,and when they did it was due to my piss poor marksmanship. You say a 243 is your minimum.... Well you can use a 55 GRN pill in 243 and a 80grn in .223 ......

Agree in heavy cover there are better options.

With 223 is a lot of users are using extremely competent rifles & glass & they limit shooting distances

eg. Guy I have shot rabbits with has target set up that nails bunnies head shots at 300m he's pretty good with the wind calls as well, only rifle he owns. He's spent years & a couple of barrels perfecting that load & setup. I'm still playing with loads to get that good if ever, hopefully before I need another barrel. Both rifles are Tikka's wearing $$$ varmint grade scopes.

@TeRei
A lot of different factors to be sure I’m not talking about that ,so no nead to claim some imaginary high ground on me.I’m just taking a guess as to how many deer are going to be where they should be when average joe has taken his shot with his 223.
I guess around 60-75% vs maybe 80% with a bigger cal.
What’s your estimate?
I don’t know why everyone is so upset?

Average man doesn’t use the best bullets,have the best rig,the experience,the nerve the tracking dog,the best terrain,ballistic this and that etc
So what’s your guess?