Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by gimp

all the deer I've gut shot with 80grs etc in .223 stood around or flopped around, looking a bit sick, like they do with any other cartridge, and I just shot them again. As a bad shot and a mediocre hunter this has happened.


I personally don't recommend using light bullets in .223 on deer

Same. Unless it’s a premium type like the Hammer. Their 60 grn work.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Same. Unless it’s a premium type like the Hammer. Their 60 grn work.

Yeah lighter bonded or non-lead bullets are a slightly different story, e.g. 62gr Fusion, but their operating window is a lot narrower than something optimal like the 80gr ELDM

A big part of the 223 thing is understanding "why". As an example, the longer (so heavier) 224s like 73s and up have a deeper cup to retain core, sorta the old sectional density thing but from another angle. Is this a contributing factor to their effectiveness, I don't know but understanding it through both theory and practical results is what takes us ahead.

I swore off 223 for a long time after losing a fallow buck at 240M with a Sierra 65gn in a 223. I saw the hit (big advantage 223) and it was a tad higher on the shoulder than optimal but okay fore and aft. He flipped over backwards (typical of a shot close to the spine). I didn't see him crawl off but that's what he did, looked in the close shitty gullies for two hours (three of us). Still peeves me off.

Just loaded up 20 of Hornady 70 grain .227 into 223 cases over 25 grns of 2208.... So now have two different 70 GRN options counting the Speers...plus 55 GRN ttsx ...as dedicated deer loads..but because of my self imposed limits,the 50-55 GRN options will work if I do my bit. I hate loosing deer so make damn sure I try my best.

My success rate went up when I switched to .223 in 2016, I'd used a 270 for years then had a honey of a Zastava 7.62x39 and that really opened my eyes to lighter rifles in easy shooting calibers.

Now the .223 is my main rifle, part of that success for me is partly down to been aware of its capabilities and trying to consciously stay within them and make good solid shots.

My best run was at a farm I was working on, 46 deer for 1 shot each, the deer that broke the streak was hit a little far back so I quickly put another one into the cheast while she was at a full run.
I wound up having to abandon the search in the dark, found her dead the next morning after a decent half hour search as she'd made it about 50m into some thick manuka
First shot was front of the stomach, 2nd was smack in the lungs.

This is still my proudest find while gutting, my early days of the 223 using factory Hornady 55sp.

Originally Posted by gimp

all the deer I've gut shot with 80grs etc in .223 stood around or flopped around, looking a bit sick, like they do with any other cartridge, and I just shot them again. As a bad shot and a mediocre hunter this has happened.


I personally don't recommend using light bullets in .223 on deer

Well I dont think anyone believes you are a bad shot or mediocre. So I take that as self deprecation. But when you say all deer you have gut shot, how many and why?

I ask as your description of behaviour after shot sounds more like liver shot than gut and wondered if they were generally quartering shots?

edit to explain more.

often a shot taking quartering will present as a gut shot, because its very obvious and easy to see gut material. But sometimes the real effect is from the projectile hitting the liver and or rear of lungs, which isn't so obvious. Liver shot deer tend to hang about and bed fairly quickly. True gut shots will hunch up but take off relatively quickly and can go quite far.

Bit of both. It's easy to see the impact of your shot and get another one in quickly with the .223. Haven't lost any from gut-ish shots yet, so not too worried.


I try not to make a habit of shooting things in the wrong place but it happens from time to time.

What’s the consensus with ever one is the 223 better in 1:8 with heavy projectiles or 1:12 with 55gr projectiles? For deer Cheers


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Originally Posted by buzzmann

What’s the consensus with ever one is the 223 better in 1:8 with heavy projectiles or 1:12 with 55gr projectiles? For deer Cheers


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It's a totally different proposition with a fast twist and heavy bullets. Much better. Higher hit probability by far and way more effective when it gets there.

Originally Posted by gimp

Bit of both. It's easy to see the impact of your shot and get another one in quickly with the .223. Haven't lost any from gut-ish shots yet, so not too worried.


I try not to make a habit of shooting things in the wrong place but it happens from time to time.

Anyone who says it dosnt happen too them, hasn't shot much.

Originally Posted by buzzmann

What’s the consensus with ever one is the 223 better in 1:8 with heavy projectiles or 1:12 with 55gr projectiles? For deer Cheers


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It's the difference between ordinary and outstanding. 80 grn .223 has a higher bc and sd than the same weight .243
From an uncut Tikka the 80 .223 will be doing 2950 fps.

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Anyone who says it dosnt happen too them, hasn't shot much.

Have to agree there. Both deer shot on the 17’th. 2 shots each, both hit a bit far back due to bad wind call. One gut shot, one not quite gutshot but still a bad shot. Both dropped with second shot. But as I’ve already said, bad shots can be made with any caliber. Shit happens, get over it.

Originally Posted by buzzmann

What’s the consensus with ever one is the 223 better in 1:8 with heavy projectiles or 1:12 with 55gr projectiles? For deer Cheers


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1:12 is bit like a 270 the only people that think it cool are the people that have one the rest just no its not

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Too much time on this thread is bad for the .223 fomo.

Regarding the heavy pills - aside from twist rate, is mag length a limiting factor to suitable coal? Are there any particular models/brands that won't work with the heavies, assuming I'd want to mag feed?

With mini actions, like the Howa, Sako Vixen etc, you will tap out at 2.26" OAL. Which means 73gr ELD or 77gr TMK will be the most efficient bullets you can run at mag length.

Some standard length actions, you may need to modify the bolt stop to increase OAL.

I think the Mod 7 might be the shortest commercial action where you can mag feed 75/80gr. I could be wrong.

To add, you may also need to run a different magazine depending on the action. The last Howa I had, I modified the bolt stop, but the internal magazine/follower set up wouldn't allow for the longer bullets. It didn't matter as I fed it from AI pattern mags.