Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Lauries Hut

I’m sure I’ve already asked this, but can’t find the post.


Would appreciate projectile recommendations for a 22-250 for deer (Fallow)
It’s a Tikka T3 which from memory means the barrel will not like the heavier/longer projectiles.

Just looking for a reliable round which is good for a 13 year old to shoot.

Cheers M

55gr and H380 was the mix a few years back. A brilliant article in NZ Guns about an 8T T3 using heavier pills on chamois and deer.

Just went and had a look at what I had in the cupboard.
Box of Norma 53gr soft point
Box of Sierra 55gr Gameking SBT. Seems like these might be alright.

Found some old posts from here via google. Tahr mentioned a Laupa projectile he shot a lot of, but couldn’t get. They’re available again now.

Originally Posted by Lauries Hut

Just went and had a look at what I had in the cupboard.
Box of Norma 53gr soft point
Box of Sierra 55gr Gameking SBT. Seems like these might be alright.

Found some old posts from here via google. Tahr mentioned a Laupa projectile he shot a lot of, but couldn’t get. They’re available again now.

Yes 55 grain. They were good.

1st night out with the 77gr TMKs. 115m mid shoulder shot. Bang flop. Shredded the lungs and stopped/ exploded on inside of far shoulder. Lots of bone fragments, far shoulder was a write off.

Originally Posted by Lauries Hut

I’m sure I’ve already asked this, but can’t find the post.


Would appreciate projectile recommendations for a 22-250 for deer (Fallow)
It’s a Tikka T3 which from memory means the barrel will not like the heavier/longer projectiles.

Just looking for a reliable round which is good for a 13 year old to shoot.

Cheers M

70 grain Speer semi point. They stabilize in a 1:14" twist, and are just awesome.

Im sick of culling these rats. Sort of glad the place is closed for a month for lambing. Can go and shoot some real deer somewhere else.
This one here shot at 100 yards with the 60 grn Hammer. Pass through. Really cold NW wind last night so not many about.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Im sick of culling these rats. Sort of glad the place is closed for a month for lambing. Can go and shoot some real deer somewhere else.
This one here shot at 100 yards with the 60 grn Hammer. Pass through. Really cold NW wind last night so not many about.

Attachment 283439

Hell of a problem to have.....over abundance of the tastiest venison.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Hell of a problem to have.....over abundance of the tastiest venison.

Yeah. I know Im fortunate. Mostly go to the charity (40 odd for '25 thus far) but I keep the back steaks cos I cant bear to see them minced or diced. Friends and family love them.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Yeah. I know Im fortunate. Mostly go to the charity (40 odd for '25 thus far) but I keep the back steaks cos I cant bear to see them minced or diced. Friends and family love them.

I have been keeping a few Sambar backsteaks

3 inches thick, 9 inches wide and 30 inches long

You don’t get many in yer pack

Keep up the hunting Bruce

Originally Posted by Tahr

Im sick of culling these rats. Sort of glad the place is closed for a month for lambing. Can go and shoot some real deer somewhere else.
This one here shot at 100 yards with the 60 grn Hammer. Pass through. Really cold NW wind last night so not many about.

Attachment 283439

Bella got a blue rinse to go with your pink fingernails. Orsum bro.

I don't think I posted it here. But here's and entrance and exit wound from a 73 eld at around 2400fps impact velocity on a caribou last month. Found 1 projectile on offside skins. Dead within 20m or so.

4 quarters (bone in skin off knee up)
1x Backstrap and tenderloins
Neck meat (bone out)
Both sets of ribs (not trimmed bone in)
The above weighed just over 230pounds so roughly equivalent to a large mature red stag.

i use 55 gr belmont ammo, shooting fellow and reds inside 300 aiming for the neck. nothing wrong with it. havnt lost any yet if i have it cause i missed.

horses for courses, yes you can take deer with 223. have in the past. ethical? not really. if ya wanna tickle your ego and say you shoot red with a 223 go for it. until ya get the shot that dont go how ya thought it would, but if your happy to take the risk..........
fallow? yep all day every day.
ethical hunting verses ego. that's up to you .

Originally Posted by WolveNZ

horses for courses, yes you can take deer with 223. have in the past. ethical? not really. if ya wanna tickle your ego and say you shoot red with a 223 go for it. until ya get the shot that dont go how ya thought it would, but if your happy to take the risk..........
fallow? yep all day every day.
ethical hunting verses ego. that's up to you .

And this is based on your considerable experience with modern fast twist 223's and heavy projectiles and hand loading, and after reading the above 187 pages of evidence?

23-04-2025, 09:09 PM
Thread: How did you find this forum?
by WolveNZ Replies
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263,273
Sticky: Poll: View Post
My brother nagged at me like I little b@$#€.
Nah getting back into shooting after many years, and brother suggested this forum . Have found it an interesting read so far .
23-04-2025, 09:02 PM
Thread: Newbie
by WolveNZ Replies
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417
Newbie
Hi thanks for excepting me,
Like hunting and target shooting, trying to get in to long range. And beginner reloader …

Originally Posted by WolveNZ

horses for courses, yes you can take deer with 223. have in the past. ethical? not really. if ya wanna tickle your ego and say you shoot red with a 223 go for it. until ya get the shot that dont go how ya thought it would, but if your happy to take the risk..........
fallow? yep all day every day.
ethical hunting verses ego. that's up to you .

Ive seen animals lost to big and small calibres. Theres nothing special about using the best tool for the job. And to be honest with the amount most hunters actually shoot they have more business shooting a 223 than any of the magnums since it helps be more accurate in actual hunting conditions. Ive never lost an animal with a 223 but I lost a couple early on In my hunting career with a 270 7mm08 and 7mm Rem mag. The difference being that I made bad shots with the above and had a false sense of confidence buying a bigger gun would help me kill better when the true limiting factor was me. I thought I was as accurate in the field as I was at the range. Most hunters are the same.

There not ethical question whatsoever that tied to cartridge. Its tied to knowledge and projectile selection.