Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by TeRei

The other issue is if the match bullet is not going to do its job at say a longer distance there is the question of ethical hunting.Why use it in the first place. Leaving a wounded deer deserves a good kicking.

But it does do its job. ELDM/Targex. Thats the thing. Far worse to use a Barnes at longer distance.

Originally Posted by TeRei

I shot 2 stags in the strong wind on friday night. Using 53gr TSX. Nailed 1 stag in the lungs. The projectile blew a hole just bigger than forefinger on your thumb on far side of the ribs and dragged a huge chunk of lung thru the hole. The other got poleaxed in the neck. I had recrowned the barrel. Dont know if it made any difference but the damage was impressive. 26gr BM2.

Did you get some pictures? Always good to see the carnage

This has been discussed previously but it bears repeating - 'energy' does not kill deer or anything else for that matter. Energy expressed in foot pounds or whatever other unit is just a way of quantifying potential for work to be done. It is the projectile expanding, fragmenting or tumbling that damages tissue to kill game irrespective of whether it's a 223 or something bigger.

Originally Posted by Steelisreal

This has been discussed previously but it bears repeating - 'energy' does not kill deer or anything else for that matter. Energy expressed in foot pounds or whatever other unit is just a way of quantifying potential for work to be done. It is the projectile expanding, fragmenting or tumbling that damages tissue to kill game irrespective of whether it's a 223 or something bigger.

Yup. It is all relative. My 416 with 400gr solids had 5000ish ft/lbs. Apart from the fact it's making nearly a half inch hole for 6 feet of animal, only a fraction of energy would be used on a side shot deer.
Conversely something too explody in the wrong spot makes a crater with no proper damage

Originally Posted by TeRei

The other issue is if the match bullet is not going to do its job at say a longer distance there is the question of ethical hunting.Why use it in the first place. Leaving a wounded deer deserves a good kicking.

ummmm.... not a cool post mate.

Originally Posted by TeRei

The other issue is if the match bullet is not going to do its job at say a longer distance there is the question of ethical hunting.Why use it in the first place. Leaving a wounded deer deserves a good kicking.

No one has suggested leaving a wounded deer. As a hunter it’s your obligation to follow up on the shot and finish it off, even if it involves extensive tracking, to stop it suffering.

Originally Posted by TeRei

The other issue is if the match bullet is not going to do its job at say a longer distance there is the question of ethical hunting.Why use it in the first place. Leaving a wounded deer deserves a good kicking.

Wouldn't be an issue with the 73gn load I cooked up today, can't wound them if you don't hit them

240 yards 80 Targex. No sign of hit, just stood for 20 second and then slumped to the ground. Bit low just behind the crease.

Originally Posted by Tahr

240 yards 80 Targex. No sign of hit, just stood for 20 second and then slumped to the ground. Bit low just behind the crease.

Attachment 287177

What twist and MV on those?

Originally Posted by Tahr

240 yards 80 Targex. No sign of hit, just stood for 20 second and then slumped to the ground. Bit low just behind the crease.

Attachment 287177

Nice one Bruce they are a bloody good pill.

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Originally Posted by earplay

What twist and MV on those?

1:8 standard Tikka. 2840 fps.

Has been a while. 350m.

Photo wont load- forum very sluggish - but I can imagine a young Red in a rocky tussock environment so Ive given it a like...

Looks like one of the mob that scooted out from under 640M target haha (Gimp showed the big gun boys how it's done with his 223 at the Whitecombe Wrestle)

Red Yearling with ELD-M factory 223. Impact velocity 2023fps. Recovered offside shoulder just under the skin.