223 on deer

This is interesting. I took this vid screen shot from the moment I pulled the trigger.
She dropped on the spot but flapped around a bit so I neck shot her as a quick finisher (74 Targex). I wondered why she didn't die quickly.

When I butchered her the shot was a bit high going through just under the spine. Never a good shot.
If you have a look at the pic the first hash mark above the dot is 2" and at 140 yards thats approximately where the bullet should have struck, and it did. Hence the outcome.

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NICE ONE

The irrepressible .223 and 74 Targex. 250 yds. On the way home last evening after looking for a decent stag. Terrible cully looking thing.

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It’s such a great cartridge, especially in the right delivery system. It’s my go to now, and it’s the only rifle that I’ll use this roar. Shot a hind on Wednesday night with it under the light (private land pest control) quick shot in the neck and it was all over. (No photos as we were on a mission), A wicked thump echoed back through the still night air- such a deadly combo with the 80gr ELD-M.

Everywhere it goes it converts the non-believers.

Nice going, hope to put a Sika stag on the deck over the next few days with the 80gr ELDM. Will post up if successful

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Yes I am. It's a good day scope for conventional hunting and covers the culling and meat gathering too. Can be a bit fiddly but manageable. I like the vids (as you can tell).
I will post a day time clip (6pm in the evening actually - last night). It's proof too that I dont shoot everything. I guess the biggest disadvantage is that you wouldn't want to put it on anything too heavy recoiling.

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That is poetic licence ? For someone whom has posted more dead deer than anyone else on this thread. LOL.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

That is poetic licence ? For someone whom has posted more dead deer than anyone else on this thread. LOL.

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You and your mates shoot plenty, but you just aren't as blah blah as me.

@Thar I'd be over the moon to get such a "terribly cully looking thing" like that.

Shot a few fallow last weekend been with the Hornady 55 grn SP and 77 TMK started boning them out today.
Man what a mess these little guns make
Picture 1 77 TMK full penetration pic 2 55 SP https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d09671071a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4afc7ca205.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3a17eb8465.jpg

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Hornady do 2 slightly different 55gr soft points. One with a small boat tail.and cannelure and one flatbase without.
Any operational difference when using them?

Attachment 246596Attachment 246596

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

Hornady do 2 slightly different 55gr soft points. One with a small boat tail.and cannelure and one flatbase without.
Any operational difference when using them?

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The ones we use are the bulk 55 SP with canalure and BT.
We also use 62 same bullet they diffinitly kill things.

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

Hornady do 2 slightly different 55gr soft points. One with a small boat tail.and cannelure and one flatbase without.
Any operational difference when using them?

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Found no cannelure out of T3 is slightly more accurate. They kill.

Bit of a rubbish morning this morning…. I sent an 80gr ELD-M on its way to a stag, but failed to retrieve it. The stag that is. Shot setup was good, I saw the hit and found and followed a good blood trail, until it wasn’t a good blood trail anymore.

I’ve run the shot through my mind a thousand times since, and I’m pretty sure I overestimated the wind. I was holding into the base of the neck slightly, to account for what I estimated to be about 8mph wind. I reckon there was less wind and I’ve hit too far forward in the fleshy part of the neck.

Just felt that fessing up to failures was useful to the thread. No problem with the bullet or delivery system - I just messed it up. The .223 is going to continue to be carried this roar. I’ll be back out there in a few days and see if I find him dead and causing a smell.

I cant "like that".....but good on you for shareing...... hope you can find him when go back for a look.

What range was he @Hunter_Nick ?

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Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Bit of a rubbish morning this morning…. I sent an 80gr ELD-M on its way to a stag, but failed to retrieve it. The stag that is. Shot setup was good, I saw the hit and found and followed a good blood trail, until it wasn’t a good blood trail anymore.

I’ve run the shot through my mind a thousand times since, and I’m pretty sure I overestimated the wind. I was holding into the base of the neck slightly, to account for what I estimated to be about 8mph wind. I reckon there was less wind and I’ve hit too far forward in the fleshy part of the neck.

Just felt that fessing up to failures was useful to the thread. No problem with the bullet or delivery system - I just messed it up. The .223 is going to continue to be carried this roar. I’ll be back out there in a few days and see if I find him dead and causing a smell.

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Read Tikka's last post. Unreal what he is doing at a distance. If you took the shot in all good faith no issues. Best.

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

Hornady do 2 slightly different 55gr soft points. One with a small boat tail.and cannelure and one flatbase without.
Any operational difference when using them?

Attachment 246596Attachment 246596

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My likely incorrect understanding is the cannelure was for the military crimp on 5.56 cases?

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Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Bit of a rubbish morning this morning…. I sent an 80gr ELD-M on its way to a stag, but failed to retrieve it. The stag that is. Shot setup was good, I saw the hit and found and followed a good blood trail, until it wasn’t a good blood trail anymore.

I’ve run the shot through my mind a thousand times since, and I’m pretty sure I overestimated the wind. I was holding into the base of the neck slightly, to account for what I estimated to be about 8mph wind. I reckon there was less wind and I’ve hit too far forward in the fleshy part of the neck.

Just felt that fessing up to failures was useful to the thread. No problem with the bullet or delivery system - I just messed it up. The .223 is going to continue to be carried this roar. I’ll be back out there in a few days and see if I find him dead and causing a smell.

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Same. I foolishly shot a Fallow buck in the neck a few days ago. Silly thing to do with their current big pre-roar necks. Bullet didn't break the spine and I was lucky to get one into his shoulder. The neck shot did knock him over but he got 50 yards down hill and almost staggered back to his feet. Not nice. 74 grn Targex. But it was all my fault.

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

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Im just a slow learner.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

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I'm not so sure about the validity of the position.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

isnt it weird/sad that we the shooting community keep making same mistakes/relearn same lesson, year in ,year out..... if you look at critisism levels at the .224s as a whole, for use on deer...... the proviso most often seen is "wouldnt use on pissed up stags/angry stags/neck shoot stags"
THIS hasnt changed in the 45 years Ive read about others hunting exploits.

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My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

My son a few years ago shot a huge 14pter in the neck with a 223wssm using 62gr Barnes tax in the middle of the roar. Dropped like a stone. We were walking over to it and it got up shook itself and ran off further into the bush. A red stag neck wet with mud is like armour plated skin.

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Uncle and good mate had same happen and they both then emptied mags at it...7mm mag and 44 mag which kind of flips it on its head.
to each thier own.... we make our choices and live with results..if do go for walk in next two days the 222 and 223 will stay home and I will carry something throwing heavier pills....

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

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Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

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There's something wrong if he taking 3 shot from a .223 to kill a wallaby.
The 55grn Hornady is a great pill for them cheap and hits them bloody hard

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Originally Posted by turtleSO

I don't have a lot of experience with hunting an animal with a.223. BUT have gone OFF the idea. Surely a calibre needs shot placement to be successful is a failure for ethical hunting of large animals. I recently was involved in wallaby shooting with thermals as it was the only way you were going to see enough and my partner had a .223 and needed 3 shots sometimes before we could confirm whether it was worth the effort of recovery. I was using a .308 and it was one shot one kill. I know it was overkill and expensive but just what I took away with the observations I made over the weekend. NOT a fan anymore. Good for introducing young shooters into hunting maybe. BUT .223 in my opinion only for those with experience

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Shot placement is a key part of ethical hunting irrespective of calibre ...

Hopefully I am Replying to "turtleSO' , new to forum. I have shot hundreds of deer with my .222 shooting 55gn HORNADY SPs . Everything up to sambar. Never neck shots on roaring stags. I used to cull roos in Australia legally with tags with the same setup.
If you hit them anywhere from the shoulder up they will go down . If your mate was taking 3 shots then he probably should also be using a .308 . ALL calibres need shot placement for ethical hunting of any animals.

Have lost count of the number of deer neck-shot with either 222 or 223 over the years. As others have stated, you need to be reasonably competent to pull off a good neck shot, doesn’t matter what caliber. One observation I’ll make is that a lot of hunters don’t actually know the correct aiming points to connect with spinal column and associated major blood vessels. A bit of anatomy study doesn’t go astray. I’ll be out goat culling over the roar period, not targeting deer but if I come across them I’ll shoot them with 223. Having said that, if I do go out looking for a decent head a 308 will be in my hand in all probability. A bit of authority doesn’t go astray at times, maybe added peace of mind.

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Originally Posted by gimp

I'm not so sure about the validity of the position.

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I will admit that the likes of barnes and heavier projectiles have upped the effectiveness of the 224s but will stick to the thought you still got to put that pill in with more precise placement than with a bigger heavier round...
and looking at what type of heavier projectiles you fellas are using even those two are somewhat chaulk n cheese LOL.

It just keeps working. 380m

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280m

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Originally Posted by gimp

It just keeps working. 380m

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280m

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Great stuff do you ever use the .260 any more

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Great stuff do you ever use the .260 any more

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I haven't found a reason to take it out hunting since I got this .223

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Originally Posted by gimp

It just keeps working. 380m

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280m

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Nice shooting.

Did the stag make it far?

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Originally Posted by charliehorse

Did the stag make it far?

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Dropped on the spot and kicked a bit. Shot placement centre through the shoulder, lungs soup.

Good shit, assuming the 80g eldm.

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Originally Posted by charliehorse

Good shit, assuming the 80g eldm.

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Correct

Good shooting gimp,those back wheels and porker will fill the freezer a bit.Enjoy.

223. so much easier to carry further being light cartridge and light rifles. Like anything you stick it in the right spot itl stop it

The .223 has done a wonderful job at keeping my freezer full. As said above, Shot placement is critical for a fast kill. If that means i have to be patient and wait for a better opportunity or stalk in closer. It's what i have to do as part of being an ethical hunter.