Thread: 223 on deer

Might have been a different story at 3000fps but at 1900fps impact I figured they wouldn't be too splatty.

Originally Posted by Pommy

Nosler 60gr BT Varmint. 2600fps at the muzzle (mild fireforming load). Range 205m, impact velocity ~1900fps.

Impact dead centre of the shoulder. Back legs tucked up and dropped on the spot. Kicked around for a bit.

Attachment 282535

Nearside shoulder mostly written off. Bullet recovered in the flank on the far side, under the shoulder which was untouched. Heart shredded and bottom of spine clipped.

Attachment 282536

These are a bit if a sleeper projectile in 223. A friend of mine has used these for years, at first in an AR, now in a Ruger American. They kill goats and deer very well.

I use the 60 NBT in my 10.5” AR. I e taken one deer with it and was satisfied at the results. The pic is further back in this thread I believe. I’m going to try it in a 20” boltgun during antlerless season to put a little more stress on the bullet. I know it will work, just want to see the carnage.

Originally Posted by Pommy

Nosler 60gr BT Varmint. 2600fps at the muzzle (mild fireforming load). Range 205m, impact velocity ~1900fps.

Impact dead centre of the shoulder. Back legs tucked up and dropped on the spot. Kicked around for a bit.

Attachment 282535

Nearside shoulder mostly written off. Bullet recovered in the flank on the far side, under the shoulder which was untouched. Heart shredded and bottom of spine clipped.

Attachment 282536

@7mmsaum uses them and rates them.

How does the 60gr vmax go on deer then?

Originally Posted by Dama dama

How does the 60gr vmax go on deer then?

@veitnamcam had some photos of a fallow shot with the 60gr a few years ago.
All my V-Max shooting over the years in various .224 and .243 weights has taught me they are a fantastic option for pest control with a varmint rifle, including deer, goats and pigs. But best employed for head and neck shooting. If I was wanting to recover quality meat, the V-Max would not be the ideal choice.

Yeah I explored it as a possible extended range projectile whilst constrained by twist. Even at 200m they were very messy on body shots.
If you are an atlas joint shooter probably ideal.
I find the 65gr game king to work very well and have relegated the vmax to paper and rabbits.

I have a bunch of 65gr Gamekings loaded up. Shoot very well from my Howa mini. Yet to shoot a deer with them.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Yeah I explored it as a possible extended range projectile whilst constrained by twist. Even at 200m they were very messy on body shots.
If you are an atlas joint shooter probably ideal.
I find the 65gr game king to work very well and have relegated the vmax to paper and rabbits.

Have bought 2 boxes of 62gr GMK.Still sitting in gun safe. A mate is now a fan of the 64gr TGK. Had 100 loaded but never tried them. He grabbed/borrowed the lot and loves the speed, the grouping and their performance.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Have bought 2 boxes of 62gr GMK.Still sitting in gun safe. A mate is now a fan of the 64gr TGK. Had 100 loaded but never tried them. He grabbed/borrowed the lot and loves the speed, the grouping and their performance.

I have 3-4000 of the 64 TGK, looking forward to trying them out when I’m out of 65g Gamekings

Originally Posted by Dama dama

How does the 60gr vmax go on deer then?

There’s some guys that have taken Elk with them. A search may turn up a thread on the 24hourcampfire about them.

The consequence of over population. Stunted growth. Easy to carry.

Last night at a couple of hundred. 60 grn Hammer.

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

55 or 65g Sierra Gamekings

The Winchester factory cup n core stuff works ok too . Shot one the other week at 275ish with completely wrong projectiles 53grn Berger HP... And it just fell over dead with shoulder shot....