Thread: A question for the doubters

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

We all know of a thread here that has currently 136 pages of data showing .22 centrefire cartridges (typically .223) taking medium game. I’m on the side of the believers, owning and using a 1-8” twist .223, as well as a 22 creed. I also have a 6.5 creed that doesn’t leave the safe anymore.

I haven’t counted up the number of deer and tahr killed with a .223 on that thread, but there’s many. On my most recent hunt I watched a mate kill a fully mature red hind with a 73gr ELD-M at 385 yards. The impact velocity was 1910 fps and bullet energy was 590 ft/lbs. I saw the damage to the internal organs myself, and the results were not ‘marginal’ as the vast majority would have you believe. P.S I don’t subscribe to the 1000ftlb energy argument myself….

So, to the doubters- What would it take for you to be convinced that a .223 with heavy for caliber (73-88gr) bullets is a LEGITIMATE deer hunting cartridge? How many deer would I (or others) have to kill for the non-sensical arguments to abate? (Bullets blowing up on shoulders, lack of penetration, margin for error with larger calibres etc etc)

Hey, I’m fully aware that caliber debate is one of those never ending things, but I’m just interested to see what objective measure is proposed. I reckon that because none of the people out there doing it with .223s have a name ending with Duley, Spomer, Henry, Boddington, Keith, Taylor or O’Connor, that it’ll never be accepted.

Lay down the challenge lads, let’s have at it!

I did count. for a reply in another thread. What it came down too was the 223 is mostly used for shooting fallow, yearlings and hinds. There were something like 14 red stags shot and by only 3 or 4 experienced hunters.
That tells you alot.
Bullet selection being equal, a 308 or 270 will always give you something extra.