.223 Deer Loads

What's this word "flame"? The 22 centerfires and any centerfire which includes the 17's can be legally used here in Mich for deer in the rifle areas. As I recall youse Montanians can even use the 223 for elk. Back in '73 one of our young MT guide assistances used a 223. He was a trapper on the side. There's an old story I once read about how the gamewardens in MT were so impressed with the havoc generated on an elk by a 220 Swift, that 22 centerfires been been legal since. I'd use my 220 on deer here, but have better choices. FWIW.

Gene Dip(aka "Big Dipper")

i wouldn't use a 223 on deer. i have too many other rifles suited better for the job. the question rob asks -'why' - is a good one.

story time: last year i was babysitting an area, just watching deer. i watched a small buck come down a trail and right to a hunter sitting on a knoll, maybe 60 yard shot. the hunter took the neck shot. i watched as the deer dropped. a minute later, when the hunter went to claim his deer, the deer jumped up, and took off right towards me, and angled down into some real thick-n'-nasty cattails. hunter asks me if i saw his deer... i find out he's shooting a 223 because it doesn't tear up any meat, and he takes neck shots so he won't loose any meat.

i told him where his deer went, and watched him go in there. 5 (!!!) shots later he had his deer. went down to check out his prize, and the deer was just riddled w/ holes. at least he got it. i wonder, though... does that single hole i put through a deer w/ a bigger gun in the ribs destroy as much meat as a half dozen 223 shots scattered over the body?

i'm not disputing a 223's ability to (eventually) take a deer... but w/ the same payoff (dead deer), and much higher risks, why do it?

The .223 is getting some mileage here in Missouri these days, but usually in the hands of beginning hunters. The disaster stories that acompany the cartridge do surface from time to time. I think the road to disaster with this cartridge is paved first by the advisory adults that don't select decent or even reasonable bullets for anything bigger than coyotes. Usually off the shelf whatever's handy ammo. The next ingredient is the shooting ability and/or fire discipline of the shooter. I've heard of some lightning bolt kills with the .223 and do believe it. Short range and excellent shot placement usually are the deciding factor. As for my dabbling with the round, I figured that working up a top end load that would do for deer in a pinch would be a good thing. Anything will kill coyotes so why not use a "marginal" deer load in the little Sako for a do-all?

I tried some of the 60 grain Hornady bullets over a moderate charge of H335 and the 200 yard groups were very promising. I think the twist rate must be sufficient for 60's at least. I've heard that there may be better powder choices than H335 for bullets in the 60-64 grain range. I recall that Winchester did get some press several years ago when the 64 grain Premium? Supreme? .223 load came out, and that it was positive. Supposed to be a fair "Texas" whitetail load. Our deer here in the lower half of Missouri don't average all that much heavier, so I figured to give it a whirl and have the little Sako as a backup deer rifle if ever needed.AW 

Hey KP... it kicks less

I know a guy in TX that has used a Ruger in .223 forever.  It has a Leupold scope on it that is so old that it is purple instead of black.  He uses the 63 gr. Sierra exclusivly with great success.

My father has used a 53 gr. X-bullet out of a .22-250 for doe hunts that also worked well.

What was that??????

Did I see a booger go flying by???????

BEAR

".223 Deer Loads"

I guess I need to get my .02 in since the early 60's the .223 has been killing 150-280 lb men, Why not a 150-200lb deer? I have a NEF Altra hunter in .223 that is not only legal to use in NYS but also capable. Having said that I have elected to use my 30-06 for the first year (this year) that we are allowed to use rifles in the part of NY, not because the .223 won't work but because I want the range that my 30-06 affords me. Oh my wife will be hunting this year for the first time and she has a chioce of my SKS or her .223, Her choice.

Oh sorry got off track if she picks the .223 she has been shooting some 63 GR. sierra semi pointed rounds that is what I will be loading for her.