is the 223 remington good for whitetail deer hunting?
2007-10-11 13:14:44 · 17 answers · asked by bud 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Yes, but you'll have to worry about shot placement. Many people say that the .223 is the bottom of what should be used for deer, and others say it's not enough to be ethical.
Some locations do have limitations of what the weakest cartridge allowed for deer hunting is, though I don't know of any off the bat that don't allow the use of the .223. From an ethical standpoint, unless you're a really good shot with a very accurate rifle, you should go with something with a little more stopping power.
2007-10-11 13:20:28 · answer #1 · answered by fishtrembleatmyname 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Bud, the .223/5.56 is a varmint round, not a deer caliber. Sure it will kill deer but it is NOT designed to kill deer (nor people for that matter). It is designed to maim and disable thus inflicting greater loses on the enemy government. Remember, the military is not interested in killing deer to begin with.
People speak of 'shot placement' as if that is going to save the day everytime. Guess what? That's just talk. Shot placement is required every single time you hunt. Let's talk about what's really important: A hunter's responsibility to use enough gun. This is why traditionally we have elephant guns, buffalo guns and deer guns.
Do yourself and the deer a favor and leave that .223 at home this deer season. Use at least a .243 and a .25-06 or .270 is even better.
Happy hunting.
H
2007-10-11 23:26:19 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. .223 is a horrible caliber for deer and only OK on varmints. People that use it have no good sense or comprehension of the laws of physics. If it's not illegal in your state, it should be. Forget shot placement. Mass is critical to penetrate the hide, sinew and even bone, then flesh, then the vitals. I don't care how good of a shot you are or how close or how fast, you need 100gr. and preferably upwards of 120gr. Going out with 69gr is too light. There's a lot of stories out there of idiots shooting at a big hefty buck up close with little .223s and .243s and having old buck run away annoyed. I know some folks will disagree and this is just my opinion, but I'm of the opinion you use the right tool for the job and for US deer that's 120gr.+.
2016-05-21 23:58:26 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you sit in a blind and shoot deer over bait so shot placement can be perfect. Many states have a minimum caliber of .243 for deer. Good shot placement can be had from other than broadside if an adequate bullet in an adequate cartridge is used. Although .243 is generally legal, it is also minimal and you would be be better off with a .257 diameter or larger bullet which will give you a greater variety of angles from which good bullet placement into the vitals can be made.
Deer size in the area you hunt is also relevant. The .243 is good for small southern deer, but for large northern deer, larger cartridges such as the .270 and .308 are much better.
2007-10-12 15:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by Ray 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its really not so much the caliber thats important, its all about proper shot placement.** I have harvested Whitetail Deer with a 218 Bee, 222, 22-250, 30-30, 30-06, 8MM Mauser without any problems whatsoever.** Again it is all about proper shot placement.** I forgot the 32 Winchester Special also.**
2007-10-11 14:28:18 · answer #5 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
totaly disagree with the nothing smaller than 30 cal, i use a 25/06 and have no problem and have shot hundreads of deer with it, my wife uses a 6mm remington and again no problem. as for the .223 my daughter used one last year and got a nice buck with a well placed shot. neck shot to be exact it dropped in its tracks, as long as shot placement is good there will be no problem but if the shot is off it can lead to long trailing and possible loss of the deer. i would go bigger if you could
2007-10-11 14:01:05 · answer #6 · answered by Orion2506 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, leave that rifle at the lodge this season. Those little 60 grain bullets that they fire do not have the tackling power to take deer down cleanly. Go with at least a .308 Win. if you can get your hands on one. Best of luck in your choice, choose wisely.
2007-10-12 11:07:43 · answer #7 · answered by T.Long 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
223 is not legal in my area. While it may still be capable of killing a deer, shot placement is critical and there are far better calibers to choose.
2007-10-11 19:44:57 · answer #8 · answered by Matt M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on where you live and if the state allows that size to be used. in MD a rifle must fire a soft point expanding bullet from a rifle and it must deliver 1,200 ft pounds of energy from the muzzle. most heavy 223 bullets do this, it just depends on the size of the deer, distance, and shot placement
2007-10-11 15:44:04 · answer #9 · answered by notthenameiwanted 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England the .223 is illegal for deer hunting, simply because it is not adequate for the job.
2007-10-11 19:10:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋