mini 14 for hog and deer hunting

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TexasPatriot.308

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
2,538
Location
Luling Texas
My better half is a helluva shot with a .17hmr, she has taken a few hogs with it. I have a series 581 Mini 14 I plan on putting a scope on for her to hunt deer and hogs this fall. I know there are snobs out there that insist on larger calibers, but at 65 I have killed large hogs with .223s and I know if you are a good shot and make good shot placement you are a good hunter. Just in case lots of yall aren't combat veterans you know the .223 (5.6) has taken out many a human in combat. I'm gonna limit her shots to 100 yards or so. What are the best factory loads for hogs and deer at this range. Just FYI, she has no problem putting a .17hmr through a hogs ear at 100 yards. I always remind people poachers favorite rounds for deer is probably the .22 long rifle. I'm leaning towards the 55 grain ballistic silvertip or even the Remington Core Lokt. Any other ideas?
 
I’ve had good luck with accuracy and terminal performance using 64 grain Winchester PowerPoint in my son’s AR and 65 grain Sierra GameKings in mine. Both rifles have 1:9 twists and are AR-15’s.

On another note I ask about terminal performance but not accuracy in other people’s rifles because a super accurate bullet in a particular rifle can be just the opposite in another rifle, even if it’s the same make and model.
 
My oldest daughter downed her first two mule deer with my heavy barreled .223 shooting 64 grain ammo by Winchester. Two deer with two shots. The bullets passed completely through the chest organs leaving much destruction in their wake. My hunting buddy's wife hunts mule deer with a 220 Swift loaded with 60 grain Nosler bullets. Same results: a very dead animal with one shot through the chest.

.223 is a good deer killer within reasonable shooting distances.

TR
 
I kill deer and hogs cleanly with Hornady 75 grain BTHPM, but I think they will be too heavy and unable to stabilize in that older mini. I would try a soft point in 55 grain. Shot placement is king. These 2 were from last year- both DRT.
6 pt.JPG AR pig.jpg
 
I've killed deer with everything down to 40gr balistic tips, just don't shoot em in the butt...or anywhere else that needs more that 4" of penetration.......

my like list

factory 64gr power point
55gr everything else

handloads, listed by most used.

65gr Sierra gk
68gr Hornady bthp
70gr speer semi spitzer
69gr smk
60gr partition
 
LoonWulf said:
I've killed deer with everything down to 40gr balistic tips, just don't shoot em in the butt...or anywhere else that needs more that 4" of penetration.......

my like list

factory 64gr power point
55gr everything else

handloads, listed by most used.

65gr Sierra gk
68gr Hornady bthp
70gr speer semi spitzer
69gr smk
60gr partition
Click to expand...
doesn't your one friend have a high bullet to butt ratio lol.
 
People are figuring out that 223 will kill deer sized animals just fine within certain limitations. Ammo selection is more important, and max range isn't going to be as far as with bigger bullets. I feel better with the 70-77 gr bullet weights, but those probably won't work in the Mini. But a pretty tough 60+ gr bullet will probably work just fine too. As would any of the copper bullets. You can go down to the 50-55 gr copper bullets and still get good penetration.

The main thing is to avoid FMJ and lightweight bullets designed for varmints. Of course those bullets don't work in 30-06 either.
 
TexasPatriot.308 said:
What are the best factory loads for hogs and deer at this range. Just FYI, she has no problem putting a .17hmr through a hogs ear at 100 yards.
Click to expand...
I've shot a bunch of hogs and culled a number of WT does at landowner's request with 55 gr. NBT handloads while targeting coyotes over the years. Proper bullet placement is key. Nosler does not load for 223 but any well built hunting bullet is up to the task. One word of caution w/the little 55's; don't shoot hogs facing between the eyes, bullet will splash and not penetrate skull. My favorite placement:

35536007372_aa1c33a1d9_m.jpg 35706378445_92291bb771_m.jpg
34895177183_3172429d59_m.jpg 35317754430_06aefff051_m.jpg

Regards,
hps
 
What's the twist rate of the OP's rifle? If it's a 1:9, my experience is 68grs will stabilize. I've read it'll stabilize up to 75gr well. Try it and see before you hunt with it.
 
FL NC - A 58x series Mini is not an older Mini. All the 58x series guns have the heavier barrel.

OP - You specified factory ammo so I can't help with that. I only use my handloads and a Speer 70 grain round nose bullet is a wonderful bullet for the 223.
 
Winchester 64 grain power points are generally available in most areas and made for deer. Probably your best factory choice. Lots of good reviews from guys around here that shoot hogs with them.

If you can find some locally, the hog hammers from Remington have a good reputation as well.

Whatever you pick, stay with 60+ grain that are marketed for deer or hogs on the box. Lighter bullets are usually varmint rounds with soft construction.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...ammunition-223-remington-64-grain-power-point

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...sx-hollow-point-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-20
 
mokin said:
That'll learn 'im.
Click to expand...
or knock him sillier.
Speaking of silly, the best supercheap factory ammo I found for deer were 50gr American Eagle hollow points (those goofy round nose looking ones).
At 4 bucks a box, as compared to the 12 bucks for WinPPs, they were surprisingly good, and I killed a ton of axis with those in highschool.
 
LoonWulf said:
or knock him sillier.
Speaking of silly, the best supercheap factory ammo I found for deer were 50gr American Eagle hollow points (those goofy round nose looking ones).
At 4 bucks a box, as compared to the 12 bucks for WinPPs, they were surprisingly good, and I killed a ton of axis with those in highschool.
Click to expand...
ya it's nice when cheap ammo works good. i was using the cheap 55gr r-p hollow points in my 22-250, dropped the deer in there tracks.
 
troy fairweather said:
only thing bad about a neck shot is the neck roast is ruined. but when ever we have cold winters there's so much fat mixed in. i took of the head of a young doe with a 50gr vmax once,
Click to expand...
that always smells funky......
I stopped shooting deer in the head with anything besides a .22lr just because it always made a mess.
 
LoonWulf said:
that always smells funky......
I stopped shooting deer in the head with anything besides a .22lr just because it always made a mess.
Click to expand...
they last head shot on a deer was with my 308 at about 15 yard with a hornady interlock 150. the skull was cracked but the head as still intact, could not believe it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
.45 colt hunting carbine
2
Replies
45
Views
9K
DammitBoy
D
N
  • Locked
What rifle/carbines do you use for deer, hogs and/or black bear??
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
phaedrus
P
DetBrowning
Hog Hunting Rifle
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
herrwalther
H
M
  • Locked
Max Effective Hunting Range for Ruger Mini-14 in 6.8spc?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Mattole
M
D
  • Locked
RE: Mini 14 for a PSL?
Replies
8
Views
566
WardenWolf
W
Back
Top