.223 and Deer - I know not a good idea but....

[Bodo]

The 223 is legal in FL for big game. I haven't killed a deer with it but many hogs up to 300 lbs. Shots were 100 yds or less. Never lost one. Rifle was a mini 14. Ammo was 55 grain soft and hollow points.

 

[Oohrah]

Most of the minimum calibers used in big game hunting are not
only determined by bullet diameter, but by bullet energy. Even
though the 243 is very close to the 223 in bullet diameter, those
100 gr. bullets up the level of bullet energy. Anything can kill
with placement and conditions, but why would I hinder myself with
something marginal and increase the odds of something going wrong
to lose the game hit? Use enough gun, and shoot straight!!!

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

anything will work if you have good shot placement. my friend shot a deer with his 30-06 with poor shot placement. the deer fell down, got back up and took off running. we never found it and 30-06 is more than enough for deer in kentucky. shot placement is even more critical with marginal rounds like the .223. a bullet with 18 wheels and headlights going only 55 mph has no problem dropping a deer, a bullet of this size also makes shot placement alot less critical. you definetly want something you can shoot accurately, no matter how big or small missing isnt going to take them down.

 

[mbt2001]

With the right bullets a .223 is more than adequate as a deer cartridge... I should say provided you can place the shot properly.

I have used a Mini 14 in South Texas... Two neck shots at about 75 yards, two downed deer.

 

[Byron]

MBT, What bullets and weights were you using? Byron

 

[afvoo52]

My hunting partners father in-law ( a poacher ) who spent time in prison in Vermont for poaching used a 218 Bee and from what I am told always got his deer. he used neck shots and from what I hear dropped them and even got one on a guys front lawn one night. Thankfully he got caught and F&G was after him, he rolled his jeepster in a pursuit. After he got out of prison he went to Maine to continue his poaching and one day he was found dead in his yard with his head bashed in by a rock. Police chief called it an accidental death and outright told my hunting partner he was glad he was gone, he wasn't the only one!

 

[raginrednek]

bullet design and shot placement

i've spent much time trailing deer shot with 22 centerfires. too much time.
much less time spent with 30 calibers, regardless of shot placement.
if you go small in caliber, you must go up in skill for shot placement, and use a proper bullet for the job.
if you are just hoping to hit a dear somewhere, go up in caliber. if you are patient and responsible with your shot, any reasonable caliber(22 centerfires)
will do with proper bullets.
i used to cut meat and would often be the deer camp "trail my deer" guy for the old-timers, who usually only wanted the hind quarters, i got the rest. one old guy would always gut shoot with a 22 of some kind, usually a hornet. got tired of looking for his crippled up deer. he may shoot of the lower front leg if lucky. tried to avoid a hunt when he was along.
one of my neighbors brought in a deer so shot up, i refused to cut it up, was'nt worth the time or his money.
He says "i only had to shoot it 6 times."
he used a 243, and i explained to him what kind of bullet he needed, not the same one he used for woodchucks. he was insulted for a while but later became a friend.

 

[hamourkiller]

Many deer I have killed with my .223 Shorty AR-15. Handload 70gr speer RN to 2700FPS and have good penetration through both shoulders or an angle shot. Good factory load is the Winchester 64gr powerpoint.

As stated by other posters shot placement is key.