.223 Federal Premium for deer

[Gillster]

I don't want to start another debate over whether or not .223 is adequate for deer. I recently bought a Mini 14, it shoots well and is accurate enough for hunting. Where I hunt the average deer is 80-110lbs dressed-out and shots are under 100 yards, usually closer to 40-50 yards. I've been using a 686 with great results for the past 5 years but thought it might be fun to take the mini out once or twice this year. My question is has anyone tried either of the Federal Premium .223 loads, either the 60gr Nosler partition or the 55gr trophy bonded bear claw rounds? According to the federal web page they are for medium sized game. I handload for pistol calibers but doubt I will load for .223 as I mainly got it as a fun gun so does anyone know another factory load which might be good on smallish sized whitetails like we have around here? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[stevelyn]

Loaded with the premium bullets, there is no reason you couldn't use your Mini-14 on whitetails. Last year one of the local women out here knocked over a caribou at 200 paces with a .223 bolt gun and she was only using off-the-shelf Remington soft points.

Of course the distance she shot contributed to the bullet holding together when it hit the caribou. If you are shooting closer you'll need a premium bullet that holds together at close-in .223 velocities.

 

[LeonCarr]

Another good .223 load for whitetails is the Winchester Super-X factory load with the 64 grain Power-Point, or the Winchester Supreme factory load with the 64 grain Power Point Plus. Both of these loads are rated by Winchester as a deer load.

I haven't had the opportunity to shoot a deer with one, but I did shoot a coyote once with a 64 grain Power Point, and it dropped like a dirty shirt .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Gordon]

The Mini -14 has a 1-10 twist which will stabilize the 60grain Nosler HOWEVER the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is the best .22 hunting bullet available .

 

[mrbill]

not sure what ammo he uses, but i have a friend that uses his .223 Ar15 on deer(and javelina). the important thing is shot placement. a .22lr will down a deer when put in the right spot.

 

[H&Hhunter]

What twist is your barrel?

It may or may not shoot the heavier rounds.

That 55gr Bear claw ought to be an awesome round. I've had phenominal success and performance with the trophy bonded line of bullets. They're just really pricey.

SORRY

I just saw the above post about twist rate so can that question. But yes I do have to agree that the trophy bonded is one of the worlds best hunting bullets. Super tough, good expansion every thing you'd want in a .223 hunting bullet.

 

[TaxPhd]

Greg,

In your experience, how do the Barnes X stack up against the Bear Claw?




Scott

 

[H&Hhunter]

In your experience, how do the Barnes X stack up against the Bear Claw?

Terminal performance is probably a little better in the Bear Claw. The Bear Claw is one of the most consistantly reliable performer of any bullet I've ever used.

There are only two things I don't like about them. One, I think they are highly overpriced. Two, they don't have a very good ballistic coeffcient.

So here is what it boils down to. I give the edge to the barnes because they are a more flighty bullet and they are more affordable.

I don't think they are as consistant as the Bera Claw as far as terminal performance goes but they are sure enough very good performers none the less.

Just opinon

They are both really great bullets.

Greg

 

[TaxPhd]

Thanks!

 

[Gillster]

Thanks for the info guys, you've been most helpful.


Chris