.223 got the job done, but...

[gunner69]

Your deer in Nebraska are NOT the size of Florida Swam Deer or the average Southern Whitetail. Always over gun (larger caliber) for the larger animal. I have a 6.5 Grendel, a 6.8 Rem and a 6mm/.223 (the 6/45) any of these will do the job. Of the three calibers listed I like the 6.5 Grendel because of the ballistics of the 6.5 bullet and the longer range capabilities of that choice.

Of course you could move up to an AR in .308 and have a great caliber for your larger whitetail or mule deer you guys have up there. A better choice of bullets too with plenty of "blood trailing" potential. In the .308 I like the 165 or 168 grain bullet as it shoots pretty flat and kicks ass when it comes to taking meat. While you are at it shoot a couple 'yotes.

 

[newfalguy101]

If what you're mostly looking for is an exit hole, and want to minimize changes to your setup, would some green tip penetrator rounds get the job done? Or are those not legal for hunting? (Sorry, not being a hunter, I honestly don't know.) Cheers!

Generally speaking FMJ's are not legal for hunting.

Penetrators, I would guess will simply cut a .22 cal hole all the way through.

Bullet expansion is very important as that is what causes most of your killing damage.

 

[newfalguy101]

I have used everything from .44 mag revolver to .308 Win out of a Savage 99.

I have actually killed more deer using my SKS than all my other "hunting" guns combined.

For me the best part of the AR is the lightweight and ( for me) excellent ergonomics and its just flatout easy to hit with.

 

[alsaqr]

i don't hunt deer with a .223/5.56mm. My deer hunting is done with a muzzleloader.

i'm a serious hog hunter. Hogs are harder to kill than deer of the same weight.

i have killed a large number of wild hogs using .223/5.56mm handloads and the excellent 53 grain Barnes Triple Shock bullet. Many of those hogs weighed over 200 pounds and a few approached 300 pounds. The vast majority of my shots on hogs are standing broadside and i can't remember a case where the Barnes TSX bullet failed to exit.

 

[mnhntr]

Shoot them in the neck and you wont have to track them. The 6.5 Grendel would be my choice in an AR15 due to the longer range effectiveness over the 6.8spc. If you do not reload go with the 6.8spc as ammo is more readily available.

 

[alsaqr]

i very seldom track a hog. They usually die within 50 yards, many bang flop.

 

[unclebuck]

Not too familiar with options for uppers but I will tell you my bullet thoughts. I have been using the TC contender in 7 Int R for 10 or so years and for the first two I used standard Sierra spire point 140's. Harvested two nice mature bucks in the 180 lb range but dismal results as far as bullet performance and exit wounds. Upgraded to nosler partition 140's and have since been well pleased with results. Only one critter had no exit and that was a 250 lb. buck shot facing me and the shot was to the brisket. Apparently the lil 7r didn't have quite enough snot to push through all that meat. Good luck.

 

[TIMC]

(Mnhntr) Shoot them in the neck and you wont have to track them.

Should say less likely; I hit a deer almost center of the neck just in front of the shoulder that ran almost 100 yards a couple years ago with a .50 Beowulf.

 

[Unlicensed Dremel]

If you have a 9 twist, try the Nosler 64 gr BSB (bonded solid base), or a monolithic bullet (Barnes TSX/TTSX, Nosler E-Tip, Hornady GMX) - then you're good to go even on a hard quartering shot in .223 rem.

If you're not will to forego all hard-quartering shots, OR you're not willing to go to one of these bullets I've described (you don't have to do both), then yeah, a 6mm bullet of at least 80 grains and reasonable construction is a better call for whitetails & small pigs.

Personally, I find shots / harvests rather few and far between, so I'm not willing to forego ANY ethical shot. Therefore==> .243 with 87 grainer (or .223 with a 64 Nosler BSB) -- as my 2 "minimum" rifles.

http://forum.nosler.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=18868&sid=73f38390f8c26302aadb0f5843dd56f8

I've been thinking for a couple of years now that the perfect low-recoiling, laser shooting dedicated deer rifle would be a 1 in 9 twist .22-250 (probably need to be custom built, as the factory offerings in this twist are heavy, not sporters), with the 64 Nosler BSB.....that's serious medicine, yet fun to practice with. And almost a laser to 250 yards. Put it in an ultra-light turnbolt with an 18-20 bbl and you'd be in high cotton.

A lot of people used to hunt with .25-20s in the "old days".... but it's a tad bit skimpy on the velocity if you ask me.