If you were to hunt deer with 223 Remington, what barrel length rifle is best?

[Balrog]

A longer barrel would give the 223 more velocity, but is more velocity with 223 necessarily better or is it more likely to cause the bullets to fragment and penetrate less deeply?

Assume you are using good bullets like Nosler Partition or Barnes TSX. Would a 16 or 22 inch barrel be preferable?

 

[Axis II]

Id go with a larger caliber all together unless your down south with the smaller dog size deer.

If you have to do 223rem a 60-70gr and maybe even higher bullet as long as it fits the chamber/throat would be out of a 22'' 1-9 or faster twist.

 

[someguy2800]

Whatever one you have. Doesn't make that big a difference.

 

[Balrog]

To clarify, I am in the south, 150 pound or less deer, many around 100-120, and I would not plan shooting further than 150 yards.

 

[Bfh_auto]

My nieces and nephews started with 55 blitz Kings in with a 16 inch barreled h&r. My brother wouldn't let them shoot past 60 yds and was coaching them on shot placement. It works but would not be my first choice.

 

[someguy2800]

To clarify, I am in the south, 150 pound or less deer, many around 100-120, and I would not plan shooting further than 150 yards.

Perfect. Nosler partitions would be my choice.

 

[Balrog]

Perfect. Nosler partitions would be my choice.

What barrel length rifle?

 

[Mauser lover]

Even a 16 inch barrel should be sufficient. You theoretically can get more velocity out of a longer barrel (ALL other things being equal) with that cartridge (in practical barrels, like less than 30 inches). However, it probably isn't going to be an issue. the difference between even 16 and 24 inches is not going to be a fragmentation problem with good bullets, nor is it going to be a matter of interest to the deer. Just put the bullet where it needs to be!

Go get you one (deer)!

(I'd still use something a little bigger if I had it, and it was convenient, if I actually expected 150 yard shots. But if you are comfortable with it, go for it.)

 

[1911 guy]

In my limited experience, bullet choice is more important than barrel length. Avoid the varmint bullets that are designed to fragment. The Nosler and Barnes bullets you mention will do well in either barrel length, but the shorter barrel will give up velocity and the bullet may not expand as intended past 250-300 yards, but most deer are taken well within that range. A good bullet, which you've already mentioned, coupled with good shot placement inside reasonable range for the combination should give you a dead deer. We all agree it's not ideal, but that doesn't mean it won't work. I know several younger cousins who took their first deer with a .22 Hornet.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

The Barnes X bullet is the ticket for deer from a .223 Rem. Barrel length impacts muzzle velocity. Keep your range to what you can hit accurately with with an impact velocity over 2200 fps, and you will be fine. A shorter barrel reduces muzzle velocity which in turn reduces the range above the recommended impact velocity.

 

[Varminterror]

@Berger.Fan222 nailed it - impact velocity is what matters. The longer barrel buys more range. A 10.5" barreled pistol will do the job (or shorter), just won't do it as far as a 29" barreled rifle.

 

[someguy2800]

What barrel length rifle?

Any. If your asking this question because you are AR15 shopping don't worry about it. Go handle some rilfes at the store and pick one that feels good to you. If you like the extra weight of a 18-20" barrel then get it. If a 16" carbine feels better to you thats fine too. The barrel length and resulting change in velocity will make no appreciable difference inside 150 yards. Just get something accurate.

 

[Art Eatman]

My AR is 20"; my bolt .223 is 22". With the proper bullet, either would work. I'd probably limit myself to maybe 200 yards, just on general principles.

 

[FL-NC]

I use my 16". Never had any problems.

 

[Geno]

I would opt for the following set up:

1) Projectile:
Hornady 70 grain GMX
...or...
Speer 70 grain Hot Core

2) Chamber & Twist:
.223 Wylde, 1-7 twist

3) Barrel Length:
Your personal choice...mine 22”.

3) Optic;
A 1-4; 1.5-5; 2-7; or 2.5-8.

JMHO,

Geno

 

[GooseGestapo]

Everybody wants to conjecture on some uber premium trick bullet.
Not needed with the .223 on average deer.
ANY of the 60gr and above Soft Point bullets will do fine.
I've only killed about 120 deer with .22cf class cartridges, so I've got a good idea of what works. (300+ total, only two so far this year, both with a 20ga slug gun, on shotgun only area).

I have a Rem Mod-7 with 18.5" bbl behind the bed room door in case a deer appears outside. It's loaded with Hornady 60gr Soft (MidwayUSA blems) points over 26.0gr RL15. It's deadly on deer.
Has taken over a dozen since aquired in '03. Excellent trigger, mild report, exquisite accuracy. Fabulous ergonomics. Wears a 4-12 AO scope.

First choice in a deer .22 bullet is the Sierra 65gr GameKing. Never lost a deer with it. Never a second shot. Most are bang-flops. Never a recovered bullet.
Second is the Sierra 63gr ProHunter. My .22-250 has never had but one deer run after hit. It was with a 55gr Remington factory load at 325yds. He made it about 110yds. It usually is fed a 63gr Sierra as it shoots under 1/2" at 100yds. As many as you care to shoot....
Use a 55gr, or Heavier SOFT POINT bullet, and you'll find dead deer, if you put them in a lethal spot.
Just like a .243 with 80gr or heavier bullets.

 

[Panfisher]

I have used both those you mentiined. 60 grain Nosler Partition and 55 grain Barnes TSX, both worked beautifully. The short range high velocity impact of the Nosler turned the insides to bloodshot jello. The 55 grain TSX wasn't quite as messy and did provide and exit wound. Only one of the Nosler exited. My rifle was a Rem R15 18 inch Bbl. Also a friend's younger son used a NEF Handi Rifle maybe 16 inch bbl, with the same Nosler Partitions, think he is up to 4 deer with none lost. All short range and bullets placed properly.

 

[herrwalther]

Personally I would go with an 18 or 20" barrel. Carrying a rifle through the woods with 20+" barrels can get unwieldy and cumbersome. Ammunition and shot placement is more important when deer hunting, especially when using the smaller .223 round. And for southern deer you can go shorter on the barrel and be fine for the most part.

As for northern deer, I miss going after them. My friends who still live in New England are posting some of their deer pictures so far this season. I don't think any have taken a picture of a deer under 200 pounds.

 

[LoonWulf]

I bought a .223 rem 700 with a 24" barrel years ago specifically to shoot deer at night on our farm, the .22lr worked, but range was limited.

Buddy of mine used to come hunt with a short barreled car15.

I saw no difference in terminal performance from either rifle at ranges out to the 100-150yds that was normal for us to be shooting at, day or night.

We shot alot of 64gr win power points, 70grn speer semi spitzers, and ranrom 50-55grn soft points.
The 64s and 70s worked better but the 50-55s did the job as well.

A solid hit left a dead deer, a error ment you kept shooting. I dont think we ever lost one.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Again, what LoonWolf said!

No A-frame, $2 each, uber TTTSSXXX NEEDED. Just an accurate 55gr or heavier cup and core soft point, where it NEEDS to go.

 

[Peakbagger46]

If you are going with Barnes, the faster the better to ensure good expansion. A longer barrel will be easier on your ears too.

 

[Mr. Hill]

I’d use a 24” barrel for a bolt or a 20” barrel for an AR, to wring out as much velocity as possible from that round in either platform.

 

[cowboy77845]

Shot placement is way more important than BBL length with that cartridge. I had back surgery and a 223 was all I could use because of recoil. It did the job but I was never comfortable with it. Finally traded it off.

 

[RainDodger]

You asked one question... one answer: For your purpose, barrel length will make no difference.

 

[AABEN]

My varmint and target AR are 20 in my play one is 16 .