What .223Rem. bullet for Whitetails?

[jaholder1971]

I've taken a lot of deer with .22cf's. They DO work, contrary to what many "nay-sayers" who haven't used them, but know "conventional" wisdom, will tell you.

Yes, they do work if the Nut behind the Bolt does his job.

I've seen too many bozos who cannot.

 

[cliffy]

.223 Remington for deer-slaying

WITHOUT a Doubt: 60 grain Nosler Partitions suffice nicely regarding standard-size whitetails. Alliant Reloder 10x merely, greatly helps the entire scenario. Magnum primers become essential at these power levels of 24.0 to 24.5 grains of extreme power. These Magnum loads should be desired for this level of .22 prowess regarding deer-hunting, so bolt-action rifles are desired. Ambient-temperatures affect psi a lot. For every 10 degrees of temperature rise above 70 degrees, reduce by .3 grains per 10 degree rise. My loads are designed for Maximum performance. As temperatures drop drastically, I stay home. 24.5 grains of 10x is the strongest load I find favorable thus far. My heart problems, freeze my finger circulation at 45 degrees. A true bummer, but . . . cliffy

 

[koja48]

"I've had to help him track way too many wounded deer."
I've had to track deer that he's shot with arrows and .300 Win Mag! I was also called upon to help track a bear that he shot from about 35 feet....... ya, you read it right, feet.

Maybe some folks shouldn't be allowed to hunt. That appears to be a rather deplorable track record, in my opinion. Appears as if practice is in order.

 

[publiuss]

barnes, nosler partition, trophy boded bear claw. took my AR out once w/barnes X bullets and killed a doe at about 35 yds w/no problem. Never took it again though. The whole time I was in the stand I worried about the possibility of a huge buck walking out at 150-200 yds.

 

[MinnMooney]

WOW! Your suggestions are running the gummut from 55gr V-Max to heavy weights in the 80 grain catagory. My son has an AR-15 with 1:8 and I have one in 1:9 twist. The 1:8 will stabilize anything up to and including 77 grainers that I've loaded for him but my 1:9 won't. I can stabilize only to 69gr. so I'm very leery about the suggestions of 70 plus grain bullets. Those V-Max suggestions and experiances really surprise me 'cause even nosler doesn't recommend them for med. game.

I'm going to load some Rem. Spitzers and various soft-points to see how they stabilize.

Thanks to all for the help.

koja48 : The funny (or not so funny) thing is that he can shoot much better that almost anyone at the club with archery and average with firearms but let him aim at something living and all of his ability just doesn't come together totally. He always hits close to his intended spot but just not good enough to bring it down within reasonable distance.

 

[koja48]

Minn ~

That happens . . . do you have ground squirrels or the like in Minn? Take him coyote hunting to give him more experience on live targets, perhaps? Sounds like "Buck Fever" is thriving. Take him in pursuit of game that is more plentiful, has a limit of more than one/no limit, and that doesn't give one the "I gotta make this shot/it's my only chance drizzlin' shakes." Good luck!

koja

 

[Jayman]

I shot some 70gr Barnes TSX out of my 1:9 AR and they ran OK. Not stellar, but certainly no keyholing or anything weird. About 2 MOA was what I got. I did not chronograph these loads to see how they ran, velocity wise.

 

[BADUNAME37]

The 63g Barnes I worked up a load for in my M4 isn't pulling any dime-sized groups, in fact, I think the best I could pull at 100 yards was about 2" average.

There were some shots that were nearly in the same hole, but that was sporatic.

For what I'm hunting and the distances involved (no more than 50 yards), I'm fine with what I ended up loading.

I had to stop somewhere as it was starting to get expensive working up the load.

 

[Win75]

Caliber will not overcome poor shooting!!!!

If using the .223 is a must, load up some 60gr. Nosler Partitions.

 

[stormspotter]

Sierra makes a nice 65 grain Gameking for hunting.

 

[Rokman]

I would think that the Barnes 62gr. TSX, 60Gr. Nosler Partitions, and Stormspotter's suggestion of the 65gr. Sierra Gamekings could work within reason. The Bear Claws, if you are really wanting to spend the bucks.