Which of my two rifles would be your choice for the upcoming deer season?

[Riomouse911]

Oops! I lied. I used a .223 with the Winchester 64 grain Power-Point last year. I was planning on a CNS shot, but he gave me a very attractive shot facing me at about 75 yards. I decided a heart shot was more certain than trying to shoot through his nose with such a light bullet. And it worked quite well.

Those rounds under the “Ranger” banner were the ones I issued my guys where I worked.

Fortunately while I was there we never had to fire at a felon with them, but I am glad to hear that they were effective for your when you harvested your deer.

Stay safe.

 

[Barnfixer]

I’d go for the Marlin from my bow stand. Short yardage shot and old school.

 

[Space Ghost]

Can't use .223 in Indiana...

 

[hawg]

I would not use a .223 on a deer. The Marlin would be best but range is limited. I have hunted deer with a 44-40 but kept a range limit of 100 yards.

 

[Nature Boy]

Like several others have articulated, I’m not big of either of the choices.

But if I absolutely had to pick one I’d go with the .223. For me, peep sights and low velocity 45 LC at 125 yards has trailing a wounded deer written all over it. If I knew the shot would likely be at half that distance I might feel differently.

My suggestion is to spend some time at the range getting confident with each at the furthest distance you’ll see in the field. The one that’s the most accurate (likely the .223) will give you the most confidence in shot placement at the “moment of truth” and net the best results.

 

[someguy2800]

If I can ever get my hands on some 75 grain gold dots to handload I would like to try a 16” AR15 on deer just to see for myself. My personal preference is 30 cal and larger. Not because bigger calibers kill any better, but simply because they reliably produce better blood trails.

My experience shooting critters with 223 is mainly limited to coyotes. The light varmint bullets like a 55 grain v max turns the inside of a coyote to goop, which would be 100% fatal on a broadside double lung shot, but deer have an annoying habit of running 200 yards with no heart and I wouldn’t expect an exit wound with most of the varmint bullets I’ve used. The 75 gr bthp’s penetrate well but I’d be more comfortable with a bonded bullet to make sure I get an exit and a blood trail.

 

[d2wing]

I have killed a few large deer with a .223. Accuracy is king. Not a fan of pistol cartridge rifles. Especially over 75 yards. With proper expanding bullets the .223 will do more damage to tissue.

 

[adcoch1]

I'd love to knock a deer over with a 45lc, but I'd pick the cz with the very best hunting bullet I could get. Aim small, miss small. And limit shooting to about 200 yards. Someday I'll try out this combo myself since I also have a 223 cz 527... Good luck!

 

[stringnut]

I would go with the 223 and voted accordingly. If I am looking at the right ammo the bullet is designed with deer hunting in mind. The sectional density is about .180 . Penetration should be more than enough for the parameters you have stated. I wouldn’t try and quarter one through the guts to reach the lungs. Anything through the front end should do just fine.

 

[9x56MS]

Oops! I lied. I used a .223 with the Winchester 64 grain Power-Point last year. I was planning on a CNS shot, but he gave me a very attractive shot facing me at about 75 yards. I decided a heart shot was more certain than trying to shoot through his nose with such a light bullet. And it worked quite well.

You are a hunter, we don’t lie, you were mistaken. That shot illustrates my earlier comment about a smaller margin for error.

 

[Mauser lover]

You are a hunter, we don’t lie, you were mistaken. That shot illustrates my earlier comment about a smaller margin for error.

Yes, small margin. I put together a 6mm ARC upper for this year for that reason.

What’s the muzzle energy for that .45 Colt load from a rifle? Anyone have that info? I couldn’t find it. Or if someone has chronographed it, we can calculate energy and momentum.

 

[marksman13]

Give me the 223 all day, every day, twice on Sundays. The Marlin will do just fine, but I prefer having a scoped rifle and I’ve seen just how efficient of a deer killer the 223 can be with the right load. Inside of 200 yards, you’ll be just fine with the 527 and the load you mentioned. For a couple years the only “deer rifle” I owned was a 16” AR-15 chambered in 5.56. I don’t know how many deer and pigs I killed with it, but I never lost a deer. I honestly don’t remember a deer that took a step after taking a 69 grain Federal GMM to the vitals.

 

[Twisted Chemist]

.223/5.56 is legal in our state but I consider it borderline for the white tail running amok here. Sure, with a heavier projectile and good shot placement it is quite effective but the chances of having to track a wounded animal aren't worth the risk to me. But your mileage may vary. There is a new Ruger AR with a vortex 1-8 in my arsenal just dying to get into the field. However, if I am going to take game I will do it quickly, humanely and consistently, even if shots are limited to 100 yards or less. So my vote is for the Marlin 1894, but know your limitations. How well (consistently, accurately) can you shoot it, what is your effective max range, what does the trajectory look like, do you know the ranges around where you hunt and how much practice have you had with it? My first deer was taken with a Ruger .44 rifle at ~30 yards, so it can be done. (Man I miss that rifle!)
This year I'm taking my grandfathers '50's era Winchester 94 loaded with 32 Win Special 165 gr FTX LEVERevolution ammo to my stand. Not because I have to, but because I want to.

 

[S.Crockett]

I feel somewhat under gunned with both - but I would choose one of these two rifles with the proviso that shots would be limited to approximately 100 - 125 yards. I am hunting on light forest adjacent to pastureland on a friend's farm. No deep woods and no long across the field shots. I have harvested 15 or so deer in the past with other calibers that I DO NOT have access to this year.

The lever packs a heavier wallop while the bolt has superior sighting capability.

I know there are many better alternatives out there but it "ain't" what I got so please try to limit your response to #1 or #2. If you feel VERY strongly that neither is sufficient please voice your opinion.

The CZ is .223/5.56

The Marlin is .45(LC)

Not satisfied with either option listed. Therefore the only correct answer is to refrain from wasting time and ammo and simply stop by the nearest meat processor and purchase your venison.

Just tell ‘em you’re a client of “Hunters for the Hungry,” have half a dozen mouths to feed, and are immediately needful.

During hunting season there’s always an over-harvest of deer meat - so they’ll be more than happy to fix you right up.

 

[drobs]

I would choose the 223 CZ but with 62gr Federal Fusion MSR cartridges which I've killed 2 Deer DRT with.

Last years Buck:

 

[Pudge]

I tend towards hunting areas with thick enough cover that 100yard shots are unlikely. I would choose the .45, from your options, but am a .308/.30-06 guy. Because unlikely or not, the temptation to extend your range will present itself.

 

[Mauser lover]

Winchester .223 64 grain Power Point has more energy at the muzzle than any .45 Colt load that I could find. It's pretty close to the hottest .45 data, but it's still more. As the range increases, the discrepancy does as well. I don't know why this question intrigues me, but that's the data I've dug up so far. So, for those who think the .45 is less than ideal, you can do the math.

 

[FL-NC]

I would take neck shots with the 223.

 

[GHinNH]

.

 

[Mosin77]

Based on your descriptions I’d say objectively either rifle will do the job so I’d ask which you’re most comfortable with or like best. .45 colt in a lever has plenty of whallop so if you’re comfortable with iron sights it’d do the job fine within 100 yards easily. It’ll do longer too but you have to be pretty comfortable with holdover etc. Realistically beyond 100 yards it’s usually hard to see clearly enough to get a good shot anyway with irons (imo) so this rifle is as good as any at that range. Some states this would be all you’d ever need.

But my preference would be the .223 CZ-527, because the optic will allow you a lot longer range. .223 is a very flat shooting cartridge, too. If .223 is legal in your state, it will do the job fine -provided you do your part, and the scope will help you do that. Suggest you spend some time watching YouTube videos to get an idea of where to shoot because it matters a lot more with a .223 than it does with the typical .308/.300 Win Mag etc.

Disclaimer that I’ve never used either caliber personally for deer but I have friends who have and do, and I’d not feel undergunned with either, assuming I’m not taking 300 yard bean field shots. I have a CZ-527 in 7.62x39 that I bought explicitly as a deer rifle.

 

[zdc1775]

I've been using an 18" AR in .223 for several years as one of my primary deer rifles, it does an amazing job out to ~ 250 yards using my 62 gr TTSX handloads. When I was using factory ammo, it was the Winchester 64 gr and that also worked very well but my longest shot on a deer was around 150 yards.

Like FL-NC I do prefer neck shots over heart/lung, not just in 223 but in any caliber, but even when I have taken heart/lung shots with the 223 the results were the same as with a 243 or 308, a decent blood trail and a dead deer within 100 yards.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have taken a couple of deer with the 64 Grain Winchester load, but it was years ago and I am sure the load has evolved. I think they were called Power Points back then. It was quite popular for deer in TX when I lived there and lots of guys used it to good effect. I switched to the Speer 70 grain SP which worked extremely well and shot great from my rifle.

At less that 150 yards the .223/64grn load should be fine.

Let us know if you get something.

 

[doubleh]

Since you changed the bullet in the 223 I would use it simply because of it's superior sights. I would choose neither for my hunting conditions but you have what you have so that's it. Good luck with which ever you deside to carry.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd say either will work.

Probably not my preferred load for either rifle, but again, they'd both work.

I'd say take good stock of where you're hunting, and realistically, if your shots are likely to be at 75 yards or greater, take the 223. If your shots are most likely to be within 75 yards, I'd tote the 45LC.

If your shots are likely to be within 75 yards, but there's a small off chance of a 100-150 yard shot... flip a coin, or just take whichever you feel more comfortable with.

I've used a short 44mag lever action to hunt thick brush with, and absolutely would again, but if given the option, I'd probably lean to the 223.

 

[lightman]

I would take the one that I was the most comfortable with.