Which would be better for deer...

[middy]

TKO is BS.

I'd take the .223

 

[rklessdriver]

I've take about 10 Eastern NC white tails over the years with the .223 64gr Winchester PP from a Weatherby Vanguard VGL with a 20" barrel. It is a good bullet and was desgined for hunting animals up to the size of most white tail deer.

I've only had 1 of those bullets exit a deer. At least they don't fragment very badly and do expand well - but even expanded they are not very big. I've had a couple deer drop DRT, a couple "stagger or buckle their front knees for a second" then drop or just kneel down to die and one that ran about 100yrds with both his lungs and heart damaged before he finally expired. All of my shots have been between 50yrds and 125yrds. I've never lost a deer with it but keep in mind we are talking a super accurate rifle with high dollar optics, an experienced hunter and near perfect shot placement everytime.

SHOT PLACEMENT with the .223 is critical. I can't stress it enough, they don't make a very big hole, bullets rarley exit and the deer just don't seem bleed a lot after being shot with one. In my experience Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow is 100% correct in his shot recommendation.

IMO the .223 is not a good caliber to teach a young/new hunter how to hunt deer with.

I've never shot a deer with a .30 Carbine so I can't comment on it.
Will

 

[Visionz45]

I just grabbed that equation for TKO of the net. Interesting bit of math but its got its errors.

 

[Maverick223]

Interesting bit of math but its got its errors.

Very true...what is needed is a "kill index" like what is used for the lethality of pistols against actual victims.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I just grabbed that equation for TKO of the net. Interesting bit of math but its got its errors.

I agree and go so far as to say it's just about worthless because it fails to take into account the most important variable of all, BULLET CONSTRUCTION.

You can't tell me a 30 carbine is more effective firing a primitive 110grn SP that's widely lambasted for it's failure to expand and or penetrate. Compared to a .223 firing a TBBC or better yet a Barnes TSX

 

[Maverick223]

I agree and go so far as to say it's just about worthless because it fails to take into account the most important variable of all, BULLET CONSTRUCTION.

The OP is comparing SP to SP...so your argument is moot...though TKO is nowhere close to perfect, it is a better guide than energy IMO.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I think the number of dead deer are a better indicator of the lethality of a given cartridge than any equation.

 

[Maverick223]

I think the number of dead deer are a better indicator of the lethality of a given cartridge than any equation.

I agree...are you privy to such information (for the above cartridges in particular)? I would love to see such a index.

 

[MJR007]

Sell the AR and set up two NEF's - his and yours.

I wish your son the best of luck this fall. Take some pictures for us.

 

[Visionz45]

I'm definitely going to call the State of Maine and get some figures regarding rounds used during last deer season. They always ask me what I'm using so I hope they'll give me something.

 

[freakshow10mm]

I've killed plenty of deer with the .223 and handloads of the 64gr Power Point. It's a great deer bullet.

 

[UnTainted]

I'd vote for the .223 in the barnes X bullet, maybe from corbon

 

[Macgille]

What do you shoot the best? Use that.