223 For Deer Hunting

[Jman]

What is the largest grain weight I can get across the counter for this gun? This is my first experience with a 223. Wal Mart has 55 grain in abundance. Is there anything out there larger without hand loading? Anyone with any experience deer hunting with this caliber? Any recommendations?....hollowpoints?... etc? It seems a little on the light side for deer. Just courious.

[The scout'n man]

I'd go with the Rem cor locks or the winchester supreme balistic tips. Shot placement will definantly be a big key with such a small round! Might want to just aim for the back half of the shoulder that away if nothing else he can't run so you can finish him with a second shot. But I wouldn't look for a dead in its track sort of shot. Just not much their to knock'm down with!

[killer]

7 year old killed a doe on our place with one this last weekend. He shot it with a remington balistic tip bullet, 55gr. I think. He shot it at 40yds., right behind the shoulder, no exit hole and it went about 20-30yds.

[bloodhounder]

As stated above, shot placement is critical if you're set on hunting with the .223. I personally think we owe it to the game we chase to make as quick and humane kill as possible. I know the .223 will get the job done, but there's just too much margine for error with it. The last thing any responsible sportsman wants is wounded game running around. just my .02

[Jman]

I hear you guys on the shot placement and fully agree. I shoot a .30-06 all the time and don't have the same concern with it. I was just wondering as I will be hunting with some young hunters (nephews) next week in Arkansas. The smaller gun/caliber is a little easier for them to handle than the 30 caliber line. I don't own a .243. Sounds like Killer had the same idea and was successful. :)

[GunCat]

More 223 info in a related thread (http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?p=655419#post655419)

[The scout'n man]

I would aim for the neck on the does!

[Jman]

Thanks Gun Cat. That's what I was looking for to start with. I couldn't/didn't find the right words in the "search" to pull that one up. I see that there are choices out there greater than 55 grain. I think that's what I'll go for.