.223 for deer hunting

[ShooterMike]

Check your state and local laws. Caliber smaller than .25 is illegal for deer hunting in Virginia, and rifle and shotgun barrels shorter than 20” cannot be used for deer hunting.


Semper Fi,
Mike
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[mattsteg]

While the US mostly obeys this, I don't believe they are technically bound by this requirement. 185gr +P .JHP 45 ammo was issued for the HK Mk23 pistol, and the most recent M17/P320 bid included JHP ammo.

The DOD Law of War Manual Returns Hollow Point Bullets to Armed Conflict

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[robstewart]

While the US mostly obeys this, I don't believe they are technically bound by this requirement. 185gr +P .JHP 45 ammo was issued for the HK Mk23 pistol, and the most recent M17/P320 bid included JHP ammo.

Defensive ammo in a pistol makes total sense. You shoot someone at 300 yard with a rifle you have lots of time to walk away if they decide to drag their bleeding body toward you.

If you are shooting someone with a pistol things haven’t gone well on the battlefield and they are probably charging at you at close range. You need to stop them NOW and if you don’t also kill your fellow solider wrestling with another enemy behind your target that would be a good thing too.


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[DroptineKrazy]

I have seen deer killed with a .22 LR round(Don't ask) but that doesn't make it a good deer caliber. I would rather stick with the bow until the 7 mag was sighted in. I would rather not get a shot on a 150 inch deer and hunt him another day than wound and loose him and regret it forever.

 

[heretic]

From what I understand 556 (and I suppose to a lesser extent 223) is intended to yaw violently when encountering human flesh, hence causing a debilitating wound channel. Given the right shot placement it is absolutely devastating on vital organs. I think for most cases it is probably sufficient for deer.

Where I'm at we have a lot of feral hogs and while I'm sure 556 can (and does) kill hogs, once they reach a certain size their armor shield makes blood tracking fairly impossible with a 22 caliber hole. The pigs around here don't know that they're dead on their feet and will continue to run until they're empty (and most times beyond that). In those cases there is something to be said for a 30 caliber bullet traveling in excess of 2200fps (even better in the 2600+ range).

I build my arrows for hogs and elk so that when they encounter a whitetail, there is no doubt in my mind it will get the job done. For me it only makes sense that I treat my firearms the same way.

 

[Nc-swamphntr]

Have killed quite a few deer with a 223 hunting over ag fields in the past, be very mindful of shot placement, shoot for the neck so they drop right there, it will kill but leaves no blood trail regaurdless of what load, core locket, ballistic tip hollow point, i have used them all, lost one due to lack of blood trail and found him a yr later 50 yard from field in a nasty thickett and bought a 308 the next day, though now i dont use that 1 either, bow only, but our season is 3.5 months

 

[Weldabeast]

Have killed quite a few deer with a 223 hunting over ag fields in the past, be very mindful of shot placement, shoot for the neck so they drop right there, it will kill but leaves no blood trail regaurdless of what load, core locket, ballistic tip hollow point, i have used them all, lost one due to lack of blood trail and found him a yr later 50 yard from field in a nasty thickett and bought a 308 the next day, though now i dont use that 1 either, bow only, but our season is 3.5 months

I seen some utube on the neck shot ....where exactly on the neck are u aiming....deer neck pretty long...u hit where the neck head meet or center mass on the neck?

 

[Mschmeiske]

Neck shot seems like a poor idea with any caliber to me.

 

[Nc-swamphntr]

Just infront of the chest, center to upper half of the neck, the force snaps bone, its instant and no track job needed

 

[DroptineKrazy]

iv'e done it myself but still a risky shot especially with a smaller caliber.

 

[Deerman406]

I agree with sight in 7mm mag. Hell it can be done in 10 minutes. 223 will so the trick as will a regular old 22 LR but why even risk a wounded deer when you have the 7mm mag! Shawn