223 as a deer cartridge

[nksmfamjp]

I'm talking mt Mulies and would like 500yd capability. Yes, I practice.

 

[Mike D Texas]

77 grain TMKs will run at mag length in an AR and are devastating on deer.

 

[TRG65]

I'm talking mt Mulies and would like 500yd capability. Yes, I practice.

When I let my boys use a 223, I restricted them to 100-150yd max. That was our choice/restriction. If I was looking for a 500 yd gun, I would be choosing something larger. I can't think of anything on an AR15 platform that would be my pick for 500yd mountain deer hunting.

 

[BillLarson]

With everyone owning an AR now...... tons of deer have been shot with a 223 and 55gr.soft points......

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I'm talking mt Mulies and would like 500yd capability. Yes, I practice.

6 ARC or step up to a AR-10 frame.

 

[Tiny Tim]

This comment confuses me. If I'm concerned about penetration, i definitely seek bonded, mono or partitions. If I'm concerned about expansion, I seek SST, ELD-X, etc. In this case my concern would be primarily the 223's small expansion size….due to starting diameter.

I guess i wasn't clear. Since the 22 cal is on the small size, I'd personally opt for something that would ensure penetration.

Barring that, I'd prefer more speed than I believe you'll obtain in a 223, particularly in the AR platform.

 

[Elkeater]

I'm talking mt Mulies and would like 500yd capability. Yes, I practice.

Well as to question of using a .223 on deer. I don't hesitate to use it. My handloads are a 63gr absolute hammer at 3030fps out of a 16" barrel AR. They do about 3180fps out of my 20" bolt gun. I generally consider the .223 a 200 yards and in kind of round for deer size stuff.

If you really want to a 6ARC in an AR15 platform will do a little better. With my handloads I've got a 105gr Berger VLDh leaving the barrel at 2638fps. Which means at 500 yards it's still going over 1900fps, with a little over 800 lbs of energy. That should still do the job on a Muley.

 

[birddog 68]

If it was legal in my state I would use my 223 for deer occasionally. It's a slow twist model 700 but I think the 44 grain hammer hunter doing 3700 fps would work.

generally consider the .223 a 200 yards and in kind of round for deer size stuff.

Even shooting the heavier bullets I agree with this.
I think the OP's 500 yard 223 for deer is a bit much too ask of this cartridge.

 

[bamban]

I have looked through older threads and there have been changes since the older threads.

Primarily, there has been the introduction of the 80gr ELD-X bullet…..It looks like a 20" AR 223/5.56 can power that to ~2650fps with H4895.

Anybody try this combination? Are there any gel tests you are aware of?

To me, ideal would be something around 70gr for velocity, but this is what exists…

Here is a CenTex WT taken at 235 yards using 77 TMK from a bolt gun. A few years back using my service rifle 20 inch NM launching the same ammo at 2750, my competition 77 SMK load, just substituted the 77 TMKs, I got the same results on deer - bang-flop. Took 2 does, one inside 100, the other close to 150 yards.

High shoulder shot, broke through both, remnant lodged on the opposite side skin. Shattered the spine along the way.

 

[Elkeater]

Im headed over to Texas in a few weeks for my annual cull hunt with the guys. I'll have my .223 along and I'll try to document the terminal performance. Guessing we will shoot several hogs and likely some aoudad ewes, nanny feral goats or fallow does as well with it. Once guys try it and see what it does it tends to become a favorite. I think last year we shot several hogs, an axis doe, and a feral goat with the .223.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Here is a CenTex WT taken at 235 yards using 77 TMK from a bolt gun. A few years back using my service rifle 20 inch NM launching the same ammo at 2750, my competition 77 SMK load, just substituted the 77 TMKs, I got the same results on deer - bang-flop. Took 2 does, one inside 100, the other close to 150 yards.

High shoulder shot, broke through both, remnant lodged on the opposite side skin. Shattered the spine along the way.

View attachment 628207View attachment 628208View attachment 628209

Nez
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
God Bless!
If anyone knows ballistics on the .223 it is YOU!
I like the 77gr SMK, but the 65gr SGK if is a heart stopper!
Len & Jill

 

[bamban]

Nez
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
God Bless!
If anyone knows ballistics on the .223 it is YOU!
I like the 77gr SMK, but the 65gr SGK if is a heart stopper!
Len & Jill

Merry Christmas to you and your dear wife.

Thank you for the kind words

 

[Turkeytider]

Look at the 77g Sierra tmk, 80g ELDx and the 75 grain ELDm. All three are very good killing bullets. Pick the one that shoots best in your rifle and venture fourth confidently. There is a very extensive thread on rokslide containing good information on 223's, check it out.

Yep, those boys will shoot a .223 at everything from field mice to blue whales, pretty much. Well, blue whales might be an exaggeration ( not by much, however! ).

 

[MachV]

Can not help much with the 223 other than to say it works close range even with 45 grain Barns bullets. Have not had any luck getting the heavies to work from the mag. Wyoming requires 60 grains or more so
My solution is as simple as putting a 6.5 Grendel upper together and shooting 100-123 grain bullets. This combo has filled quite a few tags over the last few years even out to 450 yards.