Deer with a .223?

[Hardcase]

Has anyone shot deer with .223? If you did what range did you take the deer? I normally use my 30.06 with 125 gr bullets.The .223 is legal in Kentucky.

[gwhilikerz]

Hardcase, yes I have taken a deer with a 223 right here in KY. There are better calibers for deer hunting but 223 will do a passable job. As i remember the shot was around 60-70 yds.  like to get close if possible.  I like a high lung or head shot if I can pull it off (and it isn't a huge buck :grin: ) I know lots of hunters prefer a neck shot, but I don't like to take that shot with a smaller caliber. my opinion.

[Mohawk]

My nephew has used a .223 here in Texas. Lots of young hunters do. He shot his at about 75 yds in the base of the neck, just in front of the shoulders. It was a soft-point of some sort, factory. 55gr. I think. The deer dropped. Bullet exited about the size of a quarter. Worked good for him.

[muzzleblast525]

One of the guys I work and hunt with has a little Rossi .223 that he bought for his daughter to hunt with.  He actually used it last year and shot two deer with it at about 100 yards.  Lung/Heart shots.  Both deer only ran a few yards before falling.  He also shot a pig a couple of weeks ago, pig about 80 pounds, and shot was only about 30 yards.  Pig fell there on the spot.  No pass through though.

Me, I shot 3 deer with 22-250 last year with 50 Nosler BT.  All three were abou 110 yards and all ran only about 20 yards before falling.  Moving up this year to a 25 bullet.

[DICK]

Have used a .223 (one of my varmint rifles) on whitetail several time here in southeast Texas. But I always kept to a neck shot @ the jaw line. But a .223 is a little on the lite side for deer.

[Hardcase]

I may give it a try on a close shot.