Ultmate Varmint/ possible deer

[Kyle Hawkins]

Hello,
     Well those of you who have read my other posts know that i am going to be getting a Stevens 200 instead of a class ring. And my parents will be buying this rifle for me, and i will not be able to buy a "true deer rifle" for a couple of years (after college). And my plans for this rifle is to make it a varmint/ target gun that will last for a true life time. I will be getting the rifle in .223 Rem. And me and my dad often talk about hunting in Kentucky for deer in their rifle season. While i have seen the heavier bullets and heard of people doing it, has anyone ever taken a deer with a .223? I will be able to put on a good shot with no doubt. So do you think that if we went for a season i could take a deer with a .223? It would likley only be used once for deer, as later in life i will have a "deer rifle" such as a 30-06 or something.

And also, here are my plans on what i am going to do with the rifle, do you think this would make a great reliable varmint gun?

Stevens 200, in .223 Rem
Bushnell Banner 6-24x40mm
1-Piece Picatinny base
Matching rings
A coating of black Duracoat
Scope level
Harris bipod
Painted Stock
Timmeny Trigger

Thanks,
Kyle

[kevthebassman]

Well, I don't like the .223 for deer, but a lot of folks use it with success.  Use bullets appropriate for deer hunting.... I'm sure someone will be along soon who has more knowledge about it than I.

[Kyle Hawkins]

Well i really dont like the idea also but it is legal there and it would likely only be a one time thing, i was just askin that with good shot placement, and a good bullet if it would be any problem?

And if that plan would make a good Varmint set up

[statelinerut]

For years the 55gr psp has been used with great success on whitetail. I watched my 9 year old last year drop one in its tracks using the Remington 55gr pointed soft point. They work really well. In Texas they have been using this combo for years.

[kevthebassman]

It'd be a good varmint setup especially.  If it were me, I'd rather see someone use a .243 for a dual-purpose gun, but that's just my own opinion.

[wareagleguy]

My thought too.  Why not a 243??? 

[jmayton]

In factory ammo, use Federal Premium with 60gr Nosler Partitions.  If you reload, use the partitions or 55gr GameKings.  Use the heaviest bullet your rifle will shoot and shoot for the neck.  If you miss, there will most likely be very little, if any, of a blood trail to follow, but neck shots will drop them.

[rbergum95]

i am with some of the others here, i think a .243 would make for a better dual purpose gun. you can load light bullets (58-80 grains) for varmints and heavy (85-105 grains) for deer.

[jmayton]

I'll say that if it's primarily a varmint rig, then the .223 is a better choice.  For high volume varmint hunting, the .243 burns too much powder is has a bit too much recoil.  And it will do the job on deer if placed right.  If it is the occasional varmint rig and more of a predator and medium game rig, then I would go with the .243. 

[Kyle Hawkins]

This is not a dual purpouse gun.

It is gonna be a varmint gun/ target gun, i am going with the .223 because it is cheap(for the targets) and will work great for varmints.

I was only asking if i took it deer hunting once if it would work. because this will be the only rifle i would have, and later in life i will be able to buy a deer rifle.

This is going to be a varmint/target rig, that gets used once as a deer rifle, thats it.
so i could deff do it right?

[jnclement]

 My twins (now 14) combined to kill about 30 does over the last three years with a 223, and they were all DRT. Used 55g soft points. Shot placement is a good thing. I trusted the rifle and my 11 year old daughter out to 100 yards, and there was nothing to it. You'll be fine. Get the 1-9 twist.

[LaOtto222]

I want to talk about scopes here. I have a Bushnell Banner 6 - 24X and it does fine. I think for the same money or close you will like the Mueller 4.5 - 14X APV scope, which I also have. It can be had for $115 in several places which includes shipping. The 14X is plenty of power for your varmint rig. I am going to put on a Bushnell 3200 Elite 10X tactical on the 223 I am building. I am now waiting a barrel I ordered at Shilen.