what do you all think of using a 223. for whitetails?

[willkillsdeer]

what do you all think of using a 223. for whitetails?

[steve182]

barely adequate, only for good shooters. Club up a bit if you can handle the recoil.

[jlfreeborn]

You will definitely kill the deer with a good shot. In my mind, the problem would be tracking. It would seem to be such a fast, small bullet that it would just fragment violently and not leave an exit hole. The deer would die, but I think you would have a hard time finding it. I wouldn't do it. If I am wrong, someone tell me why.

[rrmont]

I think that it is too small, I know it will work. I just think that if you have something alittle bigger use it.

[Huntandtrap09]

good answer steve

[Beekeeper]

It can be done, especially with the heavier bullets out there. BUT it is not an effective deer caliber for any of the reasons listed above.

[bonnier-admin_2]

It can be done, especially with the heavier bullets out there. BUT it is not an effective deer caliber for any of the reasons listed above.

[bonnier-admin_2]

55grain soft point is no problem, I shot Mule Deer as far as 700 yards with my 22-250

[hjohn429]

I think would just shoot it in the head, so it would die quickly. It is not legal in many states, except for Texas.

[willkillsdeer]

i can get a 1 in. group at a hunderd yards reste and a three in. off hand it isn't leagel in my part of my but just a thought

[willkillsdeer]

*rested *leagl

[Edward J. Palumbo]

With a well placed shot, you can certainly take a whitetail with a .223; however, out of respect for the life of the whitetail I intend to take, I wouldn't use a .22 centerfire for whitetail. I consider the .223 well suited to smaller game, but the rib cage, sternum or shoulder of a whitetail could deflect a 55-60 grain bullet, requiring a quick follow-up shot or permitting a wounded whitetail to escape or suffer a lingering death. A larger caliber (and heavier bullet) would penetrate with better certainty. If an individual wanted a lighter recoil rifle for whitetail, I would avoid the use of the minimum margin of choice in preference of a .24-.25-.26 caliber rifle that would provide more power, greater assurance of a quick kill.

[shane]

They used to play the how big of a gun should I use game, now it seems people are playing the how small of a gun can I get away with game.

I don't like it.

I don't even like .243 for deer, but I might be willing to try it. .25 and up for me.

[ishawooa]

Anything less than .240 is illegal in Wyoming for big game. However I have seen hunters easily kill whitetails in Mississippi using a .223 while being careful to put the shot where it is needed.
Years ago I witnessed a guy killing a spike bull elk with one 52 gr Hornady from a .22-.250 at about 75 yards. It dropped like it was hit by a .300 Weatherby.

[prairieghost]

as others have noted here...simply two words---bullet placement. i've taken antelope with a .22-.250 so an average doe certainly wouldn't be much of an issue.
to shane-check the numbers between a 25.06, 6 mm, and a .243. you won't find a nickels worth of difference.