How successful have you been? I am going to try to work up an effective hand load for it.

I don't but a guy on my lease does. He's using off the shelf ammo, Hornady I believe, never seems to have any issues killing deer. This is in the Hill Country, shots are generally 100-150 yards.

I've had no issues

It'll work...most of the time. Definitely less room for error. Don't expect a blood trail if you have much thick cover. Lots of better deer rounds in the same action.

One of the 62-64 gr bonded bullets from Nosler or Speer would be a good choice, but for me, the Barnes TTSX or TSX bullets provide the "insurance" for a no-fail delivery.

You mentioned 223, but didn't mention barrel twist rate. That's a major factor in bullet options.

I have a buddy who had an ex sniper come out to his place one year and asked about shooting does with head shots. Reluctantly he said yes. Ex sniper came back with several doe kills with head shots using 223 from some impressive ranges

Barnes TSX 62gr has worked great out of my Tikka T3 that has 1:8 twist. My kids did chest shots with a lot of success, but they normally run about 30 yards. I'm not in heavy brush country so it works. I've started doing high shoulder shots and they drop immediately. Looking at the damage when it hits bone would make you think you are using a much larger caliber.

I'm 5 for 5. 2 of which were old bucks. 127yds was longest shot. About 30 yards was furthest any one of them ran. It's deadly inside 150 yards in my opinion. I used a 64gr bonded bullet.

I wouldn't stretch much further mainly because I have other options. But I use it in some stands based on available shots.

Practice, practice, practice. Know the limitations and plan for them.

highvelocity said:

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I have a buddy who had an ex sniper come out to his place one year and asked about shooting does with head shots. Reluctantly he said yes. Ex sniper came back with several doe kills with head shots using 223 from some impressive ranges

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Not a sniper, just a Marine with a damn steady hand. Took a few out on some 200' plus shots.

I use a .223 primarily for does. No fancy had loads, just the steel cased monarch brand from academy, or whatever other generic ammo is available. I prefer FMJ rounds, and shooting chest shots when the deer is facing me. I've found the round tumbles and takes out a good chunk of the heart/lungs. Most have dropped on the spot.

Edit to add: most shots were sub-150', with 100 being the norm. As was said above, practice and know your rifle.

I haven't had a problem using Winchester 64gr SP's.

1:7 on twist rate. Current barrel is 16". Not sure if I need to get longer. I know it's all about shot placement. There is all sorts of info out there on why you can or can't use it effectively on whitetail. I have better options, .243, .308, 30-30, .270 wby.

Don't know why but I want to make .223 happen and am fixated on it. I just bought some Sierra game king 62 gr sbt to start. Will be looking to pick up some others to try a variety.

I use it for doe. I shoot the HornyDay. It kills them well, but it doesn't leave a blood trail. You find blood about six feet from where they lay. They don't run super far, but 40 yards can be like a mile in South Texas. My nephew did use it to take a big 8 point cull down there. It went down quick.

8 yo son does no problem. Killed 3 WT does, 2 bucks, 1 black buck and 3 hogs.

80-162 yards behind the shoulder minus the pigs.

I believe I have taken two with .223, just standard soft point 55gr Winchester. One was with a 20" barrel with a 4-9x scope from maybe 75 yards, and the other was a 16" barrel with a red dot from about 50 yards. Both times just sitting beneath a tree enjoying the sunset and the waiting for something to show up at the feeder.

First 2 deer (Doe and buck) were from my break open .223 using the Winchester SPs. Neither deer took another step. @ ~100yds on both.

FIL and I used to use 223 for our culls and does, neck shots. I use a 22-250 now, kill most of my critters with it. Remington core lokts to the neck and they rarely take a step.

I am notorious for killing everything with my 223. I take it with me on every hunt for killing all the other stuff, but still end up using it more than the other weapon. It is extremely accurate and I head shoot all does for the reason above with tumble and waste. It is just so cheap to shoot and deadly.

Only reason I like 223 is because 22 mag is illegal.

I've used .223, .22 hornet, and .22-250. They all bring down deer if shot in the right location.

GSS said:

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One of the 62-64 gr bonded bullets from Nosler or Speer would be a good choice, but for me, the Barnes TTSX or TSX bullets provide the "insurance" for a no-fail delivery.

You mentioned 223, but didn't mention barrel twist rate. That's a major factor in bullet options.

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Traditionally I am not a fan of bonded or monolithic bullets on whitetail. I like a core-lok or a SST for the most part. IMO a core-lok is the best whitetail round if your gun likes it. (My 25-06 hates them but my 308 loves them) I use bonded and monolithic bullets for Elk.

That said. A bonded bullet may be a good idea because a lot of .223 round are made for varmints and are frangible. Still thinking on that but a quality soft point is probably fine

What location specifically? Neck? Lung?

I use a .22-250 quite a bit, using the 55 gr Winchester SP (my rifle does not like the heavier 64 gr rounds). I'm a high shoulder guy but occasionally go behind the shoulder. To date, most have been boom flops. I will say it looks like a dang grenade went off in the chest cavity. It dumps all the energy where you hit.........I can image tracking would be a royal pain in the a--. Other than a year with the Federal Fusions (I like but tough to find in person), I don't get exit wounds.

It's all I've hunted with for the last 10 years. Hornady whitetail loads. I've shot everything in the chest and it shreds the insides. Nothing ran more than a couple steps. Crazy damage for such a small bullet.

The last 4-5 years that I guided at the Fleming Springs Ranch I took my .223 AR to the stand all the time. I can't ebegin to put a number on how many doe & cull bucks I dropped with it. Some run, some dont. Just like with my 25-06

Wycliffe said:

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What location specifically? Neck? Lung?

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I'm assuming this is a trap, but I only go head or neck.

Indeed, my suggestions are all related to getting the most out of the 223/5.56, as they relate to a game animal.
Pigs and varmints are not on the receiving end of the premium stuff.

No trap, just curious.

I've put a few down, don't regularly hunt with one though. All does inside 100 yards, head/neck shots.

I use 64gr Winchester Power Points to shoot doe, usually no longer than 100-150 yard shots. They work very well and I have gotten full pass thru at 150 shooting behind the shoulder.

All three of my boys plus my nephews plus friend's kids have killed deer (Hill Country bucks and does) like crazy with my little H&R break action .223 with a 3-9x tasco scope shooting 55 gr soft point Monarch (cheap Academy) ammo.

My boys have killed on average 5 to 6 deer per season for 12 plus years, not including the other kiddos.

Biggest animal taken (mature Axis buck at 80 yards). Also blackbuck does and several turkey.

All deer center punched. I don't think we have lost one. All shots inside 100 yards. Usually DRT.

3 times I hunted with .223, 3 deer I ate. I'm a 7mm-08 guy now for deer now

I took 2 doe last year using my 223 trainer w/ 80 gr ELD's

5.56 was designed to hunt people, so it should do fine on deer.