While I've never used them, the articles I've read indicate that the Nosler 60 grain partition in .223 needs higher velocities than a .223 will generate, particularly in a rifle like my CZ-527 Mannlicher with its 20" barrel. The authors suggest that the bullet was more suited for .22/250's and the like where impact velocities would be 2800 fps and above.

Does anyone have experience with this bullet?
Also, is there another bullet (not an X-bullet, my gun fouls badly with them) that would be suitable for our little 100# deer with well placed shots from a .223. Back before I knew better???, I shot a truck load or two of deer in the ribs with .22 Hornets and .222's with regular ol' Speers, etc., and I can't think of a lost one, but the bullets seldom if ever exited. As you can well expect a deer can get pretty darn hard to find that's not leaking out of both sides when he runs 100 yards (albeit with jelly for lungs), as they periodically did. What bullet might stay together well enough to get "shoot throughs", at least most of the time? Remember our deer are quite small (I hunt the coastal islands of Georgia). 8" to 9" of penetration will do the trick, I'm sure.

[ 12-25-2002, 17:51: Message edited by: judgeg ]

I don't know if they offer it to handloaders, but Winchester offers a 64 gr load in 223 that they say is for "antelope, deer, and bear". ????
Don't think I'll be using it on bear any time soon, but.... www.winchester.com

CAL

Winchester offers the 64gr PP as a component. They are supposed to hold up well to carefull shots on whitetails. I asked a similar question not long ago, and Atkinson stated he had very good luck with the Hornady 60gr HP and SP on deer. I got the impression he recommended them highly from quite a bit of first hand experience, which is more than I can offer.

Try the Hornady 60gr.SP or the 60gr.HP. The hollow point is the stronger constructed of the two. Is is designed for small deer hunting. I have killed Texas deer with it in a 223Rem and it worked good.
Also Federal has a "deer" 223 load with a Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, I have not used it, but I have read of good reports. Some of my friends and their sons have used the Winchester 223 64gr load, also with good results.

Thanks for your replies. I guess I'll try the 60 grain hollow point. You guys are a great source for information and I really appreciate you help!

Well, Judge, I don't see how you're going to push the 60 grain Hornady any faster than the 60 grain Nosler?

From your original post, it sounded like you wanted to drop back to a lighter bullet. I loved the old 55 grain Nosler Zippedo for deer (made a two-for-one kill with it years ago), but it's long since a thing of the past. Most people report the regular 55 grain Hornady having good integrity. If you can find the ones with the cannelure, that mechanical device is said to help hold the bullet core inside the jacket.

Good luck!

This is my 9 year old daughters first deer she shot this past weekend!



This 130# buck only went about 50 yards after getting a 55 Ballistic Tip thru both lungs and the liver. She shot a big doe the next evening....1 BT thru the heart and it was over in 30 yds! I agree that the .223 is really marginal for our Texas whitetails and the 55 BT is really not a smart choice. But, the lightest rifle I own is the .223 and she shoots it extremely well for her age and the BT shot the best in it. I wanted to have her shoot the 64 power points but the factory ammo just did not shoot well in my rifle and I have not had time to work up any loads with them. I tried the BT's because a good friend of mine had shot many whitetail with it and said it was a great killer. Although you don't usually get complete penetration with it, neither deer she shot had an exit, but it is an extremely destructive bullet. I would suggest you give them a try but be very precise on bullet placement.

[ 12-26-2002, 21:08: Message edited by: TXPO ]

I have gotten exit holes in whitetails with the 60 grain hornady bullets in both styles. I like the Speer 70 grain semi spitzer also. Anyone noticed Speers turnaround on reccomending this bullet for deer? I also remember the Hornady manual that reccomended the 60 grain HP for deer. I have kept the range down to under 125 yards with the 223 and 200 yards with my 22-250. I have never made a bad shot with these rifles and have never hit a shoulder except on the far side. My present tower stand rifle is an AR15 carbine with a 16 inch barrel and I am using the 60 grain soft point this year.