Which one of these bullets would you use for deer and hogs range 40-60 yards no long range at all.Here are the bullets 64 gr Winchester power point or 75 gr hornady match bthp.I dont use the 223 on deer but a friend is and wanted to know.

Of the 2 you list, I'd go with the WW 64 grainer -- assuming, of course, you have a fast enough twist to stabilize it.

The .223 has taken many hogs but is far from what I would consider optimum. Be extremely careful about shot placement, though, and you should be OK. Of course, with the small calibers, that means placing the bullet into the brain or else into the spine where the head and neck join.

For deer, the lung shot will get you the best results.

I used a handloaded 64 gr Powerpoints in my 223 boltgun on an adult whitetail doe a few years back. Can't tell what the bullet looked like as I got complete penetration through the shoulders (no bones) and the heart/lung area (wrecked); she ran 50 yards and tipped over. Haven't hunted feral pigs but based on what I've heard from my buddies who have I'd be inclined to step up to Barnes X-bullets and then limit myself to the smaller ones. Some folks like the 60 gr Partition but I've never been able to make it shoot under 3 inches...

I have used a 223 to kill 2 deer. I consider it a STUNT. Where the shots must be placed perfectly.

Both of the bullets listed will work, but I think the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, Barnes X, or the Nosler Partition would be a better choice.

Best plan would be to get a bigger gun.

Pigs are a lot tougher than deer IMHO.

I use the 338 winchester on deer .I have never used the 223 on deer or hogs.I dont even use my 243 on them.A friend wanted to know and i knew yall knew the best answer thanks !

dgr416

While I consider the 223 on deer a STUNT..

My wife and I have killed several with the 100gr Sierra and the 95gr Partition in the 243 with excellent results.

NO FAILURES.

Throw in pigs and WE go to the 308.

why a stunt? did the .223 not kill the deer? A 62 grain TSX at 2900 seems probable to penetrate completly and kill unless one deliberately shoots for the rear quarters. In which case a bigger gun might not suffice. If you reload and have a 1-9 twisted barrel shoot some 62 barnes TSX's and see how they shoot, if they group try those.

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Originally posted by dgr416:
Which one of these bullets would you use for deer and hogs range 40-60 yards no long range at all.Here are the bullets 64 gr Winchester power point or 75 gr hornady match bthp.I dont use the 223 on deer but a friend is and wanted to know.

The 64 gr Winchester PP is a proven performer on deer in the .223 with 10" or faster twists. Of course with such a cartridge one must carefully pick the shot and place that bullet correctly (actually should we do that with all cartridge/bullet combinations?). One must know the limitations of the cartridge/bullet on the game used.

Larry Gibson

If your rifle is a fast twist the 65gr Sierra is as good as it gets for a 223. Works like a charm in my Remmy PSS at moderate ranges.

The problem is NOT with the diameter, per se, nor that it won't kill...sometimes. Deer have been killed with a .22 RF but that don't make it a deer cartridge, does it?

The PROBLEM is that few, if any, .22 bullets are constructed for that job. A FMJ will penatrate and soft points will espand but getting a readily available .22 bullet that will both expand AND penatrate is a whole different question. The ONLY bullets I would use for that work would be the Barnes TSX types in 63 or 70 gr.

Why not use a larger bore in order to use much better performing big game bullets?

Never mind which bullet. .224 caliber is illegal to shoot deer with in most if not all cases. I'd check your area if I were your. No sense in finding a good answer to a bad question.

daniel77 perfectly legal here in Wis any center fire 224 and above so 22 hornet ect. Heck if someone made a rifle in 25 acp it would be legal.

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perfectly legal here in Wis any center fire 224 and above so 22 hornet ect. Heck if someone made a rifle in 25 acp it would be legal.

Same in North Dakota and Minnesota; 22 caliber and larger centerfires are legal for big game now. Guess that means the 17 Remington and 204 Ruger are non-starters, but a 25 ACP Contender Carbine would be legit. Let's see, how about a 60 gr LBT WFN, a case-filling charge of Lil'Gun, and a small pistol magnum primer and we're off to the deer woods.

Good for ya'll. In LA, .243 is the smallest for deer. I don't think the law applies to hogs, since they are unregulated. But NO 22 centerfires for deer, Legally anyway...

In the UK .223 is only legal on the smaller species of deer such as Roe / Muntjac etc, & I'll stick with the .270 for Piggies!

If you would want to shoot some factory fodder, the Federal Tactical 62gr. TBBC load would probably do the trick. I believe this same load is also marketed under the Federal Premium moniker. This ammo is expensive, and not very accurate, but for the close range work, probably do the trick!

22 hornet legal in Georgia!

I have a .223 FVSS that spits out Barnes 70 grain TSXs at almost 3100 FPS and puts them into half an inch. I wouldn't hesitate even a second to shoot any deer at any reasonable angle with that gun and load. I would much prefer it to what I have used in the past in 30 caliber cup and core bullets.

I think 55 grainers are the ticket in .223. It's legal in Texas and drops em dead on the spot if hit right. Last year saw one hit a little too forward no vitals hit--but dead on the spot--I had a hard time believing it when I skinned it and saw the entry and exit.

MN just made a 22 CF legal...so now my HORNET is legal. NO WAY would I use it. If you HAVEE to use a 223, try the 55 gr Barnes TSX. One tough little pill. Me, 7/08 all the way for deer sized game

Any centerfire is legal in Texas, reguardless of caliber. That means .12 or .17 calibers are legal, so long as they are centerfire!

In a 223, I would use the Barnes TSXs in 53-62 grain weights.

Friend of mine's son has shot scores of feral pigs with the 53grTSX and his 22-250.....no problems whatsover.......

I have killed quite a few with the 70grTSX out of a 22-06.......again no problems, even with raking shots. From my experience, the 70grTSX would give too much penetration on deer, for a bang flop.

I now shoot the 75gr Swift Scirocco for deer out of that gun.

I've killed them both with hornady 75 gr. hp bullets out of an 8 twist AR. Placed bullet behind ear on hog, neck shot on whitetail. Not my number 1 choice, but it can be done.
GWB

If I have to use a 223 on ANY game, that isn't a rodent or coyote sized, my two picks always have been the Sierra 63 grain SMP or the Speer 70 grain SMP..

with a full charge of Varget under them would be my choices...

both will stabilize in a one in 12 twist barrel..

The only 22 caliber bullet that I ever used on mule deer that proved totally adequate was the original barnes 70 gr bullet circa 1966. The Barrier bullet that I tested about four years ago really came close to the Barnes' in performance. Sea Fire did you ever try any of those that I sent you on deer? roger

While I do not consider the .223 to be a serious deer/hog cartridge, it is adequate if shot placement is correct. I have culled s few whitetail does while doing ADC work with a .223 AR using 55 gr. NBT bullets. All were neck shots taken on undisturbed animals and all were DRT. Shot one 150# hog under same conditions but waited until he gave me a clear head shot and placed the NBT right behind his ear; also DRT.

If I were planning a deer hunt and only rifle I had was a .223, would probably choose the Nosler 60 gr. Partition and depend on perfectly placed shot.

Regards,
hm

I have used the Barnes 53 gn TSX and the Sierra 55 gn soft point on red deer. Good results from both although for some reason the Barnes dropped them on the spot.

I would use either the 64-grain power point or the Nosler 60-grain Partition.

I have used both of Hornady's 60 grain bullets, the hollow point and the soft point with good results and would use them again. I also used Speer's 70 grain bullet and it also worked just fine. I have never had a 223 with a twist faster than 1 in 12 inches. I second taking only head/neck shots on hogs.

WOW!! I wouldn't think of shooting hogs with a 22 caliber anything and I have no problem putting my 7 x 64 inside a coffee can at 300 yds. Sounds like sport to me ... not harvesting game. I like to be prepared for any hog that runs in front of my stand and I know that with anything either side of 7mm that any hog hit from the neck up to the short ribs is going down. I don't think you can say that with a 22 caliber of any variety. I have seen hogs struck through the shoulder plate with much larger calibers cover a pretty good piece of ground before piling up. The idea should be to put the animal down fast.

The minimum on hogs in Germany where I have hunted many times is 6.5mm (x 55, x 57, x65, etc). Makes good sense.

Just remembered what an older German colleague often said. The right caliber for hogs is the one you want in your hand when you're in the brush looking for the hog that someone wounded.
I'll stick with my 7mm!! and under those circumstances a 9.3 x 62 would be better.

It IS legal to use a 223 for deer in Louisiana. Always amazed at how folks will spit out shit they have no knowledge of.

64gr Power Point digs pretty deep, but I really like the 62TSX or 75 gr Swift. I always aim for bone and have only recovered 1 Power Point, none of the Barnes or Swifts.

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It IS legal to use a 223 for deer

I was talking about hogs and the 223 would not be a good cartridge for all around hog hunting. Maybe for a short range head or neck shot in experienced hands on an animal standing still. Most of the hogs I have shot were moving and hitting the head or neck on a moving animal is not the way to go IMO.

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Always amazed at how folks will spit out shit they have no knowledge of.

I have been on many hunts where 40-50 hogs have been shot over 2 days along with 70-80 red, fallow and roe deer. I think I have enough experience to comment on the subject. I own and have shot 220 Swift, 222, 223, 224, 243, 25 06, and many larger calibers up to and including the 9.3's and 375 H and H.
Wouldn't say I'm an expert but I think I know a little more than "shit". Under ideal conditions, sure a 223 will work on a hog (or a deer) but its not the responsible choice for me.

If you don't want to hear opinions, don't ask for them.

And I was replying to the dude that said you can't use a 223 on deer in Louisiana, hence my you CAN use a 223 on deer in Louisiana.

Weren't talking to you, though it seems reading comprehension is a bit much for me to expect from you.

From the Louisiana Deer hunting regulations-

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It is illegal to hunt or shoot deer with firearms smaller than .22 caliber center-fire or a shotgun loaded
with anything other than buckshot or rifled slug. Handguns may be used for hunting.

It's just been made legal in Tennessee, as I recall.

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Jon:WOW!! I wouldn't think of shooting hogs with a 22 caliber anything and I have no problem putting my 7 x 64 inside a coffee can at 300 yds. Sounds like sport to me ... not harvesting game. I like to be prepared for any hog that runs in front of my stand

I agree, the .22's are definately not suitable for taking running shots on game and will not take a shot that there is any question as to my ability to place the shot where it will anchor the animal. Personally, I will not shoot a healthy, running animal with my .375, but that's just me. As for hogs, if he doesn't present a standing head shot, I'll not shoot him with the .223.

The main thing is to know our limits and take only those shots that we are capable of making with the rifle we have in our hands at the time.

Regards,
hm