I know this topic is argued a lot. Don't want an argument, just best factory load and bullet. Deer are small, shots 75 yards and under. Thanks.

Assuming you can find any factory ammo for 223, I'd probably go with Federal Fusions, Win Power Max Bonded or Noslers new Bonded Defense. You'll get bonded performance at a reasonable price.

Winchester white box....if you get the traditional broadside rib cage shot, it takes very little to raise havoc inside the boiler room

In Western Tn 55 grain is the best weight. Any cup and core will do the trick. Those that talk heavier or premium needed are the ones hunting in Eastern Tn. Those Eastern Tn deer can't be killed with a .223. Only exception are those deer within 400 miles of the East/West dividing line.

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
In Western Tn 55 grain is the best weight. Any cup and core will do the trick. Those that talk heavier or premium needed are the ones hunting in Eastern Tn. Those Eastern Tn deer can't be killed with a .223. Only exception are those deer within 400 miles of the East/West dividing line.

The eastern TN are smaller then the western TN deer because they don't have many farms in the east. All mountains and little farm food. Mostly survive on acorns and browse.

Thanks for the replies. I've been told by several the eastern range deer are quite larger than the western side deer? I'm used to Colorado whitetails which.look like horses compared to the deer here. Thanks again.

In my opinion you won't go wrong with Cor-Bon DPX Hunter 62-grain, Barnes Triple-Shock X Bullet, Lead-Free DPX22362/20
$28.99 @ Midway if you can find them and they shoot in your rifle. Makes the .223 CT more like a 243.

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
In Western Tn 55 grain is the best weight. Any cup and core will do the trick.

roger

To the OP.
There at least a couple recent threads covering this very hotly debated topic, complete with bullet recommendations and chastizment. I think you'll find more information there than you'll get starting a new thread.
Good Luck. Nate

Win 64 grn work just fine. Take a proper shot, on a standing deer and it will die as quick as any other cartridge.

I do not know what all the talk is about. Use a bullet that is designed to get the job done and shoot game up to 250lbs as far out as what you are comfortable. The vast majority of failures and reasons put forward why a .224" caliber should not be used on game, is because the bullets used are inadequate for the job.

See the Monolithic Munitions website (http://monolithicmunitions.com/) for results of what can be done.

We have been using .224" calibers like 223Rem, 22-250 and 220 Swift for more than 15 years, loaded with 40gr GSC HV bullets and have no drama on African game like springbuck, blesbuck, impala and nyala. We have taken many black wildebeest (http://gsgroup.co.za/attie.html) and, experimentally, a giraffe, with a 22-250. My favourite rifle for culling and walk and stalk on medium and small game, is a hotrod .224" that runs a 40gr HV at 4700fps. (http://www.gsgroup.co.za/22x64.html)

Just use the right tools.

Here is what you need. Bullets

Federal fusion, Winchester 64 grain PP, or 55 grain TSX. Whatever shoots best in your gun. If you have a 1:12 twist barrel I'd probably start with the TSX.

Truckloads of deer have been killed with 55 grain soft points out of 223s, but now that there are bullets available that are actually designed to use on deer-sized game, I'd pick one of those over a varmint bullet.

Hi I use 50grn for foxes and small deer over here in the UK, we are allowed to shoot a small deer called a muntjac with .223, I have had good success with chest shots with Hornady 50grn V-Max without too much damage, in the main I head or neck shoot out to 50-75 yards, as my rifle shoots clover leaf groups at 100m.