Topic: 233 Rem for deer

[Nomad]

 What 223 round would you use to shoot a whitetail deer at less than
100 yards.
 

[Jeff]

Anything should work.  Personally I'd use the heaviest Nosler Partition or Barnes TSX I could.  Usually I consider 100gr a minimum hunting round but have used 95gr on antelope.  Of course that's in something larger than .223.

[Farlo]

I'm taking factory 60gr Partitions this fall.  I'd also look at the Barnes Triple Shock, Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, or Sierra GameKing.  The Partition and Bear Claw are the only ones I know of that are factory loaded.  The Bear Claw is on the Federal 55gr Tactical Bonded LE load and Partitions can be found from Federal and Black Hills.

[Nomad]

 Plan on using the 60 Nos if we go to shoot some whitetail. We also use the 60 grs
for coyotes to save the pelts..Thanks for the information.

[Nomad]

 Reading title 36 Fish and Game Regs have been unable to find where it is
not allowed to use a 223 for hunting of deer. Do have a 308 that will do a
better job at longer rangers.... The 223 would have been used at a friends
ranch on Whitetail less than 100 yds. A rule that seems smart on less than
a 1000 foot pounds of energy at shooting distance so at 500 yds need 1000
or more. Just an idea... 

[Orbital-Burn]

it's less than 16 lbs and no full autos.  and no night vision

[Farlo]

Copy/pasted from ID F&G regs:

Rifle and Shotgun
In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful
to pursue or kill big game animals:
• With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on,
the firearm or scope; EXCEPT scopes containing battery
powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.
• With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling
and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.
• With any fully automatic firearm.
• With any shotgun using shot smaller than #00 buck.
• With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzle-loading
handgun, except for mountain lion.

[Hubby_MC]

I have hunted in Idaho most of my life.  I have always been under the impression that hunting with a 223 was illegal. I know the regulations in Idaho d0 not specifically state a caliber, so I have sent a request for clarification to fishing game.  I will post their response when I get it.

[Farlo]

In some states I believe it is.  Not in Idaho, however.

At least it had better not be:

[Norton1]

You can't shoot deer, any big game animal, with a 22 rimfire. Sheesh -

It used to be real common around here to poach with a 22 rimfire. Use a silencer, shoot the animal up close, and the animal would think a big fly bit him. Then just follow it until it bleeds to death.

Works really well I'm told -

[Hubby_MC]

Ok, they took too long to answer my email so I just got off the phone with Idaho Fish and Game enforcement. They told me that any centerfire cartridge is legal. Specifically, a 223 or a 5.56mm are LEGAL in Idaho to hunt big game.

I stand corrected!

Now I need some pointers on hunting with a small rifle, anything beyond the obvious? Always hunted with a 308 or a 300 win.
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[Michael N]

If you have a fast twist barrel (1 in 9 or faster) I would look at the Barnes TSX bullets . They are expensive and you have to handload them but they are gonna work . Some folks have also mentioned the Trophy Bonded Bearclaw bullets by Speer work well . Load as hot and heavy as you can and make the shot count . My neighbor and his son went hunting for Deer with the .223 for several years and took only headshots due to the fact that they were using varmint rigs with lighter bullets . If you can find a tough heavy bullet that your AR likes then a Deer should be no problem .