11 May 05
Originally posted by Hand of HecateYou're right in that shot placement is everything . But with a small grain bullet at high velocity they tend to "shatter" . I hunted a number of years with a .243 , and got sick of spitting jacket fragments every time I took a bite of venison . Even hitting something as small as a rib , the bullet would explode . I think my 30-06 does less damage on a shoulder than that .243 did .
Is .223 to small for deer out to 100yards? I figure its acceptable as long as you have a clean, well placed shot and use appropriate ammo. I was think of using som Hornady TAP ammo.
PS - Like the Hornady's . I use Fed premium now , but the Hornady's shoot every bit as accurate .
11 May 05
Originally posted by Moldy CrowIsn't a .243 really just a necked down .308? I typically use a .308 with Federal 168gr BTHP ammo, but I've got a potentially realy good trade on an AR-15 and I'd like to use it for deer and pigs in the Florida swamps. Plus, it'll be a hell of a lot lighter than lugging the .308 around.
You're right in that shot placement is everything . But with a small grain bullet at high velocity they tend to "shatter" . I hunted a number of years with a .243 , and got sick of spitting jacket fragments every time I took a bite of venison . Even hitting something as small as a rib , the bullet would explode . I think my 30-06 does less damage on a ...[text shortened]... - Like the Hornady's . I use Fed premium now , but the Hornady's shoot every bit as accurate .
12 May 05
Originally posted by Moldy CrowGood shot placement is always a good idea no matter what you are useing or shooting at. P.S. Would you like me to tell you what my 280 Remington groups with Hornady ammunition?
You're right in that shot placement is everything . But with a small grain bullet at high velocity they tend to "shatter" . I hunted a number of years with a .243 , and got sick of spitting jacket fragments every time I took a bite of venison . Even hitting something as small as a rib , the bullet would explode . I think my 30-06 does less damage on a ...[text shortened]... - Like the Hornady's . I use Fed premium now , but the Hornady's shoot every bit as accurate .
12 May 05
Originally posted by Hand of HecateThat AR-15's going to be a LOT lighter . The .223 is no problem on deer if you're a good shot , but I'd worry about it with the pigs . That's a hell of a lot of tissue you're trying to go through on a dangerous animal . My dad used to hunt Russian Boar in thick stuff with a .357mg . You could have your cake and eat it too ; use the AR on the deer and the Harry Callahan for the pork .
Isn't a .243 really just a necked down .308? I typically use a .308 with Federal 168gr BTHP ammo, but I've got a potentially realy good trade on an AR-15 and I'd like to use it for deer and pigs in the Florida swamps. Plus, it'll be a hell of a lot lighter than lugging the .308 around.
On the Field and Stream post - I'd tend to agree with the author for my tastes . But provisionally : if HH is a confident experienced hunter/shooter , he's going to be ok . I hate seeing green horns out there thinking they're going to play Rambo with a Chinese SK and a banana clip . I think the F and S author's got to cover his butt on his published opinion in that regard .
12 May 05
Originally posted by gambit3Yeah , love to ! Don't get me wrong , I'm a great fan of the Hornady's . For some reason they're not as availible around here as the Fed Prem , so I go with that .
Good shot placement is always a good idea no matter what you are useing or shooting at. P.S. Would you like me to tell you what my 280 Remington groups with Hornady ammunition?
12 May 05
Originally posted by Hand of HecateA little small I think... A fast bullet but tends to break up and shatter to early.
Is .223 to small for deer out to 100yards? I figure its acceptable as long as you have a clean, well placed shot and use appropriate ammo. I was think of using som Hornady TAP ammo.
For deer a 7 mm Magnum is what I use, extremly fast shell, GREAT knock down power , very flat trajectory, 300 yards easy.
12 May 05
Originally posted by ETeach300 Yards? Cripes! It must look like you are sighting down the end of a stove pipe in comparrison to the deer from that far away.
A little small I think... A fast bullet but tends to break up and shatter to early.
For deer a 7 mm Magnum is what I use, extremly fast shell, GREAT knock down power , very flat trajectory, 300 yards easy.
In my big woods I am lucky to be able to get off a shot at a deer at 30 yards, because past that all you get are the sounds of snufflin and rootin for acorns, and the glimps of movement every now and then.
RTh
12 May 05
Originally posted by RingtailhunterI hunt Colorado high country , elk and deer , then go to Wisconsin for woodlot whitetails . I'd like to think I need 50yds to 400yds capability ; but I've only taken one shot over 150 in the last 10-15 years . I like my 30-06 . Nothing wrong with lots of the other calibers out there , but this Rem 700 .06 is just smooooth and does the job anywhere at any distance .
300 Yards? Cripes! It must look like you are sighting down the end of a stove pipe in comparrison to the deer from that far away.
In my big woods I am lucky to be able to get off a shot at a deer at 30 yards, because past that all you get are the sounds of snufflin and rootin for acorns, and the glimps of movement every now and then.
RTh
My bro in Alaska hunts with a .338 . He calls recoil "a whole body experience".
12 May 05
Originally posted by RingtailhunterThats a long shot sure....I killed a 9 pt. last year at about 150 yrds But with a good scope 300 yrds is reasonable. Out west I imagine it would be handy. Here in the east tho about 50- 75 is usually all you get , your right about that.
300 Yards? Cripes! It must look like you are sighting down the end of a stove pipe in comparrison to the deer from that far away.
In my big woods I am lucky to be able to get off a shot at a deer at 30 yards, because past that all you get are the sounds of snufflin and rootin for acorns, and the glimps of movement every now and then.
RTh
12 May 05
Originally posted by Moldy CrowI think F&S has a safe recommendation. The .308 has never failed to cleanly take a deer and I don't take a shot unless I'm sure of it. A shotgun or high caliber handgun seems the best way to take pigs in the heavy brush of Florida, however, I did recently took my first one with a traditional bow from 15-20yards, scary as hell and the best hunt I've ever had, you don't want one of those suckers mad at you, they're way faster than I thought they'd be.
That AR-15's going to be a LOT lighter . The .223 is no problem on deer if you're a good shot , but I'd worry about it with the pigs . That's a hell of a lot of tissue you're trying to go through on a dangerous animal . My dad used to hunt Russian Boar in thick stuff with a .357mg . You could have your cake and eat it too ; use the AR on the deer and ...[text shortened]... . I think the F and S author's got to cover his butt on his published opinion in that regard .
You're only allowed a 5 round mag in FL, and 'spray and pray' is hardly my style. While I'll probably stick with the .308 I think the .223 would be lethal to within 100yards. Most shots in FL will be less than 75yrds from what I've seen.
12 May 05
Originally posted by Moldy CrowDo you have a good source for ballistics tables. I'm curious as to how 30-06 bullet drop compares to a .308.
I hunt Colorado high country , elk and deer , then go to Wisconsin for woodlot whitetails . I'd like to think I need 50yds to 400yds capability ; but I've only taken one shot over 150 in the last 10-15 years . I like my 30-06 . Nothing wrong with lots of the other calibers out there , but this Rem 700 .06 is just smooooth and does the job anywhere at any distance .
My bro in Alaska hunts with a .338 . He calls recoil "a whole body experience".