.223 ammo for deer

[rax_wall]

So this year I've decided to put down the larger caliber guns and I'm gonna hunt with my Ar15 just to get back to good solid fundamental shot placement. (I love a good headshot)

I used to hunt with a .221 Fireball and I've never had a deer run, even with a small caliber so going back to a smaller round doesn't scare me.

Not shooting further than 200 yards.

Guns a 1:7 twist 14.5" barrel, Cmc trigger, all the goodies.

What ammo would yall recommend. I'm gonna end up testing a few different rounds, just looking for a few suggestions!

 

[hikingthehills]

If you have your heart set on it use Federal Fusion. After tracking 2 deer shot by .223 I just don't have enough faith in them to hunt with one. 1 of the deer was recovered 100 yards out and the other was never seen again. The one we recovered hit one lung and never exited. Crap blood trail's on both. If you have a bigger caliber use it.

 

[rax_wall]

If you have your heart set on it use Federal Fusion. After tracking 2 deer shot by .223 I just don't have enough faith in them to hunt with one. 1 of the deer was recovered 100 yards out and the other was never seen again. The one we recovered hit one lung and never exited. Crap blood trail's on both. If you have a bigger caliber use it.

I'm looking for straight head shot and neck shot! I take lung shots with my .308 and 30-06

 

[sublimebeer]

Anyone use a 7.62x39? Thinking about using my AK this year with a 5 round mag.
Not trying to thanks the subject. Very interested to hearing answers for both. Would a varmint round work better with 556?

 

[CBH13]

Anyone use a 7.62x39? Thinking about using my AK this year with a 5 round mag.
Not trying to thanks the subject. Very interested to hearing answers for both. Would a varmint round work better with 556?

got an uncle who's used an sks to take quiet a few way back in the day. Don't recall him ever having any issues using it.

 

[rax_wall]

I'm seeing a lot of guys on different forums sayin federal fusion 62gr

 

[Allsmiles]

Hunted with 7.62x39 for years in my old AR. Wolf 123gr HP is just plain nasty on the wound channel and no survivors to chest cavity . Taken a lot of deer with this round and the one in my avatar fell to one. Just know that 7.62x39 is not a long range round, think 30-30 and you will be fine.

For 223, listen to what people that have used them say. I would look for a good 62gr or heavier SP/TXS type bullet; but I haven't hunted deer with 223.

 

[YOTESHOOTER]

Neck shot with hp, 55> grain or shoot in the head, grave yard dead then....,

Also can use a 222 Remington Mag it is the fore runner of the 223/5.56....

Nice fast flat round...

 

[rax_wall]

Neck shot with hp, 55> grain or shoot in the head, grave yard dead then....,

I got a trigger I need you to work!

 

[fuelman1]

Anyone use a 7.62x39? Thinking about using my AK this year with a 5 round mag.
Not trying to thanks the subject. Very interested to hearing answers for both. Would a varmint round work better with 556?

I've shot a few deer with my SKS and a couple with the AR in this caliber. It does a fine job. It's biggest limitation is it's range. 200 yards max. It does fine for most scenarios Ga deer hunters find themselves in. Hornady makes a steel case round that uses their SST bullet. That is a killer.