Goose Decoys

Will a .223 cal. rifle “drop” a deer at 100 yds?

by National Library of Scotland

Question by hawk: Will a .223 cal. rifle “drop” a deer at 100 yds?

Best answer:

Answer by Union_Dooz
You must mean a 22 caliber will if you hit the heart. But most kills don’t drop the dear immodestly no matter what you use.

What do you think? Answer below!

Related posts:

1. Would a .22 caliber AR-15 be considered an “assault rifle”?
2. Q&A: What caliber is a good “sniper rifle” cartrage?
3. Where To Shoot Deer With Rifle – What Deer Hunting Rifle Should I Buy?
4. Can 22 caliber bullets that say “long rifle” on the box, be used in a 22 caliber handgun?
5. what age to buy a “assault rifle” (realy just a look-alike) in nc?

1. 

   E.S.Kimo
   October 13th, 2011 at 19:56 | #1

   Reply | Quote

   Yes, but not reliably. This is why it is illegal in England to use it on deer.
2. 

   bghoundawg
   October 13th, 2011 at 20:20 | #2

   Reply | Quote

   with the right shot placement, preferably double lung or heart shot, yes it will “drop” one at 100 yards.
3. 

   pathfinder
   October 13th, 2011 at 21:19 | #3

   Reply | Quote

   The .223 Remington round is more of a varmint round and is too light for deer. You best choices would be the .30 calibers, like the .30-.30, and .308 Winchester.
4. 

   Grizzly II
   October 13th, 2011 at 22:12 | #4

   Reply | Quote

   The .223Rem.-5,56mm is underpowered for deer, that is why it is illegal to use in the great majority of U.S. states for anything other than ‘varmints’.
   Leave the ‘poodle shooter’ in the closet unless you’re going ‘rat shootin’ and get a DECENT caliber rifle for real hunting.
5. 

   dca2003311@yahoo.com
   October 13th, 2011 at 22:27 | #5

   Reply | Quote

   Very few Deer will drop and expire on the spot regardless what caliber Rifle you are using, however I have harvested Whitetail Deer with 22 Hornet, 218 Bee, 222, 22-250 with no problem.* I believe you could do the same using a 223.* The kill shot placement is what determines if and how far they will go before expiring.* Never have had one go further than 75 yards using the above calibers. Some have dropped right where they were standing when hit.*
6. 

   1970
   October 13th, 2011 at 23:23 | #6

   Reply | Quote

   Most deer do not “drop” when shot, unless it is shot in spine. A .223 Rem loaded with a 70 – 75 grain bullet will kill a deer with the right shot placement. But there is very little room for error.
7. 

   Plowboy
   October 13th, 2011 at 23:48 | #7

   Reply | Quote

   Yes is the answer.Although not a good choice of gun.But The bullet is traveling to fast to shoot the deer in the normal double lung or heart area.this will leave a very small exit and lil blood .The drop shot should be the neck to spine area.meaning the front and upper third of the shoulder ,this is where the neck meets the shoulder.this area has the largest spot to bust the spine.the spine makes a dip and comes back up to the back bone.
8. 

   Mrs. Death
   October 14th, 2011 at 00:39 | #8

   Reply | Quote

   The .223 is a poor cartridge for hunting deer, sure with proper shot placement, it’ll lay em out all day long, but i certainly wouldn’t make a habit of shooting deer with it. There are so many other cartridges better suited for hunting deer, like the .243, .270, or 30-06.
9. 

   Aaron
   October 14th, 2011 at 01:13 | #9

   Reply | Quote

   It will if you are lucky or extremely good at shooting. It would take a spine shot, which is tricky with any gun really. the states that allow rifles consider a .243 minimum but a few make the .223 the bottom caliber. I think it will work at a100 yards but any more would be pushing it and making it non-reliable.