Deer hunting with .223/5.56

[Eurodriver]

Where do you guys hunt where your shots are being taken at 70 yards?!? I see deer at 400+!

[.46caliber]

Where do you guys hunt where your shots are being taken at 70 yards?!? I see deer at 400+!

Happens all the time here in MO when hunting the woods and hills. The long shots only happen across feed/crop fields. Just depends on the terrain. Muzzleloader and shotgun is big here.

[nick1169]

Where do you guys hunt where your shots are being taken at 70 yards?!? I see deer at 400+!

Same as what .46 caliber said. I'm in MI and most deer are taken here within 100yds. The woods and brush is pretty dense. Unless you are hunting in a large crop field that is clear enough for 100+ yard shot. Not saying that people here do not hunt deer at long distance, it's just the majority is less than 100yds.


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[sva01]

Same as what .46 caliber said. I'm in MI and most deer are taken here within 100yds. The woods and brush is pretty dense. Unless you are hunting in a large crop field that is clear enough for 100+ yard shot. Not saying that people here do not hunt deer at long distance, it's just the majority is less than 100yds.

Michigan here as well. I'm prepared for a 250yd shot but I've never shot, at a deer, over 100yds yet. Farm fields will give you multiple hundreds of yards but that is less common than hunting in the woods.

[FrankW]

I killed got 3 deer with my AR this season. .223 federal 64 grain soft points. None walked more that 20 yards after being hit. Shot placement was in the chest cavity. The soft point evicerated the heart lungs on impact. I was pleased with the rounds performance. 2 kills were within 50 yards and one was 150 yards. Just an FYI.

[HighDesert]

I killed got 3 deer with my AR this season. .223 federal 64 grain soft points. None walked more that 20 yards after being hit. Shot placement was in the chest cavity. The soft point evicerated the heart lungs on impact. I was pleased with the rounds performance. 2 kills were within 50 yards and one was 150 yards. Just an FYI.

Was that the fusion msr?

[FrankW]

Was that the fusion msr?

Yes it was

[Eurodriver]

Bumping this thread. Obviously deer hunting isn't for a while but I'd like to start developing loads now.

I have a choice between a 20" 308 and a 20" 5.56. Both have Krieger barrels and both are stupid accurate.

I like the 5.56 because it drops way less. With a 200 yard zero the 5.56 drops 8" at 300 yards, but the 308 drops 15". I suppose I could get a LRF and eliminate this issue, but how effective would 5.56 be at 300 yards and what bullet would get it done at that distance on <200lb bucks?

[Ryno12]

I'm not a huge advocate of 5.56 for deer hunting. Sure, it can get it done but if there's better tools in the tool box, use them. IMO, whenever there's a question between 5.56 vs 308 for deer hunting, the answer is always 308.

[abso]

I have used BH 223 77gr SMK blue box and kills vary. 5.56 chambered 77smk works better in my experience but still shot placment and soft tissue entry is key.

I'm interested in your rational on using a 77smk. Won't the bullet fragment and ruin the meat? I've picked up federal fusion 62gr for as little as 40cpr which seems to be substantially better for hunting.