Originally Posted By: tika223Is there any real practical difference between the 8-twist .223 with a heavy bullet (80-94 gr) - and a .243 - 10 twist with a l00 gr bullet when it comes to coyote or even deer? Is it reasonable that a .223 should eventually become widely accepted as legal for deer?
Go ahead and use the .223 Ive killed 2 deer with .22 centerfires and both have been DRT
One doe at 112 yards with my .22-250 with a 55g Sp, behind the shoulder bang flop, entrance and exit.
One doe at 180 yards with my .223 and a 52g MHP, behind the shoulder, no exit
The doe with the .223 was a window of opertunity. I was yote hunting one of the last days of gun season, and still had my doe tag. This doe hoped out at 200 and i waited till it came to 180 and I poped it behind the shoulder and it knocked it on is [beeep]. I was very weary of the 52g Mhp on the deer, beacuse its such a frangable round, but it worked. Next time ill be useing 55g Sp when seasons overlap.
Negatives of .22 centerfires are little to no blood trail, and you need to have %100 confidence where your putting your bullet, no margin for error.
If you dont have a good SP, put it in the neck. Or dont take the shot
Also i heard the TSX are the best .22 centerfire bullet for deer
~Bryan