Hey guys, been a while since I’ve been here, but I knew I could get good answers here, so here goes.

I know there are tons of articles and such on the web for .223 bullets used for hunting Deer, but I want a first hand recommendation for what YOU use here in Ga. In your AR.

Am I better off going all copper, ballistic tip, or just using my match Grade Boat Tail HP?

I’ll be shooting my SBR, non-suppressed, 1-9 twist rifle.

So what have you guys used and had good results with; thx in advance yall.

Lee

I use 75 grain Hornady TAP, it's what I carry on duty, it's what I have at home, and I like to know exactly what it will and won't do. So far it's been outstanding. I would not, however, be confidant making a total going away shot where I had to get through the hams or something to make it into the rib cage. I would go for a neck shot in that circumstance. On broadside shots it typically creates an exit wound and does extensive internal damage inside the rib cage. Use with confidence.

For GA Whitetail, its a rule, you have to use an UltraMag.

Kidding aside, I've had great success on GA Whitetail and hogs up to 400# using Winchester 64gr. PowerPoints. Granted shot placement is still paramount.

The shorter barrel will limit your effective range to inside 150 yards though.

this was just asked by me at the beginning of deer season. there were several suggestions but the most common was the 64gr winchester powerpoints. only place that had them was kudzu tactical in marietta.

I cant search the HTF since I am not a paying member but maybe a team member will come along and search for the link. it was started by me.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_8_35/466144_what_bullet_choice_for_hunting_with__223_.html

I still think winchester black box(ballistic silvertip) is some really good off the shelf hunting ammo. At least in my .30'06. I'd be tempted to try the .223, but why use that when I could pop one with a 30 cal.

I've dropped two this season with the barnes vor-tx 55gr this year.

I missed that it was an SBR the first time around, in this case I would recommend the 55 grain Barns TSX. I'm sure someone offers it in a factory load. I would not want to guess the "frag range" of different ammo, but I believe that the 55 grain TSX has a very generous expansion window.

60gr nosler partition or 55 gr tsx

I've shot a few pigs recently with the Barnes 62gr. TSX  non tipped round. While head shots dropped them DRT, I was able to recover the bullets from both of the pigs and expansion was only about 50%. I was using a 10.5" LMT upper.

I later went and chronoed the rounds and was only getting 2253fps at the muzzle. I'm thinking the velocity was too low for complete expansion and discontinued their use in my 10.5" gun.

The 64gr. PowerPoints expanded fully everytime I could dig one out when they did not fully penetrate.

I've had such awesome success with the exposed soft point Power Point bullets, I have not had a reason to find anything else, but curiosity sometimes gets the best of me.

I've killed pigs with alot of different bullets out of various .223's. The PowerPoint has yet to fail me. Even dropped a large Whitetail at 300 yards out of an 18" gun.

I have not used the TSX in a barrel longer than 10.5". It may perform much better at a higher velocity.

I was looking forward this season to trying the Hornady 60 grain TAP out of my 16" 1/8 SS AR.  Alas, the rifle won't be finished in time.  Maybe next year.

Excellent choice. The Barnes all copper bullets really knock them down. Picked them up at Academy in Athens. Excellent performance in the one shot I took. I would not shy away from hogs or deer with a .223 and TSX bullets. Those 55gr bullets are loooong compared to other 55 gr bullets though. So your 1-9 barrel should handle it well. From what I've read, the tsx bullets are also less dependent on velocity to expand. All I know is that they make deer DRT.

thanks guys, think I'm gonna try the Cor Bon's in 62, and some Silver tips for comparison. when I go to the range this week.

Killed using a  Remington 55 gr PSP from Wal-Mart.

50 yds.


You might be surprised how well this bullet works.

This doesnt count......a spit ball could have killed this dear it was so small.......

Use a Nosler partition or Barnes TSX

I used a 55gr softpoint (GA Arms) in my AR and H&R Survivor. Neck shot on both. Dropped them both cold. Shots were 65 & 50 yards respectively.

I don't think the match BTHP expands, so it wouldn't be legal......