What Can the 223 Remington Really Do?

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Perhaps the oddest thing about the 223 Remington is how and why it was adopted by the military. They went from 45-caliber to 30- to .22? From 405-grain bullets to 220-grain to 150-grain and then clear down to 62 grain? From 3,000 foot-pounds of energy to 1,300 f-p?
Yes, they did. And in the process we got our most useful, versatile, light recoiling, inexpensive, accurate 22-caliber centerfire cartridge. But sport hunters got it before any military did! Yup. the 223 Remington was introduced as a sporting round before military round. Here’s how it happened…
A few shooters think the 223 should not be used for hunting because it was engineered “as a military cartridge, not a hunting cartridge!” But that’s only half true. The military’s search for a new cartridge that would function to its standards in the new Stoner ArmaLite 15 rifle started with the little 222 Remington, a civilian, sporting 22-caliber that set all kinds of accuracy records after its introduction in 1950. That predates the 308 Winchester, the 243 Winchester, and Elvis as pop star. In 1950 Eisenhower wasn’t even president yet.
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For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
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Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

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21 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 1,4 тыс.

@barrybechler6880 2 года назад

I've used 223/5.56 for whitetail hunting in upper Michigan with great success. The key is the bullet. I use hollow point, or polymer tip. A heart/lung shot does the trick, but I've used my aim point in a neck shot. They go down right where they stand. Solid tip rounds at the rate of speed go right through the deer with minimal damage. Just my hunters opinion. A side note, I loaned my Mini 14 to my son-in-law years ago to try it deer hunting. He was so successful.... I never did get it back. But that's what Dads do. Great video Mr. Spomer.

@chadvalliere8697 2 года назад

Michigander here too. I 100% agree. It does a fine job on whitetail deer

@recon1986 2 года назад

Hollowpont .223/5.56?? Never in my life have I heard of a hollow point rifle round.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

@@recon1986 Mike, hollow point rifle bullets have been around longer than I have. All Barnes TSX and TTSX have hollow points. Hammer bullets too. Sierra Hollow Point Boat Tails. Speer hollow point varmint bullets.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Barry, you're not alone in your appreciation of the 223 Rem. on deer. It's not legal in many states, however. An important addendum to your polymer tip bullet comment: polymer tip doesn't define the bullet well because polymer tips can be and are put atop frangible varmint bullets, bonded core game bullets, cup-core game bullets, all copper monolithic bullets, etc. I'm guessing the polymer tip you've used successfully on deer sits atop a cup-core or frangible varmint style bullet. When these enter the chest of a deer, they "explode" to create a baseball to softball sized wound cavity. Massive hemorrhaging and quick demise. Good shooting, Barry.

@Smaug1 2 года назад

I think we've got to qualify it. There are some hollow point and polymer-tipped bullets that are designed for explosive damage on prairie dogs. They may not penetrate deeply enough to be ethical on deer, especially if they hit a rib. You want a bullet designed for big game; limited expansion. Some of those varmint bullets just completely come apart and will not even exit a prairie dog. People using 223 with varmint bullets on deer is why it's not a legal caliber in many states.

@elmerfudd1233 2 года назад

I am a big fan of the 223. One of the things that is often overlooked is that the 223 Remington is an efficient round. One of the things I have noticed when reloading the 223 is that my powder goes a lot further. The 22-250 is king of the varmint cartridges - the 223 can do a lot of what the 22-250 can do (just not as far out range wise). For the 15% increase in velocity the 22-250 gives you, I have to burn about 40% more powder. You aren't giving up much with the 223 Remington.

@edwardkujawa 11 месяцев назад

BULLETS AND STABIITY MATTER RANGE GIVE OR TAKE i USED A .22-250 REM WTHE A POWDER LOAD IMR4895 WITH A HORNADY SUPER EXPLOVSIVE BULLET 50 GRN NOT 55GRN GOT GOOD ACCURCY TOO 3800FT PS IS DAM GOOD A FREIND OF MY SIGHTED THE GUN IN A REM 788 SAID VERY GOOD LOADIT STUED A .225RTEDOUT AS A WILDCAT THEN REM CAME OUT WITH I SOON AFTER THE REMINGTON788 WAS ADAM GOOD RIFLE CLIP FED 2OR 3 SHOT MAG NOT SURE BEEN ALONG TIME SINCE I OWNED ONE HAD 2 OF 22-250 AND .308 WIN THENCOULDNT GET ONE SAVAGE AXIS .223REM DICKS DIDNT HAVE ANY 22-250'S SO BOUGHT THE .223REM THE OTHR SAVAGE I HAD WASA .308WIN ALSOWULD PUT WOULDUED A .225 HAVE 2R WITH A 30.06SPRFLD

@gavindonnelly4767 2 года назад

Having shot buckets of .223/556 ammo at everything from prairie dogs to antelope and deer, I can say that the key to success with it is bullet selection. Varmint grenades, V-max or ballistic tips for varmints. For Antelope and up, Copper bullets such as Barns Triple Shock or Hornady GMX will do the job. The actual weapon is what comes out of the barrel of the firearm.

@BigT27295 2 года назад

Exactly. Well said brother. Makes a world of difference.

@phild9813 2 года назад

No doubt, goes for all cartridges beyond 223/556 too. Also… Know what you are shooting in general and it’s limitations and stay within them.

@kevinbillow4185 2 года назад

Have you ever tried the Winchester "Deer Season" 64gr 223s? I've debated getting a box to try next year out of a 18" AR

@phild9813 2 года назад

I’ve not used them, tried an older version of them and my gun at the time didn’t group them well. I’ve only used TSXs on big game.

@lumpyzx2645 2 года назад

@@kevinbillow4185 I haven't used them in 223 but I have used them in 6.5 creedmoor and was very impressed with both on game performance and accuracy, best 100yd group was .25moa 5 shots (ruger american predator, factory barreled action but upgraded everything else), it'll consistently shoot sub .5moa if I do my part, a buddy uses the 64gr 223 xp on deer with good results, this last season I tried out the wolf military classic 55gr hp 223 steel case on deer with great results, another buddy had great results with so.e freedom munitions 223 loaded with the 55gr vmax from an 18" barrel (the barrel length I was using is 16" and the other friend I was talking to I believe has a 22" barrel) So my advice would be to pick up a box and see what you think, at best you found your new favorite 223 ammo, at worst you don't like it and wasted a few bucks on a box of ammo

@robertcameron4115 10 месяцев назад

Bullet selection is EVERYTHING! Talk to our veterans that relied on this cartridge to survive. There was a lot of concern with the ability to neutralize a threat quickly. It got the job done. No more no less. Our special forces realized the 77 gr ammo was most effective at this. If they needed a longer range solution they let the marksmen handle the situation.

@chriswimberly8060 2 года назад

I put together a .223 8 months ago mainly because of a crazy hog problem I was having/lots of cheap ammo available and allow me to say i love this little round. With a 1 in 8 twist rate it stabilizes the heavier bullets and it has taken more hogs in the last 8 months than most men will ever see in their lifetime. I'm not saying it's an optimum hog cartridge but with proper shot placement it gets the job done quite well. Great round

@eskimo1000 2 года назад

I live in northern Canada, and the 223. Rem is such a good round 👍🏼 I always use it when I hunt seals (ringed, harp, and bearded). I also witnessed my hunting buddies take down a caribou with a 223. 👍🏼

@mikerobinson8734 2 года назад

Are these done with head/neck shots?

@heathsalter8549 2 года назад

I'm sorry you live in Canada

@averyabood6155 2 года назад

@@heathsalter8549 why is that Heath?

@averyabood6155 2 года назад

@@heathsalter8549 cmon Heath...., squeak up

@dwaybetoggymackinaw5893 2 года назад

@@heathsalter8549 yeah c'mon Heath. We're waiting with baited breath. Tell us why "'murica is beddur"

@YZF750SP 2 года назад

I have had a 270 and a 375 Ruger for most of my hunting which spans over 30 years in New Zealand and about 3 months ago I bought a Ruger ranch 223 short barrel with a suppressor and attached my Thermal scope to it. Well I have shot over 200 rabbits a few possums and 1 whitetail and Red deer with it and its a neat little gun to use. I did let a large Red go the other day as I wasn't in a good position and didn't want to wound it, if I had had my 375 it would have taken a round as nothing get up after it gets hit with 270gr bullet. Keep up you good videos, cheers from downunder.

@lobster8009 2 года назад

If you place your shot right there are very few animals on this planet a single round of .223 would not kill. I stopped using .223 on anything larger that a fox because larger animals take a lot longer to bleed out shooting for lung/heart only. Combine that with the fact that there is verly little blood, sometimes no blood at all and me not havin access to a capable dog its just needlessly hard to find your kill. Rifles like my 8x57IS or 7x65R create nice big exit holes that bleed absolute buckets. Really easy to follow even in bad conditions.

@manofchaitea6904 2 года назад

Do you eat the possums?

@MikeNaples 2 года назад

@@manofchaitea6904 I'm sure he did. Possum is very tasty. The only problem is it's hard to tell if they're dead.

@jumpninthedarkalley 2 года назад

Why are you shooting rabbits with it? Are you wasting them or eating them?? Wouldn't it blow them to pieces....

@YZF750SP 2 года назад

@@jumpninthedarkalley Yep they explode real good especially in a thermal scope! Just culling them as they number in there thousands down here

@millermanhal Год назад

When I went to buy my first ar15. I was confused so just went with the 5.56 barrel to be safe. But honestly mostly shoot .223 since freedom munitions sells 55grain reloads for $17.99 for 50 rounds. ❤ best ammo for the price. Tried every kind they sell and weights. Never once had a bad round or failure to feed or fire. Also I get 55grain sp and 60grain soft points new for 26.00dollars for 50rounds. Keeps me shooting for as long as I want and have stockpiled over 2,200 rounds and now reload them. Great info as always Ron.

@rosssrurallife504 2 года назад

The 223 is one of the most popular deer cartridges here in New Zealand for fallow/sika right up to and including red deer. The 55gr Sierra Game King projectile is a honey of a deer bullet

@balazra 2 года назад

All the Adi manufactured ammo is being rebranded as Adi world class. Other than the name it’s exactly the same ammo.

@rosssrurallife504 2 года назад

@@balazra Is that the same as Buffalo river ammo? That's what I use :-)

@EdwardSnortin Год назад

What kind of rifles do you guys have in NZ?

@rosssrurallife504 Год назад

@@EdwardSnortin Bolt action, lever action and semi auto rimfires and bolt and lever centrefires. I'm using an old 1916 .303 British at the moment, I've just uploaded my first hunt with it to my channel. I love the old girl. I have a 223, 308, two 303's and two 22s

@robhowardlivefree5519 Год назад

Hi Ross, I am from NZ and looking to buy a .223 for hunting Fellow. Can you recommend the best rifle/ammo combo? I have been looking at the Tikka .223 Any advice appreciated.

@VitoBb1978 2 года назад

Ron like you said my first encounter with this round I was a hot young Naval recruit fresh out of basic training that was in 1975. Fast forward to the early 2000’s I bought a Savage model 12 with a 26 inch barrel , man that little.223 and that heavy model 12 just go together like peanut butter & jelly . I’ve spent many a relaxing fun filled day shooting groups as small as dimes.

@BigT27295 2 года назад

Yea. Good times.

@ralphgreenjr.2466 2 года назад

The 5.56/.223 has had a tremendous impact on the shooting/hunting community. In 1998 when I was assigned to Camp Perry most shooters were using the M-1 and M-14 to shoot across the course. A few years later the Army Marksmanship Unit developed long range loads for the M-16 and cleaned up against all comers. Several years later the Marines had caught up and their top shooter was a female E-5. Due to the light weight of the weapon system and the lack of recoil from the 5.56, ladies could now compete across the course on an equal footing. Game changer. Oh, and it does make things very dead.

@fustyblatherskite2142 Год назад

On average the ladies have better hand and eye coordination than men. If more ladies were to shoot, with equipment suited for them, they would probably dominate competitive shooting.

@wisconsinfarmer4742 Год назад

Yeah, my niece made it to a team in the Marines.

@russday1400 11 месяцев назад

I have always felt the .223 was a glorified squirrel cartridge. But, it is fun,fun,fun. Ron ur show has no equal!

@RailRoad188 7 месяцев назад

@@russday1400if you want squirrels and other small game to disappear, not if you want to eat them or have a furr etc

@Wootangtw 2 года назад

I’ve taken everything that walks down here in north Georgia with a 22 mag… the 22 mag is really underrated by many… they do a good job as long as your inside of a 100 yards …. Awesome video… thanks buddy…

@chuckydubree1925 2 года назад

Here in my where I live and hunt all my shots are a 100 years and in hard to beat a 22 mag

@chuckydubree1925 2 года назад

Yards not years sorry

@bobgordon1754 2 года назад

I knew a man ,now deceased, that had no problem killing all our local animals with a .22 long rifle. I introduced him to the .22 mag and he couldn't believe it. He killed many deer with it and at least one I know of just past 100 yards. I do love the cartridge. If it works in the woods at close range a .223 would be like a magnum indeed.

@Wootangtw 2 года назад

@@bobgordon1754 oh yeah a 223 is definitely more powerful than a 22 magnum …but the 22 mag is a little more quieter and the rifle’s are usually cheaper to buy and you can carry 100 rounds in your pocket … the 223/556 is a awesome round I also like the 22-250 I’ve shot deer and other game and non game with it … and the 22lr I’ve also killed deer with them years ago… I guess I just love guns in general… almost all of them… thanks for your comment buddy…

@bobgordon1754 2 года назад

@@Wootangtw Thanks for the reply. Good men in the woods get by with what the have. The .22s are enough to get the job done.

@russ3022 2 года назад

Thanks Ron, Good video. I have killed white tail and hogs with a 223, but I load my own and shoot 77 grain HPBT. I stay in less than 150 yards and most importantly, I get steady and know pretty much exactly where the shot is going to go. Shot placement is key when using a smaller caliber.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Good advice and good practice, Russell. Thank you sir.

@jonathonmoe2385 2 года назад

I think most importantly, when using this round on larger game, barrel length is a key factor. If you use a long barrel around 20 inches, then it really allows for the round to get a lot of speed and be absolutely devastating.

@PaulM-kc2tk 11 месяцев назад

Generally speaking, you gain, or lose, about 100 FPS per inch of barrel. With a round traveling 2500 FPS that's really not a whole lot to worry about. That's one reason the military standardizes on a 14.5 or 16" barrel. You just don't lose enough velocity to make the tradeoff in length worth it. I remember clearing buildings in Iraq in the early 90's with a 20" M16. I hear that even in the present the Marines still use the 20"...

@TonyWright-tf5zy 11 месяцев назад

@@PaulM-kc2tk Still be a whole lot happier with 150 grains at 2500 than 55 grainers at the same speed..

@UI_Shaggy05 9 месяцев назад

With a 26 inch barrel, standard 55 grain fmj ammo reaches 3,400 ft/s!

@TonyWright-tf5zy 9 месяцев назад

@@UI_Shaggy05 True, you can run them hot, that is getting to the upper limit according to the hornady handbook of reloading. Love the higher energy of larger pills myself.

@UI_Shaggy05 9 месяцев назад

@@TonyWright-tf5zy Even factory 5.56 ammo can reach that velocity. Also, the Hornady 30-06 180 grain SST nearly reached 2,900 ft/s out of a 26 inch barrel!

@jude.v25 2 года назад

And don't forget self-defense... Possibly the #1 reason it's the best selling cartridge.

@nobodyyyyy556 2 года назад

you know these 5 yard self defense situations with an AR

@zacmiles5342 2 года назад

@@nobodyyyyy556 Kenosha Kyle found it useful as self defense cartridge ;)

@richardthomas6602 2 года назад

Anything good for CQB is good for home defense.

@nobodyyyyy556 2 года назад

@@zacmiles5342 the BLM loving guy who cried? Okay. luckily the world has never been changed by a Zac or Kyle

@floatingchimney 2 года назад

@@zacmiles5342 Kyle used 5.56 NATO, which is more potent that a plain old .223 cartridge.

@davehunt8088 2 года назад

Love the .223 in an accurate bolt action.👍

@byronfranklin3612 2 года назад

Custom Remington 700, 223 caliber, all in a dime with hand load ammo at 300 yards. Awesome

@joeyvanover9465 2 года назад

I have a Ruger predator, and man it is great

@allenbournes4697 2 года назад

Byron - that is fantastic! Can you give hand load particulars?

@RailRoad188 7 месяцев назад

I don't have a use-case for a bolt-action. My best group so far is .65MOA with the Faxon match .223wylde pencil barrel (called gunner profile) using 77grn in a personally assembled, lightweight AR-15 SPR build.

@nathanlambshead4778 2 года назад

The most accurate gun I have ever owned was a .223 TC Contender with a 14 inch bull barrel, and a 2x7 Burris LER scope mounted. When I first sighted it in (off a bench of course) with factory Amer. Eagle 55 grain FMJs, it placed 5 shots at 100 yards you could cover with a dime. I was shocked at the capabilities of that gun and cartridge.

@jaredgreen5840 2 года назад

The .223/ 5.56 is an awesome Jack of all trades. It's great for anything from rock chucks to deer with the right bullets. It's incredibly accurate, soft shooting and is excellent for self defense. The .223/ 5.56 is easily in my top 5 favorite cartridges 😊👍

@russellkeeling4387 2 года назад

I have owned a nice Ruger #3 .223 for many years and it is a wonderful rifle. It is somewhat heavy though so I bought a nice little bolt action .223 when I could finally find one. It is going to be my new truck gun that rides with me on the ranch. It is one rifle I have components to last the rest of my life.

@lisachavez6085 Год назад

How do you feel about the SAVAGE HMR 17

@lisachavez6085 Год назад

Hello how do you feel about the SAVAGE 17 HMR

@jaredgreen5840 Год назад

@Lisa Chavez I actually happen to have a Savage 93 in 17HMR and it's one of my favorite rimfires. Savage makes pretty decent and very accurate rifles for the money and the 17 HMR is a great little cartridge. It's has great accuracy potential, it is great for small game out to 150 yards and has virtually no recoil. So if you're looking for a fun little target rifle or something for small game you can't go wrong 🙂👍

@brianpencall4882 10 месяцев назад

Remember, when a pistol is equipped with a pistol brace, the .223 becomes more powerful than the .338 Win Mag.

@kineticenergy1085 9 месяцев назад

Absolutely. Just speaking the words “pistol brace” and I’m like………”damn…… that sounds like it makes any gun 10x more deadly 👍🏽🤗

@eriksforestryvision8751 8 месяцев назад

Yup those short barrel are platform running 5.56 turns it into a t90 tank

@RailRoad188 7 месяцев назад

@eriksforestryvision8751 Only three concussion lol 😅

@RailRoad188 7 месяцев назад

@@eriksforestryvision8751Only the muzzle signature lol

@willtrax71 2 года назад

Another great informative video my friend and yes it’s a limited round and I normally Hunt Whitetail with my 6mm I took a beautiful Buck this season with a .556 using Hornady 75 grain BTHP .223 and it dropped in his tracks but the shot was roughly 100 yards and right through the Boiler Room with no exit, the HP instantly fragmented if anyone is curious it was a gooey mess but humane. Stay safe my Friend Semper Fidelis

@ed5042 2 года назад

been living in NC since 85. 223 for deer? I was shocked, however, I became friends with gentlemen who 'nuisance hunt' for local farmers etc and they are quite pleased with the 223. In fact, the local farmers use the 22magnum and they are also quite successful. The 22 mag, head shots, however, they are happy with the immediate effect of the solid when using the high shoulder shot within 75 yards; they stated that the bullet does ricochet within the ribcage and just flattens them. For clarity, the nuisance hunters were averaging 100 deer a season, the farmers, probably 20. The farmers would shoot them while they sat on their tractors. Now they are dealing with pigs coming up from Chatham county.

@ed5042 2 года назад

and for those guys that ramble on about 'y'all need a ..............at least', I ask what they shoot, then I tell them I carry a 6.4 lb Mossberg Patriot in 375 Ruger as backup for you guys .

@paulmoss7940 2 года назад

Been in NC all my life 61yr. and I can vouch for your statement as pure truth. People talk about .223 as marginal ,I chuckle cause I know what even the lowly rimfire can do. Its mostly about placement and the less precise it is the more the other factors play out. Outside of war , more people have been killed with a .22 than any other although 9mm is closing fast in the last few years.

@jasonburrell3508 2 года назад

Cool! That 22mag would be cool to see.

@rdsii64 2 года назад

I have one bolt action 223 (that's about to get a new barrel) two AR15's and third receiver set waiting for what I'm going to build next. If you push a 62 grain gold dot at 3000 fps ( easily done with at least a 20 inch barrel) You will be suppressed at what that cartridge can do. If you have reach out a little bit(nothing crazy) the 75 grain gold dot at 2800 FPS is a nasty round. Inside 200 yards loaded with gold dots, I have no problem taking a 20 inch AR15 for anything white tale and smaller.

@tmpace9 2 года назад

I love it because of the availably and versatility of the round. Of course it's great for coyotes, hogs, but could be used for small game with 40grain and up to whitetail with 77grain along with self defense. If you had to have a single cartridge, this is a good contender.

@doubled3983 2 года назад

Hello from Oklahoma! Good Video! I've spent time in Canada years ago. Back in the 70's the 30-30 was very popular up north. As was the '06. I'm sure the 223 is also. Really it boils down to know how to hunt, get close shoot accurately. Shot placement is key with any cartridge.

@DavidDeshane-ic4cg Год назад

Not all provinces alow .223 for deer up here. 30-30 and .308 are popular and I think that the possibility of encountering a bear while deer hunting drives the want for larger calibers up here.

@chital_shikari3163 2 года назад

I used to hate the .223 Remington because I was a proud member of the .22-250 Remington club. Then I turned 18, joined Army ROTC, and entered the world of AR-15s. I’ve built a half dozen or so AR-15 lowers in the short time since then, and currently have 2 in the 5.56 NATO chambering and 1 in the “anemic 6.5”, my precious 6.5 Grendel. I’ve killed an axis doe, 2 aoudad ewes, a wild hog sow, and a whitetail doe with my 16” AR-15s using 62gr soft points and hollow points and Fusion (bonded soft point?). I’ve killed at least 3 times as many animals of similar size (and bigger) with the .22-250, using (overwhelmingly) 55gr Nosler BT and VMAXs. (All the previously mentioned loadings are in their respective factory offerings as I’m not a handloader unfortunately). The bolt 250 is more accurate and harder hitting and flatter shooting than even a 20” AR-15 could ever be. Between the .223 and the .22-250, I think the .22-250 is the better choice in terms of ballistic performance and killing efficiency. But the “fun” of the AR-15 platform, the ease of ammunition procurement even in these crazy times, and the wide range of factory ammunition makes the .223 a better choice for many. In fact I’d say I’m pretty salty about this subject because a 24” 1:9 22-250 with 75gr BTHPs is probably one of the mildest recoiling and effective game killing medicines out there (I live in Texas, so we’ll call it red deer or smaller, with the exception of aoudad, and with a maximum range of 300 yards), but it just isn’t something I have access to. Meanwhile I can enjoy whatever barrel twist rate I want and have factory loadings of 75gr BTHP or 69gr Gold Medal Match or 77gr OTM out of either 5.56 or .223, get a 20” 5.56 or .223 Wylde barrel, and go to town. Yeah I’m “that guy”, the .22-250 apologist in the comments’ section of a .223 video; everyone needs a hobby, I guess. Excellent work as always Mr. Spomer. I’m selling my Grendel and .270 to try and get a lightweight short action in Weatherby’s new Mark V Hunter, and one of your videos a while back has solidified in my mind the 7mm-08 as the best choice for me…although I might end up going with “6.5 man bun” (Creedmoor) instead due to ammo availability and still having a .30-06.

@tbjtbj4786 2 года назад

Keep a look out for a old Olympic arms 22-250 the made a ar for the 22-250 And some in the 223 wssm and 25 wssm

@justinlance4174 2 года назад

Yep I hunt with 6.5grendel. It's my favorite do it all cartridge. And its lightweight

@richfinley6017 2 года назад

"6.5 Man Bun" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thank you TONS for that! Amazing how a 250 Sav Improved, squoze up .007" has gained such a mythical reputation. An optimization for sure, and an excellent cartridge, but not magic.

@justinlance4174 2 года назад

@@richfinley6017 triggered snowflake alert. If u Dont want it dont buy it. Ur loss not mine. But it's the best cartridge ever squashed into an ar15 reciever. No one here ever claimed 6.5grendel was magic. Ur the one who came up with that assumption. But dont get triggered when someone wants better performance than u.

@fisher1972 2 года назад

6.5 grendel out of an 18 inch barrel is magic! It kills out of proportion,out of a light handling semi auto! I have several bigger calibers but the 6.5 grendel is a favorite

@brians2733 2 года назад

My first varmint rifle was a Ruger M77 in .223. It’s a beautiful gun (much nicer than the Remington 700 VS I have in .22-250) and great to carry around, be it for ground hogs or coyotes. In Ohio we’re pretty limited in our uses, but it’s still nice to have.

@jerrywillis5585 2 года назад

Shot placement is everything.

@swishswish386 2 года назад

Firstly, another informative, interesting and engaging vid 👍👍👍 The .223 is kind of like the Swiss Army Knife of rifles and it cements the notion that this is another old school round that is difficult to top. An almost infinitive array of rifle brands chamber for it, it’s cheap to shoot, comfortable recoil with pretty impressive and consistent performance…On a side note here in Australia the . 222 is still a popular calibre with plenty of folk using it on vermin / foxes and the like

@mikedundee65 2 года назад

The 222 is still a great cartridge

@boingkster 2 года назад

A whole lot if your aim is good! Chest/body shots on varmint are just fine, especially with speedy 40-55gn projectiles. Larger critters benefit from headshots, however a well placed heart/lung shot will indeed do the job with a well tailored load and a heavier 55-70gn projectile. Mild recoil and generally good accuracy and efficiency really make this cartridge shine. Hi from Australia, love your stuff!

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Thanks boingkster.

@williamfry6087 2 года назад

I graduated from the 30-06 to the 223 with a Savage model 25 bolt gun. I loved it so much I decided to get an AR which I built myself. Lower recoil, less cost to reload, and darn accurate. Sub MOA out of a good barrel. I use 69 to 75 grain bullets out to 600 yards

@Fucrightoff 2 года назад

The 223 is my personal choice and my most favourite ammo for hunting and self defence and it has armour piercing capabilities. I use it all the time and would never give this round up

@johnfrank4558 5 месяцев назад

Lol

@elvenisar 2 года назад

as a Korean, honestly M-16A1 and K2(Piston driven AR style rifle) are my only two rifle I ever shoot. I shoot lots of 9mm, .38spl, some .357mag, and few 12gauge from O/U shotguns. so I have very little reference to the cartridge, but I know 5.56x45mm NATO is very mild and soft round to shoot for the first time I pull the trigger. I've quite surprised to AR's mild recoils. because I always listen my grandfather's "aemu-wang(of course, he mean M1 garand)"story when he participated in the Korean War(6.25.1950-7.27.1953) - big, long, heavy and powerful to broke his shoulder bone(as just kidding) and enemies's skull(which is not kidding) at the same time when he pull the trigger.

@bobgordon1754 2 года назад

Keep shooting girl. it is wonderful that you are shooting, absolutely wonderful.

@garrettjaneski6209 2 года назад

Wonderful evaluation of the .223

@chetperry9283 2 года назад

Hey Ron, best reviews of the Rem .223 and Win .308 I have seen. I appreciate your honesty and candor and presenting the real data!. You are the thinking man's hunter and ballistics expert.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Thanks Chet. I appreciate that! Not sure I deserve it, but life's short, so I'll take it!

@jimmyrustler5801 2 года назад

.223/5.56 is somehow both the smallest intermediate rifle cartridge you can get and a devastating explosive 50 caliber AP round that kills people if they look at them wrong

@jonpaulison2283 17 часов назад

Thank you for all the great information about the .223 and all your other videos .

@SuperDave-pe1zw 2 года назад

I use a 270 for deer hunting and depending on weather sometimes a 30/30. I use my 223 on coyotes and hogs. I use Hornady V max 55 gr bullets. It drops coyotes where they stand and depending on shot placement has dropped 350 pound hogs in their tracks. It's a great round for what I use it for. Another great presentation 👏

@RLD454C 2 года назад

I have a Remingtin model 700 - 223 with a 24 inch barrel and I have taken more than 50 whitetails a 14 inch antelope and a couple elk with my 223 . Shot selection and distance and bullet selection are critical when using a 223 to take larger game animals .

@woldridgefencing9021 2 года назад

Teaches a lot of patients too!

@mddunlap03 2 года назад

I mean you can drop a grizzly with a 22 if you wanted to but doesn’t make it the best option

@dranelittle7726 2 года назад

@@mddunlap03 you can easily brain one at twice the distance any archer can reliably hit the chest with a broadhead. So what's the problem? You can't get half as close as a bowhunter, or you can't hit a 6" disk at 100m, from a braced firing position with a scope?

@negativerush 2 года назад

A 62 or 77 grain control chaos might be a good choice

@fiveowaf454 2 года назад

Having the longer barrel is important to 223 performance IMO, many rounds peak in velocity from a 24" barrel and that gives a benefit in that at 100 yds the bullet can be travelling at the same speed it is from the muzzle on a lot of the shorter barrel AR's that are so popular now. I have a 24" barrel, a 20" and an 18.5" in the 223/5.56 caliber, what I also like with the 24" barrel is how quiet the round is to shoot in the field compared to shorter ones too, makes it a real pleasure to fire, very soft shooting with no noticeable muzzle blast.

@rx7enjoyer240 2 года назад

Fast follow up shots and capacity is awesome

@johnwolfen4243 2 года назад

Thanks again Ron: You're becoming a regular thing for me. People could start talking. :) The .223 Rem or 5.56mm is a good little cartridge. I wouldn't use it on anything more than 150 to 180 LBS. I own a Remington model 700 in .223 and love it for all manner of pest. I have heard of Northern Native Americans hunting moose with a .22 Hornet, but I can't say I'd ever try that. Those Natives up north kill to eat, and their shooting reflects that.

@paststeve1 2 года назад

Great video Ron! .223 Rem is a very versatile round, as you said. The .223/5.56 is easy on the shoulder and fun to plink with. Taking NC deer, raccoons and coyotes is absolutely possible with this round. Thanks Ron, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Grace & Peace

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Peace and Merry Christmas to you, too, Rev. Steve.

@cugir321 2 года назад

Amen! I've shot numerous big bucks with the sierra 55 gr sbt....it's like a hammer for a chest shot. Shot a 200lb NC 10 pnt last week.....ran 100 yds and flopped over.Amen!

@TonyWright-tf5zy 11 месяцев назад

It should be, it an itty bitty .22 round.. accepted for military service not for its ability but because of corruption and backroom dealings.. Always find it so funny that Yanks love the 'fat' .45 over the 'skinny' 9mm yet go for the .22 round over the .30 family rounds like 7.62x39..

@kennyk541 8 месяцев назад

⁠@@TonyWright-tf5zywe don’t even use the 45 anymore haven’t used it since Vietnam and we prefer the 5.56 since it performs very well in warfare there’s a reason the Russian stoped used there 7.62x39 in favor of there 5.45

@bennelson3724 Год назад

223 62 grain or 75 grain from a 22 inch barrel bolt action OR 62 grain from a 20 inch AR does GREAT at North Alabama whitetail within 150 yards. Longest one has walked after impact was about 30 yards. I believe 223 with the right bullet from the right barrel is a nearly perfect Southeastern whitetail cartridge

@alquinn3562 2 года назад

Folded 2 does with Speer gold dots in223 within 30 seconds of each other last week. One ran/ stumbled 30 yards. The other about 15 yards. Autopsy: Exit wounds on both. Each of the chest cavities were obliterated. Shots were inside 100 yards. It’s a good little round especially for newbies, oldies and anyone who just enjoys time on stand.

@victorsmith468 2 года назад

What grain gold Dots were you using?

@alquinn3562 2 года назад

@@victorsmith468 75 grain

@alquinn3562 2 года назад

Now keep me n mind, in north east Oklahoma, a big doe is 85 to 110 pound animal. If I were hunting ag raised midwestern deer I would tend to use a larger caliber. 308 Speer gold dots are very devastating on bigger animals. I have used 169 grain gold dots and dropped many in their tracks. Not sure what I’m going to do with my surplus Cor lokts now!!🤫

@markforsythe7122 2 года назад

I have been using mine for whitetail deer. 55 TTSX barnes. This years three point went down like a sack of potatoes. Cheap to load. And fun to shoot.

@williamgaines9784 2 года назад

A lot of creatures have been harvested with the 22 Savage Hi-Power, which has about the same power as 223 Rem.. I recall watching a film, back when films were actual film, of Native Alaskans taking sea lions, caribou, even polar bears with the 22 Savage. Shot placement and distance, usually close, were paramount considerations as the ammo store was NOT just around the corner. Great video.

@MrHyde-dt1sx 2 года назад

Hell, they shot tigers in India with the hi power. I think Newton said it worked best after the tiger had a full belly. 70 grain .227 caliber bullets. I've had one for 40 years and shot several whitetails with it. Savage model 99

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Good one William. The 22 "Imp" was famously used to slay an Indian tiger back in the day as an advertising stunt. It's actually a bit more powerful than the 223 Rem., pushing a 70-gr. bullet about 200 fps faster. The 22 High Power also fired .228" diameter bullets, not .224." I suspect .224s would obdurate sufficiently to work well enough in an Imp barrel, but have no proof.

@MrHyde-dt1sx 2 года назад

@@RonSpomerOutdoors the224 works good enough for 50 yards and in

@matthysswanepoel2597 2 года назад

Best caliber ever made! My 8yo boy took down a Kudu bull, Impala, Bluewildebeest and Bushbuck in one week, each with one lung shot at around 150 yds. The 223 is our go-to rifle on the farm and used around 99.9% of the time, with the 7mm Rem, 308 and 375H&H almost never used collecting dust in the safe... Thanks Mr Spomer for your great videos. All the best

@MrHercules222 2 года назад

223 with a 55 grain ballistic tip is my favorite for woodchuck, fox and coyote. Drops them dead where they stand and no exit wound. Also super fun to shoot woodchuck on alfalfa fields out at 250-300 yards. Gets some long range practice at shorter ranges.

@wildripeach1 2 года назад

Hi Ron I regularly hunt Springbuck with the .223Rem out to 300m with wind being the limit. I use 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip and focus on heart shots. It is cheap and efficient. I would not recommend that you use it on anything larger than Blesbuck but in specific cases it may work... Thus it would be perfect for Pronghorn up to Whitetail both of which would be on a bucket list. Ron I love your work and regards from South Africa 🇿🇦

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Your analysis sounds about right to me. Impala is as large as I've gone with 223 in Africa.

@DrBreezeAir 2 года назад

It worked like a charm on a roe deer. My friend uses it on hogs with great success. And the outfitter that took me roe deer hunting uses it on everything up to moose and red deer. He says the only thing that matters is the shot placement.

@dragoonTT 2 года назад

Bingo, any animal with a hole through the lungs and heart won’t last long.

@nielrossouw7831 2 года назад

My cousin was a PH here in South Africa. He used his .222 on all plains game. He had the rifle since he was 16years old and he always said that nothing can survive a .222 in the brain. He was a fantastic shot and I never saw him miss anything during the 35 years we hunted together. I wont advise most people to use a 223 as a hunting rifle but if you have his skill set go ahead!

@66smithra 2 года назад

Why not use an air rifle then? Place the shot PERFECTLY behind the shoulder. Should do the trick, right?

@actionjksn 2 года назад

@@66smithra I can assure you that there are air rifles that can kill a deer. I use real guns but i know there are some super powerful air rifles with larger calibers. You know there are some really poor people with one rifle in one caliber who shoot larger game in order to eat. People shooting elk with. 223 are not recreational hunters, they're hungry. I know a guy who was starving back in the day who shot a whitetail with a. 22 long rifle. He had to chase it a long way but him and his family got to eat.

@66smithra 2 года назад

@@actionjksn Yeah obviously we're not talking about necessity. The point was that the 223 is not a good deer cartridge. We should use better tools if at all possible. The original poster said "the only thing that matters is shot placement," and that's obviously not true.

@davehunt8088 2 года назад

Thanks Ron.My first center fire was a .222 Savage.Could knock the eye from a fly.haha.Love the .223 and hope to find a Remington 700(older)to complete the collection.👍👍

@denniscleversy4253 2 года назад

Don't forget, that twist rate of the 223 Remington, will also determine the best bullet weight for your rifle.

@ken244 Год назад

I appreciate your opinion on this subject and agree, shot placement is a key factor.

@mrfood34 2 года назад

Great video, I love my 223 I can shoot it all day long and for hunting I've shot big mature coyote with it they drop a die instantly I'm very confident a shot in the vitals on a whitetail dear would have the same affect . Thanks Ron

@craigkennedy6058 11 месяцев назад

Ron I think you are on the right track with the 223. The first center fire rifle I taught my daughter how to shoot with was one of the first Ruger 77 MkII in 223. Have had great success with Varmints, predators, and Javalina. I have not used it on deer but at the right range with a good bullet no problem. Thanks. I always enjoy your podcast and share it with friends and family

@byronfranklin3612 2 года назад

Ron you’re right about range, I have a Remington BDL 700 little custom work in trigger on the range with hand loaded ammo all in a dime at 300 yards

@keithbrandson6293 9 месяцев назад

Versatility is exactly right. From both the barrel length to modern technology bullets, the .223|5.56 can be tailored to virtually any use case (except big game in my opinion). Thanks Ron.

@ethankelso3084 2 года назад

Most people here in Nome, Alaska rock a .223 for all winter time hunting use. Works well on seals, caribou, wolves, ect. I've even shot and witnessed others take down both grizzly bears and sometimes moose with a .223. No need for fancy bullets either, 55gn surplus m193 works great on everything. ARs of good quality generally perform well in the arctic and some stay away from the mini-14 after more than one person has had the bolt explode, blowing out the extractor, and yes that is with .223 not 5.56.

@amramhakohen3923 Год назад

....and only a 3-round burst to take down the grizz, right?

@MarikHavair Год назад

@@amramhakohen3923 People have taken everything from Lions bears and even a fucking elephant with 22LR of all things, I don't think there's a single extant animal on earth that 223 won't kill with proper shot placement sans maybe a great whale.

@mattsimmons3259 2 года назад

.223 my favourite cartridge . Capable , comfortable.

@bobsmoot2392 2 года назад

When I lived in Alaska (70s) the Eskimo hunters commonly used .222Rem on scoped bolt actions on more open areas/shores. They were excellent shots who took large game (moose, walrus, polar bear) with 222. The Indians I knew, hunted the dense coastal forest mountains. They weren't particularly good shots, but were amazing stalkers. They usually used lever. 30-30s and snuck in real close. Both groups fed there families with their rifles. I used. 30-06 for moose.

@hedge7743 2 года назад

Fantastic "field gun". By that, I mean a great rifle to carry while in the field for "incidental use". I'm not saying anything about deer or larger game, but more of a "something just popped up" shooter. Also, probably one of the most controversial loads in America. Everyone has an opinion on it, but don't automatically count it out of an application!

@stevepuyear2738 2 года назад

Hedge 774. Very well put Sir! It's not overkill for anything, or under kill 'if" common sense is applied when matching cartridge to game size.

@simpleman4196 2 года назад

I have taken dozens and dozens of white tail deer over the years with 55gr 223 it has never failed me one shot and down out to 180yards. But yes just be wise and understand what your doing

@G19Jeeper 2 года назад

Agreed. It’s my favorite and makes a great truck gun or walking about rifle

@Washyourbellybutton 2 года назад

Just say it's good for killing bad guys lol

@ed5042 2 года назад

when hunting my buddies place , the longest shot maybe 100 yards, I use my T/C venture with Barnes 55 grain , dead accurate. I am quite confident with this rig

@geoant67 Год назад

I harvested an 8 point whitetail in Oklahoma at 397 yards with Barnes vortex factory 223 ammo. The 55gr monolith Passed through the deer's spine and both shoulder blades. complete pass through. The animal dropped in its tracks. Careful shot placement, lots of practice at the range you plan on shooting, and the 223/556 is plenty for game up to 200lbs. Great videos!

@thomasdaum1927 2 года назад

Hey Ron great description and evaluation of the 223 cartridge. I used my Savage axis 223 with a Burris 4 x12 scope shooting a 50 gr V Max ( 25.6 gr H 335 ) Winchester case and 205 primer to take a coyote this morning . Dropped in his tracks and no exit hole. Have a good Christmas !

@blueridgeboy6791 2 года назад

I've taken an watched other whitetails of good size bget flat out dropped in their tracks with a 223 and a 60 grain nosler partitions. Would never be afraid to use it for deer within 300 yards. Past that a 243 is good. An so on so fourth. Great video ron.

@jessemendoza1758 2 года назад

He definitely nailed it for me. As a boy growing up in the desert of Arizona I never fired a semi-automatic anything! It was all break open shotguns and bolt action .22's. My Father's philosophy being that if you couldn't get it done in one shot you had no business being out there! Shot placement was everything to him! My first experience with anything bigger came in the Army with an M16. After I got out I hadn't really thought much about one just trying to put my experiences with one behind me. I picked up an AR-15 years later and teared up when I held it at the store. I literally wept when I held it at home. So many memories and experiences came flooding back to me. People and things I hadn't thought about in years just came right back as If it hadn't so long ago! I don't get to hunt as much as I would like to and other than my military experience (which I am not gonna go into!) I really couldn't say or attest to it's prowess for any particular hunting. I agree that shot placement is paramount but over the years I have also come to respect the fact that you need the right kind of bullet/round. If you want or expect a decent and humane kill and don't want to have to track and or chase the animal you shot. Good shot placement and the right bullet will go a long way in making that happen! Always remember to keep your finger out of the trigger well till you are ready to shoot! To be safe and know your target and what's beyond! Once that bullet leaves the barrel, there is no taking it back! God Bless us, each and everyone! In the service I learned that in the bush and outside the wire, all we had is what you carried and each other! In other words, be kind to others and hopefully they will be kind to you! Stay safe in all you do!

@jessemendoza1758 2 года назад

Sorry, I forgot this in my earlier post. The reason I wept at home (holding the AR-15) is cause it was like holding a long lost lover! Something that had saved and carried me through some of the darkest and most dangerous times in my life! That is why I wept. It was so familiar and had been there when I really needed it. Can't say that about a lot of people! Anyway, just wanted to clear that up. Happy hunting and shooting! Stay safe and God Bless!

@esrahansenoutdoorsandselfr563 2 года назад

thanks for making this great video i am from new zealand where 223 is very common i have shot alot of hares rabbits goats and deer with the 223 such a good round!

@adamelam6385 2 года назад

My CZ 527 in .223 is my favorite rifle. Probably taken 3 dozen groundhogs and a fox. It's a sweetheart. 130 yards is my common distance and 300 yards would be a long shot here so it's perfect for my needs.

@bobsweet7422 Год назад

40 Years ago I lived in Alaska among the native alaskan's and carried a Ruger Mini 14 along with my 44 Mag side arm. It was not ideal but I took 3 black bear with the .223. One shot one kill each time. My "Alaska Dad" used a .243 for everything from seals, mountain goat, black bear, deer to Moose. He was the most amazing marksman I have ever seen. We used what we had available. I would not recommend it for most of those animals today as I have many other options available but it worked... Love your videos!

@lawrencelewis1036 2 года назад

The 223 with the 60gr.Nosler partition works very well on deer.Aim small miss small !

@bobgordon1754 2 года назад

I have killed more than one deer with the 60grain nosler partition.

@demetriuscooksey7147 2 года назад

My Dad used that bullet in the 220 Swift to kill a pile of deer and antelope, and the occasional unsuspecting yote.

@AndyYoung789 2 года назад

I've owned 6 rifles in 222 Remington and another 6 in 223 Remington: From Sako to Remington to Anschutz to Ruger, and found them good for everything up to Cape Buffalo.

@joelmcmahan7386 2 года назад

Been a fan for years, watched you for years. Thanks for all the fun and informative videos and shows on tv. Good shooting and gods speed to you and yours. 👍🦌🎥🏆🏆🏆

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Thanks Joel. All the best to you and yours as well. Thanks for watching.

@rtchow3000 2 года назад

i love my M-16 bc this was the rifle I was trained on while in the military. i wouldn't switch to others. i did have 306, I gave it up bc it was too bulky for a small guy to carry around in long distances. Besides, .223 is not as costly as 306 round, and as you said, has less recoil. stripping, and cleaning the AR is the same as the M-16 with identical parts.

@DanielBoone337 2 года назад

I know one of the toughest critters in America that I've probably killed into the very very high hundreds if not into the thousands and that critter would be the wild hogs... I've killed a big chunk of them with 223 Rem out of an AR15 and many of those was a 1 shot stop. I've seen those same hogs shrug off shots from 308, 30-06, 300WIN up to 338 Lapua and keep running. I'm not saying it's the best for everything and I'm not recommending people trade in their 7mm Rem Mags to go moose or elk hunting or saying you should even use it for that but with proper shot placement and bullet choice you can do a lot of cool things with the 223. I'd also say if you don't own something chambered in it you're wrong... LOL Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!

@jaydunbar7538 2 года назад

Id go with 5.56 clambering for the cheap nato plinking rounds, but I agree even if a person doesn't use it for hunting its a great cheap way to have fun at the range. It's what all my kids are training with, I can't afford to buy enough 243 ammunition with current prices to keep them training.

@DanielBoone337 2 года назад

@@jaydunbar7538 yeah I forgot to put that in there personally I like 223 Wylde more then 556 chambered AR's because it's better for 223 but you can shoot 556. I do a ton of reloading and I rarely load to 556 pressures because you're not really gaining anything and if you don't reload you can't find good hunting ammo in 556 either. But you're correct having the option to shoot 556 for the cheap plinking ammo is definitely a good thing. Take care brother!!

@congamike1 2 года назад

Amazing! I was just talking with a friend about feral hogs and 223's a couple of hours ago. Thanks!

@BubbaBigDude 2 года назад

Yes feral hogs are problematic in some regions, I know 223 does quite well for dealing with them.

@fjb4932 2 года назад

And yet, so many don't believe we are being monitored 24/7. How many times have i been talking with someone and that same subject comes up in my recommended list ! ... In talking / texting with close patriots, we often close with "Allie Achbar". Can't tell me our Homeland Defense files aren't as thick as my 4th ex ...

@jakepiemme9600 2 года назад

I own a 222 and 3 different 223s. My kids took alot of deer with them both at younger ages with a 100% success rate. Its where u place that shot. They're all older now and moved up in calibers but my son and I still do alot of our groundhog n further hunting with this round. I personally have no problem with pa sized whitetail hunters using this round...it has worked for our family over a dozen times out to 150 yards give or take and killed everything its connected quickly

@blakevanness 2 года назад

I've probably killed a pickup truck load of central pa whitetail with my 222, as have my grandparents and my mom. A core-lokt through the vitals and I've never had to track more than 50-75 yards, quite a few only went 10-20 yards. I upgraded to a 30-06 years ago, but I'll always have a soft spot for the 222.

@tradbowhunter53 Год назад

Love using an AR and hornady TAP 5.56 62gr soft points for whitetail here in idaho. The area we hunt whitetail is pretty dense so a compact handy rifle that I can be very quick on an unexpected opportunity but also be able to stretch out into a field(granted, you aren't getting a shot further than 200 99% of the time out there). Last doe I shot the round punched through the front right shoulder at about 50 yards, did it's job in the vitals, and exited out the ribs, holding a straight flight path all the way through. Doe ran about 20 yards and tipped over. 2 years ago another doe at a similar distance dropped instantly. I'm not saying it's the most terminally capable round out there, but it certainly does the job really well with propper bullet and loading selection

@devinb3397 2 года назад

Hey Ron love the vid. Would love to see some ballistic gel tests one day! Comparing varmint, bonded and mono projectiles. Too many people don’t realise how important projectiles are. At the end of they day that’s the only thing that touches the deer and is the most important. Using a varmint projectile on big game doesn’t end well!

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

You're playing my song when you sing about bullet importance, John. That's the whole reason for the rifle, scope, case, primer, powder... Everything hinges on bullet performance.

@richardpowell1664 2 года назад

Yep, at the end of the day our rifles are bullet launchers.

@johnshields9110 2 года назад

@@richardpowell1664 Numerous people used to chide me and my favorite hunting buddy for 'shooting up your ammo'! We tested for bullet performance, as well a finding our rifles favorite loading. We'd shoot 10 rounds out of a box of 20 to make sure it was the right load, then try to kill the next 10 critters in a row, which we did on more than one occasion. We liked the spire point 50 grain 223 bullets better than HP's.

@freedomralley6624 2 года назад

I’ve shot many “large” game in my country with a 223. Anything from rabbits to Red deer and everything in between. Goats, pigs and fallow deer. Professional deer cullers in my country back in the day favoured the 222 before the invent of the 223 because of the weight saving and accuracy of the round. Head and neck shots at moderate distances are the key. Shot placement in any caliber always is. I’ve introduced both my sons and a friends son to the value of a 223 and taught them shot placement to secure food for the family. It’s cheap, has very little recoil and punches above its weight.

@daveyboy6985 2 года назад

You sound like a fellow New Zealander .

@garageliving3658 2 года назад

Tip selection and accuracy is key to the 223 for harvesting any size animals. I loaded up 50gr varmint tips at max powder and took a couple whitetails down, huge amount of damage but no exit holes. Gonna try some heavier rounds next year to get a little more penatration

@jamescalhoun4588 Год назад

Get you some 62gr federal fusions !

@jordanbrits3732 2 года назад

Hey Ron, love the videos. I am from South Africa and I know hundreds of people, and most of them are PH’s who shoot Oryx sized game with the .223 rem all the time.

@jmount411 2 года назад

It's a good cartridge for alot of things. I wouldn't hunt anything larger than deer with it personally. But I'm sure you could do it if you needed too. No cartridge is perfect. It's like getting a tool from your toolbox. Your not going to use a flathead screwdriver for a phillips head screw, but in a pinch sometimes you can do it. Use the right tool for the job and if you have to improvise, make sure your well practiced and using your head.

@benoutdoors 2 года назад

People bow hunt big game, If a broad head can kill it so can a .223

@northman77 2 года назад

I know a native guy who killed a moose this fall with a 223! 130 yards headshot. As a white guy, I dont have the right to do this, it is mendatory to use 6mm (243) or more for big games here. That said, 223 and 22-250 seems to work pretty well!

@66smithra 2 года назад

@@benoutdoors That's not the same comparison. The 223 "can kill" an elephant of course. But it's not the proper tool for that job. The chances of wounding big game and the availability of proper calibers make it sort of silly to use a 223 for something it wasn't designed for.

@benoutdoors 2 года назад

@@66smithra it’s funny because my friend just killed 2 deer with a .22 lr.

@66smithra 2 года назад

@@benoutdoors Is he a poacher?

@kenhurley4441 2 года назад

Back in the 80's I researched for 2 years before buying my first rifle 30.06. What convinced me was a book titled, Beware of the man that only owns one rifle,,,, he knows how to use it. Later I purchased an AR-15 .556. Now I know how to use both of them. If I had to give one of my rifles up,,,,, bye bye 30.06. Shot placement is paramount! Oh and probably more deer have been taken by a 22LR than any other gun (especially out of season).

@thomasdodd4462 2 года назад

I’ve used the .223 successfully on whitetail and it absolutely does the trick. Bullet construction and shot placement is very important, as with other cartridges

@longsnipz 2 года назад

I've never had an issue dropping Whitetails with the. 223. 55gr soft points (handloads) .... I love the cartridge, my training rifle is chambered in .223.... easily shoot 2in groups at 500yrds. Saves me a ton of money keeping my marksmanship in check without Using my much more expensive rounds out of my competition rifle.

@tacman2893 2 года назад

In my province (Sk) the 223 is legal for big game which includes up to moose. Personally, not my cup of tea for anything bigger than a coyote but guys here get deer all the time with it. My “lightest” cartridge of choice for big game is really the 243 Winchester but I tend to use my 257 Weatherby for everything up to Elk. After that the 7mm REM Mag or 300 Weatherby comes out. Except for black bear, then it’s the lever 30/30 or my 1886 Winchester in 45/70. But to each his own!

@ryane6719 2 года назад

That 7mag is just a perfect big game round, my absolute favorite.

@prairiefalcon9494 2 года назад

Friend and I were shooting 800 yards with our 223s last weekend at Moosejaw. It is my target rifle. I am also a fan of the 257 WM. This year i got my deer with the 6.5 Swede.

@richardpowell1664 2 года назад

Hey Tac Man I've hunted black bear a lot with lever actions in the timber of the Smokies. I've used both 30-30 & 45-70. I ended up using a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. The 30-30 is a bit light & the 45-70 is a bit much. The 35 is right in the Goldilocks zone for bear. I also used a semi auto 8 mm Mauser that my dad brought back from the Battle of the bulge whose prior owner had moved on too the happy hunting grounds, with great success until its value got to high too high too hunt with. I hunted with hounds so we got quite a few running shots, hence my preference for lever guns & semi-auto.

@ryane6719 2 года назад

@@prairiefalcon9494 at 800 yrds that .223 is dropping 27 feet.. that’s a lot of compensation…

@tacman2893 2 года назад

@@richardpowell1664 very cool! I haven’t had the pleasure of using a 35 Remington but I have heard great things. Other than my Weatherby’s I tend to use “standard” cartridges just because not a lot of different cartridges available in my parts. I do reload so maybe a new Marlin in 35 Remington would be a good investment 👍

@andreashoiby4333 2 года назад

The 222 is still popular in Sweden. I love my 222 Winchester 70.

@223dmr7 2 года назад

I'm out to 800m with my 223 Remington bolt gun. My son killed a nice buck at 200m with it a couple years ago. He was about 275pownds.

@paulmoss7940 2 года назад

Have an old Win M70 lightweight and a TC Contender to sister up with AR's. They used to be one of the cheapest to shoot is the reason I kept them, glad I did .

@richardwebb371 2 года назад

Always like the way Ron explains in depth so everyone can understand.. Love his vids. He is very interesting and enjoy to watch

@gunner4373 2 года назад

It'll do anything with shot placement. I just don't use it because of the possibility of unforseen variables. Varmint, yes, big game, no. Nothing over 150lbs. Even with modern loads. I've been hunting CO big game for 35yrs and I've seen enough issues with the 243, even with good shot placement, that I'll just keep .223 to smaller animals and 2 legged assailants

@omegaman6770 2 года назад

WORD ! 👍

@barrygrant2907 2 года назад

Back in the late '80s I bought a Rem 788 in .223 for shooting rock chucks in eastern WA. Using Sierra 55-grain SPBTs, it was not difficult to drop the varmints at ranges stretching out to 350 yards with a Bushnell 3x9 Sportview scope. While explosive on rock chucks, I found its performance to be a bit iffy on bigger coyotes. Not that it would not drop one dead in its tracks with a good shot, but sometimes, due to either bullets fail or aim fail, it came up a bit lacking. For that reason, I'm not a big fan of the .223 on deer and such. But bullets and powders have improved, so maybe if I were doing it all over again, my opinion might change.

@frankus54 2 года назад

It would be interesting to see an opinion on the old .222. After years of shooting a 22-250 and picked up an old .222, I find it great and probably under rated.

@tomdavis3038 2 года назад

I’ve seen what it can do. It’s a good round but it’s uncommon and unless you’re in a .222 cult I don’t see any valid reason to pursue this caliber. Just my opinion

@coyoteodie4458 2 года назад

It will do anything the .223 will do, some say more accurately. I don't have one becuase i have several .223's. I've taken gophers up to mule deer with them. Specific bullets for each task. They punch above their weight class. Enjoy your .222!

@frankus54 2 года назад

There's a few other historic cult members in the gun safe.

@ralfklonowski3740 Год назад

.222 Remington stood out in Germany as beeing the smallest cartridge you could legally use for deer, which for many hunters in our densely populated country means roe. So while many hunters considered the .243 Winchester the ideal roe round, the .222 was quite popular back then. When I leafed through my uncle's gun and gear catalogues as a teen in the late 70's/early 80's I would find a number of rifles chambered for this round. This has changed a lot, .223 and .308 seem to dominate the market, probably because of good availability and price. While I am sure there are still German hunters killing roe with the .222, most consider it underpowered for wild boar, which is the second kind of bigger game you can find nearly everywhere in Germany, even next to and sometimes inside city areas. So if you are going to buy a more powerful rifle anyway for hunting boar, there is no need to keep a roe-only-rifle in .222.

@brianklamer3328 2 года назад

Ron, Thanks for showing the benefits of a small tried and true American caliber. A sturdily constructed .224 bullet with precision accuracy will do a heck of a lot more while hunting than most guys realize. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Brian.

@texassportsman5880 2 года назад

I've taken my share of Whitetail with the .22-250 out to 200 yards without any issues.

@gerardgoubel4169 2 года назад

Pas pour gros gibiers (75/80) kgs

@bobdoby1810 2 года назад

Always Enjoy 😊 Ron’s Pearls Of Wisdom , No Rah Rah , Just Good Olde Fashion Practical HONEST Experience!! Nuff Said !!😉

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

I appreciate that.

@leeadams5941 2 года назад

Interesting topic, yes the 223 will do the job. I had occasion to live in a very rural area for a while and it was not uncommon for the locals there to hunt deer with 22 LR. what was required was usually a brain or spinal cord shot...and many of the locals had been doing that for years and were very good at shot placement. I suppose that is in the realm of shooting Moose with a .223. When you actually need to put food on the table a lot of things are possible that you would not consider normally.

@kane357lynch 2 года назад

I think 223 would have the pen needed if you got the brain. Its much smaller than youd think in some animals. But i wonder if it could reach the heart?

@jaydunbar7538 2 года назад

@@kane357lynch a hot steel core 5.56 with a 20-24 inch barrel yes it would reach the heart, of course as long as you do your job and don't hit the shoulder blade. However it likly won't have the velocity to damage the heart by just getting close, it would require excellent placement. I'd guess the lung damage would be the deciding factor, problem is with that big of a lung and that small of a bullet how long will it take for a moose to drop? I can assure you I won't be using my 5.56 for moose any time soon, anything bigger then a whitetail is certainly worth grabbing the 270 out of the safe. 270 is also what I use for whitetail, was my first hunting rifle when I got my hunting certificate and I haven't had it fail me yet so haven't ever had a reason to leave it home.

@kane357lynch 2 года назад

@@jaydunbar7538 do you think hot loaded hardcast could potentially accomplish that? Steel core is overkill and quite hard to come by, but if you need to kill and eat a moose, i would bet ur right

@boingkster 2 года назад

@@kane357lynch 270 hardcast with a headshot, sure thing! I'd be hesitant with a chest shot on something that size. If you dial a load in to be accurate then most any reasonable centrefire will work with hardcast and headshot. If you want a real cast-load performer look at some of the older cartridges like the 45-70, they're just made for casting. Throw some wheel weights in a cast pot and get going! I've got an inch at 100m out of my Marlin 1895 with 405gn hardcast and I'd be confident with using that on pretty much anything.

@dranelittle7726 2 года назад

@@jaydunbar7538 so shoot them in the brain. You can't get within 100m? You can't hit a 6" disk at 100m? Take a braced firing position with a walking stick or sit and use your frame pack as a rifle rest.

@daveshepherd7582 2 года назад

Your comments are spot on. For me, any game inside of 100yds is fair game with my savage .223. Beyond that and my confidence falls as quickly as a 50g bullet. Great video!

@johnnymccann5607 2 года назад

the 223 is a wonderful little cartridge kept in its limits. i have seen factory ammunition specifically for deer and will boat . i won’t hesitate to hunt deer with my 22-250 I’ve took many deer with even my 22 magnum. but if you is them and 223 you need to be a good tracker in case not much blood trail and I’m case no blood trail because chest cavity filling with blood. hogs and wild boar . not me . iam not going to intentionally hunt a creature that is plenty able to hurt me seriously or kill me with a .224 bullet. I’m my opinion for me my 308 carbine, slug shot gun, any thing that will produce greater energy power and hydraulic shock and mass blood loss . iam disabled with health issues and can’t run or climb enough if on charges so want that stomps the spit out of them. there’s only one of me and many of them. Nana and papa wishing you well.

@RonSpomerOutdoors 2 года назад

Use enough gun, Johnny. Or better yet enough bullet and energy.

@justauser 9 месяцев назад

I think a big part of the .223 being so successful is the AR platform and related parts and accessories being extremely adopted everywhere worldwide. Even most precision bolt guns have AR compatible grips and stocks. Its just such a great platform for so many things. Most people want a semi auto, including for hunting and AR is excellent