The .223 Remington is well known for its capability at the range. But, except for a few notable varmints and predators, it’s largely overlooked as a hunting cartridge. But this round may be more versatile than you thought and more useful in the field than you imagined.
What Can You Hunt With 223 Ammo?
There are a lot of different types of game you can hunt with 223 ammo. These are some of the most common hunters will stalk in North America with .223 Rem:
- Coyote
- Whitetail Deer
- Prairie Dogs
- Feral Hogs
- Rabbits and Hare
- Pronghorn
Coyote
Probably the most common live target for .223 cartridges, coyote are hunted with the round in all corners of the U.S. Modern AR-style sporting rifles chambering .223 rounds are accurate and reliable, and they are easy to carry in the field, a common requirement for coyote hunts. The .223 Remington delivers plenty of speed and penetration for harvesting coyote, but doesn’t leave a large hole in the valuable pelt.
Cartridge Suggestions:
Federal 40-Grain Varmint & Predator
Whitetail Deer
The whitetail deer is probably the most popular game animal in the United States. Many, however, feel that the .223 Remington, while fast and accurate, does not have enough power to deliver effective shots on a large whitetail buck. However, with accurate shot placement and the right load, the .223 Remington can drop a thick-chested whitetail. For this hunt, a heavier bullet is recommended.
Cartridge Suggestion:
Federal’s 62-grain Trophy Bonded Tip
Prairie Dogs
If there is one animal that brings little debate for the .223 Remington, it’s the prairie dog. Cute as they may be, the population of a prairie dog colony can expand quickly, ruining lands in the western United States. The .223 Remington from a semiautomatic rifle is a typical option for quickly dispatching these varmints.
Cartridge Suggestion: Fiocchi’s 40-grain Field Dynamics V-Max
Feral Hogs
The feral hog is one of the most rugged and tough-skinned animals you’ll ever pursue. This target requires a fast-moving and accurate round, preferably from a weapon that can deliver multiple shots in quick succession. For this reason, the .223 Remington is a popular option for feral hog. Whether hunting for population control or harvesting meat (or both), hunting hog with this round is a popular activity all across the United States.
Cartridge Suggestions:
Rabbits and Hares
Fast, nimble, and unpredictable, cottontails, hares, and jackrabbits present some of the most exciting hunts you’ll ever experience. The .223 Remington delivers ample velocity and power for this target, while modern sporting rifles allow hunters to make quick follow-up shots, a common necessity for these fleet-footed game animals. The .223 may be overkill for smaller rabbits, but jackrabbits and other large hares are fine targets for this popular cartridge. Since many prefer to keep the lush pelt of a rabbit, a non-expanding cartridge may be preferred.
Ammo Suggestion:
Winchester’s 55-grain FMJ (Marketed for target shooting but great for very small game)
Pronghorn
Like the whitetail, there is a ton of debate about the .223’s capability to cleanly and humanely harvest pronghorn. However, hunters in the western U.S. should understand that numerous manufacturers make products specifically for deer and antelope hunting. The wound channel won’t be as wide, but penetration from a .223 Remington can certainly reach a pronghorn’s vitals.
Cartridge Suggestion: Winchester’s 64-grain Power Max Bonded
Why Hunt with the .223 Remington?
If you own a rifle that shoots .223 Remington, it may be time to bring the firearm off the range and use it for hunting.
So, why use .223 Remington for Hunting?
Let’s be honest, there are more powerful cartridges for hunting. There are more affordable rounds for hunting. (Although the .223 is one of the most affordable.) There are cartridges that deliver larger wound channels, greater accuracy, and longer distances.
223 Ballistics for Hunters
To be clear, we are not claiming, in any way, that .223 ammo is superior to all other rounds. But there are benefits.
One of the most important is speed and accuracy. While numerous hunting cartridges deliver more energy from a larger bullet, the .223 Remington is fast and accurate. For game animals like coyote and hog, this can be reliable accuracy at a distance.
The ability to place a bullet on target is essential, but the chance to deliver swift, accurate follow-up shots is also important in many hunting pursuits. The smooth, shoulder-friendly recoil of the .223 Remington makes secondary shots much better.
Considerations When Hunting with the .223 Remington
The .223 Remington brings unique performance to the field, but there are some things you should consider before trying this round on your favorite game animal. These considerations, however, are fairly universal to all cartridges, not just the .223.
Shot placement, for example, is critical when hunting with the .223 Remington, as it is with all cartridges. Even expanding .223 rounds will not deliver a massive wound channel, but it will, thanks to a high velocity, penetrate deeper into a target. Accurate shot placement is essential, but animals are built differently. The vitals on a deer are not in the exact same place as a hog; you need to know your target when hunting with a .223 Remington. (Again, these principles apply to all rounds and all animals.)
Distance and trajectory are critical. With the .223 Remington, you’ll get excellent trajectories and velocities (which is why the round is so popular at the range), allowing you to touch targets at distances of 200 to 300 yards.
The problem when hunting with this round is energy. At those distances, the round likely won’t deliver the power you need for harvesting medium-sized game animals like whitetail or pronghorn. A 200-yard shot on a coyote, jackrabbit, or prairie dog may be acceptable, but it’s probably pushing the limits for whitetail deer.
Energy does not tell the entire story, but most agree that 1,000 ft-lbs or more is needed for dropping game like deer and pronghorn. Therefore, you should check the downrange energy for .223 products and make sure it has the distance you need. For example, if it drops below 1,000 ft-lbs by 100 yards (as most do), it’s probably best to limit your shot distances.
The .223 Remington can be a reliable companion for numerous hunting adventures. With speed, accuracy, and reliable performance, this cartridge can be used for varmint control, predator hunting, or a trophy deer.
If you need .223 cartridges for your next hunt, visit AmmoMan.com and place your order today!
