.223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

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gary09
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.223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby gary09 » Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:44 pm

When we talk about .223 and 5.56 both are identical in shape. In fact, we can load a .223 in a 5.56 chamber and both cartridges are widely used in AR guns. So the question is. Is it possible to hunt big games like a Bear or Deer in any of these cartridges. Or Can you tell me how to build a gun for Hunting.


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Bowhuntercoop
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby Bowhuntercoop » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:47 pm

Look up the 223 thread on rokslide. Multiple people have worked a load up for bear, deer, mulies, elk, antelope, etc. a lot of people say it’s to small but the 77 gr tmk is pure devastation on animals.

5.56 has higher chamber pressures then the 223.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby Bonecrusher101 » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:55 pm

Bowhuntercoop wrote:Look up the 223 thread on rokslide. Multiple people have worked a load up for bear, deer, mulies, elk, antelope, etc. a lot of people say it’s to small but the 77 gr tmk is pure devastation on animals.

5.56 has higher chamber pressures then the 223.


X2 yep I’d go with a heavier grain bullet.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby Rich M » Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:21 am

Step back and see if your state has a minimum caliber for big game hunting - plenty of states restrict big game to .243 (6 mm) and larger bores. Far as I know - FL allows .223 cal.

If not and you are bent on using a .223 cal bullet for deer, bear, etc., there is plenty of research to be done - it is a favorite depredation round. With the right bullet it'll kill deer quickly.

There are other AR style options that are larger bullets if need be. Check em out and see what you like.

If you are gonna do a bolt gun, the 6.5 CM is a decent round, 7mm-08 is nice, 308 is almost a 3006, 270 is a proven winner, and many more.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby A5BLASTER » Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:32 am

There is far more capable hunting rounds designed to fit in the ar15 action for me to ever suggest a 22 cal bullet for hunting.

Step up too 6mm at the very least and 6.5mm would be much more better then and 22 cal bullet.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby mbarthelemy » Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:50 am

same caliber, different chamber pressure. If your barrel is stamped .223, then that is all you can shoot out of it. If it is stamped 5.56, then you can shoot .223 and 5.56. Like one of the other posters mentioned, if you have a larger option use that. 223/556 will be less forgiving if your marksmanship is poor. check your local regs.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby WiscoDisco » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:10 am

I cant tell you ballistics but our crew has 4 deer in the past couple of years with a Savage Axis bolt .223 and the most they have gone is 40 yards.

Not a big whole but turns the insides to mush. It was a prairie dog gun that become a youth deer rifle. My 6 year old got a deer with it this month and you can see it barely kicks in the video. Our .243 has twice as much kick.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby seazofcheeze » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:43 am

I think .223/5.56 is kind of like a 30lb bow. Will it kill a deer with great shot placement? Yes. What happens when the shot goes wrong? It's unnecessarily risky in my opinion. With that said, with a heavy for caliber bullet designed for hunting and reasonable distances a .223/5.56 will get the job done. I agree with others though, I'd look at something 6mm and above. If it's a budget issue, where a guy can only afford one gun for self defense/hunting/everything else, then a .223/5.56 will take down a deer.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby Bio1 » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:49 pm

A whole lot of better options unless you live in a place with small deer. It will definitely kill them but at what expense? Blood trails will be pretty much non-existent even though you likely have a dead deer.

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor that I kill a lot of deer with - 143 gr. Hornady ELDX is devastating on deer and has pretty minimal kick.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby PeteD » Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:16 am

I will side with the guys recommending stepping up in caliber for deer. 6.5 would be my choice if I was only hunting whitetail deer. I hunt out west a lot with all weapons and my rifle is a 7mm short mag that I used for everything because of the potential for longer distances.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby Rancher43 » Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:53 am

My son has killed 5 deer with my AR in .223. Just like bow hunting, shot placement is key, no room for error. His furthest shot was 100yds.
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby WyattBaker » Wed Jun 16, 2021 3:51 pm

Personally, my ultimate hunting AR would be chambered for the .25-45 Sharps because it’s a cartridge that’s 50-state legal for big game. I’d go with an 18-inch barrel for added velocity, and stripped upper and lower receivers with parts kits to save money. I’d also select a Magpul buttstock, grip, and hand guard for their value and minimal weight. A two-stage Timney trigger and Swarovski’s Z8i riflescope would maximize my interface with, what I think would be, the ultimate AR primarily for deer but suitable for coyotes too.

The best part: I can build this custom hunting rifle in my garage, while the wife is watching ’s Kitchen, the kids are doing their homework, and I’m listening to Skynyrd, eating a Moon Pie, and drinking an RC Cola. If it gets any better than that, it’s probably illegal or ought to be.
Hunting Illustrated is your go to source for hunting related information. We strive to provide the most in-depth reviews and guides on binoculars, blinds, gloves, boots, and so much more. Visit here: https://www.huntingillustrated.com/
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vtbuck
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Re: .223 vs 5.56 which one is for big game hunting?

Unread postby vtbuck » Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:40 am

Use a bow
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