.223 for roe (Scotland)

[jim37]

I’ve seen this covered before but not for some time now just wondering if anyone still uses .223 for roe and with what ammunition?
Apologies in advance if this is a silly question
Reason im asking is the farm I shoot on has a few houses doted around and would like to keep the noise down as much as possible notice the .223 is much quieter that the .243

 

[Mungo]

Very commonly used for roe. As is the even quieter .222.

I’ve shot plenty of roe with a .222 on urban golf courses, and only had the armed response unit called on me the once

 

[shezza87]

It’s all i use these days for roe. Some of my ground is close to housing too. 53gr v-max federal. Mostly high neck but i like the fact they are not messy if you heart and lung them. Last heart and lung was 190m. Missed the ribs on entry and minced both lungs and just fell over.

 

[User00056]

I use 55g Gameking in my Stutzen. Very few roe drop on the spot, but almost all are down within 20 yards on a boiler room shot. Neck shots are an instant drop. Even unmoderated it's a short, sharp crack that dissipates quickly

 

[jim37]

Cheers guys more confidence now I’ve never went for a neck shot but I suppose I will need to give it a try at some point. only ever had a head shot on one roe for my second shot after I pulled the first shot and it entered to far back it sounded like a hammer hitting a drum That wasn’t my proudest moment

 

[User00056]

only ever had a head shot on one roe for my second shot after I pulled the first shot and it entered to far back it sounded like a hammer hitting a drum That wasn’t my proudest moment

I think we've all been there Anyone who says they've never missed, or made a bad shot is either lying, or just hasn't shot enough deer. Bad shots happen, it's how you deal with them that sorts the wheat from the chaff

 

[nick.308]

yes would use my .223 on roe. I load my own and would use anything 50 grain upwards. currently using 60gr. Seem to get plenty of meat damage on roe so tend to get close and try and get head/neck shots

 

[ColinBr]

I use 69gr TMKs in my 223 for Roe and target.
I've also used 50gr TTSXs

 

[oldhamstocks]

Hornady GMX 55gr in a 1:9 20 inch barrel, doing a consistent 3100 fps very accurately, not many left so going to work up a load with Barnes TTSX 55gr, non-toxic only on permission.

 

[Rake Aboot]

I’d be surprised if it wasn’t the most commonly used calibre on Scottish Roe

 

[Aister]

My sons first trip to the mainland with me roe stalking he used my 223 due to the lack of recoil. We shot 4 roe and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the 223 performed. We used 55gr gameking bullets doing 3050fps. I know it was only 4 but they dropped to the shot with no more or less meat damage as the 6.5x55.

 

[Rake Aboot]

The vast majority of the deer I’ve shot have been with .222 and .223. I use .243 as well but would never use anything bigger than that on Roe

 

[Smelly Yeti]

.223 perfectly fine for roe in Scotland. Just make sure that your ammunition choice makes minimum specs (minimum of 50gr, muzzle velocity => 2450 fps & energy =>1000 ft/ib).so provided your ammunition choice achieves this (soft point) you’re good to go

 

[TaiRM]

I’ve seen this covered before but not for some time now just wondering if anyone still uses .223 for roe and with what ammunition?
Apologies in advance if this is a silly question
Reason im asking is the farm I shoot on has a few houses doted around and would like to keep the noise down as much as possible notice the .223 is much quieter that the .243

I use it often in Scotland, I use a 50 grain vmax home load. It's going 3300 fps. It's accurate, drops them on the spot and meat damage is relatively minimal. I have a 308 which I also use for stalking and it lovely. However it's good to maintain target acquisition much easier with the 223

 

[Mike1979]

The vast majority of the deer I’ve shot have been with .222 and .223. I use .243 as well but would never use anything bigger than that on Roe

They dont like a 6.5 Creedmoor round...but definitely overkill if you have a smaller round

 

[Camdig]

Yes .223 with 55g sako gamepoints are very effective combo.

 

[muddy42]

A 223 in Scotland makes a lot of sense, especially due to the low recoil. There is a lot of machno nonsesne talked about coping with the recoil of various heavy combos, but in reality most people are more accurate with these smaller calibres.

 

[Sol]

We use a .222 and Its fantastic It drops them pretty quickly, the only thing I would say is there's pretty horrendous bloodshot If one goes behind the shoulder or hits the leg bone.
Top of the scapula minimises that pretty well, there's not much damage.

If you shoot them through the lower shoulder, or think you hut them in the leg anyway larder them instantly and skin.

 

[ColinBr]

I'm not sure the ballistic differences between .222 & .223 but the .222 Is very destructive In a good way do tend too go for high shoulder shots If shooting for meat though because the bloodshot that gets under the armpits with a typical shot Is a bit nasty.

It'll mostly be down to bullet choice on the front.

 

[Aister]

I always wondered if a 60gr nosler partition would be a better bullet for roe in the 223