5.56 for deer

[WarPig1976]

Oh I know .223 will put a deer down, like right now down. People who say it isn't sufficient haven't got a clue. What I was saying is I've pondered the OP's question also.

[Woodsy]

Here in New Zealand the .223 has killed literally tens of thousands of Red deer, but predominantly in the hands of professional shooters using AR15's or Mini 14's from helicopters and short range, ie. less than 100 metres and usually less than 50 metres. Head or neck shots are the norm. Quite a few are shot by hunters with this cailbre but at short range with head or neck shots. Having said that, .223 is not considered to be an adequate deer cartridge in NZ. .243 is reasonably popular but is still considered to be an unreliable killer by the majority. 7/08, 6.5x55, .308 are the most popular calibres closely followed by .270, .25/06, .30/06, then a few of the magnums. There was a period in the late'50's and early '60's where the professional ground shooters (cullers) achieved high numbers with the .222 Remington, but once again, range and shot placement was critical. I use the .223 AR15 for goats mainly but will not hesitate to take a deer with it under the right circumstances. I normally use .308 Remington Model 7 for bush work and a .30/06 Husqvarna for open country.

[TDH]

Back in 1969 when I questioned my training SGT on the firing line about edge of the line hits he explained that the bullet was designed to tumble upon hitting the target causing a devastating wound channel. At the time he explained it was due to an unbalanced bullet. I was young and stupid and believed him. I later learned that the tumble effect was due to the twist rate of the barrel. That when we did want to actually hit something with any regularity they had to change the rate of twist to get accurate bullet flight but lost the tumble effect. That being said a few years back I picked up some 69 gainers at a gun show They shoot just fine from either of my Mini's but keyhole consistently out of my Rossi handi rifle. It's not fond of the 62. grainers either but with 50 or 55's it drives tacks. All in the barrel twist.

[browningautorifle]

the tumble effect was due to the twist rate of the barrel

All bullets will tumble upon striking an object, not just 5.56...all the way up to the .50. We've done demos and used witness screens to prove it. The heavy part is at the back and they want it forward...doesn't matter though. A clean hit will still do the job.

[Youngblood]

I have read that the .303 MkVII bullet was designed with the core-gap in the fwd part of bullet to enhance its tumbling potential.

[CINDERS]

I cannot say it was designed to wound badly but the reason it does it so well is it has an aluminium section inserted in the nose under the jacket then the solid lead rear core.
Upon striking the target the nose folds destabilizes the round and the heavier rear section starts to want to move over the nose section hence setting up the tumble.