.223 - contender load for whitetails

spookster

Back problems have forced me to use a handgun for whitetail deer,,,most of my shots here in Pa. are 100yds or less,,Picked up a T/C contender and have decided to go with the 10" .223 rem barrel that came with it to start off with,,,,any suggestions,,on what load/bullet to start with would be appreciated,,,,started re-loading last year for my 218bee and went west with savage 204 for dogs and all worked out fine,,,,Thanks for the help guys,,,,,,,,,,,,,,JIM

savage204

I'm sure if you ask savage204 he could give ya a starting load to work up if your gonna reload for it.

spookster

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,,,,thought you were sick buddy,,,,Lay some bullets and loads on me for the T/C .223

SCorvers

Get a barrel with a round that is proper for deer. A .223 is NOT a round to hunt deer with.

buddyb

I have killed about 10 deer with 223.Most crashed in there tracks and one went about 30 yards.I have not lost one yet.I use a rifle but if you can shoot the Contender accurate enough,use it.A neck shot with a 223 will kill any deer.The load I use is 27 grains of Hodgen BLC2 powder,55 grain Sierra GameMaster bullet,CCI small magnum rifle primer.

Mobuck

We've had good results with Black Hills loads using the Hornady 60 grain soft point and my handloads using the Speer 70 semi pointed soft point loaded to about 2700-2800 fps. I've had full penetration on lung hits with both. Keep in mind that I limit the range to 150 yards. Smaller, younger deer usually go right down but bigger ones seem to run a little bit. I still don't think the 223 is a good deer round but it will work if it's your only option-just be carefull.

sandwarrior

spookster,

Use 24 gr. of XMR2015 behind a 60 gr. Nosler Partition for about 2700 fps. Or 27 gr. of 4895 if you just want to be generic. The 2015 will work a little better in the short barrel I think though.

Personally I would lean toward the 6.5 or the 7mm TCU though.