Wanted opinions. My Brother is handicapped,but wants to go deer hunting with me this coming season. He is interested in a 223. IMO its too light for deer? I am thinking 243, but what would you suggest? He needs IMO a youth gun, d/t weight, and his lack of mobility. He can shoot, former hunter, that has taken a 180 when he was younger. This will be used mainly for does, he just wants to fill the freezer! Thanks for any help.

If he can hit the neck either one will do fine. When I was young and first started out hunting I probably shot half a dozen deer with a 22-250 with no problems. It's all about shot placement.

you don't even need to hit the neck, my primary gun is a .243 killed many deer and a few hogs drt without shooting them in the neck with no problem.

Ive killed a many a deer with a .223. Never lost one and most shots where heart/lung hits. As long as you put a bullet through either the deer is going to die pretty quick. I would suggest using a 64 grn soft point(I like winchester ranger 64 grn power point) though instead of a 55.

.243 will probably give you a little more consistency (in regards to wound canal size and depth) with some of the heavier loads.

Dad shoots deer every year with either a 22-250 or .222. Shot placement and bullet construction are vital. out to 150-200 yds a .223 will kill em all day long.

Ok, good information, I'm not real familiar with the bullet options for either round. The 64 grn soft point makes since. Any other suggestions? For both 223 and 243???
Thanks for the help, gentlemen

Agree 100% on everything. I have had the same results

I use a .243 as my primary deer rifle. I like the 100 grain rounds. I have used Remington Core Lokt but last year got turned on to the Hornady 100 grain BTSP.

As long as the shot placement is good, you shouldn't have to worry about them going far if they go anywhere.

I plan to take a doe this season with my .223 just to get a kill with it.

As for guns, my wife uses a youth Remington 700 in .243 and loves it. It's a great shooting, lightweight rifle.

If a little recoil is not an issue I'd go with a 243. There are a lot of youth model 243's available, just pick one he likes and take him hunting. Good luck!!

+1 onthe .243. I've used mine for many, many years and it's been a good one.

I own both...my son killed his first deer a few years ago with a .223 (mini-14) from 160 yards. Put her down with a chest/shoulder shot. No problem. That being said...either one would work fine, but shot placement is omportant.

Hey, thanks a bunch ya'll. Recoil is going to be an issue as well as weight. But you've given me some great info. The youth models could be the way to go. I'll have to look into ammo too.

A 243 with Winchester Powermax HP is all you need. He can go with 223 if someone else is tracking them. The Powermax is the best deer round I've ever witnesed in 243, 30-30, and 308 win. It really knocks the taste out of their mouth.

A Ruger M77 Hawkeye Compact is the rifle for him.

Cant go wrong with either!!

I own both, but have only used the .243 on deer. Everytime i've pulled the trigger, it goes bang and they fall down (100gr powerpoints)

If you use a .223, make sure to use the proper bullet...no varmint bullets. I'd suggest the Barnes TSX. One of my coworkers shot an 8 point last year at around 100yds and it preformed is advertised (expanded near double in width) and the deer was dead within 50yds.

Killed too many deer to count with 223 rem and 60 grain nosler partitions, knocks them dead.

I personaly would go for the 243 if it wasnt too much to handle.

.243 with 85gr TSX!

+1 the 223 will certainly work, especially under controlled conditions. But IMO the 243 with 100gr deer bullets (or the 85 TSX) is the better option.

Personally, I think you have to look at the whole situation. Everyone says "shot placement, shot placement, shot placement". While I agree with this, I think you have to take into consideration that he will be in a wheelchair. This might not make it so easy to hit that exact spot with a .223.

I would use a .243 because it gives you a little more leeway, just in case he does not make the perfect shot with a .223. While, it wont be a lot, it is a bigger round, and weighs a little bit more. Again, not a whole lot, but it does give some leeway if that shot is a little off.

I reread your original post and you said handicapped, and I assumed that meant in a wheelchair. If I am wrong, I apologize. I am not trying to offend anyone, so if I did, again, I apologize. Just giving my opinion.

Good luck with the hunt and good luck to your brother.

So has my 22-250? What's your point?

If he hits a vital area both rounds will knock it dead. If he doesn't hit a vital area, neither round will knock it dead. Simple as that.

His point is you specified a neck shot, and you dont need to shoot them in the neck

Was anything I said wrong? I never said it was the only way nor did I say a heart shot wouldn't kill it. Just the way I would recommend.

You didnt say it but it sure implys it

If your gonna make it on here your gonna have to get used to taking a fair amound of ribbing from people weather you like them or not. Also we cant read your mind so say what you mean!

Its a fun place with lots of differeing opinions, have fun and relax!

The overly defensive people ruin this site... and most of them wind up banned.

I almost exclusively use my remington 700 in a .243 with silvertips.. A lot of people hate ballistic silvertips, but they've worked really well for me.

I haven't touched my .30-06 in 3 years I don't think.