Top hunting bullets and loads for your AR-15 .223 rifle.

Today I discuss the best bullets available for your .223 AR to shoot larger animals with. Hogs and deer are a game changer when it comes to smaller cartridges and you have to pick the right bullet. Please like and subscribe to the channel and happy hunting!

[@LovingIdaho]

I use hornady vmax. It has worked great from coyotes, wolves to deer . At 210 yards , most the heart was blown to pieces on a deer . I also used federal tipped varmint , but they stop making it . I still have a few boxes . I have even had great luck with federal power-shok . They have done some impressive damage to the heart on a deer at 200 yards . I have yet to need a second shot on a deer with the 223 . I did have a deer that I shot at 200 yards . The deer didn’t flinch or anything when the bullet hit it like most deer do when shot . I thought I must have missed . I worked the bolt and got another bullet ready and as I was taking aim , the deer fell over . Most the heart was blown to pieces .

[@jorgesolis9468]

It wont work on larger hogs though

[@goon1863]

That mountain do me sticker is bad ass. Also great and informative video, thank you.

[@justa3v619]

I like the 62 grain federal fusion and 64 grain federal power shock. Same with the Speer gold dots 62,64, and 75gn. Any bonded soft point really. I’ve used nosler/ssa 63gn bonded soft points. 75 grain Hornady sbr interlock made for short barrels works really well too. The 75/77 grain match bullets work but are my second choice behind a bonded soft point. Then would be the copper expanding bullets.

[@TLHyoutube]

All great options!

[@psalm101031]

I've been looking this info. Thankyou.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Look at the "Deer Season XP". They are a mono with a big fat and wide plastic tip. For immediate expansion. Great vid.👍

[@TLHyoutube]

I’ve killed a few animals with my .270 WSM and .300 BLK with that bullet. Great choice on deer

[@RepublicofTX]

That ammo is terrible. Alright on deer, but grenades on impact. It’s shit

[@robbieandbeckie]

Hands down favorite is the Sierra 65gr Game King SP. I really like the Speer 70gr semi-spitzer, havent tried it on game yet. Both are accurate bullets and have a lot of load data for them.

[@travisgregory6442]

Speer gold dot 55 62 or 75 gr my go to for home defense as well as hunting within 150 yds . Also Hornady American whitetail 60 gr excellent accuracy in my rifle sub moa at 100.

[@TLHyoutube]

The American whitetail line may be the most underrated line of factory loaded ammunition on shelves today.

[@armedfarm3429]

I handload & I like affordable bullets that work for whitetails. The 65 Serria game King was/is one of my favorites. I have taken lots of deer with this bullet in an AR's 5.56/223. Several big bucks that I have on the wall, no problems because if there is something a bit off with me getting the shot I want, I don't shoot. Lately The Hornady 75gr Match HPBT has been working for Whitetails. Ya, it's a match bullet, but is a hunting bullet from hell. I shoot it out of 16" & 20" AR's & a 22" bolt action. Not sure If Hornady know hunters are having great luck with the 75 or not, I have a feeling they know. It's the same bullet LE uses in their AR's. It even shoots good out of my 1 in 9's & perfect out of 1 in 8's.

[@1969darr]

Speer 70gr semi-spitzer. it is an old design bullet but the damage is amazing and it will punch a clean hole through 1/4" steel plate @ 50 yds with a 20"bbl.

[@robbieandbeckie]

Damn straight!

[@tylertapp131]

Good stuff, always wanted to try the gold dots, just havent yet. My go to for bow is the Winchester silvertip 64 grain 223. Its worked good for me, ive also used some 77s, they seem to work good too. Think the last thing i shot with a 77 was a beaver, think it was an imi bthp 77. Never stood a chance.

[@michaellewis5624]

I live in Georgia, we have some huge hogs! I use 55gr Barnes or 77gr razor core. Works for me!

[@TLHyoutube]

Those heavy Barnes are mean bullets!

[@Wildwestwrangler]

Texas doesn't even ban fmj for deer, they just don't suggest it.

[@GatlinMcDoubleStack]

Speer gold dot is great ammo, but hard to find these days.

[@TLHyoutube]

Call triple J guns in Smithville MO. They have a bunch In stock. May ship them.

[@TheDoorspook11c]

Cop ammo, always in scarcity.

[@jorgesolis9468]

Look into the 75 gr bthp by hornady in their frontier line it works well and penetrates deep

[@TLHyoutube]

The frontier line is an often overlooked line of great factory ammo. Same with the outfitter line. Cheers!

[@jorgesolis9468]

@@TLHyoutube that's what I run it's cheap and very effective

[@claudiodelcastillo893]

Never leaving Texas😂

[@wildballistics5149]

You recommend the 64 grain Speer Gold dot over the 75 grain? I’m on a ranch every day in Florida and of coarse we have more hogs than cattle seems like. Even though we all kinda despise them I like to make an ethical shot as I can on em. I usually tote a 308 or 30-30 but would be fun to tote my AR a lil more.

[@TLHyoutube]

The biggest reason I use the 64 grain so much is that I ordered a bunch (thousands) for a local LE agency a few years ago and also got a few cases for myself. The 75 gr. would be a Hammer for a hog.

[@wildballistics5149]

@@TLHyoutube Thinkin I might get better accuracy out of that heavier 75 grain in my 1:7 twist barrel too maybe. Thank ya sir I appreciate the knowledge 👍

[@TLHyoutube]

@@wildballistics5149 1:7 you’ll be golden with the 75 or 77 grain. Cheers!

[@TerryLee04950]

What twist are you using with those heavier grains? 1-9. Or 1-7? I finally got my hands on two boxes of Barnes 70 grain copper 5.56. Can’t wait to try them in my 16 inch M4 carbine. Only not to sure about stability with 1-9 twist.

[@TLHyoutube]

It’s going to be a crap shoot. I’m a 1:7 guy and have no issues. The one thing that I do notice is that all copper bullets tend to act differently than lead core bullets at times when it comes to twist rates. I’ve got a .220 swift that shoots the 72 gr. Bullets wonderfully well and it’s a 1:9. So that’s not always the case. Best case they shoot great. Worst case you shoot three and sell the remainder. Cheers!

[@bensherman8976]

Im a Hornady black fan. There kinda pricy but they will do some damage..

[@Alden99669]

Barnes and Gold Dots will always get the job done provided that you put the bullet where it belongs. Shot placement and bullet construction that are accurate in your rifle!

[@saab952001]

My preferred round is also the speer gold dot but they are hard to find. I'm running low on my stash.

[@antoniopalmer7399]

Gunbroker has them for sale right now

[@45.Slanging]

50 or 70gr TSX, the 62 grain dual performance...wish the m855A1 was readily accessible ..lead free and a BOMB that still penetrates

[@NCGoldMiner2010]

What do you think would be the best whitetail hunting 223 ammo? I want pass throughs for blood trails. What barrel length do you use for deer?

[@TLHyoutube]

There’s a lot of great factory loads for deer and hogs. I like the federal factory 55gr Barnes TSX, the Hornady TAP 77gr. Interlock (hard to find), the 64 gr. Speer gold dot in factory loads, and Sig Sauer 62 gr Hunting load. All great rounds and I use them all from a 16” barrel.

[@NCGoldMiner2010]

@@TLHyoutube thank you for the quick reply I will look into this ammo.

[@tylertapp131]

I know a guy that uses 50 grain hornady vmax, personally I wouldn't use anything under 62 grain. I normally use a Winchester silvertip 64 grain ammo. As far as barrels, I also know a guy that's takin deer with a 10.3 out to 180 yards, personally the shortest I like is a 13.7 and have had great luck with it but I also use a 20 inch suppressed. So length is completely up to you. Personally I wouldn't go shorter then 13.7 though.

[@timcusack9388]

77gr tkm

[@goranmalnar5172]

Nosler partition is great bullet but it is not bonded!!!!

[@danielmacdonald8358]

thank you for the video. Have you ever used soft points on anything.

[@TLHyoutube]

You bet. Remington core lokt, Winchester super x, and sierras.

[@livelaughlove20able]

What do you think of browning BXV 223 .. 50 grain varmint rounds for coyotes and fox ?

[@OO7_iam]

Is HSM blue tip varmint ammo good for self defense? I’ve seen gnarly vids of those bullets exploding on target

[@TLHyoutube]

It’s basically a ballistic tip varmint load that will have explosive performance on anything it hits. You’re not going to shoot through a car door or much of any barrier but it dang sure would do the trick! Cheers!

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

62 grain Federal Fusion

[@jorgesolis9468]

So do you get fined because its all copper or because its not expanding

[@TLHyoutube]

Because it’s non-expanding. I have to say it’s one rule I agree with. I don’t think too much of the over penetration argument. But, expanding bullets are better at cleanly and quickly taking game.

[@jorgesolis9468]

@@TLHyoutube so the barnes all copper hollow points would be fine

[@TLHyoutube]

Absolutely. Barnes bullets are second to none!

[@jorgesolis9468]

@@TLHyoutube ahhh I see I was just curious

[@SafetySal]

Let's see it!

[@Wildwestwrangler]

Barnes makes a 70gr as well.

[@CubaLou1]

What is the reason for the FMJ being illegal to hunt with in some states?

[@TLHyoutube]

There’s a few reasons that are given in different states i.e. Non expanding bullets don’t have the lethality, higher chance of ricochet, over penetration and danger to unintended targets

[@CubaLou1]

@@TLHyoutube Okay, thank you. I appreciate the response. As you can tell by the question I’m not a hunter but would like to be informed before I started sending led down range willy nilly. Thanks for the info and the video.

[@bryanmcpherson3576]

22 caliber. 22/250 is a 22 caliber

[@TLHyoutube]

You bet it is. And a great deer round with the right bullet.

[@kaidenglisson9179]

Has anybody tried 75gr Hornady Black BTHP? how did they preform

[@TLHyoutube]

I have not used that particular load. I do love the Hornady black line for the low flash powder when hunting at night.

[@cbwelch4]

I have some Winchester 64 gr. Soft Points. Have you tried those?

[@TLHyoutube]

That’s a great all around bullet. My way of thinking is that I want to have a bullet capable of taking whatever game may present itself. IF that’s deer season in OK or KS then I need to be ready to take: Coyotes, Deer, Hogs, and any other vermin that are on the property. A good bullet, like the power point will do that with good judgement on shots taken

[@cbwelch4]

@@TLHyoutube Thanks the reason why I'm thinking about it I'd I just scoped my M&P15 with an older but high quality 2x7 with great glass and I'm getting really tight groups. It is an old Weatherby scope I had on my Savage 110 .308. Anyway around here 150 yards would be a long shot... I think I might try the AR this year.

[@TLHyoutube]

I’ve got a good friend who shoots and old weatherby scope on his .270 Wby mag. Been on there for 50 years and still running strong! Best of luck out there this year.

[@TheMrwhite6199]

What do you think about 60 grain vmax

[@TLHyoutube]

It’s a great bullet and my preferred for all around use in a varmint cartridge. I’ve got a lot of magazines loaded up with 55 and 60 gr V-Max. HOWEVER, It’s not a good bullet for hogs. The extremely thin jacket coupled with the polymer tip have explosive expansion on impact. Thus the “red mist” on a prairie dog. Even head shots on hogs with a V-Max can be dicey at best.

[@glenjohnson7093]

Do a 5.56 review

[@TLHyoutube]

5.56 ammo? I can do that for sure.

[@glenjohnson7093]

@@TLHyoutube ❣️

[@benfollowsJesusChrist5504]

Can a 73 grn hornady 223 or 5:56 bring down big game like nilgai?

[@damiendelozier4668]

I would never recommend a .223 for Nilgai as a general rule. They are tough as nails, bleed very little and require tough, heavy bullets, from large rifles. I like anything from 300 win mag up. Many Tx guides prefer the 338’s up to 375 H&H

[@wildballistics5149]

No sir

[@FISHUNTREECOUNTRY]

64 Federal Fusion

[@billmccance]

why is some ammo illegal to use??

[@TLHyoutube]

Many states have bans on steel core and full metal jacket ammo. Now, that doesn’t always apply to pests such as pigs. Check all local Regs before heading out!

[@chiefkyle1776]

Ethics. Steel core / full metal jacket ammo keeps it's shape so it creates a small through and through hole, so the animal is more likely to run off and suffer for days before dying of infection. A hollow point on the other hand will mushroom / expand causing a large hole which is more likely to hit vitals and kill the animal faster without as much suffering.

[@chiefkyle1776]

This is also why most states won't allow people to hunt with lower caliber rifles. For example a 223 requires excellent shot placement and deep penetration to kill a deer, however a 308 will not only penetrate but it more likely to hit vitals.

[@TLHyoutube]

The funny thing here is that “hollow point” rifle ammo can, many times be match ammo such as a sierra match king. Which is a terrible choice for game. Super thin jackets with wild expansion when hitting an animal. The .223 is a controversial yet viable choice for a lot of hunters.

[@patricklavergne232]

Some states are making the use of lead illegal for bullet use. ex; steel shot for ducks. More and more companies are going to the HPBT all copper bullet, work well and expand to 1.8".

[@markhansen3111]

Curious to know if anybody is using federal fusion?

[@TLHyoutube]

Honestly I’ve never loaded it or bought a box of factory fusion. It seems just a tad thicker jacket than any other cup and core bullets like the Winchester power point or the Remington core lokt. It’s proven tech in my mind.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

Mason leather did a test on the 62gr federal fusion on a gel block at 100 yards. The performance was underwhelming!!!

[@markhansen3111]

@@TLHyoutube I really like a jacketed soft point bonded core type bullet for big game hunting.

[@dereksteele2284]

​@@TLHyoutubefederal fusions are bonded

[@timcusack9388]

77 tkm kills everything including moose's

[@bryanmcpherson3576]

You said you have never recovered your deer with the Speer loads . Dude you are not to smart

[@TLHyoutube]

I did??? I’ve got to listen to this again! I appreciate you pointing it out. And that I’m not (too) smart. Cheers, mate.

[@centaurld6442]

I heard that, too. I was wondering what you meant by that in the video....

[@thomasfrisch11]

Is the Speer gold dot good for big bucks?