.223 Remington
The .223 Rem is the volume king of centerfires - cheap, flat-shooting, mild and ubiquitous, the default coyote and varmint cartridge (and a deer-legal question that varies by state - check).
Whatever the .223's military résumé, hunters know it as the practical answer: predator and varmint ballistics that flatten coyote country to 300 yards, recoil a new shooter ignores, and ammunition stacked on every shelf in every store at the best price in centerfire. It's the cartridge you shoot MORE with - and practice is what kills coyotes.
What it is
The civilian 5.56 sibling: 40-77 grain .224 bullets at 2,700-3,300 fps from a compact case - modern, efficient, universally chambered.
What it hunts best
Coyotes, foxes, bobcats and all varmints - the predator-calling standard. On deer it's a legal patchwork and an honest debate: where legal, heavy controlled-expansion bullets (60-64gr+) and close disciplined shots work; many hunters simply step up a cartridge. CHECK YOUR STATE - several prohibit .22 calibers for big game.
Trajectory & energy
A 55gr at 3,240 zeroed at 200 drops ~7" at 300 - genuinely flat. Energy runs ~1,300 ft-lb muzzle: ample for song-dogs, marginal-by-design for anything bigger.
Recoil & shootability
Feather-light (~4 ft-lb) - shooters spot their own hits, follow up instantly, and never develop a flinch. The best centerfire trainer there is.
Rifles & ammo on the shelf
Everything chambers it - bolts, ARs, single-shots - and ammo variety is unmatched: bulk practice to premium hunting loads, always available.
.223 Rem Ballistics Chart by Bullet Weight
Four Hornady .223 Rem loads from 53 to 75 grains, all from a 24-inch test barrel.
| Load | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 gr V-MAX (Varmint Express) - velocity (fps) | 3240 | 2855 | 2502 | 2175 | 1873 | 1602 |
| 55 gr V-MAX (Varmint Express) - energy (ft-lb) | 1282 | 995 | 764 | 578 | 429 | 313 |
| 55 gr V-MAX (Varmint Express) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +1.4 | 0 | -7 | -21.4 | -45.8 |
| 53 gr V-MAX (Superformance Varmint) - velocity (fps) | 3465 | 3106 | 2776 | 2470 | 2183 | 1916 |
| 53 gr V-MAX (Superformance Varmint) - energy (ft-lb) | 1413 | 1135 | 907 | 718 | 561 | 432 |
| 53 gr V-MAX (Superformance Varmint) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +1.1 | 0 | -5.6 | -16.9 | -35.6 |
| 73 gr ELD Match (Match) - velocity (fps) | 2790 | 2563 | 2348 | 2143 | 1949 | 1766 |
| 73 gr ELD Match (Match) - energy (ft-lb) | 1262 | 1065 | 894 | 744 | 616 | 505 |
| 73 gr ELD Match (Match) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +1.9 | 0 | -8.2 | -24 | -49 |
| 75 gr BTHP (Match) - velocity (fps) | 2790 | 2562 | 2345 | 2139 | 1943 | 1759 |
| 75 gr BTHP (Match) - energy (ft-lb) | 1296 | 1093 | 916 | 762 | 629 | 515 |
| 75 gr BTHP (Match) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +1.9 | 0 | -8.2 | -24.1 | -49.3 |
Loads: 55 gr V-MAX, 53 gr V-MAX Superformance, 73 gr ELD Match, 75 gr BTHP Match. Numbers from Hornady's published table for each load (links), 200-yard zero; trajectory is inches above (+) or below (-) the line of sight. Read on 26 October 2026; your rifle and barrel will differ.
Bottom line
The predator rig and the high-volume trainer in one. Pair a .223 with a bigger deer rifle and you've covered most of North American hunting economically.
Caliber legality varies: many states set minimum calibers, straight-wall rules, or season-specific restrictions for big game, and they change. Always confirm the current regulations for your state, species and season with the official wildlife agency - this page is general guidance, not legal advice. Ballistics figures are typical factory-load approximations; your rifle and load will differ - verify at the range.
Range-day gear, whatever the cartridge
A cartridge only performs as well as the zero and the practice behind it. These are the tools for that part.
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