Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman

The discussion of elk hunting calibers is often long and debated. Every hunter will have their favorite caliber, and all other options are not worth the time. In these discussions, other calibers are often questioned if they can be used for elk, such as the 223.

But can the 223 actually kill an elk? 

While the 223 can kill an elk with proper shot placement, it is not the best choice for such large animals. Because it is such a small caliber, it does not have the proper speed, energy, and size to take down an elk effectively.

There are much better options for taking down tough and large animals, such as elk, and the 223 is better suited for the small to medium-sized game. 

To understand why the 223 does not make an effective elk hunting caliber, you must first understand more about the 223 itself. Continue reading for more information on the 223 calibers and why it might be better to choose a larger caliber for your next elk hunt. 

The 223 Remington Cartridge

The 223 Remington got its start way back in 1957. At that time, it was an experimental military cartridge that was designed to be used with the Armalite Ar15. When the military needed a smaller cartridge for their service rifles, it became officially adopted in 1964 by the army and was designated as the 5.56mm M193.

It was made to work with the selective fire M16 rifle, which is also based on the Armalite Ar15 design. 

Not too long after the military adopted the cartridge for use in the armed forces, Remington brought the sporting version. Almost every firearm manufacturer produces a bolt action rifle with at least one model that is chambered in the 223. 

The 223 has since become a very popular hunting caliber, especially amongst whitetail and predator hunters. Due to its small size and low recoil, it is a great option for youth or small shooters who are sensitive to the higher recoil found in most hunting rifles.

Its small size also makes it ideal for predators, as the little bullets and low impact do not damage the fur when the animals are hit. 

Size and Power of the 223 Remington

The 223 is not a very large caliber, and bullets will range from 35 to 85 grains on average. The most popular and widely used size is 55 grain.

There are 99 and 95-grain bullets available for those that like to reload their own ammunition, and these are the best options for larger game such as wild hogs and close-range deer hunting. 

The effective range of the 223 Remington will largely depend on the type of ammo that you are using and the length of your rifle barrel. For hunting coyotes and other small game, you can get an effective range out to 400 yards.

For deer, hogs, and other thin-skinned game, the effective range will drop down to 200 yards or less. Even with this small range, this small caliber requires excellent shot placement in order to function properly. 

Why Isn’t the 223 a Good Option for Elk?

The 223 is not a very powerful caliber. Although many may dispute this, there are many more powerful hunting calibers out there that are better suited for large game. This caliber shoots a very small bullet and does not have too much energy behind it, making it inadequate for larger animals such as elk.

This is why most hunters mainly consider the 223 as a varmint round, ideal for predators such as foxes, bobcats, and coyotes. 

Elk hunting generally requires longer shots as well, something that the 223 cannot do on larger animals. If you were close enough to an elk and used proper shot placement, a 223 could potentially kill it.

However, you are running the risk of simply injuring the animal and then never recovering it. This is why most hunters will generally avoid using the 223 if heading out on a rifle elk hunt. 

Suitable Elk Hunting Calibers

Because the 223 shoots such small bullets and does not have the energy necessary to take down an elk, it is not the best choice.

Instead, plenty of other suitable calibers have the size, power, and energy necessary to penetrate the thick hide and bones of elk and give you a clean and quick kill even at longer distances. 

A few of the most popular elk hunting cartridges include the

• 30-06 Springfield,
• 300 Winchester Mag,
• 338 Winchester,
• 300 Remington Ultra Mag,
• 243 Winchester,
• 6.5 Creedmoor,
• and the 308 Winchester.

These, along with many others, provide a much better option for successfully killing an elk than the 223 and can do so at much longer ranges. 

All of these calibers are capable of shooting much larger bullets than the 223 and can send them at much longer distances. Since elk hunting takes place in wide-open places, long shots are not uncommon on an elk hunt, and your rifle should be able to perform at distances of at least 300 yards or more.

All of the above calibers are capable of doing this, while the 223 cannot. 

Final Thoughts

Although the 223 is a very popular round, it is not the best option when it comes to elk hunting. Because of its smaller size and lack of energy, it cannot successfully penetrate and perform on elk’s large and tough bodies.

While a fun and exciting caliber to use, you are much better off using it for smaller animals such as coyotes and the occasional wild pig. 

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.

Sources

• https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/the-versatile-223-remington
• https://fenixammo.com/pages/history-of-the-223-remington-cartridge
• https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/.223_Remington