Here we ago again... .223 bullet selection given following parameters.

[Steve300xcw]

. But I’m wondering if at 150 yards and closer, a regular 55gr soft point that seems to be available from literally dozens of manufacturers would also work just fine.

They will be fine

 

[RockAndSage]

The one thing I find interesting on this forum is the group think and the parroting. And how if this bullet works, all these others dont. Rather interesting.

Definitely a thing on gun forums, and with gun guys in general - "this to the exclusion of all the other thats". As though a cap and ball revolver or M1 Garand are rendered useless by more modern guns. It's much more useful to discuss things in terms of capabilities and limitations.

 

[FLS]

My kiddo shot his first doe last year at 95 yards with this ammo and the exact same gun.
Gun liked the ammo, the deer not so much.View attachment 1059123

I killed a metric shit ton of deer with 64 grain power points out of a 700 BDL Varmint long before Rokslide Specials or TMKs were a thing. They’re not sexy, but they work and were available.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Definitely a thing on gun forums, and with gun guys in general - "this to the exclusion of all the other thats". As though a cap and ball revolver or M1 Garand are rendered useless by more modern guns. It's much more useful to discuss things in terms of capabilities and limitations.

My favorite is when the talk starts of how much more lethal a 8 twist barrel is. If you are cutting hairs that fine, you're doin it wrong

 

[RockAndSage]

My favorite is when the talk starts of how much more lethal a 8 twist barrel is. If you are cutting hairs that fine, you're doin it wrong

*laughs in 22-250*

 

[Steve300xcw]

Thats overkill

 

[Pharmseller]

Definitely a thing on gun forums, and with gun guys in general - "this to the exclusion of all the other thats". As though a cap and ball revolver or M1 Garand are rendered useless by more modern guns. It's much more useful to discuss things in terms of capabilities and limitations.

Except that, in this scenario, no one is saying his other options won’t work.

They’re simply saying that, given the sheer volume of data specific to his question, perhaps his third choice might want to shift up a couple of spots.

That’s all. I’m not a smart man, but I didn’t read any posts on this thread suggesting his other options wouldn’t work.

 

[Cherokeeguide]

The TMK will 100% punch through a scapula at close distances, and still wreck the heart and lungs.

I don't doubt that for a second. I made the switch to the "TMK" 7 or 8 months ago. Only three deer with it, so far, but a pig or two every couple of weeks since making the switch.

It has no problem poking through heavier-duty anatomy of a wild boar and turning the animal's heart into goo.

 

[Panhandler80]

I know what you mean. The gold dots do less damage.

Isn’t this what’s in the Fusion? On paper this one just seems to be a great compromise of energy, energy transfer and penetration. Maybe I’m wrong for trying considering compromise in such a cartridge, though.

 

[gbflyer]

Isn’t this what’s in the Fusion? On paper this one just seems to be a great compromise of energy, energy transfer and penetration. Maybe I’m wrong for trying considering compromise in such a cartridge, though.

I believe they are the same. I don't think you're wrong. I like the TMK and the ELDm but they can be too much of a good thing in my limited experience. The gold dots seem to kill well with less carnage. My use is the same as yours, smaller deer not so far away.

 

[LongWayAround]

I haven't shot any deer with a .223, so take it for what it's worth but you could look for a Norma soft point. My lady shot a similar size deer as you described with them through a .243 at about 50yd and had a golf ball size exit.

I doubt it really matters inside of 100yd.

 

[43.6N]

Isn’t this what’s in the Fusion? On paper this one just seems to be a great compromise of energy, energy transfer and penetration. Maybe I’m wrong for trying considering compromise in such a cartridge, though.

They’re good bullets.
I’ve used the 30cal and 7mm versions a lot.

If you’re set on using something that isn’t a TMK, you could do much worse.
Put some through the rifle and see how it groups. And if you can, see how it performs on larger varmints.