.223 or .308 for Central Texas Deer and Hogs

For most Central Texas hunting, it comes down to what you’re shooting, how far away it is and how much recoil you want to deal with. If you mostly hunt hogs, coyotes and deer at woods distances, a .223 with a good hunting bullet will do the job and it’s easy to shoot. If you want more room for error on big deer, big hogs or longer shots across a pipeline or bean field, the .308 hits harder with a heavier bullet.

How they compare

The bullet matters more than the caliber

Cheap target ammo is the wrong thing to shoot at a deer in either caliber. Use a hunting bullet made to expand and hold together. With a .223 especially, the bullet and where you put it decide whether you find your deer ten yards away or don’t find it at all.

Think about who’s shooting it

For a new hunter, a kid or anybody who doesn’t like recoil, the .223 usually means more practice and better shots. A rifle you shoot well beats a bigger one you flinch with.

Hogs change things

Feral hogs are tough, with a thick shield over the shoulder. For a big boar, a lot of hunters around here would rather have a .308. For smaller pigs, night hunting and quick follow-up shots, a semi-auto .223 is hard to beat.

Thinking about a suppressor?

Either caliber is a lot easier on your ears, and your dog’s, with a can on it. Suppressors go home on a 4473 now, with no Form 4, and our gunsmith threads barrels for $200.

Zero it with your hunting ammo

Whichever one you pick, check your zero with the ammo you’ll hunt with. A sight-in here is $50 a gun, thermals included, plus ammo if you don’t bring your own. Check the current Texas Parks and Wildlife rules for your county before you go, too.

Still can’t decide?

Stop by the store in Anderson, tell us where you hunt and what you’re after, and we’ll talk it through.