2 of 3 .223 WSSM factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 200 yd (Winchester Super-X 55 gr Pointed Soft Point). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Super-X 55 gr Pointed Soft Point | 55 | 200 | 3,850 | 407 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 64 gr Power-Point | 64 | 200 | 3,600 | 398 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Varmint 55 gr V-MAX | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,850 | 471 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.