100 yard shot on axis buck?

[TransPecos]

I have a youth hunter that I have to use AR platform guns with because he needs a short LOP. He’s 8.

My choices are an 8.5” 300 blackout shooting Barnes tac-tx 120 grain or a 16” .223 shooting 64 grain power points. Both shooting suppressed if that matters.

We will be hunting a mature axis cull buck. What would be your choice? I’ve never hunted axis.

[88 Bound]

223 through the shoulder. One and done.

[SmTx]

I'd rather have the .30 cal bullet and a closer shot than 100 yards for the 8 year old

[TXHunter1089]

223 Gets the job done all day long! Ideal for an 8 year old also!

[Cottonfish]

I'd probably favor the .223 - I shot a good-sized axis buck in October with a 14.7in AR, 62gr Fusion, high shoulder shot that performed well at 150 yds. My back up ammo was 64gr Power Points. Was confident in either round.

Stu

[TCB]

Good bullet + right shot placement = dead deer

I think either would be fine but the question I would have is this....how comfortable is he at shooting at 100 yards?

[Traxx]

https://www.barnesbullets.com/files/2016/03/VOR-TX-ballistics-for-web.pdf

Looking at the barnes site, the 223 62gn and barnes 300 120gn seem to have about the same energy the 300 110gn seems to carry just a hair more (at 100 yds). I don't see what length of barrel was used, but most of what I see on these charts is 24". So the velocities and energy will take a hit.
I really like the MSR platform since it is so adjustable to be able to fit about anyone. Low recoil and such. I believe that weight would be something to look at and the handiness of the rifle. Read that as short and light being the ticket.
I would suggest which ever one he is most comfortable holding and get closer.

[Mac]

I’ve killed piles of axis w/ a 223 but it definitely wouldn’t be my first choice for a kid to use. The 300 will be suppressed so it really shouldn’t have much felt recoil and should have about the same results as a 30-30 at 100yds.

[Wil Taylor]

I vote 300 BO. Killed many deer with mine.

[DirtyDave]

Not a huge difference between the 2, but I vote for the 300AAC

I'm glad you didn't bring up subsonic..... lol

[J.C.]

Stack the odds in the kids favor... more bullet, more better. He/she won't remember the difference in recoil.

[bboswell]

similar energy between the 2 I would go with flatter shooting 223

[TransPecos]

Thanks for all the advice. My boy is shooting 1.5 in - 2 inch groups at 100 yards with the guns and has killed whitetail does with both. This is with a good rest. So we have to be in a shooting house/blind and expect a 100 yard+/- shot.

[kd350]

Either one really. I’d lean toward 223 and good shot placement

[220swift]

Stack the odds in the kids favor... more bullet, more better. He/she won't remember the difference in recoil.

I agree with this