Shraggs
WKR
Respectfully, seems this missed the point of what we observed... the tissue damage was overtly devastating.So after reading this thread and becoming educated on the killing power of the 223 and the 77gr TMK, I have a question. Not picking a side or looking for an argument (there's already 20 pages of that). If you had saved for years to hunt true record book elk on the White Mountain Apache Reservation would you take a 223 and use the 77 gr TMK?
if shots were expected to be well inside of 400 yards,
Wind forecast was manageable,
And the lower recoil gave you better confidence than your bigger caliber,
then I would think this choice stacks in favor and gives an advantage.
I would take two rifles, and choose caliber daily based on conditions.