.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

[Nomosendero]

My daughter and I have had really good luck with 62 gr TTSXs on whitetails, but none were much past 100 yards. She used 77 gr TMKs last year with equal success but stretched the range a bit.

Your experience is noteworthy as the 62 TTSX is likely the best Barnes of that caliber and likely one of the best monos in 223 and you have experience with the bullet of this thread. How did the wound channels compare in your experience?

 

[BAKPAKR]

Your experience is noteworthy as the 62 TTSX is likely the best Barnes of that caliber and likely one of the best monos in 223 and you have experience with the bullet of this thread. How did the wound channels compare in your experience?

This is from a whitetail I shot with a 62 gr TTSX. I took the photo to show a friend what a bullet should do after he had watched me pencil a 210 gr Berger out of a 300 RUM through another doe.

 

[robtattoo]

I got another 500 delivered today, plus a further 1000 62gn regular Gamekings (my previous preference & still a hell of a good hunting bullet)
Now..... if only I could find a couple thousand primers at non-idiot price....

 

[fshaw]

Are you guys setting OAL for the 77gr TMKs near the lands or with a jump. I’m shooting a Montana and have a load that’s very near an inch at 100 yards with a .025” jump. Closing it up to about .005” (measured at the ogive) and will try again tomorrow. Curious what’s working for you.

 

[Formidilosus]

Are you guys setting OAL for the 77gr TMKs near the lands or with a jump. I’m shooting a Montana and have a load that’s very near an inch at 100 yards with a .025” jump. Closing it up to about .005” (measured at the ogive) and will try again tomorrow. Curious what’s working for you.

Everything I’ve shot has been AR mag length.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Everything I’ve shot has been AR mag length.

My 14.5” AR seems to like the 77 gr TMK.

edit - didn’t mean to respond to @Formidilosus.

 

[fshaw]

BakPakr, Powder?

 

[BAKPAKR]

BakPakr, Powder?

That group was shot with factory Black Hills.

In my daughter’s Tikka, I am using Tac for the 77 gr TMKs. I haven’t tried those loads in the AR due to the bullet being seated out too far (Mountain Tactical magazine in the Tikka). I am using the Tac because that was what I was able to grab when the powder shortage started. I have been watching for 8208 XBR. My reloads shoot a little better in the Tikka than the factory ammo but the Tikka still doesn’t shoot as well as this particular AR.

 

[Adam Gibbs]

5.56 chamber 16" 1/7 BBL
LC 1x fired brass, CCI 450 SRM primer
2.260 COAL, no crimp


I've so far loaded some test rounds with the 77tmk starting at 22.3gr of 8208. Up to 23.1 in .2gr increments. 22.3, 22.5, 22.7 all shot well, and the group was all really tight across that powder range. Really just one sub 1" group. Once I got to 22.9 and 23.1 the group opened up. I still don't see pressure signs. In your guys opinion, should I back down and just load at 22.5gr or keep going up and see if the group comes back together? I know I need the speed to keep the bullet doing its job. Realistically I'm not shooting a deer with this past 300, and that would be a stretch for where I hunt with a rifle here.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Ought to be about time to start seeing pics from this season on this thread!

 

[204guy]

https://imgur.com/a/fcbYBI3

77 tmk out of a 22-250. 3180 starting, 2800 impact no drama.

 

[204guy]

https://imgur.com/a/yeVKx3S

77 tmk 18" .223. 2815 starting 2500fps impact. Broke both shoulders, fairly messy, went straight down.

 

[kkp005]

https://imgur.com/a/yeVKx3S

77 tmk 18" .223. 2850 starting 2500fps impact. Broke both shoulders, fairly messy, went straight down.

What’s your recipe to get 2850 out of an 18”?

 

[204guy]

What’s your recipe to get 2850 out of an 18”?

I checked my app. It should say 2815. I think the load is 25grs varget. It crunches like hell seating. Works well in that rifle though.

 

[Bcleck90]

Tikka T3x / 75gr. Gold Dots. Shot him at 168 and he went about 20 yards. I still have an Antelope tag to fill this week so more pics to come.

 

[Castle Rock]

Got to be happy with that
Edited to add; whereabouts in Alabama is that

 

[Bcleck90]

Got to be happy with that
Edited to add; whereabouts in Alabama is that

Ha! Gulf of Mexico is just right over those hills.

 

[HighUintas]

I don't have a 233 or CM. But has anyone tried a 30cal 175 tmk on elk? I'm wondering if it would do too much meat damage, considering what those 223/deer pictures look like

 

[mt100gr.]

My daughter crushed this buck last week during the 2 day MT youth deer hunt.

Tikka T3x Lite-Compact, 223 Rem, Unknown Munitions 77gr TMK

Zero Drama

 

[Castle Rock]

Very nice shooting