.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

[robtattoo]

Sorry I meant how many grains of powder do you use for your 77grn with Tac loads haha! I’m on a tight component budget so tac is great

Hahaha! Whoops!

My Tikka likes the same as you: 24.5 The Ruger prefers 24.2 & I have yet to work up a load for my Uberlight AR, but if it isn't one of those 2, one of those 2 will do. Shit's complicated enough!

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

What do you mean? Are you wanting to see what 30cal maximized wounds look like?

That would be great.

 

[Formidilosus]

That would be great.

 

[BLJ]

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Is every picture of an exit wound?

 

[Firth]

Hahaha! Whoops!

My Tikka likes the same as you: 24.5 The Ruger prefers 24.2 & I have yet to work up a load for my Uberlight AR, but if it isn't one of those 2, one of those 2 will do. Shit's complicated enough!

This. I keep it simple, too.

I experiment with new bullets from time to time, but have two main loads. A cheaper 75 bthp load and a 73 eld load. I don't bother tuning to a specific gun and just shoot those in everything. I might see an accuracy difference in a tuned load, but I'm not a good enough shot for it to matter from field positions.

 

[Formidilosus]

Is every picture of an exit wound?

No.

#2, 5, 8 are entrances.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

No.

#2, 5, 8 are entrances.

Wow, those are incredible. Were those commercially available .30 cal bullets or experimental?

 

[Formidilosus]

Wow, those are incredible. Were those commercially available .30 cal bullets or experimental?

Commercial. 178gr A-Max, 175 and 190gr SMK with points opened.

 

[zdc1775]

Monos. Tipped TTSX, or LRX in the mag and twist will support. I personally mostly use a bullet that isn’t commercially available.

I mostly use the TTSX when I want deeper penetration or "cleaner" kills, but I am curious about these bullets. I know you said they are not commercially available, but are they experimental or more like lathe turned customs? Understand if you don't want to go into too much detail but still curious.

 

[RockAndSage]

Commercial. 178gr A-Max, 175 and 190gr SMK with points opened.

Thanks for sharing that, it's extremely interesting. Any idea of distance/velocity? Also, what cartridge?

Asking for a bear friend.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks for sharing that, it's extremely interesting. Any idea of distance/velocity? Also, what cartridge?

Asking for a bear friend.

Between 3,000 and 2,400fps impact velocity.

 

[Tahr]

Adding to the 30 cal thing. 168 Nosler BT @ 3150mv (300saum). Exit, 230 yards.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

This. I keep it simple, too.

I experiment with new bullets from time to time, but have two main loads. A cheaper 75 bthp load and a 73 eld load. I don't bother tuning to a specific gun and just shoot those in everything. I might see an accuracy difference in a tuned load, but I'm not a good enough shot for it to matter from field positions.

I'm in this camp as well. I've come to MUCH prefer a generic load, using a known bullet (on game performance/acceptable BC/available), with "good" accuracy in multiple rifles than the same bullet in a "tuned to one rifle" load that's .5 MOA tighter on grouping...but needs different loads/bullets/etc for different rifles of the same chambering.

 

[Rolltide]

I hope this helps anyone looking for Black Hills TMKs...

Black Hills 77gr TMKs In Stock

 

[Rolltide]

Also...FWIW...I haven't shot any of my .223s more than a few hundred rounds in the last 10 years combined.

This thread has led me to drag out a comp rifle I put together years ago as well as picking up a Gen II Ruger Ranch in 5.56...and about 2k rounds of Norma 77gr OTM...not to mention that crap load of Black Hills TMKs I just ordered...

I guess I should say Thanks!

 

[Lawnboi]

I think if most guys saw what a 77tmk did at 2800+ impact velocity they would be saying it’s too much.

 

[Ozarkansas]

Not to derail this thread with non-.223 autopsy photos, but in response to what “maximized wound channels” look like in larger calibers, here’s a deer my dad shot at about 150 yards with a 168 grain ELD-M from his .308. The bullet went in a touch higher than ideal, going from left to right in the photo. you can see from this perspective that it bulged out the back of the deer, destroying both backstraps in the process. This is a bullet that passed several inches UNDER the spine, yet still managed to destroy everything above the spine. Definitely way more than you need (or should want) for deer.

 

[Thegman]

Not to derail this thread with non-.223 autopsy photos, but in response to what “maximized wound channels” look like in larger calibers, here’s a deer my dad shot at about 150 yards with a 168 grain ELD-M from his .308. The bullet went in a touch higher than ideal, going from left to right in the photo. you can see from this perspective that it bulged out the back of the deer, destroying both backstraps in the process. This is a bullet that passed several inches UNDER the spine, yet still managed to destroy everything above the spine. Definitely way more than you need (or should want) for deer.

That's interesting, thanks for posting it. I posted the pic below months ago. It was kind of a head scratcher at the time as I'd never seen something like this. It seems to be the little 77TMK version of your 168 ELDM experience.

This hit was at a little over 300 yards, and like your pic, the shot was broadside through the ribs/lungs and was nowhere near the spine. Regardless, it put a hole up through the spine as well, although I didn't lose nearly as much backstrap as your 168ELDM example.

Maybe this is more common with these various match bullets than other types of bullets as I'd not previously seen anything like this (or like your example).

 

[Formidilosus]

Maybe this is more common with these various match bullets than other types of bullets

This is correct. Heavily fragmenting bullets cause both a larger temporary, and larger permanent crush cavity.

 

[letrbuck]

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