.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

[B_Reynolds_AK]

80 ELMs make a mess at 2500fps, think pop bottle diameter size wounds starting at 2-3”massive internal trauma and 12-16” penetration of tissue. Very quick upset/short neck length wounds.

Same thing at 2200 fps.

 

[FB Trout]

Same thing at 2200 fps.

View attachment 939863View attachment 939862

That's impressive wounding there! My number of animals shot with the 80 ELDm isn't particularly robust, but I would take that wounding any day. Thank you!

 

[Formidilosus]

The problem with ELD-M’s is that lot to lot they are more inconsistent than most others- this didn’t used to be the case. Some lots produce wounds like the last two pictures, some produce very tame wounds by comparison.

 

[FB Trout]

The problem with ELD-M’s is that lot to lot they are more inconsistent than most others- this didn’t used to be the case. Some lots produce wounds like the last two pictures, some produce very tame wounds by comparison.

Have you noticed the same lot to lot variability with the 80 ELDx? I really like the BC of that bullet, and it shoots well out of my .223. Thank you in advance.

 

[Formidilosus]

Have you noticed the same lot to lot variability with the 80 ELDx? I really like the BC of that bullet, and it shoots well out of my .223. Thank you in advance.

No, but my use is relatively limited as I can’t get them to shoot in most rifles.

 

[RockAndSage]

I can’t get them to shoot in most rifles

Would you mind sharing what this means to you - what your personal standards are for a reasonably accurate hunting load?

 

[Formidilosus]

Would you mind sharing what this means to you - what your personal standards are for a reasonably accurate hunting load?

I have not seen most rifles have any load with the 80gr ELD-X consistently at, or below 2 MOA. All my rifles are 2.5 MOA or larger with them.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Like many things on this forum, I've spent a LOT of time reading through this thread. I've been shooting a 7RM that has been great on game so far. But man is it costly, I can't spot my impacts until about 500yds, and it beats me up.

I plan on keeping it as a loaner/back-up, but am going to transition into 6CM and .223 exclusively for hunting. My T3x Lite Compact shoots factory 73gr ELDM and 75gr BTHP Black right at an inch. When I get it back from Smith cut to 18" and threaded for my suppressor, it will not only be my "practice" gun but my primary hunting rifle. Just need to upgrade the scope and get my hands on Black Hills 77 TMK to see how it shoots. 73 ELDM or 77 TMK, I'm convinced.

570+ pages is daunting but the data is invaluable and in-depth. Thanks to everyone who contributes.

 

[Bluumoon]

I have not seen most rifles have any load with the 80gr ELD-X consistently at, or below 2 MOA. All my rifles are 2.5 MOA or larger with them.

Not really making the case for 22CM. 88s and 80s being inconsistent, ELDXs won’t shoot and 77s lack luster BC.

 

[Formidilosus]

Not really making the case for 22CM. 88s and 80s being inconsistent, ELDXs won’t shoot and 77s lack luster BC.

Have you missed an animal due to lack luster BC?

The wind bracket for the 22CM and 77gr TMK load I am using is the exact same as the wind bracket for the factory 108gr ELD-N load in my 6 CM.

 

[Bluumoon]

Have you missed an animal due to lack luster BC?

The wind bracket for the 22CM and 77gr TMK load I am using is the exact same as the wind bracket for the factory 108gr ELD-N load in my 6 CM.

Not this week.

 

[Formidilosus]

Not this week.

Haha

 

[Drenalin]

After nagging him for a few years, a hunting partner of mine finally decided to give it a whirl…. 77TMK on a decent VT blackie. The picture doesn’t do the bear justice (weird angle) probably dressed out at ~200. I wasn’t with him but they all said there was no drama with the bullet. 65 yard shot, 35 yards of running then a flop. Damage on par with what we’ve seen with this bullet. View attachment 939849View attachment 939850View attachment 939851

Seems like bear weight is more than you think on average bears, but less than you think on big bears. I’m hoping to run a TMK through one before the end of the week.

 

[willfrye027]

Have you missed an animal due to lack luster BC?

The wind bracket for the 22CM and 77gr TMK load I am using is the exact same as the wind bracket for the factory 108gr ELD-N load in my 6 CM.

It’s been awhile since I considered shooting the TMK from my 22 creedmoor..what kind of velocity are you getting? I might run the numbers again now that I’m experiencing what numbers actually make a difference.

The 88s have been good so far..I think 10 animals now with one or two question mark wounds but everything has died and my current barrel shoots them well.

 

[ztc92]

Finally got my hands on some XBR 8208 and loaded up 100 of the 77 TMK for the coming season and beyond. Hoping to kill my first antelope next month with this load and add another animal to the thread

 

[mtnbound]

Finally got my hands on some XBR 8208 and loaded up 100 of the 77 TMK for the coming season and beyond. Hoping to kill my first antelope next month with this load and add another animal to the thread

View attachment 940048

I tested some 8208 loads this weekend and had pressure on them. What's your load?

 

[mtnbound]

I tested some 8208 loads this weekend and had pressure on them. What's your load?

Never mind, my head was on my 22CM not 223.

 

[FB Trout]

No, but my use is relatively limited as I can’t get them to shoot in most rifles.

, I appreciate that. They shoot well in my Tikka 1:8 twist .223 for some reason, but I can’t get them to shoot out of the 1:8 22 Creedmoor, at all, either. The 88s shoot well, and are of all the same lot, and seem to perform well, but sounds like a fast 77 TMK is the way to go in the 22 Creed.

 

[Formidilosus]

It’s been awhile since I considered shooting the TMK from my 22 creedmoor..what kind of velocity are you getting? I might run the numbers again now that I’m experiencing what numbers actually make a difference.

20” barrel, 3,385fps MV.

The 88s have been good so far..I think 10 animals now with one or two question mark wounds but everything has died and my current barrel shoots them well.

I wouldn’t talk someone out of 88’s that are working well for them.

 

[Moose83]

Finally got my hands on some XBR 8208 and loaded up 100 of the 77 TMK for the coming season and beyond. Hoping to kill my first antelope next month with this load and add another animal to the thread

View attachment 940048

What's your load and velocity?