carsonkeys
WKR
10/4 thanks for your insight.Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.
10/4 thanks for your insight.Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.
i use the 77gr smk's out of my AR for calling lions“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”
“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.
I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.
The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.
Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts yet packable. Tikka T3x, vertical grip, Sportsmatch rings, SWFA 6x MQ in mills. Replaced the trigger spring with a yo Dave, adjusted to my liking, then degreased everything and locked all of the screws down with loctite and got started.
The package checks all of the boxes. Plus, it’s FUN! Time at the range is spent learning to call wind, trigger control, spotting your own impacts and figuring out why a shot did or did not end up where you wanted it. No brake. No flinch. Inexpensive to shoot. The fun factor plus the ability to be able to afford to shoot a lot goes a long way to learning and understanding shooting, accuracy and precision.
With all of that said, I’ve decided to use 77 TMK out of a .223 from this delivery system for bear, deer and elk this season.
Opportunity presented itself a couple of days ago. I killed a mature, dry sow with the 77 TMK. Bullet performance exceeded all expectations! The terminal performance is on par with anything I’ve seen in a .284 or .30. Unreal performance. The bullet is a BEAST!
Practice will continue throughout the summer in preparation for the upcoming deer and elk seasons.
Based on my sample of one, the 77 TMK out of a .223 is truly a lethal combination well suited to a dedicated lower 48 big game rifle.
Would love to hear about others experiences with this bullet or similar bulletts!
what do you mean not legal in Oregon for big game? not legal for elk, but legal for deer, bear, lions, etcNot legal for big game in Oregon. Surprised that it is legal for Elk in Idaho.
Obviously Elk aren't armor-plated. And if you think like a bowhunter the 223 will put one down. But you don't have much leeway with a 223. You can end up with a hit to tag ratio greater than 1.
I am a little worried about this statement - "The terminal performance is on par with anything I’ve seen in a .284 or .30. Unreal performance. The bullet is a BEAST!"
No, it is not "on par" with 30cal fodder - not even a 30-30. It is a very marginal cartridge/bullet that CAN work if the shooter stays within its limitations. Sorry to burst your bubble, but better now than this fall when you post a sob-story about how you made a good hit and never found the elk.
Thanks for the heads up, I snagged 400Been following this thread very closely and enjoying it. Don't have anything to add other than Midsouth Shooter's has 77gr TMK in stock
Edit: projectiles, not loaded rounds
Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk
I do appreciate your experience, it goes somewhat against my mindset on bullets, but I’m not close minded and don’t argue results... I have had the experiences I have had and it’s tough to not follow that if it’s served me well. You have my interest up.No. You listened to conventional wisdom with regards to small calibers, and while I’m sure I’ve not killed as many animals as most, between hunting and depredation I have killed and seen killed hundreds of deer.... and a few more than that. Around 40 deer with Barnes it was clear that they create less damage, and the animals run farther after being shot. I’m only personally at around 100 deer with 77gr TMK’s and the farther animal has traveled less than 30 feet sliding downhill.
This is why I constantly go against the grain with “shoot a Barnes!”
Barnes TSX’s and other monos create relatively narrow wound channels and consequently kill slower. The wound from a 62gr TSX really isn’t a whole lot different than from a mechanical broadhead. 77gr TMK’s, 75gr SPGD, 75gr AMAX/ELD-M, etc. create horrific wounds, and kill very quickly.
OT but any experience with Berger 135 or 140 in the creed?Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.
OT but any experience with Berger 135 or 140 in the creed?
obviously... duh.223 is waaaay to light of chambering for game!!!!!!!!!!!
Not matter what bullet one uses.
One question for you, what is the practical difference in smk’s and tmk’s? Would you expect similar results on game?
OT but any experience with Berger 135 or 140 in the creed?
yeah, i should have held off on that question, haha... made it through page 25 so far, and there are all of the answers i was looking for so far, as well as many answers to questions i didn't know i hadGo back a page or two and you can see what I wrote about the 75gr Hornady HPBT. The same applies to SMK versus TMK.
If you have something that’s working, I would say great! Hard bullets are what have and do give the “marginal” label to .224 and a bit to .243 cartridges. They’re just not as emphatic in killing. However if someone is using something else and like it’s performance, that’s good.
Money well spent right there!Well you SOBs talked me into it! Haha!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How long is that going to last in factory form.Well you SOBs talked me into it! Haha!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Chassis is on the wayHow long is that going to last in factory form.
Fastest way to spoil it right thereChassis is on the way
Chassis is on the way
Good thing I didn’t buy you one....Fastest way to spoil it right there