.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

woods89

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Sep 3, 2014
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Southern MO Ozarks
Has anyone played with CFE223 and the TMK?

TAC I assume the better option, we'll, XBR being the best, but currently I have Varget, Tac, and CFE223. Seems like I'm likely best going with TAC.
I use it with 69 gr TMK. It's worked fine. MV of 2885 out of a 22" barrel.

I tried it with 77 gr TMK out of my CZ 1:9 twist. Precision was not great but of course the twist was marginal.
 
Joined
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Shenandoah Valley
I use it with 69 gr TMK. It's worked fine. MV of 2885 out of a 22" barrel.

I tried it with 77 gr TMK out of my CZ 1:9 twist. Precision was not great but of course the twist was marginal.

Hodgdon lists 60 fps more with CFE223 over TAC with 1000 psi less.

None of it matters much, but I do have more of the CFE223.

Oh, wait, I forgot the magic scrubbing bubbles in the 223 so I don't hafta clean!!
 

Lawnboi

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Mar 2, 2012
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7,685
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North Central Wi
Thanks for showing this ...

What setup are you running for that rifle?
That is just a factory lite barreled action cut to 20” and threaded. In an eh1, with mountain tactical bottom metal. Nx8 in a tikka direct mount.


Shot 2 more with the 77s but didn’t take wound photos. Too damn cold! Both deer went approximately 20 yards. Both heart shots.

Brings my total with the 223 to 7. Still happy with the performance .
 
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260madman

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Dec 15, 2017
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WI
Here’s an 8 with a broken brow tine. Shot was pushing 200 yards. Quartering towards my daughter. Entrance was inside the left shoulder and took out a lung. Buck did the “Stop. Drop and roll Dick roll”. If you’re Gen X you’ll know it. Plowed snow and Ran maybe 40 yards, probably less, and tried to jump the fence but jumped early and hit a tree before hitting the fence, he was dead and running. Same 16” AR and 77gr TMK as last years big buck she shot. This one is smaller unfortunately but we made the decision together to shoot it.

DDDD05DE-9FE7-4935-9E6C-1352059C51A5.jpeg

Lung

A230BFD1-9009-4D2C-9101-DEF1129D8A69.jpeg

I have video of the event. If you want to see it, message me. 23 seconds. I don’t have a YouTube account.
 

Darryle

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Nov 25, 2016
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Fort Worth, Texas
Took me 11 days start to finish on this roller coaster. Eye opening and thoroughly enjoyed it. I won't hunt with the Howa Mini 223 this year, but I will spend plenty of time getting to know it's intricacies.

I purchased a Howa Mini 223 barreled action from Brownells, a Stocky's VGM raw carbon stock and Oregon Gunsmithing BDL bottom metal and hopefully get it all together over Thanksgiving. Debating on whether to add some color before bedding and installing the scope.

Couple of 223 Varmint rifles for sale on another forum, wish that Tikka had popped up before I ordered the Howa.

Tikka T3 Varmint 223

CZ 527 223
 

Floridave

FNG
Joined
Sep 20, 2022
Messages
64
Has anyone played with CFE223 and the TMK?

TAC I assume the better option, we'll, XBR being the best, but currently I have Varget, Tac, and CFE223. Seems like I'm likely best going with TAC.

I used 24 gr of CFE223 and 77gr TMK’s out of a 20 inch AR to take these 2 Louisiana whitetails.
I didn’t really work up the load for accuracy (ran out of time) and didn’t chronograph it, but it shot under 1 inch so I was good with trying it.
154 and 70 yards, one down on the spot the other a 30 yard dash and down.
My first hunt with the tiny cartridge but not my last.
390972fb243d71bd4ed4c1b631f4c46d.jpg

d7bcc7d7ec20a01876f3a8fc9157c268.jpg

2b9a3808e3c4da85eaa141559d8c9737.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

260madman

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Dec 15, 2017
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WI
Update the distance from my daughter’s buck. Shot was 183 yards. Flopped and plowed snow/ran 32 yards.
 
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BLJ

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Jan 19, 2020
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WV
17 yards (approximately) broadside. MV of 2564. Jumped and humped up at the shot. 3 quick jumps, walked 10’ then stopped and fell over. 25 yards total distance covered and 30 seconds until he was dead.
Heart and lungs were unidentifiable. That’s what the raspberry soup is in the second picture. Entry and exit were both around 1/2”. It was a good day.
 

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Joined
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Fort Worth, TX
17 yards (approximately) broadside. MV of 2564. Jumped and humped up at the shot. 3 quick jumps, walked 10’ then stopped and fell over. 25 yards total distance covered and 30 seconds until he was dead.
Heart and lungs were unidentifiable. That’s what the raspberry soup is in the second picture. Entry and exit were both around 1/2”. It was a good day.

What rifle and stock is that?


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BLJ

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Jan 19, 2020
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WV
Looks like a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 with a DIY stock build-up to get the ergos. Looks damn good, too!
You are correct. Athlon Argos HMR 2-12 with the AHMC reticle on top.
Thanks for the compliment. It works very well for me.
 

Txmike

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Joined
Nov 20, 2022
Messages
6
I stumbled on this thread after a buddy of mine was telling me that he was going to use match bullets for hog and whitetail hunting. I told him that I thought it was a bad idea, but decided to check it out. Glad that I did!

I could not find a tikka that had a threaded barrel locally, but they had a CA scout in .223 with a threaded barrel. First CA rifle. Hopefully I got one that will shoot. Have not had a chance to take it out yet.

I am having trouble finding loaded TMK. Anyone know where to find purchase some? Thanks in advance, and this is probably my favorite thread of all time.

Cheers!
 

Smenning

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 19, 2016
Messages
233
I came across these at a local Murdochs store, does anyone have experience on game (primarily whitetail) with the 73gr Bergers? Thanks in advance
6037102E-1251-448D-8953-D43B855FF79F.jpeg
 
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