.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

clperry

Lil-Rokslider
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Dec 5, 2019
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I'm currently on page 86 of this post. And I'm trying to read through the entire thread, but I have a question that may or may not have been covered already. I tried searching and couldn't quite find the answer in here.

.223 isn't legal here in Colorado for big game. I'm looking at getting either a .308 or a 6.5CM only calibers offered in the rifle I'm interested in buying. I can find 168gr TMK in .308 but no TMK offerings in the 6.5CM. Seems like the ELD-M would also be a suitable bullet choice in either caliber. If I go with the 6.5 the barrel has 1:8 and the .308 has a 1:10 twist. Is the 1:10 twist enough to stabilize the TMK in the .308?

I have both and would suggest the creedmoor and any eld or the berger or the 130 TMK. It shoots much softer than the 308 with 168s and beats it ballistically. While I live my 308 and shoot it often, there is no advantage to it over the 6.5.


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PNWGATOR

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I'm currently on page 86 of this post. And I'm trying to read through the entire thread, but I have a question that may or may not have been covered already. I tried searching and couldn't quite find the answer in here.

.223 isn't legal here in Colorado for big game. I'm looking at getting either a .308 or a 6.5CM only calibers offered in the rifle I'm interested in buying. I can find 168gr TMK in .308 but no TMK offerings in the 6.5CM. Seems like the ELD-M would also be a suitable bullet choice in either caliber. If I go with the 6.5 the barrel has 1:8 and the .308 has a 1:10 twist. Is the 1:10 twist enough to stabilize the TMK in the .308?
6.5 CM w/143 ELDX or 147 ELDM or 130 TMK.
 

Tobe_B

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 25, 2018
Messages
251
Thanks guys. I greatly appreciate the feedback. I was honestly thinking a .308 is too much rifle on game anyway.

Edit:

I finally finished the entire thread. A huge thank you to all the people that took time to photograph and record their use of the .223, I can’t even find the picture button on my phone.

It annoys me that I can’t utilize my 5.56 for big game here in CO. My brother killed I don’t even know how many deer/hogs with a single shot .223 from the ages of 5-13, with 55 gr cor-lokt ammo to boot. I can’t even imagine how lethal he would’ve been with a TMK. I was raised to think “larger calibers are better”, this thought had been entirely squashed and removed from my mind. Maybe one day CO will see the light and change the caliber restrictions and allow those of us here to remove some more .223 rifles and ammo from the already limited market!


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MEdude

Lil-Rokslider
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Jan 12, 2023
Messages
104
OK GANG… working my way through this thread. Currently up to a page in the mid 30’s.…
I was trained from youth up that “30-30 Wounds more deer than anything in woods, 30-06 or better!” This was the starting point.
Mean while another Uncle quietly used a .222 Sako, he harvested his deer each year with zero fuss or fanfare. I bought the “Bigger is ethical Kool-Aid.”.… but with a measure of cognitive dissonance.
Fast forward 45 years.… I read this heresy…. I accept the apostasy…. I just ordered a .223 Howa Mini Action….. Lord have mercy….. Please don’t tell my 85 year old Uncle! It’ll kill im!

I may need therapy…..
 

Macro

Lil-Rokslider
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Apr 3, 2021
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WV
I wouldnt want a .223 to fight off a large brown, polar, or grizzly bear but it would sure beat a sharp stick.


12ga with slugs.
 

Grundy53

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Nov 24, 2013
Messages
628
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Washington State
Well, I drank the cool-aide. I was perusing a local gun shop today, and they had a Tikka T3X in .223. I knew I couldn't pass it up. I already have a SWFA 3-9 for it. I just have to figure out how I want to mount it. Also, I need to find a source of 77 TMKs... or at least find something to shoot until they become obtainable again (I did buy some 75 ELDMs.
188f84d945b2f3c3a07ee338e9d6822b.jpg


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Juan_ID

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Well, I drank the cool-aide. I was perusing a local gun shop today, and they had a Tikka T3X in .223. I knew I couldn't pass it up. I already have a SWFA 3-9 for it. I just have to figure out how I want to mount it. Also, I need to find a source of 77 TMKs... or at least find something to shoot until they become obtainable again (I did buy some 75 ELDMs.
188f84d945b2f3c3a07ee338e9d6822b.jpg


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You’ll need to modify the factory mag, use an aftermarket or single feed the 75 eldm’s since they’re too long to load into the factory mag.
My tikka shoots 73eldm just as good as it shoots the 77tmk.
 

Grundy53

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Nov 24, 2013
Messages
628
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Washington State
You’ll need to modify the factory mag, use an aftermarket or single feed the 75 eldm’s since they’re too long to load into the factory mag.
My tikka shoots 73eldm just as good as it shoots the 77tmk.
Thank you. Good info to know. I guess I better reread this thread.

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I wouldnt want a .223 to fight off a large brown, polar, or grizzly bear but it would sure beat a sharp stick.

12ga with slugs.
I mentioned earlier in this thread that I’m willing to take and film a Rokslide sponsored coastal brown bear hunt with my wingman and utilize the .223 and 77TMKs.

Just sayin.
 
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PNWGATOR

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Well, I drank the cool-aide. I was perusing a local gun shop today, and they had a Tikka T3X in .223. I knew I couldn't pass it up. I already have a SWFA 3-9 for it. I just have to figure out how I want to mount it. Also, I need to find a source of 77 TMKs... or at least find something to shoot until they become obtainable again (I did buy some 75 ELDMs.
188f84d945b2f3c3a07ee338e9d6822b.jpg


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Don’t overthink it and utilize a proven, simple and reliable system: Sportsmatch TO84 rings.
 
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Idaho
Thank you. Good info to know. I guess I better reread this thread.

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Factory 73 eld match shoots Sub moa in my tikka. About 2725fps MV.

Here is a pic with the factory mag side by side an MDT aics style mag, (shown with factory loaded 73 eldm) the mdt mag gives you a bit more length if you use an aftermarket stock like the krg bravo, mdt lss, etc.
 

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Joined
Dec 16, 2020
Messages
463
Location
Idaho
Well, I drank the cool-aide. I was perusing a local gun shop today, and they had a Tikka T3X in .223. I knew I couldn't pass it up. I already have a SWFA 3-9 for it. I just have to figure out how I want to mount it. Also, I need to find a source of 77 TMKs... or at least find something to shoot until they become obtainable again (I did buy some 75 ELDMs.
188f84d945b2f3c3a07ee338e9d6822b.jpg


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Dnz game reaper 1 piece rings are a lightweight option for a lightweight rifle... they have worked well for me.
 
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