.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

[TOLeary]

@Formidilosus im curious what the next jump up would be in caliber to get into a shoot able rifle for practice and hunting? Is it a 243? I don’t see any issues for hunting with a 223 based off of this thread but Colorado doesn’t allow rifle hunting with it. So looking for a rifle that you can hunt with by each states requirements and also low enough recoil with easy to access ammo (not like a more uncommon caliber) what would that look like?

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus im curious what the next jump up would be in caliber to get into a shoot able rifle for practice and hunting? Is it a 243? I don’t see any issues for hunting with a 223 based off of this thread but Colorado doesn’t allow rifle hunting with it. So looking for a rifle that you can hunt with by each states requirements and also low enough recoil with easy to access ammo (not like a more uncommon caliber) what would that look like?

6ARC

 

[Trapperkid]

@Formidilosus im curious what the next jump up would be in caliber to get into a shoot able rifle for practice and hunting? Is it a 243? I don’t see any issues for hunting with a 223 based off of this thread but Colorado doesn’t allow rifle hunting with it. So looking for a rifle that you can hunt with by each states requirements and also low enough recoil with easy to access ammo (not like a more uncommon caliber) what would that look like?

Or there is 6 creed it’s got available factory ammo with good bullets And you may be able to find it more readily available.

 

[AndrewD]

Well I read most of this thread last year but I didn't take notes and I don't quite feel like rereading it. I am considering dipping my toes in the .223 hunting world for whitetail this year. When my dad was in his hunting years, he took more than one blacktail with his Mini-14, so aside from this thread, I have trusted evidence that it is a viable caliber.

Long story short, I want a smaller round for hunting whitetail in mountainous timber cuts (50-250 yards). With chronic shoulder issues on both sides, I like the idea of being able to shoot more often with less toll. I have thought a lot about a 6.5CM, but I really like the idea that the lowly .223 is a more than capable round for many situations. I do have a 5.56 AR, but I think I want to stick to bolt-action for hunting, and I really like my wife's 308 Tikka, so a .223 Tikka is at the top of my list.

Not being a handloader, I would appreciate hearing which factory .223 rounds people have had good results with, especially in bolt-actions. I know this is covered in these 300 pages, but a summary on factory rounds would be great.

 

[Drenalin]

Not being a handloader, I would appreciate hearing which factory .223 rounds people have had good results with, especially in bolt-actions. I know this is covered in these 300 pages, but a summary on factory rounds would be great.

Try this:

Stand 1, Black hills, and AAC all load the 77 TMK in factory ammunition.

Or, the 73 ELD-M is also effective.

 

[atmat]

@Formidilosus im curious what the next jump up would be in caliber to get into a shoot able rifle for practice and hunting? Is it a 243? I don’t see any issues for hunting with a 223 based off of this thread but Colorado doesn’t allow rifle hunting with it. So looking for a rifle that you can hunt with by each states requirements and also low enough recoil with easy to access ammo (not like a more uncommon caliber) what would that look like?

I’m in your boat and decided on a 223 for practice and a 6creed for hunting.

Barrel life on the 223 is just outstanding, and it’s so cheap to shoot. Was cheaper to just buy two rifles.

 

[mahonsr]

6ARC

What would be your opinion on the top 3 bullets in the 6 ARC if you hand load. I ask the opinion on top 3 because of availability issues (ie hard to find the 108 eldm right now) editing to include bolt gun, 20” barrel let’s say with 7.5 twist

 

[wind gypsy]

What would be your opinion on the top 3 bullets in the 6 ARC if you hand load. I ask the opinion on top 3 because of availability issues (ie hard to find the 108 eldm right now)

Hornady 6mm 109 gr ELD-M Bullets

NEW Hornady 109 ELD Match Bullets

www.gaprecision.net

He's said the 112 match burners upset easily/quickly too so my guess would be that the 105 match burners might be a good fit for 6ARC.

 

[mahonsr]

Hornady 6mm 109 gr ELD-M Bullets

NEW Hornady 109 ELD Match Bullets

www.gaprecision.net

He's said the 112 match burners upset easily/quickly too so my guess would be that the 105 match burners might be a good fit for 6ARC.

Appreciate that and appreciate the link - maybe not so hard to find afterall

 

[wind gypsy]

Appreciate that and appreciate the link - maybe not so hard to find afterall

Note that they are not 108s (in form or price) but supposedly behave the same terminally.

 

[TOLeary]

6ARC

Would the Howa be the way to go there?

which caliber would you recommend that tikka uses? Looking at what would be compatible with rokstok

 

[Formidilosus]

What would be your opinion on the top 3 bullets in the 6 ARC if you hand load. I ask the opinion on top 3 because of availability issues (ie hard to find the 108 eldm right now) editing to include bolt gun, 20” barrel let’s say with 7.5 twist

103gr ELD-X, 108/109gr ELD-M, 105 and 112gr Barnes MatchBurner, etc. there’s a bunch that work well.

 

[Formidilosus]

Would the Howa be the way to go there?

which caliber would you recommend that tikka uses? Looking at what would be compatible with rokstok

For ARC- first choice a Tikka barreled and bolt modded for it. Second, Howa mini with new stock.

For factory Tikka’s, well there’s only the 243win with 1-8” barrel. That’s a good setup for sure. You don’t have to load it to the gills.

 

[Mulyhuntr]

Tikka in a 1/8 works real good with the 108 eld-m

 

[FCCDerek]

Tikka in a 1/8 works real good with the 108 eld-m

Yup, their 243 barrels are a 1-8 twist. Would probably be able to get some decent velocity out of those 108's with that.

 

[swavescatter]

Yup, their 243 barrels are a 1-8 twist. Would probably be able to get some decent velocity out of those 108's with that.

Not all. I just bought one that was 1:10 online. Bummed but I’m turning it into a 22 creed.

 

[FCCDerek]

Not all. I just bought one that was 1:10 online. Bummed but I’m turning it into a 22 creed.

Interesting, I wonder if it was an older model? I was looking over their current offerings in .243 and they were all a 1-8 on their website.

 

[Longleaf]

Anyone loading 77tmk in a 14.5" bolt gun? Im thinking a 1:7 for my truck gun and whitetail. Current load is 2960 with CFE and 22"bbl, so maybe I'll get around 2780 in a 14".

Faster twist?

Faster powder than CFE223?

 

[omicron1792]

Well I read most of this thread last year but I didn't take notes and I don't quite feel like rereading it. I am considering dipping my toes in the .223 hunting world for whitetail this year. When my dad was in his hunting years, he took more than one blacktail with his Mini-14, so aside from this thread, I have trusted evidence that it is a viable caliber.

Long story short, I want a smaller round for hunting whitetail in mountainous timber cuts (50-250 yards). With chronic shoulder issues on both sides, I like the idea of being able to shoot more often with less toll. I have thought a lot about a 6.5CM, but I really like the idea that the lowly .223 is a more than capable round for many situations. I do have a 5.56 AR, but I think I want to stick to bolt-action for hunting, and I really like my wife's 308 Tikka, so a .223 Tikka is at the top of my list.

Not being a handloader, I would appreciate hearing which factory .223 rounds people have had good results with, especially in bolt-actions. I know this is covered in these 300 pages, but a summary on factory rounds would be great.

I just bought black hills 77TMK. Was easy to find. Getting the AR out of mothballs

 

[omicron1792]

Note that they are not 108s (in form or price) but supposedly behave the same terminally.

Good to see you on here my friend!