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

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Feb 25, 2012
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895
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South Dakota
The problem with that is it’s from a local guy that I had order it and he’s getting out of the business so don’t want him stuck with it either. If it is a 10 twist I’ll probably just sin another barrel on it someday.

After reading some of the Ice fail test thread I won’t likely be buying another 700 action or clone again…. I handled some different brands and cycled the actions at a gun shop last week and every brand but the Tikka I could get the bolt to easily bind up when working the action, even the high dollar customs. The Tikka wouldn’t bind no matter what I tried doing to it.
 

260284

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 21, 2019
Messages
289
That's smoking the 88's in that case, what barrel length and powder if you don't mind?
Lapua 6BR case necked down, CCI450, Rl16 got me up to 3150, Varget to 3100, H4895 to 3050. 5R Bartlein finished at 26" suppressed. It was the most accurate and consistent at 3000-3050 with any of the 3 powders. I shot two 3 shot groups at 420 yards before a ladder to make sure I would be on white paper for the sharpie colored bullets. I should have looked closer at the groups and not shot the ladder. There were .29" and .46" and I shot them fast.
 

BigThig09

FNG
Joined
Sep 3, 2017
Messages
28
This thread is amazing and convinced me to pull the trigger on buying a Tikka T3x in .223.

I have a metric ton of 62 and 75 grain factory loaded Speer Gold Dots and have read all the good reviews in this thread on them. However, I was also curious about the factory loading from Sierra with the 64 grain Tipped Gameking (TGK) called the Gamechanger. Has anyone used these at all, or would anyone have any reservations on using them? It has been hard to find any good reviews on them across the internet, and I figured this would be the best place obviously. What would y'all pick between the three bullets 62 and 75 grain gold dot/fusion, or the 64 grain TGK?

Thanks!
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Messages
453
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AR
This thread is amazing and convinced me to pull the trigger on buying a Tikka T3x in .223.

I have a metric ton of 62 and 75 grain factory loaded Speer Gold Dots and have read all the good reviews in this thread on them. However, I was also curious about the factory loading from Sierra with the 64 grain Tipped Gameking (TGK) called the Gamechanger. Has anyone used these at all, or would anyone have any reservations on using them? It has been hard to find any good reviews on them across the internet, and I figured this would be the best place obviously. What would y'all pick between the three bullets 62 and 75 grain gold dot/fusion, or the 64 grain TGK?

Thanks!
The 64gr TGK is a hard bullet with a thick jacket and will underperform compared to the Gold Dots. The 77gr TMK is the golden child of this caliber, but the 62 & 75 gr gold dots are no slouch.

If it where me, I wouldn't mess with the TGK.
 

BjornF16

WKR
Joined
Dec 12, 2019
Messages
2,622
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Texas
Good to hear.

I think a lot of the issue is so many tight bore 224 barrels out there. I made sure the blank I got is .219.

I’m hoping the 88s work.
I just verified...I'm running a Preferred 3R barrel, 22", 7" twist launching 88s at 3050 fps (UM) and 3180 fps (hand load) with no issues.
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
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The 64gr TGK is a hard bullet with a thick jacket and will underperform compared to the Gold Dots. The 77gr TMK is the golden child of this caliber, but the 62 & 75 gr gold dots are no slouch.

If it where me, I wouldn't mess with the TGK.
What kind of critters have you pumped it into, at what velocities and what kind of weight retention?
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Messages
453
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AR
What kind of critters have you pumped it into, at what velocities and what kind of weight retention?
I should have stated that I have not used the TGK and am only familiar with its construction due to research here and other places. The gold dots I have used on deer.
 

280Ackley

WKR
Joined
Jun 4, 2014
Messages
855
Location
Idaho
Vantage Reloading has 77tmk in stock, they are not listed on their website but if you contact them you can order. The place seems legit I ordered up a flat rate box full and they were delivered today. Looks like he is only selling in 500ct boxes though so no small quantities.

Not sure if I can post a link to their site with contact info here or not? I found the guy on a Facebook group and chatted with him a bit and then took a chance and everything was in order.
Thanks @SamsonMan22 mine showed up today. He is 100% correct Vantage research was unbelievable to work with and they had 108 eld-m’s in stock too!!9AEBB2FB-A694-4AC4-AC6A-DE7526B18A7B.jpeg
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
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Thanks @SamsonMan22 mine showed up today. He is 100% correct Vantage research was unbelievable to work with and they had 108 eld-m’s in stock too!!View attachment 504640

I’ve had difficulty get ahold of him lately. Emailed mid last week and he was good right away but haven’t heard a lick from him the last few days… waiting for an invoice so I can pay and get some coming.


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schmalzy

WKR
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
1,581
He was pretty responsive to me and got mine out pretty quick. Supposed to be here Monday.


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BigThig09

FNG
Joined
Sep 3, 2017
Messages
28
Another question from a newb…

Could a reloader load up some 90 grain .224 fusions in a .223 and get some even better results than the 62 grain variety?? Just spitballing here but I feel like @Formidilosus mentioned a 90+ grain TMK being on his wishlist.

I don’t reload (yet), but have access to the 90 grain pills if it would be worth pursuing. Thanks!
 
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