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

[BigThig09]

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!

 

[ARK_Ginger]

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]

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.

 

[Rooggvc]

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.

That’s great to know. Thank you for posting that.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

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?

 

[ARK_Ginger]

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]

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!!

 

[Jake Leibke]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[280Ackley]

He told me he was at the Shot show and would get me my invoice when he got back. I got it the next day.

 

[Jake Leibke]

He told me he was at the Shot show and would get me my invoice when he got back. I got it the next day.

He told me the same but I haven’t seen it yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[280Ackley]

Did you check your spam folder?

 

[Jake Leibke]

Did you check your spam folder?

I have. A few times. His first emails didn’t go to spam.


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[schmalzy]

He was pretty responsive to me and got mine out pretty quick. Supposed to be here Monday.


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[SamsonMan22]

I have. A few times. His first emails didn’t go to spam.


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I had the invoice make it to my spam folder. Do you need a number to contact him?

 

[Jake Leibke]

I had the invoice make it to my spam folder. Do you need a number to contact him?

Sure if you want to message me. I sent another message through his website as well


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[SamsonMan22]

Sure if you want to message me. I sent another message through his website as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent you a message

 

[BigThig09]

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!

 

[sram9102]

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!

Don't think the extra bc would be worth the velocity loss going that heavy in 223. It would be stuffed so far down in the case to fit in any magazine it would be anemic. A super heavy tmk would be sweet to run in the 22 creed.

 

[BigThig09]

Don't think the extra bc would be worth the velocity loss going that heavy in 223. It would be stuffed so far down in the case to fit in any magazine it would be anemic. A super heavy tmk would be sweet to run in the 22 creed.

Makes sense! Thanks!

 

[False_Cast]

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!

If looking for max BC, you’d want to look at the 88 grain ELDm instead. Significantly greater BC and less mass. I believe some have had success with 88’s & 1:7” twist 223/556 barrels (minimum). But, as stated, you’ll need to pay attention to COAL constraints.

I’d run the numbers in a ballistic calculator to make sure you’re threading those needles for a reason. It is not coincidental that the easy button theme is popular among some of the successful hunters and shooters you read here.