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

[ARK_Ginger]

*updated results in a later post*
Not sure if I should post this because it likely shows my lack of shooting ability over the raw accuracy of the ammo, but here goes nothing.

AAC 77gr TMK first shots. 10 round group and then the composite 30 round group.



I also shot a 10 round group of Sig 77gr ammo that has shot good for me in the past.


This was all done on a hot & humid Arkansas day with my tikka lite 223 with SWFA fixed 6x.


I’ll likely reshoot groups with this combo just to confirm, because at $.85 a round I’d really like for it to work.

 

[Veloci_Wrench]

Not sure if I should post this because it likely shows my lack of shooting ability over the raw accuracy of the ammo, but here goes nothing.

AAC 77gr TMK first shots. 10 round group and then the composite 30 round group.


I also shot a 10 round group of Sig 77gr ammo that has shot good for me in the past.


This was all done on a hot & humid Arkansas day with my tikka lite 223 with SWFA fixed 6x.


I’ll likely reshoot groups with this combo just to confirm, because at $.85 a round I’d really like for it to work.

I received my AAC 77 TMK order this week, and upon visual inspection of one box, the acetal resin tip looks slightly bent on some projectiles, and others look like the projectile was loaded into the case slightly crooked. I‘m not sure how any of that potentially affects precision or BC, but I’ll test some in my Howa soon enough.

 

[ThunderJack49]

Thanks for posting that, I’ve now watched almost all his videos on top of reading this entire thread. In one video he pits the 300 Win Mag using a 180gr Core Lokt against the 243 with a 108gr ELDM, that was the one that got my attention the most.

Good stuff, really helps fill in the gaps.

Never seen this guy before but it's cool stuff. Thanks for posting.

 

[Lawnboi]

Reloading Equipment - 500 Sierra 77 TMK bullets

I have 500 77 TMK bullets for sale. Opened them and never used them. $230 shipped PayPal friends and family

www.snipershide.com

For someone desperate.

No affiliation with the seller

 

[SquatchHunter]

Been eyeing the AAC 77g tmk for a while. Now palmetto has a “sabre” line of ammo out. Black tipped in 55/62/75gr marketed as self defense ammo. Bought a box of the 75gr and the tmk to try out. Excited to test the Sabre out to check expansion. Only $11 a box so if it’s close to a TMK I consider that a win. When I get them I’ll do an “unofficial” gel test with a homebrew gel block. Fingers crossed.

 

[Tahr]

A different perspective.
I shoot circa 70 deer a year. Most go to charity. Mostly with a .223. Ranges from close out to 400 yards.
I use a variety of projectiles. Don't need to. Could just stick to 77 Sierra Tipped. Without a doubt of everything Ive used the 77 tipped have the most traumatic wound channel and have good utility for near and far shots. They are damned expensive and sometimes hard to find though.

But there are many other projectiles that are "good enough" in so much as they kill effectively and quickly. Most are talked about in this thread - with the exception being boutique 69 to 80 grain hunting bullets I use a lot made using Berger jackets.

Recently I have been trending towards using bullets that are still effective but create less meat damage. So Ive been trying out the much maligned and polarising Hammer Hunters - 60 grain. Pushed at 3,100fps. Ranges 100 yards to 275. Big Red deer through to lighter boned Fallow. 6 now in total. All one shot kills. 4 central to lower shoulder hits, lung shot and one angled front on above the brisket. All have been pass throughs. One Red stag (lung shot) ran 20 yards and 1 Fallow the same (the one hit front on).

Good clean kills. Minimal meat damage.

Here are some pics. Red deer. 240 yards. Entry circled. Exit. And heart.

 

[CBB1]

Well guys I read through this and it convinced me to give it a try for myself. While waiting to find some TMKs I purchased some 75gr eldm but have realized they have to be set extremely deep to fit in my AR mag. (shooting Ruger Ranch) Most of the research I’ve done since realizing this says the 75s are a no go in AR mags. Figured I pose the question here before I scrapped it and went down to the 73gr.


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[Formidilosus]

Well guys I read through this and it convinced me to give it a try for myself. While waiting to find some TMKs I purchased some 75gr eldm but have realized they have to be set extremely deep to fit in my AR mag. (shooting Ruger Ranch) Most of the research I’ve done since realizing this says the 75s are a no go in AR mags. Figured I pose the question here before I scrapped it and went down to the 73gr.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no real way to get 75gr ELD-M’s to function in an AR mag. That’s what the 73’s are for.

 

[CBB1]

Thank you. Until I can source some TMK for hunting is the a recommended comparable alternative for shooting steel through the summer?


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[FLS]

77 SMKs work great for shooting steel and they are always available. They tend to be more accurate in my rifles than the TMK, but don’t have the terminal performance. That doesnt matter on steel.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thank you. Until I can source some TMK for hunting is the a recommended comparable alternative for shooting steel through the summer?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The 73gr ELD-Ms work well.

 

[Pharmseller]

What’s the minimum velocity for an ethical kill on deer?




P

 

[BBob]

What’s the minimum velocity for an ethical kill on deer?




P

77 TMK? If so 1800

 

[PNWGATOR]

I witnessed an elk killed with the 77TMKs at 1440 fps.

 

[BLJ]

I witnessed an elk killed with the 77TMKs at 1440 fps.

Given your experience with the TMK, were you happy with the results?
Would you feel that the minimum effective velocity could be below 1800 FPS?
I realize your response may be based on a sample of one at that velocity. Just curious. Thanks.

 

[PNWGATOR]

The terminal performance was certainly acceptable! Yes, only one elk killed at that impact velocity.

That said, it appears the bullet performs as designed below 1800fps, but not yet certain what the actual threshold is for consistent, reliable terminal performance.

@Formidilosus will have much better insight regarding this.

 

[BLJ]

That said, it appears the bullet performs as designed below 1800fps, but not yet certain what the actual threshold is for consistent, reliable terminal performance.

I’d be interested in kills below 1800 FPS. Just to try and determine if 1800 is the bottom or if it’s still consistent at a lower velocity. Thanks.

 

[Pharmseller]

My 75 gr ELD-M load carries 1800 fps a hair past 625 yards, that’s farther than I’d be comfortable shooting at a deer.

Marmot, sure.




P

 

[BBob]

77 TMK? If so 1800

@Formidilosus will have much better insight regarding this.

It is very possible I could be remembering his comments on velocity (1800fps) for the 6mm TMK and not the .223.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

Just wanted to provide an update on my poor shooting and the AAC TMK loads from the top of this page. Decided to shoot it off of bags today and that seemed to tighten things up. I’d say it’s worth buying.