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

Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Messages
309
The ELDM might be ok but the 77 grain could be a problem out of a 1-9. As for the rifle itself it really depends if it is one of the early ones or a more recent mini. The early one's had accuracy issues as soon as the barrel warmed up. I had one I bought in the early 80s and it was very accurate with a cold bore and maybe 2 additional rounds then it would walk the following rounds up vertically. I ended up selling it and never bought another one. I've heard the newer ones are much improved however usually you can find an AR for less money than a mini and it will be more accurate.

But as far as handling I liked that rifle a lot.
This is probably a 2018 or so version. The guy got it as a raffle ticket winner back then and just wants to get the cash value he could have gotten at the time. Probably 750 bucks at most. I was going to see if he wanted to trade something else I don't use for it. Side note; I live in a nanny state so getting certain things while you can is always on my mind.
 

LiveFire

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
22
This is probably a 2018 or so version. The guy got it as a raffle ticket winner back then and just wants to get the cash value he could have gotten at the time. Probably 750 bucks at most. I was going to see if he wanted to trade something else I don't use for it. Side note; I live in a nanny state so getting certain things while you can is always on my mind.
Ive owned a couple. $750 will build you a far superior ar15. Dont waste your time with it.
 

LiveFire

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
22
Has anyone used the 77gr abc on game yet? Is there a consensus on it being a rebranded tmk?
The precision rifle media podcast june 29th of this year had Brent the owner of creedmoor sports on. I suggest listening to it but yes they are sierra bullets repackaged. Not seconds, he claims they are just repackaged.
 

fwafwow

WKR
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Messages
5,650
First hunting shot with my new RSS. 73gr ELD-M out of 16.5" barrel. Mature doe slightly quartering to at 85 yards. Ran zero yards. External entrance wound almost completely invisible. Pictured below - entry wound from inside chest (no exit), brass from prior kills in the blind ("which one of these is not like the others?") and others.IMG_0861.jpeg
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Thegman

WKR
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
783
Three more results with the 77 TMK on Sitka Blacktail. All three dropped when hit and tumbled down the mountain sides. Two required kill shots when found, from bullet placement, but not bullet performance.

Don't have tons of field pics because as usual, was trying to get finished before I had to deal with a brown bear (we ran into at least 7 up close over 8 days of hunting...but only one for me personally).

First buck, big bodied old fork at about 300 yards. Took out both lungs and somehow blew a hole up through the spine as well. Recovered the back of the jacket and a bit of lead against the offside hide.20231023_122353.jpg

Lungs
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Entrance side

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Far side

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Hole up through spine

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Thegman

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Joined
Nov 21, 2015
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783
Second was a small fork quartering to at 163 yards steep uphill (shot it while I was working on number one). Tumbled down a steep rock face and stopped about 100 yards below where he was hit.

Only took out one lung at this angle but may have damaged spine as well. Required kill shot when I found him where he stopped tumbling in a thick low willow patch.

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Lung

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Thegman

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Nov 21, 2015
Messages
783
Last was a good 3x up in the alpine. 293 yards somewhat uphill. Hit was a little too high but bullet passed under the spine and broke the spine. Buck tumbled down about 50 yards and stopped. Finishing shot when I got up to him.

There was a brown bear down the mountain below so not many pics. Just the buck and entrance with the hide removed. I didn't find the bullet but it appeared it was probably against the far side hide.

Not the best shot placement/angles on two of them, but even with that, none took a step after being hit. I don't recall ever having three bucks drop like that with my 308 or 30-06.

Last buckResized_20231024_141348.jpeg

Entrance through ribs

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Marshfly

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Sep 18, 2022
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Location
Missoula, Montana
The deeper I get into this thread, the more impressed I am. I feel like I've been lied to my whole adult life. Thank you gentlemen very much for the shared wisdom!
Totally agree here. I was 100% on building a duplicate of my son's cut and threaded 6.5CM T3x/Trijicon combo for my wife next year but more and more I'm thinking of going with a 223 cut 16.5" with a carbon stock and light scope instead. Would be a nice compact light gun for me to take in the woods for deer also.

But I keep drifting to @Thegman Ultralight bolt AR 223 thread also...
 
Joined
Dec 9, 2018
Messages
384
Shot a small buck with 223/ 77tmk from 80ish yds. Threaded the needle through some brush as he was quartering away, he didn’t even seem to know he was hit. He staggered a few steps and I shot him again and he stayed down. Initial shot destroyed the liver and one lung, and broke the far leg.Will look into the destruction further once I can skin him out.
 

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The Guide

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Joined
Aug 20, 2023
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Location
Montana
Totally agree here. I was 100% on building a duplicate of my son's cut and threaded 6.5CM T3x/Trijicon combo for my wife next year but more and more I'm thinking of going with a 223 cut 16.5" with a carbon stock and light scope instead. Would be a nice compact light gun for me to take in the woods for deer also.

But I keep drifting to @Thegman Ultralight bolt AR 223 thread also...
Just ordered my Solo 300 upper...

Jay
 

The Guide

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Joined
Aug 20, 2023
Messages
1,048
Location
Montana
Damn guns... Why can't I just be happy with what I have. I don't shoot those.
My plan is to make a 2 piece takedown rifle that I can keep in a small case and easily put in a backpack. Right now I'm looking at a 223 Wylde barrel and a 300 Ham'R barrel.

Jay
 
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