I shoulda pulled the trigger. The BP sale is over.They are SS
I shoulda pulled the trigger. The BP sale is over.They are SS
How was the wound channel/penetration on the Fusion?JJ3, congratulations on the nice buck!
Here are some more details on my family’s experience this year to add to the data. The lack of blood trail with the 77 TMK is the reason my dad switched to the 62 gr Fusion. Both deer shot with the TMK made it to the woods before dying. They both died within 40 yards of where they were shot. For him, I think it was an issue of shot placement (too far back). He hit the doe with 62 gr Fusion a little further forward and the deer died in the field.
I also killed two with the 77 TMK this year with a 16” AR-15. The first was around 200 yards. I hit low and just behind the shoulder. There was a huge blood trail and the deer was less than 20 yards from where I shot.
After seeing the lack of blood trail on my dad’s two deer, I came back to this thread and saw recommendations for a high shoulder shot. The second deer I shot was around 100 yards and I went with the high shoulder shot. It was nice seeing the deer drop immediately.
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I searched the thread last night for “62 fusion” lots of info and input from the community. They work and appear to exit more reliably.How was the wound channel/penetration on the Fusion?
the poor blood trails but quick deaths matches what I’ve seen from .223s and more frangible 6mm bullets. Shooting in the shoulder certainly solves the problem but I can’t stand to waste that much meat if it can be avoided.
The penetration was good and there was an exit. The exit in the hide wasn’t very large. We were in a hurry and didn’t inspect the wound channel too closely. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the 62 gr Fusion on a NC whitetail.How was the wound channel/penetration on the Fusion?
the poor blood trails but quick deaths matches what I’ve seen from .223s and more frangible 6mm bullets. Shooting in the shoulder certainly solves the problem but I can’t stand to waste that much meat if it can be avoided.
Anyone on the fence about getting the black hills 77gr tmk should go ahead and get it now while it’s available. It won’t be made for a good while now. What exactly a while is, I’m not sure. But the previous dry spell was 8-12 months (if not longer, I don’t have the exact dates at the moment).Black Hill 5.56 77gr TMK in stock at Bone Frog.
Honestly, I should buy some. But I don’t see me hunting with 223/5.56 anytime so you all might as well clean them out of their stock!
5.56 77GR Black Hills Tipped Match King TMK (D556N19)
5.56 77GR Black Hills Tipped Match King TMK (D556N19) Black Hills' focus is on handcrafting ammunition for serious folks who demand it works every time without fail. No magic loads. No gimmickry. They are certainly not well versed in corporate speak either. Instead, they stake our reputation on...www.bonefroggunclub.com
We shot one in the chest with a 25-06 this year, no blood trail. I think your issue, and mine, was shot placement, and not bullet used.Long time lurker...time to add a data point.
First off I have followed the thread since the fist few posts and have read it in entirety a couple times over the last couple years. I update the thread daily during hunting season also.
I typically hunt ridge areas and fields in NWGA. Shots range from 10-400yds. I prefer to carry my 10.5" 300 Blackout suppressed SBR, 1-4 scope, with Barnes Tac-Tx as it is easy to carry, does not require ear pro and has never let me down. It has also has yet to require a tracking job more than 30yds. I am comfortable with a 250yd shot with this setup.
I am a AR15 hobbyist. I like the ergos, Im comfortable with one and I shoot them often from 10-300yds in various positions at my local rifle club. For all the reasons pointed out in this thread I gravitate towards 223/556 but I still hunt with my 300BO.
The new area I am hunting this year is so thick plus leaves have been late to fall that my Vortex 1-4 just isnt doing it.....I missed a couple doe opportunities recently. I did not have time to swap optics so I took my 10.5" red dot equipped 556 house gun with 73ELDs out on Christmas eve morning to get those does I missed the previous outing.
Well less than an hour in the 180lb +/- 7point we call Loki that Ive been watching on camera for 6 months comes in to about 40yds stopping in one of the very, very few shooting lanes available in this spot. In the 10sec transaction he took a 73 ELD in center of chest, turned with tail down and slowly trotted off. I felt like it was a good hit and thought I heard him crash down the North (steep) side hill out of sight. I waited an hour to get down.....alone with my thoughts.
Once I got down to find him I found ZERO blood or hair.....nothing. I was sick. Looked for 1.5hrs before calling in the dog and help. Dog found him in 5min, buried in a ravine head down 30yd from where he was hit. We drug him an hour out of the ridges to where a vehicle could access for the remaining haul.
We do gutless processing, were wore out and were in a hurry to say the least so no necropsy pics. Opening him up he was full of blood, I assume the heart was destroyed and pumping it into the chest cavity.
Soooo.....It work and worked well at killing a mature buck. Maybe better than my beloved barnes 110s. It did not leave any blood to track and in this area thats a problem without a good dog. I will try the 77TMK before our season is over
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Here you go. 64 grn BSB. Shot at 200 yards down hill. Quartering towards me and hit in front of chest. Ran about 60 yards. My dog found it and I dont recall any blood trail. Good angled penetration and exit through the lungs and paunch. The exit was narrow but I was quite satisfied with the performance. 1:9 twist barrel. 3000fps MV. Handload. Pics: Deer with rifle. Exit. Pointing to entry. Exit and dog.I tried to search and yielded nothing. And since this thread has the most comprehensive collection of 223 data/experiences, has any on tried the Nosler 224 64gr Protected Point Bonded Solid Base?
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I hope this transfers over to the archery world soon, I want a flagship bow with 34" ATA and 7" brace height for accuracy in the field over all the new speed bows