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

[5MilesBack]

This is what everyone is concerned about a bullet getting through

It's similar to archery.........shoulder blades are easy. It's the knuckle that's generally the problem.

 

[5MilesBack]

Put me on ignore if you can't handle someone speaking their mind . Funny, I took a quick look at your history, you seem to have some troll blood in you and a real keyboard tough guy . FO

Class act. We should meet.......without keyboards.

The problem is not your speaking your mind.........it's that trolling is the only thing on your mind when you post.......apparently.

 

[woods89]

All I can say is, I sure hope the 69 gr TMKs I have on backorder at MidwayUSA get here by next season.......

 

[Formidilosus]

All I can say is, I sure hope the 69 gr TMKs I have on backorder at MidwayUSA get here by next season.......

They will work on deer, but penetrations is a bit shallow.

 

[woods89]

They will work on deer, but penetrations is a bit shallow.

Good to know, probably should have tried a box of 77 gr in my 1-9 just to make sure they wouldn't work. If I get them before spring I'd like to shoot a coyote or two to see what happens.

 

[Formidilosus]

Good to know, probably should have tried a box of 77 gr in my 1-9 just to make sure they wouldn't work. If I get them before spring I'd like to shoot a coyote or two to see what happens.

I’d also look at the 75gr Gold Dot. That should work in a 1-9”.

 

[woods89]

I’d also look at the 75gr Gold Dot. That should work in a 1-9”.

Noted! Thanks!

 

[ElPollo]

I've enjoyed the heck out of this thread and have new respect for the 5.56-77gr TMK combo. It's still not my personal preferred choice for big game hunting rounds because I'm largely a non-lead guy. But based on the pictures posted here, it's really, really high on my list of loads to avoid getting shot with.

Humor aside, how many rounds don't have some limitations for range and shot placement? My go-to caliber and bullet combo for big game hunting certainly does. I work within those limitations and tend to get annoyed if people who don't know me expect I would do otherwise.

 

[carsonkeys]

I’ve read from pg 1 and have learned quite a bit. My one burning question is this:

For those without a .223 (or in states that prohibit their use on big game) what factory ammo, for say a 6.5, would be synonymous with TMK? I saw that Sierra makes a 130gr .264 pill but haven’t had any luck finding factory loaded ammo with it. This thread was intertwined with comments about the ELD-M penetrating less than the TMK, but generally seems like a good substitute. Am I correct in my thinking?

 

[Formidilosus]

I’ve read from pg 1 and have learned quite a bit. My one burning question is this:

For those without a .223 (or in states that prohibit their use on big game) what factory ammo, for say a 6.5, would be synonyms with TMK? I saw that Sierra makes a 130gr .264 pill but haven’t had any luck finding factory loaded ammo with it. This thread was intertwined with comments about the ELD-M penetrating less than the TMK, but generally seems like a good substitute. Am I correct in my thinking?

I don’t know that you want that. What the 77gr TMK does is maximize tissue disruption in a 223 while achieving acceptable penetration. If you do the same for a 6.5CM for example, you going to loose a lot of meat.
But if you do, the 140 and 147gr ELD-M and I like the 143gr ELD-X as well for a bit less splash. The 130TMK has been good but relatively limited experience with it so far.

 

[carsonkeys]

I don’t know that you want that. What the 77gr TMK does is maximize tissue disruption in a 223 while achieving acceptable penetration. If you do the same for a 6.5CM for example, you going to loose a lot of meat.
But if you do, the 140 and 147gr ELD-M and I like the 143gr ELD-X as well for a bit less splash. The 130TMK has been good but relatively limited experience with it so far.

I think I’m following. For clarification, if you had to pick one factory 6.5 load for the same critters listed in the title, what’re you personally grabbing?

 

[Formidilosus]

I think I’m following. For clarification, if you had to pick one factory 6.5 load for the same critters listed in the title, what’re you personally grabbing?

Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.

 

[carsonkeys]

Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.

10/4 thanks for your insight.

 

[maxpetros]

Been following this thread very closely and enjoying it. Don't have anything to add other than Midsouth Shooter's has 77gr TMK in stock

Edit: projectiles, not loaded rounds
Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

 

[roosiebull]

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts yet packable. Tikka T3x, vertical grip, Sportsmatch rings, SWFA 6x MQ in mills. Replaced the trigger spring with a yo Dave, adjusted to my liking, then degreased everything and locked all of the screws down with loctite and got started.

The package checks all of the boxes. Plus, it’s FUN! Time at the range is spent learning to call wind, trigger control, spotting your own impacts and figuring out why a shot did or did not end up where you wanted it. No brake. No flinch. Inexpensive to shoot. The fun factor plus the ability to be able to afford to shoot a lot goes a long way to learning and understanding shooting, accuracy and precision.

With all of that said, I’ve decided to use 77 TMK out of a .223 from this delivery system for bear, deer and elk this season.

Opportunity presented itself a couple of days ago. I killed a mature, dry sow with the 77 TMK. Bullet performance exceeded all expectations! The terminal performance is on par with anything I’ve seen in a .284 or .30. Unreal performance. The bullet is a BEAST!

Practice will continue throughout the summer in preparation for the upcoming deer and elk seasons.

Based on my sample of one, the 77 TMK out of a .223 is truly a lethal combination well suited to a dedicated lower 48 big game rifle.

Would love to hear about others experiences with this bullet or similar bulletts!

i use the 77gr smk's out of my AR for calling lions

 

[roosiebull]

Not legal for big game in Oregon. Surprised that it is legal for Elk in Idaho.

Obviously Elk aren't armor-plated. And if you think like a bowhunter the 223 will put one down. But you don't have much leeway with a 223. You can end up with a hit to tag ratio greater than 1.

I am a little worried about this statement - "The terminal performance is on par with anything I’ve seen in a .284 or .30. Unreal performance. The bullet is a BEAST!"

No, it is not "on par" with 30cal fodder - not even a 30-30. It is a very marginal cartridge/bullet that CAN work if the shooter stays within its limitations. Sorry to burst your bubble, but better now than this fall when you post a sob-story about how you made a good hit and never found the elk.

what do you mean not legal in Oregon for big game? not legal for elk, but legal for deer, bear, lions, etc

 

[Deplorable77]

Been following this thread very closely and enjoying it. Don't have anything to add other than Midsouth Shooter's has 77gr TMK in stock

Edit: projectiles, not loaded rounds
Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up, I snagged 400

 

[roosiebull]

No. You listened to conventional wisdom with regards to small calibers, and while I’m sure I’ve not killed as many animals as most, between hunting and depredation I have killed and seen killed hundreds of deer.... and a few more than that. Around 40 deer with Barnes it was clear that they create less damage, and the animals run farther after being shot. I’m only personally at around 100 deer with 77gr TMK’s and the farther animal has traveled less than 30 feet sliding downhill.



This is why I constantly go against the grain with “shoot a Barnes!”

Barnes TSX’s and other monos create relatively narrow wound channels and consequently kill slower. The wound from a 62gr TSX really isn’t a whole lot different than from a mechanical broadhead. 77gr TMK’s, 75gr SPGD, 75gr AMAX/ELD-M, etc. create horrific wounds, and kill very quickly.

I do appreciate your experience, it goes somewhat against my mindset on bullets, but I’m not close minded and don’t argue results... I have had the experiences I have had and it’s tough to not follow that if it’s served me well. You have my interest up.
One question for you, what is the practical difference in smk’s and tmk’s? Would you expect similar results on game?

I shoot the smk in my AR because they shoot so dang well, with the 77gr my AR is well under moa, and I feel like consistently around a 1/2 moa

I know and accept that there are several ways to effectively skin a cat, haven’t made it through the whole thread yet but I like it.

I personally wouldn’t hunt bear with a .223 but that’s a “me” thing, I have other weapons I’m more confident in, but this thread is more about concepts not cartridges to me

 

[Lawnboi]

Probably 143gr ELD-X. Or 147gr ELD-M.

OT but any experience with Berger 135 or 140 in the creed?

 

[robtattoo]

OT but any experience with Berger 135 or 140 in the creed?

I used the 140VLD in my Swede exclusively for a couple of years. Whitetail & antelope. I had 2 DRT (one was a neck shot) most everything else ran at least 80yds. I was unimpressed.