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

[MThuntr]

@LCV and @ARK_Ginger Appreciate the help. I didn't do a good search and it seem those were what I would have expected. I just started plinking around with 77gr RDFs in my 223 but I'm not sure I want to send them at animals and of course they're on the edge of stable.

The last deer I shot with a 223 were within 100yards and with 55gr soft points. That was the minimum allowed by the state of NE when I was in college. At the time, I don't remember much being available on the shelves in anything heavier that wasn't an FMJ.

 

[sierracharlie338]

The Hornady BTHP and SMK act very differently. I’ve killed a few animals with the SMK and won’t use them anymore as they are inconsistent when it comes to expansion.

The Hornady BTHP on the other hand has performed more like a Berger bullet, but seems to be a little tougher with a narrower cone of expansion. Most of the animals we have shot with them have resulted in pass throughs. I killed near two dozen animals with the 75gr BTHP from Hornady all out of an 18” AR15 and every one has expanded. I would call that very consistent performance.

I was speaking solely on the SMK but have also shot the bthp. I don’t disagree they perform better terminally than the smk but that’s not saying much. The tipped bullets have outperformed and been more consistent hands down.

 

[Gravel Road]

This thread is getting expensive. Picked up small rifle primers and powder yesterday and just ordered a 10x42 SS SWFA for a Tikka 223 that I haven't bought yet-lol.

 

[PNWGATOR]

This thread is getting expensive. Picked up small rifle primers and powder yesterday and just ordered a 10x42 SS SWFA for a Tikka 223 that I haven't bought yet-lol.

Worth it…promise.

 

[ElPollo]

This thread is getting expensive. Picked up small rifle primers and powder yesterday and just ordered a 10x42 SS SWFA for a Tikka 223 that I haven't bought yet-lol.

Inflation is a bummer. I dropped my 223 Tikka off at my gunsmith’s shop today. His cut and thread costs have gone up 50% since the last gun I had cut. Can’t blame him. Everything has gotten more expensive. Heck, this Tikka was $150 more than the last two I bought. But it’s still worth it to watch my daughter giggle as she hammers steel plates at 200-500 yards.

 

[Pharmseller]

This thread is getting expensive. Picked up small rifle primers and powder yesterday and just ordered a 10x42 SS SWFA for a Tikka 223 that I haven't bought yet-lol.

Make sure it’s a 1-8.”


Not all are.




P

 

[Gravel Road]

All the stainless Lite models are 1-8, right?

 

[Pharmseller]

All the stainless Lite models are 1-8, right?

I don’t know about the T3x, but this stainless T3 Lite is 1-10.”

Blue Lightning.






P

 

[sierracharlie338]

View attachment 669223

I don’t know about the T3x, but this stainless T3 Lite is 1-10.”

Blue Lightning.






P

You paint that?

 

[Pharmseller]

You paint that?

Shipped it to a guy in New York, a decade ago or so.




P

 

[sierracharlie338]

Shipped it to a guy in New York, a decade ago or so.




P

Trying to decide if painting the factory stock is worth it or getting my kiddo a chassis and painting it.

 

[BLJ]

Trying to decide if painting the factory stock is worth it or getting my kiddo a chassis and painting it.

Let the kiddo paint the factory stock.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Let the kiddo paint the factory stock.

Never thought of that for some reason but I like it. Suggestion on type of paint to use?

 

[bojangles808]

Never thought of that for some reason but I like it. Suggestion on type of paint to use?

The krylon fusion or krylon or rustoleum camo is good. Scuff up with a scoch Brite pad and finish with matte clear coat.

 

[bojangles808]

Couple I did recently

 

[bojangles808]

I see .202 G7 in strelok for 77g TMK, is that what BC you guys is using?

 

[BLJ]

I use the cheapest of whatever color they want.
I have a “custom” weight in the front of a Bravo that is rose gold.

 

[zdc1775]

Never thought of that for some reason but I like it. Suggestion on type of paint to use?

I'll second Krylon. I use the specialty camo paint that's ultra flat, and I don't clearcoat it because I found that even the matte or flat made it too shiny for my liking. Plus that allows the paint to chip and fade from use which I like on my rifles.

 

[wind gypsy]

Bingo! I am tempted to engage on there but thinking I’d better not.

Got into it a bit with Furman on tuning/.5moa all day/we owe it to the animals to tune at 1000 yards etc. not a fruitful discussion.

I think I’m on thin ice with those dudes but honestly I haven’t learned much from that forum in years so I don’t know why I even bother.

I think their cartridge guides are pretty good. Good info on case capacity differences with different brass. I find Alex Wheeler's contributions interesting and helpful at times beyond the ultra tuning that aint in my wheelhouse. But i was recently banned for a post here saying i wasn't surprised at reported bias towards bad christensen reports due to site sponsorship.. Used to get a kick out of one of the members there touting how great christensen and carbon was because they don't walk like a steel barrel.

Back on topic.. had my factory lite 223 tube sent to @Pharmseller a while back because the new ACE tube was to be ready in December but ACE lost their 0.219 bore tooling apparently so I've been without a 223 for a couple months and i'm getting freakin antsy to have a 223 back in the rotation!

 

[Lawnboi]

I think their cartridge guides are pretty good. Good info on case capacity differences with different brass. I find Alex Wheeler's contributions interesting and helpful at times beyond the ultra tuning that aint in my wheelhouse. But i was recently banned for a post here saying i wasn't surprised at reported bias towards bad christensen reports due to site sponsorship.. Used to get a kick out of one of the members there touting how great christensen and carbon was because they don't walk like a steel barrel.

Back on topic.. had my factory lite 223 tube sent to @Pharmseller a while back because the new ACE tube was to be ready in December but ACE lost their 0.219 bore tooling apparently so I've been without a 223 for a couple months and i'm getting freakin antsy to have a 223 back in the rotation!

Who’s doing your chamber job and what chamber?

After breaking in my 223 with the ADI 55bk (which shot no shit .7 moa 10 shots over and over) I went to find jam with some bullets… and I’m pretty sure I got a standard 223 chamber. I’m at jam with every bullet ~.020 out of the case. While I’m a little disappointed, it still shoots 75s and 77s so well I don’t know if I want to call and have it remedied or not. When I’m not putting up a group over 1” it’s hard to want to chase speed and case capacity. I was hoping to burn up my varget stash though.