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

[ianpadron]

For those interested, the 9 twist Kimber Montana I posted a page back shoots AAC 77tmks well. My elevation is 3300 feet. It was just shy of 80 degrees, 49% humidity. Nice round holes out to 300. Will continue to add data under varied conditions, and hopefully try some black hills TMKs as well.

The 75 grain Hornady Superformance BTHP and 62 grain fusions both put 5 shots around 1" at 100, TMKs slightly larger than that, but more than acceptable for a 500 yard setup imho.

 

[Xnoheros]

77g Norma Match out of a RAR

.223 Rem Golden Target Match 77 gr 20 QTY | Norma USA

.223 Rem Golden Target Match 77 gr is a high-performance, precision-engineered round designed for competitive shooting. This round is made with the highest quality components and is engineered to deliver consistent accuracy and performance. The .223 Rem Golden Target Match 77 gr features a 77...

normausa.com

106 yards on a black bear.

First round Center punched him and he huffed blood and took off up the hill. For sure mortally wounded but if he’s moving I’m shooting. Paused at 120 and took a second round and a third to the spine. Rolled back down the hill, and I put another one to be sure.

Recovered 3 of the bullets, on the far side of the bear under the skin. First wound channel went straight through the boiler, one obliterated the spine, and one broke the upper front shoulder.

 

[NoveskeEnjoyer]

Has anyone dropped a large boar with the TMK? Curious to see how it penetrates the "shield".

 

[justinspicher]

I had a buddy that shot a few pigs down south a few months back with some 77gr TMKs, but I don’t know if any were a boar, let alone a big boar. I will reach out and ask him.

 

[270quest]

Between myself, wife, and kids, we drew 4 late season cow elk tags...22 creedmoor shooting 77 TMKs at 3160ish will be on deck for all 4. Will be a good test of that bullet. Open late season desert so shots could get long

 

[philcox]

I have NOT read all 382 pages of this, so asking ... Is there a FAQ or similar on 223 projectiles that are in the same "class" (e.g., all have "similar" incapacitation results). For example the 77 TMK is touted as a top performer. Is there an equivalent ELDM, ELDX, DRT, etc. and weight that would compare? @Formidilosus if 77 TMK did not exist, what is your 2nd or even 3rd choice.

 

[ianpadron]

I have NOT read all 382 pages of this, so asking ... Is there a FAQ or similar on 223 projectiles that are in the same "class" (e.g., all have "similar" incapacitation results). For example the 77 TMK is touted as a top performer. Is there an equivalent ELDM, ELDX, DRT, etc. and weight that would compare? @Formidilosus if 77 TMK did not exist, what is your 2nd or even 3rd choice.

Eagerly waiting on the Southern boys to get some more data on the 75 grain sabre blade from AAC...looks promising and the price is unbeatable for loaded ammo. Nothing is open for killin' up North or id do the dirty work myself

 

[Ajsomp]

Has anyone dropped a large boar with the TMK? Curious to see how it penetrates the "shield".

I have a plan to shoot some with TMK. But 62 grain controlled chaos dropped it DRT. I also have plans to use the AAC 75 grain black tip which should perform similar to the ELDM from hornady.

 

[Drenalin]

I have NOT read all 382 pages of this, so asking ... Is there a FAQ or similar on 223 projectiles that are in the same "class" (e.g., all have "similar" incapacitation results). For example the 77 TMK is touted as a top performer. Is there an equivalent ELDM, ELDX, DRT, etc. and weight that would compare? @Formidilosus if 77 TMK did not exist, what is your 2nd or even 3rd choice.

I'm not Form, but the 73 ELD-M was very effective for me this past season, from pretty close to a little under 400 yards.

 

[philcox]

I'm not Form, but the 73 ELD-M was very effective for me this past season, from pretty close to a little under 400 yards.

Well then I need some certification or qualification that gives you "authority" to comment? ... Just kidding. Thanks for the info, I'll look for them to give them a try!

 

[TxxAgg]

Has anyone dropped a large boar with the TMK? Curious to see how it penetrates the "shield".

Yes. No issues.

 

[philcox]

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.

For your load (I did not see this in the "cheatsheet") was is the Max Terminal distance for this combo 77 TMK out of a 223? I noted in some post in the bowels that Form talked about "starting at 900y", but it was in response to a question which listed bit 223 and 6.5Cm. So just curious as to what distance the 77/223 is "technically" effective to. Thx.

 

[swavescatter]

For your load (I did not see this in the "cheatsheet") was is the Max Terminal distance for this combo 77 TMK out of a 223? I noted in some post in the bowels that Form talked about "starting at 900y", but it was in response to a question which listed bit 223 and 6.5Cm. So just curious as to what distance the 77/223 is "technically" effective to. Thx.

Technically, if you shot it fast enough from the moon it would kill an elephant with the right shot placement. Let's just call it 230,000 miles effective range.

 

[Billogna]

For your load (I did not see this in the "cheatsheet") was is the Max Terminal distance for this combo 77 TMK out of a 223? I noted in some post in the bowels that Form talked about "starting at 900y", but it was in response to a question which listed bit 223 and 6.5Cm. So just curious as to what distance the 77/223 is "technically" effective to. Thx.

400-450 yds max effective range for reliable expansion @ above 1800 fps.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have NOT read all 382 pages of this, so asking ... Is there a FAQ or similar on 223 projectiles that are in the same "class" (e.g., all have "similar" incapacitation results). For example the 77 TMK is touted as a top performer. Is there an equivalent ELDM, ELDX, DRT, etc. and weight that would compare? @Formidilosus if 77 TMK did not exist, what is your 2nd or even 3rd choice.

2.26” coal compatible and generally available:

77gr TMK
69gr TMK (sufficient, but less penetration)
73gr ELD-M (sufficient but TC isn’t as long)
77gr Berger OTM (higher upset velocity required)
85gr Barnes MatchBurner (good wound channels with a longer neck length)
62gr Federal Fusion (lower BC)
62 and 75gr Speer Gold Dot (62gr identical to Fusion, 75gr very good wounding)

Potentially the AAC 75gr Saber.


Not 2.26” compatible:

88gr ELD-M
80gr ELD-M
75gr ELD-M
80gr ELD-X



That’s about it for the major ones, though I’m sure there are one or two I am missing. The 77gr TMK is more like the high water mark for all around performance, though it is not the sole good .224 bullet.

 

[PNWGATOR]

For your load (I did not see this in the "cheatsheet") was is the Max Terminal distance for this combo 77 TMK out of a 223? I noted in some post in the bowels that Form talked about "starting at 900y", but it was in response to a question which listed bit 223 and 6.5Cm. So just curious as to what distance the 77/223 is "technically" effective to. Thx.

1800 fps impact velocity.

 

[Big_wals]

Has anyone dropped a large boar with the TMK? Curious to see how it penetrates the "shield".

The shield isnt nearly as big of a problem as people think. You may know this, but hogs vitals are much further forward and lower than deer, elk, etc. I think a lot of the lore about pigs being bullet proof is guys aiming behind the shoulder and actually gut shooting them.

Heres a medium sized sow I shot last winter, 73 eldm. Looks like a great shot, right?




Ended up being about 1 inch under the spine, and 1 1/2 inches ahead of the diaphragm. Shoot em low and forward, they die like anything else.

 

[waterengineer]

For those looking for a cheap way to try the 77gr TMK, the AAC are back in stock:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-5-56-nato-77-grain-sierra-tmk-20rd-box-ammunition.html

 

[Castle Rock]

Yes, and the “shield” really doesn’t offer hardly any resistance to a bullet
It is just sub cutaneous tissue which doesn’t affect bullets that are intact

 

[Moose83]

2.26” coal compatible and generally available:

77gr TMK
69gr TMK (sufficient, but less penetration)
73gr ELD-M (sufficient but TC isn’t as long)
77gr Berger OTM (higher upset velocity required)
85gr Barnes MatchBurner (good wound channels with a longer neck length)
62gr Federal Fusion (lower BC)
62 and 75gr Speer Gold Dot (62gr identical to Fusion, 75gr very good wounding)

Potentially the AAC 75gr Saber.


Not 2.26” compatible:

88gr ELD-M
80gr ELD-M
75gr ELD-M
80gr ELD-X



That’s about it for the major ones, though I’m sure there are one or two I am missing. The 77gr TMK is more like the high water mark for all around performance, though it is not the sole good .224 bullet.

I've never heard of this 85 gr match burner before. It must have a fairly blunt ogive profile to be 2.26" compatible. What kind of velocities would be attainable in a 20" .223? And what would the minimum velocity for upset be?