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

[sierracharlie338]

Loaded up my first batch of 77tmks for my son's birthday present, a 16" Tikka .223 compact. Holy short throat and mag. I damn near ran out of adjustment on my seating die even moving the stem all the way down. Going to try 100rds at 2.98 COAL with 24gr of varget. I had forgotten that my .223 had a custom throat and can run out to 2.5".

Fingers crossed they'll work well with that jump. Powder got a bit crunchy seating that far in so I vibrated a few to condense the powder and that seems to help.

I need to check my COAL (I measure base to ogive) but the ones I loaded for my daughters rifle didn’t shoot very well at mag length.

 

[SloppyJ]

I need to check my COAL (I measure base to ogive) but the ones I loaded for my daughters rifle didn’t shoot very well at mag length.

Let me know. I typically load for cbto as well but with this setup the limiting factor was mag length. I found the lands, loaded 20 off of them and realized I was still quite a far ways off from getting that round into the magazine. Like right around a full tenth of an inch.

 

[Brazo264]

Loaded up my first batch of 77tmks for my son's birthday present, a 16" Tikka .223 compact. Holy short throat and mag. I damn near ran out of adjustment on my seating die even moving the stem all the way down. Going to try 100rds at 2.98 COAL with 24gr of varget. I had forgotten that my .223 had a custom throat and can run out to 2.5".

Fingers crossed they'll work well with that jump. Powder got a bit crunchy seating that far in so I vibrated a few to condense the powder and that seems to help.

2.98 COAL - you sure about that?

 

[wind gypsy]

Loaded up my first batch of 77tmks for my son's birthday present, a 16" Tikka .223 compact. Holy short throat and mag. I damn near ran out of adjustment on my seating die even moving the stem all the way down. Going to try 100rds at 2.98 COAL with 24gr of varget. I had forgotten that my .223 had a custom throat and can run out to 2.5".

Fingers crossed they'll work well with that jump. Powder got a bit crunchy seating that far in so I vibrated a few to condense the powder and that seems to help.

Yes, longer mags are nice or varget gets crunchy in a hurry with 77 TMKs. Doesn't mean it doesn't work. Varget and 77 TMKs was my primary load in an AR for a handful of years for steel shooting.

 

[Pharmseller]

TMKs are available.

Don’t give up!

Form opines that the 75 ELDM is a close second to the TMK, close enough in fact to make a switch unnecessary if one finds accuracy and velocity with the ELDM.




P

 

[Shotgunman28]

A fast twist 223.

What’s the lowest velocity/longest range have you seen the TMK still “perform adequately”

 

[mt terry d]

What’s the lowest velocity/longest range have you seen the TMK still “perform adequately”

Personally, one trophy cow elk is all I’ve taken with the RSS. 320 yards. One shot kill.

 

[Big_wals]

What’s the lowest velocity/longest range have you seen the TMK still “perform adequately”

Another elk. This one at very low impact velocity. 1,440fps impact. 77gr TMK. First shot was through scapula, high lung, second shot back of ribs and broke the spine. Total distance traveled was 30’ish yards.



View attachment 499309




Still upsetting quite well-

View attachment 499310

Almost 200 pages ago in this thread…. My longest has been 342 yards on a deer, out of a 223 the tmk will still perform past the ranges most guys should be shooting them at animals, myself included.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

What’s the lowest velocity/longest range have you seen the TMK still “perform adequately”

I think this is the furthest/slowest 77 TMK kill in the thread.

Post in thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...n-goat-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/post-2903623

 

[Camv]

I'm using a tikka t3x 1in8 twist.
Stainless but wearing a walnut stock. I'm weird I know, but I would rather scratch a walnut stock than have to use synthetic.

I'm modifying the factory mag to fit the 75 Eldm.
Moose83 you aren't in smithers by some chance are you?

 

[JBradley500]

Found some replenishment. Should last me a good long while.

 

[E.Shell]

I'm digging through my powders, looking to use something on hand for 77 TMKs in a 223.

I have a slew of Varget and a bunch of H4895 and IMR4895, which seem to be in the range, but I see most people here are getting relatively low velocities with these.

Found a couple jugs of WC 846, which is said be like BLC2. I have a pile of LC brass, CCI #41 primers and a brand new box of 77s staring at me...

I searched the forum for BLC2 data but didn't see anything specific. Any comments and/or starting data for this powder with 77s in the .223?

Running them through a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 1:8 with AR mags.

Thank you,
Ed

 

[sierracharlie338]

I'm digging through my powders, looking to use something on hand for 77 TMKs in a 223.

I have a slew of Varget and a bunch of H4895 and IMR4895, which seem to be in the range, but I see most people here are getting relatively low velocities with these.

Found a couple jugs of WC 846, which is said be like BLC2. I have a pile of LC brass, CCI #41 primers and a brand new box of 77s staring at me...

I searched the forum for BLC2 data but didn't see anything specific. Any comments and/or starting data for this powder with 77s in the .223?

Running them through a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 1:8 with AR mags.

Thank you,
Ed

I’ve never used blc2 because it’s got a reputation as being noticeably dirtier than other powders. I’m seem to recall it is not temp stable but not positive on that.

 

[Shotgunman28]

Personally, one trophy cow elk is all I’ve taken with the RSS. 320 yards. One shot kill.

Wild!

 

[SBR Sarge]

Question for Form, or another similarly experienced person (if such a person exists!)…

Will the TTSX expand better than the TSX?

It seems maybe the tip helps the TMK do its job, and I wonder if the same might be said for the tip on the TTSX.

Thanks!

 

[Moose83]

I'm using a tikka t3x 1in8 twist.
Stainless but wearing a walnut stock. I'm weird I know, but I would rather scratch a walnut stock than have to use synthetic.

I'm modifying the factory mag to fit the 75 Eldm.
Moose83 you aren't in smithers by some chance are you?

Yup, I am. I honestly wouldn't bother modifying the factory mag to fit the 75gr, the 73gr shot way better for me in a factory tikka chamber. The 75's seem way more finicky for seating depth, and the 73's ogive profile more closely matches the 77tmk which is very forgiving. The cheapest way to go I've found here is to shoot hornady 75gr bthp match as a practice round then switch over to the 73 eldm for hunting. As for powders, I've used Imr 4064, leverevolution, and Tac. My 4064 load is very accurate but slow. It's also hard to get into the case without being too crunchy. Leverevolution has given better accuracy in my rifle than Tac.

 

[Big_wals]

I'm digging through my powders, looking to use something on hand for 77 TMKs in a 223.

I have a slew of Varget and a bunch of H4895 and IMR4895, which seem to be in the range, but I see most people here are getting relatively low velocities with these.

Found a couple jugs of WC 846, which is said be like BLC2. I have a pile of LC brass, CCI #41 primers and a brand new box of 77s staring at me...

I searched the forum for BLC2 data but didn't see anything specific. Any comments and/or starting data for this powder with 77s in the .223?

Running them through a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 1:8 with AR mags.

Thank you,
Ed

If you do end up using Varget, grab an ASC steel mag. They allow you to seat out to 2.31 coal, gives ya a little more room for powder.

 

[Matt5266]

Question for Form, or another similarly experienced person (if such a person exists!)…

Will the TTSX expand better than the TSX?

It seems maybe the tip helps the TMK do its job, and I wonder if the same might be said for the tip on the TTSX.

Thanks!

My experience with the TSX and TTSX is limited to 30 caliber in my 300 WSM. I was not impressed with either. They penetrated deeply but very minimal expansion. I shot a 6 point bull at 320 yards with the 168 grain TTSX. It was a frontal shot. It went through the brisket all the way to a rear quarter where it was lodged. It basically penciled through. I recovered the bull but after that I switched to 185 Bergers.

 

[Formidilosus]

Question for Form, or another similarly experienced person (if such a person exists!)…

Will the TTSX expand better than the TSX?

Yes it does. There is less variability with TTSX’s than TSX.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Let me know. I typically load for cbto as well but with this setup the limiting factor was mag length. I found the lands, loaded 20 off of them and realized I was still quite a far ways off from getting that round into the magazine. Like right around a full tenth of an inch.

Yeah I’m at 2.275 COAL in a factory Tikka mag max.