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

[BLJ]

Got to try the 77TMK on moose tonight. Spike bull, but still probably about the size of a typical bull elk (?).

Behind the shoulder shot. Hit was a little high but took out lungs and he dropped at the shot (around 70 yards). Muzzle velocity is around 2,730, so probably around 2560ish impact velocity.
View attachment 760771

Far side. Only a small jacket fragment found there.
View attachment 760772

Body cavity and lungs.
View attachment 760773

20+ years ago, my first moose with a 308 dropped the same way (very similar hit), but in 25 or so moose, this is the only other non-cns shot where I've had a moose drop instantly.

What knife? Thanks.

 

[Lawnboi]

Maybe someone knows, because I don’t, but from looking at stability in the Hornady app, stability goes up the further away it goes. I’d that’s the case, and initial groups are good, what would cause increased dispersion at distance with lower stability?

 

[xsn10s]

Maybe someone knows, because I don’t, but from looking at stability in the Hornady app, stability goes up the further away it goes. I’d that’s the case, and initial groups are good, what would cause increased dispersion at distance with lower stability?

That was my impression. But from shooting that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[SquatchHunter]

Sierra Tipped MatchKing 30 Cal (308 Diameter) Bullets 195 Grain

MatchKing rifle bullets are super-accurate bullets with very thin jackets and are held to exacting tolerances in diameter and weight. Their accuracy has...

www.midwayusa.com

For your Bigfoot hunting needs. God I wouldn’t want to see what it does to a whitetail.

 

[SquatchHunter]

Sierra Tipped MatchKing 22 Cal (224 Diameter) Bullets 77 Grain Polymer

MatchKing rifle bullets are super-accurate bullets with very thin jackets and are held to exacting tolerances in diameter and weight. Their accuracy has...

www.midwayusa.com

Speaking of. Here ya go guys.

 

[Thegman]

What knife? Thanks.

That's an EKA Fishblade. It's Ike an EKA Swing blade but with a fillet type blade. For general field dressing, I like the fillet type blades better than the "skinning" type blades.

EKA FishBlade fishing knife, green | Lamnia

Swingable fillet knife is a hallmark of EKA knives. This swingable little wonder is the most useful knife imaginable! Practical, safe and razor-sharp, for use

www.lamnia.com

 

[BLJ]

Does it lock in place?

 

[AZ_Hunter]

That’s awesome. It still just blows me away the damage that little bullet does.

 

[Thegman]

Does it lock in place?

Yes, it has a push button lock.

 

[Mideerhunter]

Hey guys, long time watcher, first time poster. I am getting ready for deer hunting in Michigan especially with early antlerless right around the corner and I have a few questions. As I am unable to reload, what 223/5.56 loads would you recommend for Michigan deer with the 77 Tmk shortage? Would you rather use 73 or 75 eld-m? Lastly, I am used to hunting woods and taking shoulder shots with a 30-06 but I am hunting more fields where I will limit my shots to 300 yards, would I be fine taking a shoulder shot at all ranges under 300 or do I need to switch to behind the shoulder shots? I would prefer taking shoulder shots if possible. I am not worried about meat loss, I would rather have them drop in the field. Thanks in advance!

 

[Reddish]

Hey guys, long time watcher, first time poster. I am getting ready for deer hunting in Michigan especially with early antlerless right around the corner and I have a few questions. As I am unable to reload, what 223/5.56 loads would you recommend for Michigan deer with the 77 Tmk shortage? Would you rather use 73 or 75 eld-m? Lastly, I am used to hunting woods and taking shoulder shots with a 30-06 but I am hunting more fields where I will limit my shots to 300 yards, would I be fine taking a shoulder shot at all ranges under 300 or do I need to switch to behind the shoulder shots? I would prefer taking shoulder shots if possible. I am not worried about meat loss, I would rather have them drop in the field. Thanks in advance!

Federal Fusion 62gr through the shoulder has put a lot of deer in my freezer.

I would assume the 73gr ELDM will do the same, but have not used it yet.

 

[The Guide]

Hey guys, long time watcher, first time poster. I am getting ready for deer hunting in Michigan especially with early antlerless right around the corner and I have a few questions. As I am unable to reload, what 223/5.56 loads would you recommend for Michigan deer with the 77 Tmk shortage? Would you rather use 73 or 75 eld-m? Lastly, I am used to hunting woods and taking shoulder shots with a 30-06 but I am hunting more fields where I will limit my shots to 300 yards, would I be fine taking a shoulder shot at all ranges under 300 or do I need to switch to behind the shoulder shots? I would prefer taking shoulder shots if possible. I am not worried about meat loss, I would rather have them drop in the field. Thanks in advance!

My daughter used the factory 73 ELDM on 2 whitetails on a damage hunt last month out of a RAR with a 16" barrel from 200 to 250 yards. I would not have any issue using it to 300 yards or taking a shoulder shot.

Jay

 

[SquatchHunter]

Hey guys, long time watcher, first time poster. I am getting ready for deer hunting in Michigan especially with early antlerless right around the corner and I have a few questions. As I am unable to reload, what 223/5.56 loads would you recommend for Michigan deer with the 77 Tmk shortage? Would you rather use 73 or 75 eld-m? Lastly, I am used to hunting woods and taking shoulder shots with a 30-06 but I am hunting more fields where I will limit my shots to 300 yards, would I be fine taking a shoulder shot at all ranges under 300 or do I need to switch to behind the shoulder shots? I would prefer taking shoulder shots if possible. I am not worried about meat loss, I would rather have them drop in the field. Thanks in advance!

Keep watch on palmetto state armory for their 77TMK ammo to pop in stock. I get decent accuracy out of it for factory ammo.


This looks promising. Not sure if anyone has shot anything with it yet.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-sabre-blade-black-tip-5-56-nato-75-grain-20rd-box-ammunition.html

Can’t go wrong with the ELDMs though if you can find them.

 

[atmat]

Keep watch on palmetto state armory for their 77TMK ammo to pop in stock. I get decent accuracy out of it for factory ammo.


This looks promising. Not sure if anyone has shot anything with it yet.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-sabre-blade-black-tip-5-56-nato-75-grain-20rd-box-ammunition.html

Can’t go wrong with the ELDMs though if you can find them.

I shot one WT deer with it last year and it performed great.

In talking with Form, he said the ELD-M and TMK are better but would be totally fine to use those.

I couldn’t tell a difference in damage between that and 73 ELD-M, but my sample size is small.

 

[SquatchHunter]

I shot one WT deer with it last year and it performed great.

In talking with Form, he said the ELD-M and TMK are better but would be totally fine to use those.

I couldn’t tell a difference in damage between that and 73 ELD-M, but my sample size is small.

That’s good news. I got a stockpile of the Sabres in 5.56/300blk/6.5C. Plenty of tmk to use but I might try them as well this year. Cheap enough and if they work for backups that’s a good bonus.

 

[NIHUNTR]

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“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!

Awesome. Would you mind sharing rifle details for more context?

 

[Spoonbill]

Awesome. Would you mind sharing rifle details for more context?

Tikka 223 swfa fixed 6 sportsmatch rings. Blue loctite, finger nail polish or a paint pen to make sure nothing moves.

 

[The Guide]

Awesome. Would you mind sharing rifle details for more context?

It is literally in the post you quoted.

Jay

 

[atmat]

It is literally in the post you quoted.

Jay

If they read other posts they couldn’t get their minimum number of posts in for the classifieds quickly.

 

[Mideerhunter]

Thanks guys, is this the same 73 grain eld-m you guys use or is there a different type? If so, I'll pick some up and send some pics if I shoot anything.

Premium 223 Rem Ammo For Sale - 73 Grain ELD Ammunition in Stock by Hornady Match - 20 Rounds

Premium 223 Rem Ammo In Stock by Hornady - 73 Grain ELD Ammunition by Hornady For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 20 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com