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

Is the TMK load over 2 MOA for ten rounds? Are you shooting deer past 600 yards or so?

No, the TMK shoots just fine by those standards. I know the argument and the data about group size versus the human error and wind. But I'm OCD when it comes to loading and like to see what variables affect the load and group size. If I can make it tighter then I'm going to try. If not, then it will suffice. I like tinkering I guess.
 
That’s not a bad idea, but it’s the springs in the Tikka 223 mags that are the big problem at the moment. That mag gives you the extra length, but leaves you with the spring that fails after a couple hundred rounds. Hopefully Tikka will get their spring supplier issue resolved soon.
 
I have 4 of them and have had no issues.
 
Personally, I'm sticking with something bigger I feel more comfortable with. Even with all the data and your success, I'd still be in my head about it and feel like that would impact my shot.
From a mental standpoint (because physically, less recoil is more accurate) if I use a smaller caliber, my head tends to push me towards shooting better. If I think I’m using a barely adequate weapon, I tend to choose my shots wisely and place them exactly in the spot I think it will kill best.
 
I just plain shoot the 223 better.
If you believe as I do that shot placement is THE first and foremost priority
in efficient killing then the answer is pretty simple regardless of how contrary
it may be to our long held notions.

If I were and elk and I had the choice of me being shot at by someone really good with a 223
and someone who was pretty good with a 300 win mag I'd take my chances with the guy behind the 300 win mag.
Like the old saying "a miss is good as a mile".


phrase​

  1. A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
 
That’s not a bad idea, but it’s the springs in the Tikka 223 mags that are the big problem at the moment. That mag gives you the extra length, but leaves you with the spring that fails after a couple hundred rounds. Hopefully Tikka will get their spring supplier issue resolved soon.

None of my springs have failed.

LOTS more than a couple hundred rounds.



P
 
None of my springs have failed.

LOTS more than a couple hundred rounds.



P
I’ve had three 6- round 223 mags start regularly failing to feed within 200 rounds. The 4 rounders are a bit more durable than that, but are still having issues. I called Beretta customer service about it and they said it was a known issue related to a parts supplier but they didn’t have a solution to it yet. It’s apparently specific to their 223 mags. Given that they didn’t have a fix, I bit the bullet and bought three Waters magazines because it’s the gun that I currently put the most rounds through.

The Waters mags work great but cost about as much as the ammo it takes to kill a Tikka 6-round magazine.
 
How quick does PSA usually get the 75 grain Sabre stuff back in stock? Best cheap practice ammo I’ve tried.
 
Great thread everyone. Tons of info and wonderful harvests. Impressive what 223 will take!
Looking for advice. Will be using 16” AR in 1:7 twist. Maine whitetail. Within 200 yards.
Was going to use the 77TMK but unavailable so looking for another option.
73gr ELDM?
75gr gold dot?
I have some 77 OTM and 62 TAP barrier but looking for solid option.
I have seen the 75 results here and read the threads on 73 Eldm. Pretty new to it all.
 
Great thread everyone. Tons of info and wonderful harvests. Impressive what 223 will take!
Looking for advice. Will be using 16” AR in 1:7 twist. Maine whitetail. Within 200 yards.
Was going to use the 77TMK but unavailable so looking for another option.
73gr ELDM?
75gr gold dot?
I have some 77 OTM and 62 TAP barrier but looking for solid option.
I have seen the 75 results here and read the threads on 73 Eldm. Pretty new to it all.
Have you checked out PSA?
 
Great thread everyone. Tons of info and wonderful harvests. Impressive what 223 will take!
Looking for advice. Will be using 16” AR in 1:7 twist. Maine whitetail. Within 200 yards.
Was going to use the 77TMK but unavailable so looking for another option.
73gr ELDM?
75gr gold dot?
I have some 77 OTM and 62 TAP barrier but looking for solid option.
I have seen the 75 results here and read the threads on 73 Eldm. Pretty new to it all.
The 73 ELDM ammo will be money for your desired use. I use it in a 16" Ruger American Ranch and we are good to 360 yards at our elevation of ~2000'. Should have no issues.

Jay
 
Wish me luck, boys and girls, I’m heading to deer camp Thursday. Opening day here in Oregon for rifle deer is Saturday the 5th.

Gonna use the Tikka Varmint with 75 gr ELDM again this year.

Hope to A. Get a buck and B. Bigger than last year.

Flying solo for the first time in a loooong time. Kinda nice to be first shooter for the first time since 2013.




P
 
Wish me luck, boys and girls, I’m heading to deer camp Thursday. Opening day here in Oregon for rifle deer is Saturday the 5th.

Gonna use the Tikka Varmint with 75 gr ELDM again this year.

Hope to A. Get a buck and B. Bigger than last year.




P
Good luck! I’m curious as to how the 75 ELDM works. I can’t decide on what I want next but I have been toying with the idea of a factory 22-250 with an 8 twist just to fling that bullet.
 
I have. Also read the multiple threads here and arfcom and not sure if it’s as recommended as BH given the test results and possible QC concerns. Haven’t seen any game threads on it yet. If the aac is highly recommended vs the 73eldm or gold dot or a tsx then I would go for it
That link is for Sierra’s 77gr TMK loaded by AAC. It’s the bullet you want and the load shoots fine
 
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