Is anyone successfully using a 12 twist 223 for deer? If so, what bullets are you using?
Awesome photos and shot explanation! Thanks for sharing.Here a data point for the 75 eld m launched at 2850 from a Tikka 223.
Nannie Tahr at 275 yards was quartering away hard. Only exposing top half of chest area. Nasty shooting position definitely handy to be shooting the 223. 1 shot and fell about 300 feet until caught in some brush.
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Entrance
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Exit no projectile recovered
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Nothing drastic under skin on entrance side
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Can see fairly torn up behind shoulder entry was about a third back into the chest cavity well behind shoulder
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Bit of meat removed for clarity showing entrance through ribs
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Few torn up organs
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I love shooting my .223s. And I love the convenience and price of factory ammo as it compares to handloading. When in stock, I buy what I can of the factory flavors that I like. Being set up to handload, as well, I have also laid in a solid supply of components to have on hand. Sooner or later the world will get stupid again and prices and supply will make handloading more attractive or necessary. My answer is buy both!!Just thought I would ask this question here as it seems to be the place.
Recently built tikka 16.5” barrel .223 ( you can see previous post of rifle)
I’ve shot 77 smk, 68bthp frontier, 73 eldm bullets all in factory ammo. Average about 2600fps, give or take between the ammo.
I have ordered some AAC 77 grain smk and their other cheaper version with the hornady bthp. (will get the 77 tmk when it’s back in stock)
I’m setup to hand load but really debating if it’s worth it. So I’m asking about realistic performance gains by hand loading. What can I expect for velocity increase in short barrel? How about loading a heavier bullet ? 80 or 88 eldm ?
My cost seems to be about $0.60 per round to hand load which is close to just buying factory ammo. Should I just stock up and shoot a bunch and not take time to reload or have guys found that hand loading for .223 is really worth the time investment for increased performance?
Here a data point for the 75 eld m launched at 2850 from a Tikka 223.
Nannie Tahr at 275 yards was quartering away hard. Only exposing top half of chest area. Nasty shooting position definitely handy to be shooting the 223. 1 shot and fell about 300 feet until caught in some brush.
View attachment 802574
I have a 16.5” barrel on my tikka as well. I shoot handloads almost exclusively. Most are 75eld @2650. The 75 eld extends your terminal range almost 100 yards compared to the 73eld, and really doesn’t lose any to the 80 eld. I don’t know that the 88 eld will stabilize. When going to the 75 + eld you have to modify magazines or buy expensive ones though.Just thought I would ask this question here as it seems to be the place.
Recently built tikka 16.5” barrel .223 ( you can see previous post of rifle)
I’ve shot 77 smk, 68bthp frontier, 73 eldm bullets all in factory ammo. Average about 2600fps, give or take between the ammo.
I have ordered some AAC 77 grain smk and their other cheaper version with the hornady bthp. (will get the 77 tmk when it’s back in stock)
I’m setup to hand load but really debating if it’s worth it. So I’m asking about realistic performance gains by hand loading. What can I expect for velocity increase in short barrel? How about loading a heavier bullet ? 80 or 88 eldm ?
My cost seems to be about $0.60 per round to hand load which is close to just buying factory ammo. Should I just stock up and shoot a bunch and not take time to reload or have guys found that hand loading for .223 is really worth the time investment for increased performance?
Least I can do. I've found this info exceptionally useful so should add when I canAwesome photos and shot explanation! Thanks for sharing.
No joke.This pic is so steep I fell off the couch and rolled all the way to the kitchen.
P
That's a stud buck. Congrats! Looks like it was a square on frontal shot?View attachment 80312475gr BTHP Hornady Tikka 223. 8pt, doe, and coyote. Great week
Beautiful sceneryHere a data point for the 75 eld m launched at 2850 from a Tikka 223.
Nannie Tahr at 275 yards was quartering away hard. Only exposing top half of chest area. Nasty shooting position definitely handy to be shooting the 223. 1 shot and fell about 300 feet until caught in some brush.
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View attachment 802570Beautiful scenery
Entrance
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Exit no projectile recovered
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Nothing drastic under skin on entrance side
View attachment 802575
Can see fairly torn up behind shoulder entry was about a third back into the chest cavity well behind shoulder
View attachment 802576
Bit of meat removed for clarity showing entrance through ribs
View attachment 802577
Few torn up organs
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