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

[wind gypsy]

For someone that does not reload is there 77gr hunting ammo commercial available. What I found looks like to be for target shooting. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. I’ve got a 223 for my youngest boy to deer hunt with and the 55 gr have not been impressive. Any advice is appreciated.

Hornady 73 ELDm Match ammonia is going to be most available.

77 gr TMK bullets is loaded by Palmeto state in their aac ammo line and by black hills. Both of which are frequently out of stock.

Federal fusion is another factory option.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

What's the word on that AAC stuff? I thought I remembered seeing a thread where the groups weren't that great compared to the Black Hills but I can't seem to search it up on my phone.

 

[wesfromky]

You guys running that stuff in bolt actions with no issues?

There are some other posts out there on the 5.56 vs .223 thing, but I have a couple hundred rounds of the aac 5.56 77 otm and black hills 77tmk in my Tikka .223 with no issues.

 

[Formidilosus]

What's the word on that AAC stuff? I thought I remembered seeing a thread where the groups weren't that great compared to the Black Hills but I can't seem to search it up on my phone.

It’s lot to lot variable- some lots are very good in almost all guns; some lots are pickier and average 2 to 2.5 MOA for 10-30 shot groups.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

It’s lot to lot variable- some lots are very good in almost all guns; some lots are pickier and average 2 to 2.5 MOA for 10-30 shot groups.

Thank you. I don't reload yet so was eyeing those for the AR. I bought a bunch of factory hornady 73gr ELDM for the bolt gun in .223.

 

[The Guide]

You guys running that stuff in bolt actions with no issues?

Yes in Howa and Ruger rifles.

Jay

 

[kswaterfowl]

I've had pretty good luck with the aac stuff. I shoot the 77 gr otm at the range, and killed 2 deer with the 77 gr tmk.

 

[Truck24hr]

My guns didn't shoot the AAC TMK well. Just ran some of the 75gr Black Sabres through the chrono.

Respectable stuff, 10 shot group. Only ran 5 through the chrono.

 

[LimeSpoon]

More data:

223 77 TMK
346 yards Broadside.
Broke front leg. Heart.
Went about ten yards and dropped.
View attachment 826223


View attachment 826231

Mind if I ask the penetration on the 346 yard shot? Curious as to whether it went through the heart or more, or stopped in it.

It certainly demonstrates that an animals' liver is a mushy old thing and a hit with any caliber is most likely to be fatal. I wouldn't draw any further conclusions than that from a single instance.

Yup. The liver is sensitive to temporary cavitation that would cause very little damage to the lungs.