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

[BigNate]

Is that the Exit?

Yes, behind the leg on entry, through shoulder and exit.

 

[Nomosendero]

Yes, behind the leg on entry, through shoulder and exit.

I like it!

 

[Poe]

For those who still question our choices you really need to consider the resulting wound is the means of killing, and it doesn't matter what caused it.

The first deer I shot with the 77gr TMK was a WT doe, about 90 yards, off-hand out of a 16" AR. I aimed to put it through the top of the heart. She started turning as the shot broke. Bullet exited, making as bit of a mess.
Why would anyone need more wound than this.

Just curious if you would have an approximate live weight on that doe. I have been told our deer in Saskatchewan can be a bit bigger than some of the southern deer so was just looking for comparison

 

[BigNate]

Just curious if you would have an approximate live weight on that doe. I have been told our deer in Saskatchewan can be a bit bigger than some of the southern deer so was just looking for comparison

I'm not far from the Canadian border so these aren't as small as the Southern US. I had about 45# of packaged meat IIRC. So what's the rule of thumb? 30% of live weight? Not sure, don't weigh anything. I know they're a lot heavier in my backpack than they used to be.

 

[Pharmseller]

Why would anyone need more wound than this.

How can I measure up to any gun now, after such a wound as this?

Well who are you?

(Sorry, I couldn’t resist)




P

 

[Wilderlife]

No season or limit for deer, chamois, thar, pigs, goats, wild sheep, rabbits, possums and so on.
Plus masses of public land hunting area.
Hence a lot of us are hunting regularly

There is a season for game birds.

I know the 'global scene' is very much focused on USA and Canada, but it never ceases to amaze me just how much information and opportunity is out there for NZ and Australia, yet North Americans are still ignorant to this stuff.

I haven't kept up with this thread properly but I've posted in it a few times. Plenty of cool things being done here with .224 bullets and larger animals, but most people around the world can't even begin to comprehend just how many animals fall to .224 bullets in Aus and NZ every year.

I'm in the process of sorting out a varmint .223 for myself to be my go-to ute rifle, as I'm sick of torturing my poor ol' L461 in .222.

 

[Pharmseller]

I'm in the process of sorting out a varmint .223 for myself to be my go-to ute rifle, as I'm sick of torturing my poor ol' L461 in .222.

What’s the season on utes?

We can’t shoot them here.




P

 

[Wilderlife]

Depends how much you like your ute. My LandCruiser is a protected species.

 

[Tahr]

80grn Berger J4 jacket custom. 2840fps. 220 yards, high in behind shoulder. A little totter and fell over.

 

[Wilderlife]

He'll be good chewing, mate.
It's about to ramp up big time on the fallow for me but I'll mainly be chasing them with my bow, a .243, or my .300WM. If I get my .223 in time I might take it out for the rut but it'll mostly be for culling when the rut is over.

 

[Deere_Man]

80grn Berger J4 jacket custom. 2840fps. 220 yards, high in behind shoulder. A little totter and fell over.
View attachment 861722

View attachment 861723

What is the difference between the bullet that you used here and this bullet? :

22 Caliber 80 Grain Very Low Drag (VLD) Target Rifle Bullet

The Berger VLD Target Bullet is one of the flattest shooting bullets on the market today. Berger VLD Target Bullets are extremely popular for competitive long range applications.

bergerbullets.com

 

[Stocky]

What is the difference between the bullet that you used here and this bullet? :

22 Caliber 80 Grain Very Low Drag (VLD) Target Rifle Bullet

The Berger VLD Target Bullet is one of the flattest shooting bullets on the market today. Berger VLD Target Bullets are extremely popular for competitive long range applications.

bergerbullets.com

It's a different bullet. It's made by a local guy using berger supplied j4 jackets other than that it's a rebated boat tail projectile.

 

[Tahr]

This is the 80 grn projectile from the above buck. Lodged just under the skin on the off side.
Just an example of bullets other than the TMK being perfectly adequate.


And this is the rib exit under the skin.

 

[FredH]

My verdict is that they are good. Kill well. Those petals are vicious. Their expansion threshold seems to be around 2000fps, but the contra is that they can be driven quite fast. Easy to get to shoot well. This was the first one Ive recovered, all others have past right through. 10 or so. Travel ok - I use a BC of .3
Probably as effective as Hammers but I do like how the Hammers shed their petals. Lots of organ churn.
In the monos Hammer and Maker both better performing than Barnes.
Im using Monos cos I shoot meat for charities.
Here in NZ Makers are $89/50 and the TMK $117/100. And Hammers nearly twice the price of the Maker per 50 (landed).

The 77TMK and heavy ELDM remain the gold standard but I doubt an average sort of hunter would tell any difference between the best monos and them. Would still end up with a dead deer near to where it was shot.

Liking that bullet. I notice Maker has several designs. A tipped and non tipped. One not available for sale to individuals. Which is your choice in 62-70 grains?

 

[Tahr]

Liking that bullet. I notice Maker has several designs. A tipped and non tipped. One not available for sale to individuals. Which is your choice in 62-70 grains?

I use the 62 tipped. Works great. Currently it's the only one available through my retailer. Maker wont send direct.

 

[FredH]

I use the 62 tipped. Works great. Currently it's the only one available through my retailer. Maker wont send direct.

I am looking at Makers web site and it appears oriented to sell direct to customers, just certain bullets are exempt. Probably because you are Way the heck over there?

 

[Tahr]

I am looking at Makers web site and it appears oriented to sell direct to customers, just certain bullets are exempt. Probably because you are Way the heck over there?

Yes. No links to post overseas on the website.
Hammer do, but their freight is too expensive.
Going forward I think buying stuff from the States is going to be overly expensive and tricky for us.

 

[FredH]

Yes. No links to post overseas on the website.
Hammer do, but their freight is too expensive.
Going forward I think buying stuff from the States is going to be overly expensive and tricky for us.

Not sure how the tariff thing is going to work out. as close as I can figure out you are in NZ? If so you charge the US anywhere from 37% to 0% on items costing over $1000. We are working with a Harmonized import tax system so I guess we charge you what NZ charges us. However after a cursory look I can't say What the plan is from either direction! I think our president's plan is zero import taxes for both countries. Seems reasonable but I am not one to take a politicians word, more of a when I see it view. I don't know what you are being charged but I can get 50 of the 65 gr. Tipped version for $32.50 direct from Maker plus shipping.

 

[Tahr]

Not sure how the tariff thing is going to work out. as close as I can figure out you are in NZ? If so you charge the US anywhere from 37% to 0% on items costing over $1000. We are working with a Harmonized import tax system so I guess we charge you what NZ charges us. However after a cursory look I can't say What the plan is from either direction! I think our president's plan is zero import taxes for both countries. Seems reasonable but I am not one to take a politicians word, more of a when I see it view. I don't know what you are being charged but I can get 50 of the 65 gr. Tipped version for $32.50 direct from Maker plus shipping.

NZ. Our average tariff on US goods is 1.9%. Tell your President . We will not charge reciprocal tariffs on the US hikes.
Currently I pay USD45.96 per 50 for the 62 Maker tipped. Thats $89 in our dollars.

 

[FredH]

NZ. Our average tariff on US goods is 1.9%. Tell your President . We will not charge reciprocal tariffs on the US hikes.
Currently I pay USD45.96 per 50 for the 62 Maker tipped. Thats $89 in our dollars.

In my opinion considering the meager trade the US does with New Zealand I don't see any reason to raise our import taxes. I could easily live with 1.9% either way though. I would be surprised if I paid a lot less than that shipped.