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

[The Guide]

Took my 22" sporter Howa Mini Action in 223 out with some of the AAC 77tmk ammo after putting it in a new B&C stock (originally a barreled action from Brownells that was in the Houge stock that my 6mm ARC came in) and shot some Prarie dogs. Putting the rifle in the new stock only had me .5 mils high and .6 mils right from my original zero and the gun printed a quick clover leaf group so no accuracy change between the 2 stocks. The 77tmk didn't give me the red spray I expected on the two I shot. It knocked the guts out of them but no red spray like a really light bullet does. Might be too sturdy of a bullet for PD use at 223 speeds I'll have to try the 75gr Sabre Blade Black Tips and see how they do at the next PD town I find. I did order some of the 55 and 62 grain Sabre Blade Black Tips to try on ground squirrels when I'm bear hunting so I'll see how they do too. Black Bear in Montana opens on the 15th of April on many areas.

Jay

 

[slingin_sticks]

.223 14.5in barrel 55gr VMAX
MV 2600
IV 2500
SD inside 100m
Time on feet 0
Dropped at the hit complete pass thru on both shoulders.

 

[slingin_sticks]

It would be neat if we had a factual discussion with people that actually have used them.....





For those that think “caliber” determines “killing power” and that there is a huge difference between them...

What bullets and cartridges did these-

Started using a 14.5 ar using 73 gr eldM keeping shit distance below 350. Used it last year on a whitetail doe inside 100m shot with a 55gr VMAX mv2700 IV 2600ish time in feet doa.
Very curious to see if others hunt with a similar platform and if so what results have been

 

[slingin_sticks]

Anyone using 14.5 in or shorter AR15 in 223 for hunting deer and bear? I would like to hear you setups

 

[Formidilosus]

Anyone using 14.5 in or shorter AR15 in 223 for hunting deer and bear? I would like to hear you setups

?

There are over 500 pages in this thread of just about every bullet made being used on big game.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Anyone using 14.5 in or shorter AR15 in 223 for hunting deer and bear? I would like to hear you setups

Plenty in here

Post in thread 'Ultralight Ultralight Rifles'

Apr 14, 2025

Handguard? Smoke Composites Carbon Fiber PCC Handguard - 15". The grip and stock are both Smoke Composites too.

• JBradley500

• 

 

[slingin_sticks]

?

There are over 500 pages in this thread of just about every bullet made being used on big game.

I wasn't really asking about bullets I was asking about SB AR15 setups

 

[Formidilosus]

I wasn't really asking about bullets I was asking about SB AR15 setups

Have you read this thread in its entirety?

There are probably 50+ elk, moose, brown bear, black bear, deer, etc animals killed with short barrels.

 

[slingin_sticks]

Have you read this thread in its entirety?

There are probably 50+ elk, moose brain bear, black bear, deer, etc animals killed with short barrels.

I guess not all of it.

 

[Formidilosus]

I guess not all of it.

Impact velocity is what you are looking for- the animal doesn’t know how long the barrel was. There is probably over a hundred different terminal reports with pictures in here, with impact velocities of 2,200fps and lower.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I guess not all of it.

You can extrapolate how well a bullet will work pretty easily by just looking at what impact velocity the animal was shot at.

Doesn’t matter if it was a 26” or a 8” barrel, 50 yards or 500. If the impact velocity was 2,200 fps, you can apply that to what your short barrel will do at whatever distance it drops to that velocity.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

What Form said

 

[slingin_sticks]

What Form said

I guess what I'm really getting is. I think my gun is capable out to 350yards, at that range it's 1835fps and I don't have a lot of time to read this whole thing S to F.
That's why I asked the question thanks for everyone's time it is appreciated I'm here to learn as much as I can before I press the trigger at distance.

 

[slingin_sticks]

So I have seen deer elk bear pics in here have not seen a moose yet.

 

[5811]

So I have seen deer elk bear pics in here have not seen a moose yet.

So you haven't made it to post 500-501.

You've got a LONG way to go.

 

[Thegman]

There are others, but here's mine.

Post in thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...n-goat-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/post-3792948

 

[slingin_sticks]

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.

My only concern is that I'm starting out at 2500fps at the muzzle. But all I hear is that I'd I keep em at 1800 or better I will be fine.

 

[Thegman]

My only concern is that I'm starting out at 2500fps at the muzzle. But all I hear is that I'd I keep em at 1800 or better I will be fine.

I don't know about your situation, but 2,500 would be fine for me. Of 25 or so moose, I don't think I've ever shot one beyond 100 yards.

 

[waspocrew]

Rock chucks are coming out in the canyons - still a little early but nice to get some positional shooting in. Tikka CTR and the AAC 62 gr Sabre.

 

[slingin_sticks]

I don't know about your situation, but 2,500 would be fine for me. Of 25 or so moose, I don't think I've ever shot one beyond 100 yards.

14.5 in barrel looking to keep shots under 350