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

[fwafwow]

14.5 in barrel looking to keep shots under 350

I'm sure others can give you info closer to your barrel length, but here's my results at 16.5". There are also some "rule of thumb" posts that state you lose 20-30 fps per inch, but IIRC that may vary below a certain length. But this is ballpark:

Post in thread '223 barrel length & speed'

Dec 12, 2023

All of the below were shot today from my T3x cut to 16.5" with a TBAC Ultra 9 (Gen 1) suppressor at around 1100 feet and 35-40 degrees. 10 shots each. All speeds are averages.

1. ADI 223 69gr SMK - 2720.8; 28.9 SD
2. Winchester 5.56 62gr M855 - 3019.3; 14.9 SD
3. Hornady 223 55gr FMJ/BT - 2874.2; 39.6 SD
4. Hornady 223 73gr ELD-M - 2590.8; 12.3 SD
5. Stand 1 223 77gr TMK - 2830.6; 15.9 SD
6. Black Hills 5.56 77gr TMK - 2717.7; 24.2 SD

• fwafwow

 

[slingin_sticks]

I'm sure others can give you info closer to your barrel length, but here's my results at 16.5". There are also some "rule of thumb" posts that state you lose 20-30 fps per inch, but IIRC that may vary below a certain length. But this is ballpark:

Post in thread '223 barrel length & speed'

Dec 12, 2023

All of the below were shot today from my T3x cut to 16.5" with a TBAC Ultra 9 (Gen 1) suppressor at around 1100 feet and 35-40 degrees. 10 shots each. All speeds are averages.

1. ADI 223 69gr SMK - 2720.8; 28.9 SD
2. Winchester 5.56 62gr M855 - 3019.3; 14.9 SD
3. Hornady 223 55gr FMJ/BT - 2874.2; 39.6 SD
4. Hornady 223 73gr ELD-M - 2590.8; 12.3 SD
5. Stand 1 223 77gr TMK - 2830.6; 15.9 SD
6. Black Hills 5.56 77gr TMK - 2717.7; 24.2 SD

• fwafwow

Right on thanks, mine is pushing the 73gr eldms at 2490fps 4000ft 40degrees

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve taken my 11.5” to 600yds on steel, but I’ve only shot small game with it. Most of those shots were under 200yds.

I’m anxious to go after some bigger critters with my 16” though.

 

[Thegman]

Right on thanks, mine is pushing the 73gr eldms at 2490fps 4000ft 40degrees

Is that factory ammo or handloads? I'd think if you’re handloading another 100 fps should be pretty easy. I'm getting 2,700+ in a 16" with the 73ELD-M.

As far as a moose at 350 starting at 2,500, I'm not sure. The first animal I shot with the 77TMK, started at ~2,720, was a black bear at 350 yards. A single shot killed it fine, but the damage was moderate, not explosive. Would probably be fine but I just don't have experience shooting moose at long distance. Others with more experience shooting big stuff further out probably have better input.

 

[slingin_sticks]

Is that factory ammo or handloads? I'd think if you’re handloading another 100 fps should be pretty easy. I'm getting 2,700+ in a 16" with the 73ELD-M.

As far as a moose at 350 starting at 2,500, I'm not sure. The first animal I shot with the 77TMK, started at ~2,720, was a black bear at 350 yards. A single shot killed it fine, but the damage was moderate, not explosive. Would probably be fine but I just don't have experience shooting moose at long distance. Others with more experience shooting big stuff further out probably have better input.

Im not looking to shoot a moose I want just wanted to hear some stories.
Im looking to shoot mule deer and black bears. 350 is my max!
And yes they are factory

 

[wind gypsy]

Im not looking to shoot a moose I want just wanted to hear some stories.
Im looking to shoot mule deer and black bears. 350 is my max!
And yes they are factory

This whole thread is stories but click the link to the cheat sheet on the opening post to get stories without reading through revs 1 through 35 of the same questions and discussions.

 

[KHntr]

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

Keep reading. I know I’ve posted 3 different moose…. Although, none of them with a TMK.

 

[slingin_sticks]

Keep reading. I know I’ve posted 3 different moose…. Although, none of them with a TMK.

Do you recall what bullets and velocity? It's dam hard to read all this cause it seems like all I hear is tikka 223 77gr tmk. For good reason I get it but dang

 

[Moose83]

Do you recall what bullets and velocity? It's dam hard to read all this cause it seems like all I hear is tikka 223 77gr tmk. For good reason I get it but dang

Here's a screen shot of the generally recommended .223 bullets for hunting.

 

[slingin_sticks]

View attachment 867934
Here's a screen shot of the generally recommended .223 bullets for hunting.

Thank you !

 

[KHntr]

Do you recall what bullets and velocity? It's dam hard to read all this cause it seems like all I hear is tikka 223 77gr tmk. For good reason I get it but dang

88 gr ELD m’s. 2700fps muzzle velocity.
151 yards, 176 yards, 352 yards.

 

[HighUintas]

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.

View attachment 867804

Have you eaten any? I read somewhere that they're pretty good

 

[h2so4]

Gonna let this new RSS eat some black hills 77gr. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I haven’t gotten many exits - 2 to 3 IIRC. The longest run was 50 yards down the edge of a cornfield (that one exited, 312 yard shot, good blood trail). Most die right right there or within steps. Very little in the way of blood trails on those that didn’t exit. Put it in the vitals and you can expect to see great fragmentation and shredded organs, but most of that damage is internal rather than producing dramatic entries/exits. Hit some bone and there will be fragments seemingly everywhere, with little to no effect on penetration. I wouldn’t hesitate to let my own kids shoot an animal with these, for whatever that’s worth.

Edit: actually had one run 80 yards across a cut field. Shot was good, lungs were toast, just took her a couple seconds to realize she was dead.

@slingin_sticks

 

[dreamingWest]

Admittedly not up to speed on this thread since last December. More anecdotes from me though. 468 yard head shot on a sow. Then popped a runner around 490. Those are actually my longest kills ever. I had a guy say "dang you oughta be real good with a real rifle." : )

The truth is I shot these pigs from a bench with very little wind. But yes, love this combo (Tikka, 77 tmk).

 

[mtnwrunner]

Have you eaten any? I read somewhere that they're pretty good

They are not.

 

[Juan_ID]

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.

View attachment 867804

When do they usually come out in your area? I’ve put a hurting on the local population since about late February, combo of 223 and 22GT. Babies are just now starting to pop out so should get real good about now

Have you eaten any? I read somewhere that they're pretty good

That sounds impossible, they are nassty…

 

[Formidilosus]

Gonna let this new RSS eat some black hills 77gr. Thanks for the inspiration!

Need a better pic of that stick/rifle.

 

[waspocrew]

Have you eaten any? I read somewhere that they're pretty good

I haven’t got the courage to try it - I’ve heard of others doing that though!

 

[waspocrew]

When do they usually come out in your area? I’ve put a hurting on the local population since about late February, combo of 223 and 22GT. Babies are just now starting to pop out so should get real good about now


That sounds impossible, they are nassty…

I cleaned out about 60 of them last Memorial Day weekend, so they probably really start getting thick around mid May here in north central Wyoming.

I just need to finish loading up 69 TMKs for the next round!