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

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Dec 20, 2019
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130gr TMK, 123gr or 130gr ELD-M, 129gr Accubond LR. If not long range, the 107gr TMK.


Hey Form, you recommended the ABLR as opposed to the AB without knowing the range. Is that due to the comparatively lower velocities of the Grendel? Having a 6.5 PRC and hunting at shorter ranges, I am loading the AB rather than the ABLR. Would you have any concerns about the ABLR at very close range out of the PRC?
 

Formidilosus

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Hey Form, you recommended the ABLR as opposed to the AB without knowing the range. Is that due to the comparatively lower velocities of the Grendel? Having a 6.5 PRC and hunting at shorter ranges, I am loading the AB rather than the ABLR. Would you have any concerns about the ABLR at very close range out of the PRC?

Yes sir. The Grendel can not stress the ABLR. With the PRC, it’ll kill emphatically, but penetration will be shallower and meat damage will be severe.
 

ChrisAU

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Jan 12, 2018
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I'm building a 12" Suppressed 6.5 Grendel for whitetail this fall and I really wish I could get my hands on some Nosler 129 ABLR factory loads for it.
 

Moose83

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Not specifically .223 related.... but what are people's opinion of ballistic tips compared to tmk's or eld-m/x?
 

Fatcamp

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So the two die Hornady .223 Remington is all I need, correct? Shell holder obviously.

I have some TMK's, Reloader 15, Federal 205M, and a straight shooting Stevens 200. Alliant has a load for Sierra 77gr HPBT, figure that's close enough. Just need dies.
 

Jim1187

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Not specifically .223 related.... but what are people's opinion of ballistic tips compared to tmk's or eld-m/x?
In 7mm cartridges I am very fond of 150 grain, and always strive to have a few hundred on hand, from 7mm08's to STW's accuracy has been easy to attain and while a little softer than my preference for close range shots with the magnum 7's, nothing has gone far. BC numbers aren't the best by todays standards, but they still get it done.
The 55 and 60 grain .224 options I do not recommend on deer sized game, and can be slightly hard on coyote pelts if you hit a vertebrae or shoulder. Those are the only ones I have first hand experience with that aren't discontinued like the .358.
 

amassi

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So the two die Hornady .223 Remington is all I need, correct? Shell holder obviously.

I have some TMK's, Reloader 15, Federal 205M, and a straight shooting Stevens 200. Alliant has a load for Sierra 77gr HPBT, figure that's close enough. Just need dies.
If you need dies I have 2 sets I'm not using
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Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 
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Not specifically .223 related.... but what are people's opinion of ballistic tips compared to tmk's or eld-m/x?
I really like them, they generally perform well on game and are one of the easiest bullets to get shooting well with minimal load development.
l particularly like the 120 grain in 7mm08 and 55 grain in 223 as an all purpose load
 

BigNate

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Dec 24, 2020
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Athol, Id. USA
I have used them in a few different mid-bores and think they're very effective. All my shots on game were under 250yds.
I've used them a bit on coyotes, and lots of sqeeks and chucks. They are not very fur friendly. They have been easy to find a load for.
 

260madman

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Dec 15, 2017
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NBTs shoot well in everything I’ve tried them in. 168s and 125s in a 308. 100, 120 and 140s in 260Rem and 6.5 Jesus, 120s in 7RM. 50 and 60s in 223. I hear the 60s work well on deer and one guy says they work well on elk also. I’ll try them on deer. I know how all the others work on deer ;).
 

Stu

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Dec 29, 2019
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223
I'd recommend starting with xbr8208, then PP 2000mr, if you can get some.
Likely you won't be disappointed.
Nate is way off here. I'll do you a solid and buy all the XBR you have to save you the disappointment.

In all seriousness, I agree. Like Nate, Form, and others, XBR 8208 worked really well for me. Everything from 23.3-23.9gr shot really well and gave great velocity in my Tikka. Just work up and be sure in your system. I also have gotten great accuracy with Varget and H4895 but just don't get the velocity. That velocity loss is significant regarding your effective range. That being said, I'll buy all the the XBR you have. I currently only have Varget and as such am running 100-150fps slower at the muzzle even after seating the TMK to Tikka mag length for more powder volume.
 
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