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

[Reddish]

I was initially impressed with the growing list but you lost me here. Man I hate rats…

Just like squirrel without the fluffy tail...

 

[Thegman]

Agreed. I’ve cooked and eaten raccoon, opossum, muskrat, beaver, jackrabbits, various snakes, iguanas, snapping turtles, alligators, pack rats, Mormon crickets, and the list goes on. Hasn’t killed me yet. But none of those were killed with a TMK or ELDM out of a 223.

Less the snapping turtle (so far), the iguana and Mormon cricket, my list is the same, plus a bunch of other stuff...we apparently have a lot in common. People better start shooting stuff pretty quick so this thread can get back on track.

 

[Breddoch]

If you are planning to shoot the 77 gr. TMK out of an H&R handi rifle, check the twist rate first.

 

[Packmansion]

View attachment 868922

If you are planning to shoot the 77 gr. TMK out of an H&R handi rifle, check the twist rate first.

You could put that in a ballistics text book.

 

[swavescatter]

View attachment 868922

If you are planning to shoot the 77 gr. TMK out of an H&R handi rifle, check the twist rate first.

But is it sub MOA???

 

[Matt5266]

View attachment 868922

If you are planning to shoot the 77 gr. TMK out of an H&R handi rifle, check the twist rate first.

All praise the TMK.... even coming at you sideways it still hits its mark!

 

[grappling_hook]

View attachment 868922

If you are planning to shoot the 77 gr. TMK out of an H&R handi rifle, check the twist rate first.

1:12?

 

[Breddoch]

1:12?

That is my guess but the cleaning rod I have is too big to measure it. I’ll report back when I figure it out.

 

[jikkyo]

Well I finally bought a Tikka 223 after creeping RS for a couple of years. Got a T3x stainless. Loaded 73 ELDMs in new Starline brass using N135 over Ginex SRP at max factory mag length.

Shot two groups using the painless development method. I think I’m done!





The 22 gr group was 10 shots and 21 gr group was 5.

 

[BigEd36]

That is my guess but the cleaning rod I have is too big to measure it. I’ll report back when I figure it out.

My brother has a Handi Rifle .223 with the heavy barrel. His documentation says it is 12" twist and states to not shoot projectiles over 55 grain weight.

 

[FredH]

Well I finally bought a Tikka 223 after creeping RS for a couple of years. Got a T3x stainless. Loaded 73 ELDMs in new Starline brass using N135 over Ginex SRP at max factory mag length.

Shot two groups using the painless development method. I think I’m done!

View attachment 869279

View attachment 869280

The 22 gr group was 10 shots and 21 gr group was 5.

Man that flyer might let a mouse get away!

 

[Pharmseller]

Well I finally bought a Tikka 223 after creeping RS for a couple of years. Got a T3x stainless. Loaded 73 ELDMs in new Starline brass using N135 over Ginex SRP at max factory mag length.

Shot two groups using the painless development method. I think I’m done!

View attachment 869279

View attachment 869280

The 22 gr group was 10 shots and 21 gr group was 5.

What’s the velocity?



P

 

[Pharmseller]

Add marmots to the list with 75 gr ELDM.











P

 

[jikkyo]

What’s the velocity?



P

Using the load data from Viht, it should be around 2575fps for the 22 gr load. No chronograph to verify unfortunately

 

[Pharmseller]

Using the load data from Viht, it should be around 2575fps for the 22 gr load. No chronograph to verify unfortunately

Accuracy wins, but that load seems really slow. I’m getting 2915 with 75 ELDM using Benchmark. My brother’s Tikkas prefer Varget, he gets 2935.

23.6” barrels.





P

 

[jikkyo]

Ya fair enough. My barrel is 22" and I'm 1.3 grains under book max. Though I did run it through Hornady's calculator and I should be good out to 350 yards which is fine for my hunting needs/environment. I'll likely try and push the speed a bit to get me to 500 yards.

 

[Castle Rock]

Don’t worry, not everyone can blow up guns like Pharn

 

[waspocrew]

Ya fair enough. My barrel is 22" and I'm 1.3 grains under book max. Though I did run it through Hornady's calculator and I should be good out to 350 yards which is fine for my hunting needs/environment. I'll likely try and push the speed a bit to get me to 500 yards.

Viht data appears pretty conservative - you probably have a bit more room to go than what is listed. You don’t necessarily need to chase speed, but might be worth checking.

 

[Pharmseller]

Don’t worry, not everyone can blow up guns like Pharn

Sure they can, with proper motivation.

And it was only the back side of the firing pin assembly.


Before:




After:




Accuracy wins, but velocity plays a major part, otherwise why reload?





P

 

[The Guide]

Took the "Pink Panther" out to 500 yards on my steel plate and went 10 for 10.



Details:
Howa Mini Action in 223 with 22" sporter barrel, bought as a barreled action from Brownells with factory bottom metal and magazine.
Bell and Carlson M40 Howa Mini Action stock in pink and black spider web.
EGW Howa Mini Action 0 cant rail
Maven RS1.2 in Mil
UM medium 30mm Premier rings
SilencerCo Omega 300 DTM
AAC 77tmk MV 2714 fps with an ES of 34 & SD of 12
Ranged @ 498 and 500 multiple times
Estimated 8 mph wind
Solution 3.1 mil up and 0.6 mil right



The first 7 (right of center) shots I held the wind call in the reticle. The last 3 (left of center) I dialed the wind call. I'm going to revisit my zero and make sure my windage is centered but it isn't bad overall for shooting accross and down a dranage with a light wind. At the elevation I was at, I have 1800 fps to 550 yards but I don't know that I'd be comfortable shooting a black bear at that distance right now just due to having to make sure that there are no cubs with the bear and hunting solo. I hope to have more time to practice and bear hunting in the coming weeks.

Jay