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

[Stu]

Too crunchy

Love the one you’re with

 

[Stu]

Not bear, deer, elk, or moose, but its still data. Handy having a light recoiling, fast cycling bolt gun this morning.

All three shots were 150-170 yards which gives about 2400-2440 fps at impact with my 77 TMK load.

double lung, no shoulder




Through vertebrae, 7” channel length

 

[Stu]

Directly into shoulder socket, missed ribs on exit, 10” channel length

Entrance





Exit

 

[wood.rat.88]

 

[Adam Gibbs]

Just started loading up the 77gr TMK. Using 8208, I seated the bullet to 2.260. First rounds were at 22.7gr. It was a little crunchy at the bottom of the seating cycle. Anyone else experiencing this with their 77gr TMK and 8208? I planned to work into the low 23s as thats where Im seeing a lot of people are loading this bullet. But I have yet to read about this combo being compressed at all. I verified the weight on my beam scale, which is reading the same as my electronic scale. Brass is FL size Federal brass.

 

[Hthunter]

For those interested, PSA has 73 eldm ammo in stock. I just ordered some.

 

[Lawnboi]

Prepping brass to fill with 77 tmk for the rest of the year. 250 pieces at a pop isn’t fun.

 

[TxxAgg]

Worked like a charm. He was on the the run. Full pass through.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Worked like a charm. He was on the the run. Full pass through.
View attachment 323351

Is that the youth rifle? Nice work!

 

[Castle Rock]

Nice, what ammo

 

[TxxAgg]

Is that the youth rifle? Nice work!

Yes, but I cut the barrel back to 16.5"

It was 77gr TMK

 

[kkp005]

Dang.. I’ve spent hours on this thread. Now I’m on the lookout for a damned ol Tikka t3x in 223

 

[Peter_Martin]

Great thread. Thanks for all the data, experiences and photos.

What are the best lead free alternatives to the 77 TMK for those who must go that route?

 

[Formidilosus]

Great thread. Thanks for all the data, experiences and photos.

What are the best lead free alternatives to the 77 TMK for those who must go that route?

There aren’t any.

DRT ammo maybe, or PVA Cayuga 77gr. Neither will do what the TMK does. Monos suck for killing.

 

[Castle Rock]

use TMKs and if anyone asks you what bullets they are tell‘em they are barnes special st patricks day editions

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

Picking up a Ruger American Predator .223 and some 77gr TMKs this week. I can't wait to throw my suppressor on it and give it a whirl! Lots of doe tags this fall.

 

[TheGDog]

Finally got my hands on some Hornady Match dies for my TMKs. Any pet loads out there? I am running out of my black hills factories. Will be shot out of my hobbit inspired TC build. 20" barrel 1:7 twist.

Sooo Digging This Minimalist concept here! keeping the weight down and easily packable. And 20" barrel is plenty good enough for most every cartridge to hit velocities needed in most situations.

 

[Castle Rock]

Picking up a Ruger American Predator .223 and some 77gr TMKs this week. I can't wait to throw my suppressor on it and give it a whirl! Lots of doe tags this fall.

See post 1016

 

[Castle Rock]

Finally got my hands on some Hornady Match dies for my TMKs. Any pet loads out there? I am running out of my black hills factories. Will be shot out of my hobbit inspired TC build. 20" barrel 1:7 twist.

Sorry I meant to quote this one

 

[260madman]

Anybody been successful with the 77s in a 9 twist? My ARs are 8s and 7s but my bolt guns are 9s. I need to remedy that situation.