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

[woods89]

I added one tonight.

I had intended to use the 77 TMK's in my 1-9 twist CZ. Initially I thought they would work, but as I shot some volume I realized this rifle/bullet combo just wasn't delivering acceptable precision. I have some 69 gr TMK that I need to load up and try. This rifle does shoot 73 gr Berger OTMs very well though, so they got the nod.

Shot was about 100 yds, impact velocity 2600ish. Whitetail doe was broadside. At the shot she ran about 50 yds, stood there for a few seconds, and tipped over.

The bullet entered just behind the shoulder, tore a nice hole through both lungs, and did not exit.

I intended to take a few more photos, but all I wound up with was one of the lungs after field dressing.
Edited to add- It's an absolute blast to hunt with something with virtually no recoil and mild noise. Also, if I legally could have filled another tag I easily could have, as the 6 other deer in the field all stood around trying to figure out what happened. I will use it again, although I do think I will try to use 69 TMK/73 ELD-M/75 Gold Dot in the future due to the twist rate. I would have ideally liked to have more penetration, but it is hard to argue with the results.

 

[BLJ]

Tag.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

64 grain Nosler Bonded. Front on shot. 25ish yard death dash. Innards were slush.

 

[260madman]

Distance of shot? The BSB have a reputation of being hard on the plumbing.

 

[Jhammer]

I usually use a .308 or .30-06 but have shot about a 1/2 dozen whitetails with an AR-15 and they never went far. Here we need to use a .243 or larger for elk, I don't know if I would feel comfortable using a .223 on elk even if I could,

 

[BjornF16]

Just skimmed through the entire thread again...maybe I missed it:

What impact velocity is too high for the TMKs?

 

[BLJ]

Okay. I read the whole thing. Getting ready to set up a Ruger American Ranch in 5.56. 1/8 twist 16.5” barrel. I have 77 TMK, ADI brass, Varget and CCI 450’s. I need to stay at magazine length so I can use Magpul P Mags. Any insight on a charge weight with the Varget? I’ll take all the speed I can get without pressure signs and without giving up accuracy.

Also, with the lower muzzle velocities of this combo (probably 2600?) what would be maximum terminal distance on whitetail? Cyotes? 300 if I do what I need to do? Thanks.

 

[GLB]

Okay. I read the whole thing. Getting ready to set up a Ruger American Ranch in 5.56. 1/8 twist 16.5” barrel. I have 77 TMK, ADI brass, Varget and CCI 450’s. I need to stay at magazine length so I can use Magpul P Mags. Any insight on a charge weight with the Varget? I’ll take all the speed I can get without pressure signs and without giving up accuracy.

Also, with the lower muzzle velocities of this combo (probably 2600?) what would be maximum terminal distance on whitetail? Cyotes? 300 if I do what I need to do? Thanks.

23.5-24 Varget are known accuracy loads with the 77 SMK. I use 24.1 of VV N140

 

[BLJ]

Anyone have any issues with the compressed loads?

 

[260madman]

24gr of Varget and a 75gr bullet has been a mainstay load forever. They crunch a little but are accurate. Don’t overthink it.

 

[BLJ]

That was what i was getting. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks guys.

 

[mt100gr.]

Okay. I read the whole thing. Getting ready to set up a Ruger American Ranch in 5.56. 1/8 twist 16.5” barrel. I have 77 TMK, ADI brass, Varget and CCI 450’s. I need to stay at magazine length so I can use Magpul P Mags. Any insight on a charge weight with the Varget? I’ll take all the speed I can get without pressure signs and without giving up accuracy.

Also, with the lower muzzle velocities of this combo (probably 2600?) what would be maximum terminal distance on whitetail? Cyotes? 300 if I do what I need to do? Thanks.

I have a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 that shoots the 77TMK as good or better than my Tikka .223. It's a super fun little rifle.

I've currently only shot the Unknown Munitions AR-length load in Norma brass over 8208XBR. In my rifle, it chronos at 2560fps which, by the numbers, is a 400ish yard max.

 

[BLJ]

@mt100gr. Greatly appreciate your input. I was hoping to get close to 2600 and it sounds like I’ll have a pretty good chance. 400 yard max is plenty for were I’ll be hunting. For sure. Thanks again.

 

[Tesoro]

I just traded my ar for an unfired 40yr old L461 sako in 223. I plan on hunting blacktails and varmints with it. Cheaper plinking ammo avail and best of all you can see your hits when hunting. Thats a big one for me. I will use my 270 for mulies due to wind and to be able to reach out to 400. I would say up to 100-150 for a 223 is about it for deer.

 

[260madman]

I just traded my ar for an unfired 40yr old L461 sako in 223. I plan on hunting blacktails and varmints with it. Cheaper plinking ammo avail and best of all you can see your hits when hunting. Thats a big one for me. I will use my 270 for mulies due to wind and to be able to reach out to 400. I would say up to 100-150 for a 223 is about it for deer.

LOL! Okay.

 

[Shraggs]

I just traded my ar for an unfired 40yr old L461 sako in 223. I plan on hunting blacktails and varmints with it. Cheaper plinking ammo avail and best of all you can see your hits when hunting. Thats a big one for me. I will use my 270 for mulies due to wind and to be able to reach out to 400. I would say up to 100-150 for a 223 is about it for deer.

Hey sako’s are nice. I think if you haven’t, read this entire thread - you may find folks are killing deer well over 400 yards as well elk and moose with extraordinary lethality.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Distance of shot? The BSB have a reputation of being hard on the plumbing.

35 yards.

 

[BLJ]

@mt100gr. Are you using AR mags in your RAR? Any feeding issues?

 

[mt100gr.]

@mt100gr. Are you using AR mags in your RAR? Any feeding issues?

Yes, I'm using the 10rd AR mags. I haven't had any issues but I really don't rapid fire or test it. And I usually single feed if I am shooting targets.

My daughter hunts with the rifle and every time we've needed to chamber a round for show time, she's racked it fast and we've never had to give it second thought.

 

[BLJ]

@mt100gr. Greatly appreciate the information. You’ve answered my questions perfectly.