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

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Aug 23, 2014
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oregon coast
Aside from living in a sh!thole state that requires monos, WHY would you choose to shoot them out of a 223 for anything?!?!
not knowing any better.... that's why i picked up a box of barnes when i first got my AR setup for lion calling... i simply didn't know it was a poor choice... luckily they didn't shoot well compared to many other rounds i also tested... it wasn't until reading this thread that i realized they were a poor choice in .223... now it makes perfect sense.

i was starting to lean on Barnes for all of my rifles before reading this thread, but this whole thread changed my perspective on bullet choice in general, not just for the .223.

nobody really does a good job explaining why they choose a match style, or soft bullet for hunting in general... they are popular, but most don't seem to know why they choose them over a tougher bullet, they just buy their long range rig and use match bullets because others do.... this thread shed light on the "why" of someone choosing a softer hunting bullet, which makes sense to me now that i understand why.

most info packed thread on any hunting forum imo
 

fish impaler

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Messages
100
Have had no issues with .223 Barnes tsx 62gr out of a savage . not a ton of data points but 2 CA black tail bucks, 2 WY mule deer bucks, and a WT , and 3 antelope. 200-310yards B4518212-DD1C-4000-A53C-35FB6E582677.jpeg1051EEC9-329C-4181-B431-8553F3E81308.jpeg
 

Ens Entium

Lil-Rokslider
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Mar 4, 2016
Messages
153
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So Cal
For anyone looking Sportsman's has the 223 Superlite in stock as of 10pm 12/10/21:


Even better it's on sale!
 
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kkp005

WKR
Joined
Jan 4, 2021
Messages
387
Location
Texas
@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.
I’m getting 2640 out of an 18” barrel with 23.9 of varget
 

kkp005

WKR
Joined
Jan 4, 2021
Messages
387
Location
Texas
Is the 77gr Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical Tip Matchking the same bullet as the 77gr tmk?? Just a blue tip instead of green ?
 

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tradman

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
261
Adding to the thread. I'll be using my 18 in AR for my rifle deer hunt starting on the 26th through the 31st. I'll be using the 70 grain Barnes Vor Tx 5.56 X 45 load. Shot some steel this past weekend. Hunting accuracy is pretty good. Also threw some .308 ELDX at the steel. 130 yds. Pace count certified. All the hits on the head are your Zmax .223 handloads. Not to shabby.
 

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fshaw

WKR
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
410
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.
Great trade.
 

Formidilosus

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
9,908
Pictures of just a portion of the mess that a couple of 77gr TMK’s from an 18” gas gun gun caused to an elks chest at 287 yards.

This is lifting the inside scapula up- that’s grass from the stomach in the wound…
514FB274-745F-49D3-926D-43C3794C037E.jpeg


Scapula removed-
5A7123AB-5A62-401B-B52C-F8D1A7E5C45A.jpeg



Remember- you need a magnum to kill elk. 223’s are irresponsible.
 

Lawnboi

WKR
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
8,328
Location
North Central Wi
Anyone have a line on a stainless tikka 223 in wi or somewhere that will ship? Buddy just got hosed by sportsman’s warehouse and now is sitting on parts and no gun
 

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,875
Anyone have a line on a stainless tikka 223 in wi or somewhere that will ship? Buddy just got hosed by sportsman’s warehouse and now is sitting on parts and no gun
Hosed how? I ordered 2 that were supposed to be here Friday and they haven't shown yet

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 

Tesoro

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
Messages
131
Location
Southern Oregon
Anyone have a line on a stainless tikka 223 in wi or somewhere that will ship? Buddy just got hosed by sportsman’s warehouse and now is sitting on parts and no gun
Highly recommend taking a look at the Sauer 100 line. Definitely a step up from Tikka with same accuracy and same price range.
 

Tesoro

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
Messages
131
Location
Southern Oregon
How are they a step up

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Higher quality finish, action and safety control. Better quality synth stock, with reverse comb for non-prone shooting and dosent feel plastic like tikka. Better balance. Both have equally nice adj. triggers. Sauer builds all rifles from the plain version to the Maharajah version to shoot 5 shot 1 moa with all brand name factory ammo. They will shoot 1/4 moa with right ammo. Hold poa of aim even when so hot will burn skin off your hand. Their barrels on 100 model are heat swaged into recvr so not removable but thats what sets them in affordable price range vs all their other switch barrel models with super wood and mirror bluing. Sauer dosent cut corners on the 100 for the metal part of the build. I have never had to swap barrels in my hunting rifles so for me not an issue. Tikkas have better re-sale because most dont understand the Sauer line thx to marketing and gun forum conformity. Not knocking the Tikka but for the money I would suggest reading up looking at Sauer. They are more unique and come from great gun making lineage.
 
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