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

[Formidilosus]

So ok.. I know the star of the show on this thread is the Sierra TMK 77gr.

BUT

I have some Barnes 62gr TTSX BT.

My question is for those of you with soo much more experience using the .223 Rem on bigger game.

If loaded up with the intention of using them on game, what would be the upper limit on species you'd attempt to use them on?

I'm only bothering to ask because it's not the 77 TMK, and weighs a little less, so figured wise to ask around before I try something that puts me in a world of hurt.

There isn’t any animal you can’t shoot with them, it’s just going to be a narrow, deep wound. Think broadhead.

 

[Yellowknife]

I have some Barnes 62gr TTSX BT.

My question is for those of you with soo much more experience using the .223 Rem on bigger game.

If loaded up with the intention of using them on game, what would be the upper limit on species you'd attempt to use them on?

I think I posted about it someplace, but we have done in some deer and a caribou with the 62 TSX when it was all I could find. I got full penetration and the damage on the relatively close range deer shots was more than adequate. On the caribou it trashed both shoulder blades and exited, but the wound channel was less impressive.

Like all TSX bullets, it needs speed to do damage. I'd have no issues using it on deer or even caribou again if that's what I had, but would try to keep the ranges limited just for impact velocity reasons. Put one on the vitals though, and it will do the job.

That gun is currently sighted in for 70 gr Accubonds, and I generally expect I'll get a bit better terminal performance from that bullet.

 

[dreamingWest]

Maybe an odd place for this post. I'll have to add a hunt story soon.

For anyone who remembers my questions regarding my Yukon hunt about 12-15 pages back...
I ended up shooting my moose at 35 yards with the 338 WM. Shot a grizz at about 115. As stated, this thread has opened my eyes and I absolutely love my Tikka .223 with the TMKs. But yeah, it was pretty cool shooting freehand at 35 yards with the big gun. Plenty of velo at that range for the TTSX to do it's thing! Big guns are cool too, even if not necessary.

 

[PantherCity]

Any one have experience with the Howa Mini in 223 with the 1/8 twist?

I have read the bottom metal/mag sucks, but I would probably put the aftermarket hinged floorplate on it. Interested in both the regular models and the newer carbon stock models or even a chassis set up so the kids can shoot it too.

What about the CZ 600?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Was wondering the exact same thing.

 

[Fatcamp]

Think I am gunna get one of these
Tikka wild boar

Do you live in Australia?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

CZ 600 had a safety recall, they're an iffy buy right now. @amassi had a mini 223 up for sale, maybe he can explain the pros/cons of that one, I'm curious too.

cz600recall.com

 

[TheGDog]

There isn’t any animal you can’t shoot with them, it’s just going to be a narrow, deep wound. Think broadhead.

Aww...Ok... so think of it like a bow shot. Ok, so potentially a bit of a longer tracking job then. Meh... not a good idea in the Zone I'm trying in right now.

Ok... since I don't have the time to re-sight-in, I guess I'll beat myself up with the 168gr .308 TTSX this year (If I'm lucky) Then next year try to switch over to the 130gr TTSX I just picked up.

In another different zone, I'd be totally confident with the .223, as long as there was enough distance away from private property boundaries. Meh... just thought maybe it could help shed even more weight that's being carried around if I could lug the .223 around in San Bernardino Mtns also. But out there, I don't wanna risk a long tracking job. It's hard enough with my lower back stuff just travelling thru the place sometimes. Thx

EDIT: Just to be clear, those who are responding to me are talking with the TTSX in mind, correct? Not the TSX.

 

[Formidilosus]

Aww...Ok... so think of it like a bow shot. Ok, so potentially a bit of a longer tracking job then. Meh... not a good idea in the Zone I'm trying in right now.

Ok... since I don't have the time to re-sight-in, I guess I'll beat myself up with the 168gr .308 TTSX this year (If I'm lucky) Then next year try to switch over to the 130gr TTSX I just picked up.

In another different zone, I'd be totally confident with the .223, as long as there was enough distance away from private property boundaries. Meh... just thought maybe it could help shed even more weight that's being carried around if I could lug the .223 around in San Bernardino Mtns also. But out there, I don't wanna risk a long tracking job. It's hard enough with my lower back stuff just travelling thru the place sometimes. Thx

EDIT: Just to be clear, those who are responding to me are talking with the TTSX in mind, correct? Not the TSX.

You won’t notice much difference between the 223 and 30-06 with TTSX’s. You should get an exit with either and blood trails will be fine. I would personally choose the 223 even with copper.

 

[MOBowkill]

Sorry, the dink 223 is not anywhere close to an 06

 

[Castle Rock]

Here we go again

 

[Formidilosus]

Sorry, the dink 223 is not anywhere close to an 06

Please… tell me more.

 

[307]

Sorry, the dink 223 is not anywhere close to an 06

Saddle up Amigo!

 

[Te Hopo]

Any one have experience with the Howa Mini in 223 with the 1/8 twist?

I have read the bottom metal/mag sucks, but I would probably put the aftermarket hinged floorplate on it. Interested in both the regular models and the newer carbon stock models or even a chassis set up so the kids can shoot it too

I love mine, I haven't been able to find TMKs here in New Zealand so I use the Hornady 75BTHPs.
They're sub MOA accurate and a chest shot drops red deer.

The action is not quite Tikka slick, but it is very nice, stock trigger is good.

I made a 5rnd mag which works flawless with the extra spring tension, the 10rnd mags can occasionally be a little finicky feeding.
I'd love to get a hold of the Jefferson bottom metal but the exchange rate makes it ridiculously expensive for me.

The stock they come with is very average, I fitted a Model 7 stock to mine while I save up for a carbon stock

 

[Lonewolf72]

Sorry, the dink 223 is not anywhere close to an 06

Clearly hasn't read the last 94 pages.

 

[MOBowkill]

 

[TheGDog]

You won’t notice much difference between the 223 and 30-06 with TTSX’s. You should get an exit with either and blood trails will be fine. I would personally choose the 223 even with copper.

What would you consider practical range limitation w/ .223 Rem load as such? I'm presuming you just lookup minimum velocity needed for proper expansion per manufacturer, and look up on Ballistic table at what distance it drops below that then?

 

[Formidilosus]

What would you consider practical range limitation w/ .223 Rem load as such? I'm presuming you just lookup minimum velocity needed for proper expansion per manufacturer, and look up on Ballistic table at what distance it drops below that then?

Yep. TTSX I wouldn’t go lower than 2k.

 

[TheGDog]

Yep. TTSX I wouldn’t go lower than 2k.

Thank you sir. Have a good evening.

 

[Castle Rock]

G Dog
That is a really open ended question, if you are capable of a CNS shot the world is your oyster, a lot of people are better than just aiming for the big bit at the front