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

[Fullquiver]

I've tested several different bullets in my 223 rifles. I've settled on the 62gr Gold Dot as my go to deer bullets. Great terminal performance on around 25 deer very much like the wound damage I see with the 77gr TMK. Great penetration and massive tissue damage being normative..

I don't see myself switching to the 77gr TMK bullets because I can't imagine needing more than what the Gold Dots produce.. I have killed deer from 230 yrds to 10yrds with boring consistency of performance..

BTW all reloads over CCI 450 primers LC brass and AA 2520 powder..

 

[RedRidge]

I have a version of the hobbit rifle in the works setup for the TMKs. Have a couple hundred to load. I will post the finished product once the barrel arrives.

 

[fshaw]

So I've read 30 pages and still have 7 to go. Great thread, thanks for keeping it going. I just bought a 223 Montana that is a 9 twist. Will it stabilize the 77TMK and if not what's my next best bet for soft tissue destruction balanced with penetration? Hunting close range whitetails, typically well under 100yds.

Thanks.

Frank

 

[TheGDog]

The 62gr Barnes are pretty vicious little buggers.

 

[robtattoo]

So I've read 30 pages and still have 7 to go. Great thread, thanks for keeping it going. I just bought a 223 Montand that is a 9 twist. Will it stabilize the 77TMK and if not what's my next best bet for soft tissue destruction balanced with penetration? Hunting close range whitetails, typically well under 100yds.

Thanks.

Frank

I've mentioned it previously in the thread, but i'm shooting a 1:9 twist Savage & I haven't noticed any instability issues inside of 300yds. My group opens up beyond its typical cone at 500, but I don't have a 400yd berm to see exactly when that occurs. All I can CONFIDENTLY say is that at 300 & in, it's a non issue.

I've had a lot of luck in the past, with simple 65gn Gamekings on deer & smaller hogs, all inside or very close to, 100yds

 

[PNWGATOR]

I’m glad bear season is right around the corner!

 

[robtattoo]

I’m glad bear season is right around the corner!View attachment 278968

Oooooh....... that windage turret is just BEGGING to be chopped down!

 

[PNWGATOR]

I have a sawzall and metal cutting blades....don’t tempt me.

 

[fshaw]

I hunt in the Adirondack forest so if it'll stabilize out to 200 yards that would be more than enough.

Thanks.

Frank

 

[BigNate]

I'll just add that in my experience, Barnes, or any monometal need higher velocity to be effective. Much off on velocity and the wound is narrow. Deep though.

In my slower twist barrels the 64gr Winchester PP works well, but think you'll get about the same out of Nosler bonded, or Speer gold dot in the same weight.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I’m glad bear season is right around the corner!View attachment 278968

I recognize that place.....

Randy

 

[Southforkguy]

Hey man I'm all for it when you compare a .223 to a stick bow or a compound and a pile of adrenaline....

 

[woods89]

Glad to see this one back up. Good luck with the bears ,@PNWGATOR .

 

[Shraggs]

I can’t believe I passed on this thread till now!

thanks to OP, those that disagreed with the premise, and to those that have the intimate first hand knowledge to bring information to doubters and those willing to learn.

not sure I can sleep, rethinking my whole mix of calibers now...

damnit

 

[McD18]

I’m a big fan of hunting with an AR, plus all the caliber choices in addition to .223/5.56

 

[Spoonbill]

I’m glad bear season is right around the corner!View attachment 278968

Where did you get that bolt knob for your tikka?

 

[PNWGATOR]

Tourbon rubber bolt knobs off of Amazon.

 

[mtnwrunner]

And those bolt knobs rock!!
6.5 prc, tikka superlite and yes, that knob is on the "correct" side.

Randy

 

[Formidilosus]

And those bolt knobs rock!!
6.5 prc, tikka superlite and yes, that knob is on the "correct" side.

RandyView attachment 279647

Looks like garbage.


can I have it?

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Turns out animals aren't bulletproof, I'll be damned....