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

[canyonhunter47]

The RAR Predator I bought had the barrel touching the forearm on one side. It took 15 minutes with a rasp to cure that, it is not as though I had to worry about "wood to metal fit". The bedding block works.

It can be fixed, but why buy a gun that’s good once you do the QC that the factory should’ve done and possibly void your warranty in the process. If they missed something you can see plain as day on the rack what other problems might be hiding?

A Tikka is a couple hundred more and has a solid design and quality. Possibly the Howa too, still looking into that one.

For the record I’m not a Ruger hater, just disappointed with what I’ve seen from the RAR

 

[Lawnboi]

Got buddies still looking for 223 lites, if anyone has a line. WI,MN,IA,SD are options for travel

 

[Nomosendero]

It can be fixed, but why buy a gun that’s good once you do the QC that the factory should’ve done and possibly void your warranty in the process. If they missed something you can see plain as day on the rack what other problems might be hiding?

A Tikka is a couple hundred more and has a solid design and quality. Possibly the Howa too, still looking into that one.

For the record I’m not a Ruger hater, just disappointed with what I’ve seen from the RAR

What I did would be hard to see the way I did it, I don't see it voiding the warranty. Ruger, Tikka, whatever, I pull the barreled action anyway to adjust the trigger and inspect everything, so no hassle on my end.

I said earlier the Tikka is a better rifle, but for the purpose of this back up rifle, not so much and when I bought it the difference was a good deal more than 200.00.

I some cases now the difference is 200.00 and in that case I would lean Tikka.

 

[dmike]

First post here, hope it's formatted correctly.. Performance from Federal Fusion 62gr factory loads until I can find 77 TMKs. 115 yards, 30ft decline, 18" barrel. 40 yard death run. Great blood trail from the shot all the way to the doe.

 

[black dawg]

First post here, hope it's formatted correctly.. Performance from Federal Fusion 62gr factory loads until I can find 77 TMKs. 115 yards, 30ft decline, 18" barrel. 40 yard death run. Great blood trail from the shot all the way to the doe.

View attachment 372674View attachment 372675View attachment 372676

We killed 5 deer total this year with that load, and all died very quickly, but we had zero blood trail. On all five deer I had to poke my finger around to find the entrance......no blood on the outside of the deer. Some did exit, but same thing.....couldnt find it without poking my finger around to find it.

 

[fshaw]

Black dawg, how far were those shots?

 

[black dawg]

All were less than 100 yds

Black dawg, how far were those shots?

 

[fshaw]

I'm surprised at the small exits at that range. I'm trying to find a bullet that will provide a reasonable blood trail for shots under 100 yards, often 50 yards or less, but still do significant internal damage. I've seen 2 deer killed with the 77TMK and 1 with the 64gr BSB this past season. Both TMk shots were less than 50 yards, one completely broadside hit tight behind the shoulder, and no exit on either. The 64 BSB was quartering toward at about 30 yards on a smaller to average buck, shot tight behind the front shoulder to save meat, no exit. All 3 deer died rapidly, 2 went less than than 30-35 yards, the 3rd (a spike horn with 77TMK collapsed at the shot. No complaints about bullet performance for any of the 3 but I hunt in big woods forest and would like the insurance of a blood trail if at all possible. Looking at the 70gr Accubond and 75 gr Gold Dot now (if I can find them). If not I'll stay with the 77gr TMK. I saw a big doe shot during late muzzle loader season with a 250gr T.C. Shockwave at about 40 yards in through one shoulder and out tight behind the off shoulder. Deer went about 75 yards leaving a blood trail that was shocking, probably because I've been hunting with .223s and a 6x45. That doe went further than the 3 bucks combined one of which was a good sized 8pt. I have some 62gr TTSX but will try them after snow is on.

 

[Formidilosus]

No complaints about bullet performance for any of the 3 but I hunt in big woods forest and would like the insurance of a blood trail if at all possible. Looking at the 70gr Accubond and 75 gr Gold Dot now (if I can find them).

None of those bullets will consistently exit. All of them will caught by the offside hide about 50% of the time on 120-150 plus pound deer.

The monos are your best bet for an exit, however even they aren’t guaranteed, and you will deal with the relatively slow deaths they provide.

 

[jadkins223]

Anyone running TAC with heavies ? I’ll be running that with 73 eldm and Hornady brass once I get the factory ammo shot this weekend


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[Dioni A]

No clue. I’ve seen a bunch and while some have been rebarreled none were due to being shot out. My original T3 had a bit over 14k verified rounds on it (without so much as a patch through it) and had opened up from .7 moa when new to 1.4’ish moa- both are average for ten rounds groups. I was looking at replacement after the season, but had the barrel threaded for a can, and it went right back to sub moa for ten rounds.

You think this was because of a crown issue that would have been corrected with the thread job?

 

[Formidilosus]

You think this was because of a crown issue that would have been corrected with the thread job?

No idea actually. Maybe?

 

[fshaw]

Darned impressive for 14K rounds. Maybe the gunsmith cleaned it before he threaded it.

 

[id_jon]

Anyone running TAC with heavies ? I’ll be running that with 73 eldm and Hornady brass once I get the factory ammo shot this weekend


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I have some 77smks loaded up that I haven't tested yet. I'll load up some 77tmks here soon too, will report back.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Anyone running TAC with heavies ? I’ll be running that with 73 eldm and Hornady brass once I get the factory ammo shot this weekend


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TAC has been good behind 77smk’s in my Tikka and behind 69smk’s in my Savage. It’s been easier to find than some of the more popular options lately.

 

[SouthPaw]

Thoughts on the tikka .223 CTR for a practice gun, 24" vs 20"? Maybe in a KRG Bravo? I have a built tikka in 7SAUM for a hunting rifle.

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[Mulyhuntr]

Thoughts on the tikka .223 CTR for a practice gun, 24" vs 20"? Maybe in a KRG Bravo? I have a built tikka in 7SAUM for a hunting rifle.

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I'd opt for something that more closely mimmicks my hunting rifle. I went with a 223 superlite.

 

[Stu]

Thoughts on the tikka .223 CTR for a practice gun, 24" vs 20"? Maybe in a KRG Bravo? I have a built tikka in 7SAUM for a hunting rifle.

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I bought my 223 to mimic my main larger gun and act as a trainer.

Now it’s what I pick up 90% of the time, and being a super light is a big reason for that. For my use, I wouldn’t want it any heavier unless I were wanting to build a dedicated range toy or groundhog gun. And even then, I think I would still grab the super light most of the time.

My 6.5 is 24” and my 223 is about 22”. I much prefer the shorter barrel- it’s amazing to me how much easier it is get around with it, be it in and out of the truck and side by side, or not snagging on so much stuff when strapped to a pack.

 

[Formidilosus]

Darned impressive for 14K rounds. Maybe the gunsmith cleaned it before he threaded it.

Not hardly.

 

[fshaw]

Not hardly.

Just kidding.