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

[slowelk]

Both of our Tikka .223s are cut to 20” and have TBACS on them. Not an issue.

The issue is finding a smith willing to do it. I'd go 1/2-28 and use an adapter to get to 5/8-24. I did that on a Superlite at 21.5" since I didn't want to go into the flutes.

 

[Lawnboi]

TBAC and some other well known smiths list min OD for 9/16x24 as .662.

Hers some rough measurements on my 223 lite. The barrel is cut to 20”, so minus .6” thread length first measurement is at 19.4”

Also attached above is a picture of the OD at reccomended diameter, it’s a couple inches back from the can. Your looking at id guess, around 17” for being able to thread 9/16.

FWIW this is a 223, threaded 1/2x28 @ 20”. I personally would adhere to manufacturers and gunsmith recommendations and not thread a > 224 cal rifle 1/2x28.

 

[Lawnboi]

Dang, thanks. I really want to get a Tikka but options seem to be very very slim for lefty and threaded.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Euro optic had some lefty CTR t3x in 223. Little heavier. Buddy picked one up, Iv never seen a lefty lite or super lite 223 so this may be your only option.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

This thread has me going down rabbit holes. I already bought a Ruger American Predator that shoots 77gr TMK amazingly for the price point (got it for a deal.)
Now I uncovered this--I wish it was available in the US with better features (1/2x28 threads, 1:7 or 1:8 tw)
20" Barrel(threaded) + 4.85lbs + takes AR mags = TAKE MY MONEY

VOERE S16 with steel-barrel (S16 Sport)

LIGHT WEIGHT OUTDOOR AND HUNTING RIFLE Light weight rifle / Back-up rifle Ideal for small game, roe deer, rabbit and fox WEIGHT : approx. 2.2 kg (standard configuration) OVERALL LENGTH : approx. 100 cm BARREL LENGTH : 50 cm ADJUSTMENT RANGE BUTT PLATE : approx. 5 cm SCOPE OF DELIVERY: S16, 2x...

www.voere-shop.com

 

[jadkins223]

So this is where I ended up with tac and the 73 eldm. Shooting 0.7 ish and 2820 fps. Seems a little slow out of the ruger 22” barrel. I wish they predator was a wylde chamber. I hit pressure signs and had to back off. Same gun shot factory 68 Hornady BTHP 2860.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Macintosh]

I'm not saying it's not enough, but if his goal is to match the raw terminal performance of the 77gr TMK (or similarly constructed bullets), then it doesn't quite get there.

Thanks folks—no, only trying to understand where a similar-in-concept “sweet spot” of consistent and acceptable performance, with lowest recoil is for non-lead ammo, and how different it may be. Its off topic and I’ll take the question elsewhere, apologies for the side-track.

 

[35WhelenAI]

My mothers first Pennsylvania Whitetail was a spike with a 222 Remington. Definitely do the job.

 

[Dobermann]

M14x1 also works ... just sayin'.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

This has been a very interesting and educational thread. More significantly, I think it added 2-3 years onto the front of my children's hunting careers, and for that, I am extremely thankful. I shot a whitetail this year at ~90 yards using a 300 win mag and the 165gr TSX near max, the internal damage was pathetic compared to the field autopsy photos in this thread, and the blood trail sucked too.

Now I just have to find some tikka 223s and 77 gr TMKs......

 

[35WhelenAI]

Congrats on getting your deer! 300 WM is a good cartridge, used mine to take elk, muley's and whitetails with the older style Barnes 180 XBT. Not impressive damage, but always took care of business when passing through the lungs and/or heart. With that, a 165 TSX is a "tough" bullet. Doesn't surprise me with the results on a deer based on my experience. Comparing the Original X and TSX damage in the field on deer and elk vs the TTSX, the TTSX expands much more quickly with the larger opening behind the poly tip and leaves a bigger mess of the vitals even on smaller deer.

The .223 with the TMK's sounds like a good combo for what you are doing!

 

[cod0396]

This has been a very interesting and educational thread. More significantly, I think it added 2-3 years onto the front of my children's hunting careers, and for that, I am extremely thankful. I shot a whitetail this year at ~90 yards using a 300 win mag and the 165gr TSX near max, the internal damage was pathetic compared to the field autopsy photos in this thread, and the blood trail sucked too.

Now I just have to find some tikka 223s and 77 gr TMKs......

Really makes me wonder what a 195gr TMK out of a 300WM would do to a whitetail if the little 77gr is so potent.

 

[Formidilosus]

Really makes me wonder what a 195gr TMK out of a 300WM would do to a whitetail if the little 77gr is so potent.

Make you never want to use it on anything you’ll eat again….

 

[Nomosendero]

I bet that's true!

 

[EastCoaster]

I was contemplating that exact thing. Going to try the 208eldm in a 300wsm but those 195s have me thinking.

 

[clperry]

Really makes me wonder what a 195gr TMK out of a 300WM would do to a whitetail if the little 77gr is so potent.

Baseball to softball size exits with broadside shots in the crease. Close to decapitation with neck shots. I’m pushing them 2950 fps with R22 in Peterson brass. I’ve shot 3 in the crease and 2 in the neck. Neck shots 100 and 150 yards, crease shots 200 to 250. It’s a tad overkill….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PaulIV]

Do the 77 tmks in the black hills ammo have cannelures? It looks like they do in the pictures but the loose Sierra tmks do not.

 

[BjornF16]

Do the 77 tmks in the black hills ammo have cannelures? It looks like they do in the pictures but the loose Sierra tmks do not.

Yup

Crimped pretty tight too...

 

[PNWGATOR]

Bear season is coming...

 

[Lawnboi]

Yup

Crimped pretty tight too...

View attachment 385707

Wow, lot of bullet in that case at AR mag length! No wonder you can’t get squat out of Varget with a short coal

 

[PaulIV]

Thank you, especially for including the picture. I take it there is no functional difference with or without the cannelures?