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

[BLJ]

Anyone have velocity numbers using Varget from a 16” barrel? Loaded to AR mag length?
I’m sure it’s in here, but I’m feeling kinda lazy right now. I’m at about 2475 right now. I’d like to be 2500. Any good recipes? Thanks.

 

[Lawnboi]

Anyone have velocity numbers using Varget from a 16” barrel? Loaded to AR mag length?
I’m sure it’s in here, but I’m feeling kinda lazy right now. I’m at about 2475 right now. I’d like to be 2500. Any good recipes? Thanks.

You need Xbr to get them going at mag length without too much compression.

I think you could get there with tac as well but it’s going to a little temp sensitive

 

[BLJ]

Assuming your meaning IMR 8208 XBR?
No issues with it in the -20* you spoke of above?

 

[Lawnboi]

Assuming your meaning IMR 8208 XBR?

Yes.

How much Varget are you using to get there?

 

[BLJ]

ADI brass with 23.4 of Varget. Gets pretty crunchy.

 

[Lawnboi]

ADI brass with 23.4 of Varget. Gets pretty crunchy.

Yea that’s the problem with mag length and Varget. My Varget loads, loaded long are maxed out to where they give only enough crunch to not mess with seating depth, and that’s at 24.2. I couldn’t physically fit enough Varget in a case to get pressure with my length .010 off the lands.

Xbr or tac will likely allow you to push the pressure envelope a bit.

I havnt had any problems with Xbr in cold temps. It’s been a good powder, as has Varget.

 

[BLJ]

What brass are you using? 24.2 is at 2.26 OAL?

 

[Lawnboi]

What brass are you using? 24.2 is at 2.26 OAL?

Hornady, 24.2 at ~2.4” for both 77tmk and 75 eldm.
20” barrel has the tmk going 2750, eldm a little faster I’d have to look in my book.
23.4 of Xbr has the tmk going 2800.

I have plenty of mag space so havnt messed with going shorter.

 

[BLJ]

I think the ADI brass is pretty thick. But even with some lighter brass, I don’t know if I’ve got enough barrel anyway.
I’ve got some Hornady brass. I may try it and see what happens. I’d like to run these bullets, but I’d also like a little more velocity. A long shot on a deer for me will be 300. And that would be slim. Coyotes anywhere I see them. 2475 would probably be okay for me, but I’d like to have just a little more.

 

[Nomosendero]

I'm curious which states are you allowed to hunt big game with a 223?

Several from what I have seen over the years but that could have changed.
I hunt in other States, but I use bigger rifles for that for several reasons.
I hunt Whitetails in my resident state of Arkansas, here you can hunt Whitetails with a 223 or a 50BMG, no mag restrictions or any of that Yankee stuff that would make us "safe".

 

[Te Hopo]

@Lawnboi. Are the 75 BTHP you’re referring to Hornady? If so, have you used them on game (deer and coyotes, specifically) and how have they performed? I’m looking for a cheaper alternative to the TMK myself.

I've used the Hornady 75BTHPs a bunch out of a Howa Mini and they're my go to due to others like the TMK been harder to find here in New Zealand.

I've mostly shot hogs and deer up to 200lbs and it's proven a stone cold killer for me, of course decent heart/lung and neck shots are my preferred.

A couple years back I was culling pests on a friends farm and took 54 deer, 102 goats and 12 hogs in 12 months, a mixture of stalking and spotlighting.
Less than a handful of those animals needed a follow up shot.
Heck I even put down 3 cattle when needed from 1200-1500lb with point blank shots

I'd only hesitate using the 75 BTHP over 300m or a shot where the chest or neck wasn't a clear target

 

[BLJ]

@Te Hopo. Any idea what muzzle velocity was? Maybe a guess on impact velocity as well? Sounds encouraging.

 

[7LRM]

.223 for Deer ? I don't know because I never have one and shoot deer with it. I would not bring a .223 for Bear , Elk and Moose, especially, bear. those bear is mean. .223 probably just scratchs Elk skin.

 

[260madman]

.223 for Deer ? I don't know because I never have one and shoot deer with it. I would not bring a .223 for Bear , Elk and Moose, especially, bear. those bear is mean. .223 probably just scratchs Elk skin.

Reading is hard.

 

[mt100gr.]

.223 for Deer ? I don't know because I never have one and shoot deer with it. I would not bring a .223 for Bear , Elk and Moose, especially, bear. those bear is mean. .223 probably just scratchs Elk skin.

You never know until you go. But probably not.

 

[robtattoo]

Reading is hard.

Give the young guy a break man. He's from Memphis.


Chances are all his shooting experience comes from gas stations & 7-11s

 

[jadkins223]

Can anyone share load data for 77 tmk and tac in a 556chamber? My manual has it but it doesn’t seem right. Johnnys reloading took it up to 24.8 grains. Is that about right for max? Working up a load now. Yes I did a search in this thread

 

[OldGrayJB]

Brownells has XBR. Hurry, it won't last long.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I have avoided this popgun thread but here goes. Very few of my kills let alone opportunities have been perfect. Usually they are somewhat quartering and certainly not a clean broadside shot. The larger caliber rounds with heavier bullets tend to provide the inertia needed to penetrate the mass and provide a kill. I'm speaking on elk primarily. I would be very reluctant to gamble my only opportunity on a .22 caliber round.

Over the years I have had some quartering shots with a 7 RM and 175 gr bullets that required followup to finish the job. Experience taught me what was an option and what wasn't.

In the early 80s a friend shot an old bull while we were hunting. In cutting up the meat he recovered 10 bullets ranging from .243 to .338 that he had survived. Risking game for your druthers is just unacceptable. I remember my father chastizing someone for hunting elk with a 30-30. Get a big enough gun to give you at least a 90% chance of success.

 

[bigbuckdj]

Brownells has XBR. Hurry, it won't last long.

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