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

[mt100gr.]

What rifle and stock is that?


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Looks like a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 with a DIY stock build-up to get the ergos. Looks damn good, too!

 

[BLJ]

Looks like a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 with a DIY stock build-up to get the ergos. Looks damn good, too!

You are correct. Athlon Argos HMR 2-12 with the AHMC reticle on top.
Thanks for the compliment. It works very well for me.

 

[Txmike]

I stumbled on this thread after a buddy of mine was telling me that he was going to use match bullets for hog and whitetail hunting. I told him that I thought it was a bad idea, but decided to check it out. Glad that I did!

I could not find a tikka that had a threaded barrel locally, but they had a CA scout in .223 with a threaded barrel. First CA rifle. Hopefully I got one that will shoot. Have not had a chance to take it out yet.

I am having trouble finding loaded TMK. Anyone know where to find purchase some? Thanks in advance, and this is probably my favorite thread of all time.

Cheers!

 

[PNWGATOR]

Contact Unknown Munitions.

 

[Txmike]

Contact Unknown Munitions.

Unfortunately, at this time, they only have SMK.

 

[Darryle]

Unfortunately, at this time, they only have SMK.

Stand 1 Armory 77gr TMK

 

[Smenning]

I came across these at a local Murdochs store, does anyone have experience on game (primarily whitetail) with the 73gr Bergers? Thanks in advance

 

[Darryle]

I came across these at a local Murdochs store, does anyone have experience on game (primarily whitetail) with the 73gr Bergers? Thanks in advance
View attachment 478003

Seems to be good, but probably not as great as the 77gr TMK.

 

[Smenning]

I’ll give them a shot, will follow up if I have success.

 

[Txmike]

Stand 1 Armory 77gr TMK

Amazing! Thanks so much!

 

[woods89]

I’ll give them a shot, will follow up if I have success.

Here is a set of lungs from the above mentioned situation. 100 yd shot, she was dead within 50 yds of impact. Through the ribs behind the shoulder if I remember correctly. The bullet did not exit.

I'd use them again if that's what I had. Only thing I would say is that if you are hunting brushy areas the lack of exit can mean a little tougher trailing. Just a sample size of 1.

I think @mt100gr. has some experience with them as well.

 

[Smenning]

View attachment 478030
Here is a set of lungs from the above mentioned situation. 100 yd shot, she was dead within 50 yds of impact. Through the ribs behind the shoulder if I remember correctly. The bullet did not exit.

I'd use them again if that's what I had. Only thing I would say is that if you are hunting brushy areas the lack of exit can mean a little tougher trailing. Just a sample size of 1.

I think @mt100gr. has some experience with them as well.

Looks like it did the trick! Can’t argue with dead animals.

 

[BLJ]

Wanted to ad to my post from yesterday. Although my shot was under 20 yards on an eastern whitetail and I had an exit, I did not see one drop of blood. I didn’t spend a lot of time looking, but did make an effort to try and find some and didn’t see anything. Just for reference.

 

[Txmike]

What goes into the decision making process of choosing a behind the shoulder shot, or a high shoulder shot? I def like the idea of not having to track and DRT. Thanks in advance.

 

[OdinIII]

What goes into the decision making process of choosing a behind the shoulder shot, or a high shoulder shot? I def like the idea of not having to track and DRT. Thanks in advance.

To me it’s always how much meat you’re ok with wasting and how much you need to plant the animal due to darkness or other considerations like property lines.

I know I’ve posted in this thread a few times about how important an exit hole is for blood trailing. I’m a little hesitant to admit it but must report that I shot a smallish doe the other day with a 150 gr. “Deer Season XP” from a 300 win mag and the bullet did not exit!

I guess I should use a bigger gun? better bullet? Not a serious question but this does highlight the point that all modern cartridges do a good job with a good bullet and vice versa.

 

[woods89]

@Formidilosus , and anyone else.

If a guy wanted an exit 80% of the time, even catching one scapula, inside 2-300 yds, on mid size whitetails, what's the best way to get there? 80+gr bullets out of a really fast twist 223? Hotter 22 cal and 88s? Mild or mid 6mm with 100+ gr bullets? I know my 6.5 with 130-140s basically always exits.

It may sound weird but I hunt some steep, thick country every year where more leaking is better. I've pondered putting a rifle together for that specific type of hunting and wondered just what I would choose.

 

[amassi]

@Formidilosus , and anyone else.

If a guy wanted an exit 80% of the time, even catching one scapula, inside 2-300 yds, on mid size whitetails, what's the best way to get there? 80+gr bullets out of a really fast twist 223? Hotter 22 cal and 88s? Mild or mid 6mm with 100+ gr bullets? I know my 6.5 with 130-140s basically always exits.

It may sound weird but I hunt some steep, thick country every year where more leaking is better. I've pondered putting a rifle together for that specific type of hunting and wondered just what I would choose.

6mm- cm, xc, gt, x47 ,winchester etc and 95g nosler ballistic tips.

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[PNWGATOR]

Don’t over think it.

If you put the 77TMK in the body cavity of an animal, it will die.

Shoot it through the vitals and it will die predictably.

Breaking them down through bone isn’t an issue.

Learn to kill efficiently.

 

[woods89]

If you put the 77TMK in the body cavity of an animal, it will die. Shoot it through the vitals and it will die predictably. Breaking them down through bone isn’t an issue.

Don’t over think it.

Learn to kill efficiently.

There's a 98.7% chance I am overthinking....

In well over half of my hunting it's a non issue. Sometimes in the really thick stuff, without snow, if you don't get blood until he starts blowing it out his nose, it can make for some queasy moments.

I'd be lying if I said it's ever actually cost me an animal, though.

 

[Lawnboi]

@woods89

For what it’s worth with the 77 on the 7 fairly large bodied deer I have shot, only a few exited, and none left holes large enough for significant blood to leak out. That said 50 yards has been a long death run. I did have a large exit on a frontal shot but all my behind the shoulder shots have mostly resulted in a 20-50 yard run. I try to put the bullet just at the top of the heart.


The thing I like most is being able to watch what happens when you shoot.

Tmk also expand very rapidly, not inches like a Berger or a bonded bullet but it hasn’t been uncommon for me to have some more impressive entrance wounds than exit.