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

[eoperator]

Make sure they aren't SMK. I had found them in a search, got lost for a second before I realized what I was looking at.

You were right, I must have misread or some kind of tom foolery happening there.

 

[Billy Goat]

You were right, I must have misread or some kind of tom foolery happening there.

I know because I did it.

 

[amassi]

Someone try n540 as an alternate powder

Just like Varget, can't get enough in for pressure. Compressed loads and slow mv.

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[cod0396]

Yes, there is a lot of facts but at a certain point it becomes people slinging stones. Me personally I wouldn't use .223 to kill anything bigger than a yotee. But that my opinion. If it keeps working for him then why not, until he has other outcomes, that my push him to think otherwise.

Not trying to start anything, but can you explain why you wouldn't feel comfortable using .223 on anything bigger than a coyote? The 77gr TMK has been shown to be an effective killer on animals several times the size of whitetail deer, let alone coyotes. There is plenty of proof in this thread. I just don't understand the hang up.

 

[TML75]

Got a chance to try the 77 TMK this morning on a whitetail buck and it worked just like everyone who has used them said it would. Entered the chest cavity, fragmented, deer ran about 25 yards. No exit hole, just some bullet fragments caught under the skin on the other side.

 

[jonandy]

Holy crap! Took me a few weeks to read this thread, so much great info!! Thanks to all who contributed, I had a ton of fun reading it, and I have even shared it with a few good friends. I really love reading about the actual bullet performance, not just a set ft lb. So much more important to understand how the bullet will perform at certain velocities. Now if I can just get some powder and TMK’s I’ll be set.

I have an AR with 1 in 7” twist, I’m sure it will do fine with the 77 TMK. I also have an older savage 112 with a 26” heavy fluted barrel. I believe it’s a one in 9” twist. I heard a few mention the same length of savage with 1 in 9” have you had good luck with it stabilizing the 77 TMK? I’m at about 4,500 ft elevation. Thanks

 

[260madman]

Holy crap! Took me a few weeks to read this thread, so much great info!! Thanks to all who contributed, I had a ton of fun reading it, and I have even shared it with a few good friends. I really love reading about the actual bullet performance, not just a set ft lb. So much more important to understand how the bullet will perform at certain velocities. Now if I can just get some powder and TMK’s I’ll be set.

I have an AR with 1 in 7” twist, I’m sure it will do fine with the 77 TMK. I also have an older savage 112 with a 26” heavy fluted barrel. I believe it’s a one in 9” twist. I heard a few mention the same length of savage with 1 in 9” have you had good luck with it stabilizing the 77 TMK? I’m at about 4,500 ft elevation. Thanks

Your Savage will be fine. I have 2, a 20” and a 26”, and they do very well with the 77s.

 

[jonandy]

Your Savage will be fine. I have 2, a 20” and a 26”, and they do very well with the 77s.

Awesome thanks!!

 

[Floridave]

Not trying to start anything, but can you explain why you wouldn't feel comfortable using .223 on anything bigger than a coyote? The 77gr TMK has been shown to be an effective killer on animals several times the size of whitetail deer, let alone coyotes. There is plenty of proof in this thread. I just don't understand the hang up.

I'll just say in BK's defense of his skepticism , I also read the whole thread, accepted what I was seeing as fact, loaded up some TMK's for the AR, and used it on this years hunt (against the advice of some hunting buddies).

BUT have to admit, when I drew down on that first deer at 154 yards, I was half expecting the round to bounce off, forcing me to transition to my pistol 357sig at 154 yards anyone? OK, I wasn't really THAT worried, but before I pulled that trigger, I seriously was hoping I hadn't made a mistake. I didn't, nor a couple days later when the second deer of the week was DRT. NOW I am fully convinced.
I don't think it's for everyone, but I couldn't have had a better outcome, and these animals when down as fast any anything I've ever shot with 30/06, 7mm mag or 444. And down faster than some I've shot with those rounds.

 

[fwafwow]

Not trying to start anything, but can you explain why you wouldn't feel comfortable using .223 on anything bigger than a coyote? The 77gr TMK has been shown to be an effective killer on animals several times the size of whitetail deer, let alone coyotes. There is plenty of proof in this thread. I just don't understand the hang up.

+1 for interested in the response. Also who has, or what is, slinging stones?

 

[280Ackley]

Would @Formidilosus be willing to offer up bullet suggestions for different calibers? After reading this thread and the 6.5CM elk I’ve realized you have a great amount of valuable information!! I’d like to get a few safe queens dialed in for hunting and would greatly appreciate your input!

 

[Formidilosus]

Would @Formidilosus be willing to offer up bullet suggestions for different calibers? After reading this thread and the 6.5CM elk I’ve realized you have a great amount of valuable information!! I’d like to get a few safe queens dialed in for hunting and would greatly appreciate your input!

For things I’ve used- what are you looking for?

 

[280Ackley]

For things I’ve used- what are you looking for?

The two that I would like start hunting with mainly are my 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout. Both are on AR platforms. The 300aac would be 0-200 yard and the Grendel I would like to be able to push out to 400. Thank you!

 

[Formidilosus]

The two that I would like start hunting with mainly are my 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout. Both are on AR platforms. The 300aac would be 0-200 yard and the Grendel I would like to be able to push out to 400. Thank you!

6.5 Grendel- 107gr or 130gr TMK, or 123gr Hornady ELD-M.

300BO- don’t would be my suggestion. However, 125gr TMK or Nosler Ballistic Tip.

 

[280Ackley]

6.5 Grendel- 107gr or 130gr TMK, or 123gr Hornady ELD-M.

300BO- don’t would be my suggestion. However, 125gr TMK or Nosler Ballistic Tip.

Thank you! I’ll keep an eye out for the 107’s.
I’ve got the 130gr hunting VLD for my son’s 6.5cm. Is there something else I should try?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thank you! I’ll keep an eye out for the 107’s.
I’ve got the 130gr hunting VLD for my son’s 6.5cm. Is there something else I should try?

I prefer a bit more speed and/or lighter weight, “softer” bullets. The 120/123/130gr ELD-M’s are all better for 400yqrd Grendel shots on game, though the 130gr Hunting VLD will do.

 

[prm]

For things I’ve used- what are you looking for?

What are your 338 Fed bullet recommendations?! Ha ha, kidding, I doubt that is on your list of interesting cartridges to try!

 

[robtattoo]

6.5 Grendel- 107gr or 130gr TMK, or 123gr Hornady ELD-M.

300BO- don’t would be my suggestion. However, 125gr TMK or Nosler Ballistic Tip.

Thank you! I’ll keep an eye out for the 107’s.
I’ve got the 130gr hunting VLD for my son’s 6.5cm. Is there something else I should try?

If i may interject on this.... I have zero experience with the Grendel, but I've killed a truckload of deer & hogs with the .300blk, out to 150yds (i won't speculate on the last 50yds you want because i don't personally know)
My bullet preferences are the Barnes TacTx (literally the only Barnes bullet i give shelf space to) Sierra 110gn GK & Hornady 110gn V-Max.

The Barnes is the toughest of the bunch, but seems to expand reliably & fully out to 110 (+/-) yds. I've recovered 2 from pigs, the rest were clean passthru. It does exactly what you'd expect with a small, deep wound cavity. Killing seems to be slow unless a CNS shot is made. I reserve these purely for pigs.

Sierra GK is soft & well built. I've used this on both hog & whitetail & I've recovered 1 jacket from a hog at 75 (+/-) yds that the core separated & exited. Every pig I've hit has run at least 30yds & left poor bloodtrails, but i put this more down to shot placement & anatomy. I've yet to recover one from a whitetail & I've shot into shoulders & behind with reliable performance. Large exit wounds, yet not explosive internal damage. I won't use them for hog specific hunts again

Hornady V-Max is my go-to bullet. If I'm hunting property that gives me a chance at either, I'll have these in the mag. My longest shot deer was taken with this bullet & it showed wound damage similar to a 150gn Sierra/Hornady SP from my .308. Very good expansion with explosive internal damage from 12 yds out to 150. I would suspect it'd still be acceptable at 200, but like I say, i have no experience to go off. I've never recovered a fired bullet out of (i think) 13 animals. Shoulder penetration is no issue, although the wounds I've paid attention to seem to be severe. Lung shots have been fantastic & produced, for me, very quick kills. Some DRT, some short runs but everything died in sight.

I'm sorry, but I've never really started paying much attention to autopsies until the last couple of years, so i have no photos to back this up.

I'm loading all 3 bullets to 2540fps (Identical powder load for each, slight COAL differences) & shooting a 16" AR.

 

[280Ackley]

If i may interject on this.... I have zero experience with the Grendel, but I've killed a truckload of deer & hogs with the .300blk, out to 150yds (i won't speculate on the last 50yds you want because i don't personally know)
My bullet preferences are the Barnes TacTx (literally the only Barnes bullet i give shelf space to) Sierra 110gn GK & Hornady 110gn V-Max.

The Barnes is the toughest of the bunch, but seems to expand reliably & fully out to 110 (+/-) yds. I've recovered 2 from pigs, the rest were clean passthru. It does exactly what you'd expect with a small, deep wound cavity. Killing seems to be slow unless a CNS shot is made. I reserve these purely for pigs.

Sierra GK is soft & well built. I've used this on both hog & whitetail & I've recovered 1 jacket from a hog at 75 (+/-) yds that the core separated & exited. Every pig I've hit has run at least 30yds & left poor bloodtrails, but i put this more down to shot placement & anatomy. I've yet to recover one from a whitetail & I've shot into shoulders & behind with reliable performance. Large exit wounds, yet not explosive internal damage. I won't use them for hog specific hunts again

Hornady V-Max is my go-to bullet. If I'm hunting property that gives me a chance at either, I'll have these in the mag. My longest shot deer was taken with this bullet & it showed wound damage similar to a 150gn Sierra/Hornady SP from my .308. Very good expansion with explosive internal damage from 12 yds out to 150. I would suspect it'd still be acceptable at 200, but like I say, i have no experience to go off. I've never recovered a fired bullet out of (i think) 13 animals. Shoulder penetration is no issue, although the wounds I've paid attention to seem to be severe. Lung shots have been fantastic & produced, for me, very quick kills. Some DRT, some short runs but everything died in sight.

I'm sorry, but I've never really started paying much attention to autopsies until the last couple of years, so i have no photos to back this up.

I'm loading all 3 bullets to 2540fps (Identical powder load for each, slight COAL differences) & shooting a 16" AR.

Thanks for the reply! I am currently using the Barnes and my son killed a deer with it this year at 50 yards. I’ll just stick with them and keep using it as a brush/stand gun.

 

[jadkins223]

50 hot off the press. Warm fuzzies. Ha


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