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

[jadkins223]

With the Tikka I’d go short. Mag length will be your friend with it. I don’t know if the Predator uses the AR mags or not, (I think it does) but in my RAR that’s a real limitation for me. OAL at 2.26 makes for a very full case. IMO of course.

Yes it takes AR mags. I’m debating buying the AICS conversion for it and loading longer out


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[BLJ]

Yes it takes AR mags. I’m debating buying the AICS conversion for it and loading longer out


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I considered that. But between the price of the AICS 223 mags and me already having AR mags, I stayed with what I had.
My velocity isn’t bad, but I know I’m giving some up with the short OAL.

 

[Phinehas25]

If you have a Ruger that functions as designed, celebrate!

What could the Tikka do for you that the Ruger doesn't.

I have a Ruger in 6.5 grendel and a tikka in .223. The Ruger is cheaply made and has a very flimsy stock. The Tikka has a far better trigger and stock. The tikka has a much smoother action and a bolt lock.

If you upgrade the trigger and stock, you will be over the cost of a tikka and still have a cheap rifle.

The Ruger American ranch is a neat rifle packed with features. It comes with a short threaded barrel and takes inexpensive ar mags. I love loading up a 10 or 15 round mag and blasting away. I just wish the quality was higher.

The tikka is fine rifle from the factory, all it needs is a threaded barrel.

 

[jadkins223]

I considered that. But between the price of the AICS 223 mags and me already having AR mags, I stayed with what I had.
My velocity isn’t bad, but I know I’m giving some up with the short OAL.

I’m actually running 73 eldm in the bolt 223 and 77 tmks in my ARs so I don’t “mix up” loads. Green tips = ARs. Red rips = bolt gun lol


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[Juan_ID]

22 Caliber .224 Diameter 69 Grain TMK Tipped Boat Tail Matchking 100 Count

22 Caliber .224 Diameter 69 Grain TMK Tipped Boat Tail Match King Rifle Bullets 100 Count by SIERRA BULLETS Sierra has enhanced a segment of the MatchKing line by adding the acetal resin tip, thus crowning the Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullet line. The major advantage of adding a tip to the...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

 

[robtattoo]

Yes it takes AR mags. I’m debating buying the AICS conversion for it and loading longer out


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Do it. Then get a Timney trigger. The original is kinda ok-ish, but the Timney transforms the gun entirely.

Also, if you're super bored, strip the bolt completely & polish up the outside with some 800, then 1500 grit wet & dry. It makes it glassy smooth.

 

[jadkins223]

Do it. Then get a Timney trigger. The original is kinda ok-ish, but the Timney transforms the gun entirely.

Also, if you're super bored, strip the bolt completely & polish up the outside with some 800, then 1500 grit wet & dry. It makes it glassy smooth.

View attachment 517844

My biggest hang up was the mixed forum review of saying if the aics mags would actually work. Can send me what exactly you ordered ? I’ll PM you


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[Big_wals]

My biggest hang up was the mixed forum review of saying if the aics mags would actually work. Can send me what exactly you ordered ? I’ll PM you


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I am also interested in what you got. I have read that ruger sells the aics "bottom metal" (lol bottom plastic more like) but I cant find it on their website. Did you have to call Ruger to order it?

 

[robtattoo]

Yes. You'll need to call & ask for it. You'll need to give them your serial number. If you currently use AR mags, it's a direct switch. If yours is a rotary style, it might. But it can be made to work very easily.

The horrible old bag on the phone will try to tell you it won't work, no matter what, but just keep in insisting you know what you're doing.

MDT magazines are the best option, without breaking the bank. AICS branded steel mags are better, but twice the price. Ruger mags can be 50/50 whether they work or not (unbelievably....) & P-mag versions flat out won't work at all.
The MDTs have an internal length of 2.55", which is nice, but Rugers have a notoriously short throat, so it's worth making up a few dummy rounds (if you don't have a comparator) & checking. (Sorry @jadkins223 I forgot to mention that bit in my PM)

 

[Big_wals]

Yes. You'll need to call & ask for it. You'll need to give them your serial number. If you currently use AR mags, it's a direct switch. If yours is a rotary style, it might. But it can be made to work very easily.

The horrible old bag on the phone will try to tell you it won't work, no matter what, but just keep in insisting you know what you're doing.

MDT magazines are the best option, without breaking the bank. AICS branded steel mags are better, but twice the price. Ruger mags can be 50/50 whether they work or not (unbelievably....) & P-mag versions flat out won't work at all.
The MDTs have an internal length of 2.55", which is nice, but Rugers have a notoriously short throat, so it's worth making up a few dummy rounds (if you don't have a comparator) & checking. (Sorry @jadkins223 I forgot to mention that bit in my PM)

Good info. Thank you!

 

[BigNate]

I did a thread search but no bueno!
Is the 52 grain ELD Match viable for deer inside say 150 yards? Looking to minimize recoil as much as possible for a 10 year old. He’s so thin he can get out of the rain by standing under a clothes line.

I think I'd choose a different bullet.
Can he tell the difference in recoil?
If you're dropping that much weight look at Speer Gold Dot if you can find them. 60gr Partitions or 64gr Bonded Solid Base, 62gr Speer GD, would also be good options in a lighter bullet.
If he shoots enough 55gr his tolerance for slightly heavier bullets will come naturally.
Muzzle blast might be part of his issue. Witt makes a SME that helps with that a lot.

 

[SBR Sarge]

223 REM 77GR Federal Tactical TRU Sierra MatchKing Tipped (T223TTMK3)

223 REM 77GR Federal Tactical TRU Sierra MatchKing Tipped (T223TTMK3) is custom made for your Urban Rifle. Tactical® TRU® was specifically designed for use in semi-automatic rifles or "Urban Rifles," such as variants of the M-16 or AR-15. This is particularly important in today's urban...

www.bonefroggunclub.com

Member price $115/100

 

[Juan_ID]

There’s a 500rd case of black hills 77gr tmk ammo on snipershide. Not cheap but it’s there

 

[SouthPaw]

Stainless 22-250 in 1:8 for you lame right handers.

Tikka T3x Lite SS .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXB314R8

Flat Rate Shipping on Tikka T3x Lite SS .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXB314R8

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Castle Rock]

They are an incredible rifle, by far my favourite
The 22/250 with heavys rocks

 

[4090Sharps]

Ive never been abke to get the TMKs to shoot as well as the SMKs out of my ARs. 77 SMK over 23.4 of 8208 or 24.5 of TAC is money in most ARs ive shot and competed against.

For anyone looking for a data point, 24.5gr of TAC gave me an avg of 2768 fps from a 16" barrel.

 

[BigThig09]

Ok last question (I hope!):

If you guys in this thread that are way more versed than me in this pursuit of the perfect bullet for a 223 could rank these bullets, how would it go?? I already realize the 77tmk is at the top of the list, so let’s go in order how you would rank the factory loaded bullets I have in stock or access to…

75 grain gold dot
62 grain gold dot
73 ELD-M
64 grain tipped gameking
62 grain fusion (I know, same as the gold dot I guess)

 

[cod0396]

Ok last question (I hope!):

If you guys in this thread that are way more versed than me in this pursuit of the perfect bullet for a 223 could rank these bullets, how would it go?? I already realize the 77tmk is at the top of the list, so let’s go in order how you would rank the factory loaded bullets I have in stock or access to…

75 grain gold dot
62 grain gold dot
73 ELD-M
64 grain tipped gameking
62 grain fusion (I know, same as the gold dot I guess)

From best to worst, and the reasons why:

1) 73gr ELD-M - performs similarly to the TMK albeit with less penetration. Very explosive bullet.

2) 75gr Gold dot - seems to be the most effective of any .223 gold dot. Not entirely sure why, but that's what I have personally observed. Very very good expansion for a bonded .224" bullet.

3) 62gr fusion - Ranks higher than 62gr gold dot because it is available in a significantly hotter .223 load (MSR version). Non MSR load is essentially identical to the 62gr gold dot factory speer load.

4) 62gr gold dot - great bullet, but super anemic factory .223 load. We're talking ~2600fps out of a 16" barrel, when even a 5.56 pressure 77gr TMK is faster than that.

5) 64gr tipped game king - Significantly thicker jacket than the OG non tipped game king. Gold dots are better performers, in my experience. The tipped game kings aren't terrible or anything, but I wouldn't choose them over anything else you listed. Don't be fooled into thinking they're a direct upgrade over the regular game kings like TMKs are over SMKs.

 

[robtattoo]

From best to worst, and the reasons why:

1) 73gr ELD-M - performs similarly to the TMK albeit with less penetration. Very explosive bullet.

2) 75gr Gold dot - seems to be the most effective of any .223 gold dot. Not entirely sure why, but that's what I have personally observed. Very very good expansion for a bonded .224" bullet.

3) 62gr fusion - Ranks higher than 62gr gold dot because it is available in a significantly hotter .223 load (MSR version). Non MSR load is essentially identical to the 62gr gold dot factory speer load.

4) 62gr gold dot - great bullet, but super anemic factory .223 load. We're talking ~2600fps out of a 16" barrel, when even a 5.56 pressure 77gr TMK is faster than that.

5) 64gr tipped game king - Significantly thicker jacket than the OG non tipped game king. Gold dots are better performers, in my experience. The tipped game kings aren't terrible or anything, but I wouldn't choose them over anything else you listed. Don't be fooled into thinking they're a direct upgrade over the regular game kings like TMKs are over SMKs.

If i might add a couple of extra, common alternatives:

65/62gn* SGK. Great expansion, although frequently shed it's jacket. Excellent penetration (24"+ observed in different hogs) Punches hips & shoulders just fine. Not an explosive wound channel, but has always produced clean, 'normal' kills for me. I've killed 30+ hogs with them, & don't recall any making it 50yds. Most died pretty much on the spot. 3 whitetail DRT with complete pass through, 7 more killed by friend's kids said the same.

62/65gn* Hornady SP. Might as well be the same bullet as the SGK. Identical performance.

I've pushed both these bullets at around 27-2900fps & my longest shot with either is only +/- 120yds

*Sorry, i always forget which way round it is! One's 62, t'other's 65.

 

[Veloci_Wrench]

For you tikka 223 guys... what is the best/favorite budget suppressor to dedicate to your 223/tikka/6xswfa combo? Anything Under 10oz, less than 8 inches long, and under $600?

You should look at Liberty Precision Machine and Diligent Defense. Newer companies that got their start designing Form 1 parts until the ATF closed that door for everyone. Their suppressors are much better than a good majority of the well-known offerings (verified by PewScience), and they are easily available through Hansohn Brothers. 30 cal cans, but will still outperform poorly designed suppressors with a smaller aperture.