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

Bison is one of the cases where less tissue damage can be ok, because they tend not move much when shot.

For a 30/06 it would probably a 180gr Nosler Partition, Federal’s 200gr Terminal Ascent or 180gr Trophy Bonded Tip.
I’ve only been on one bison hunt (not the shooter). But they’ve gotta be the dumbest/laziest animals I’ve ever seen. They’ll watch their buddy get shot, move 20 yards, and go back to grazing.
 
IMG_0210.jpeg
The double lung shot.

This shot resulted in a DRT bang flop. This was my first time seeing the 77 TMK in person, same for the two other people I was hunting with. After seeing three other antelope shot that day that were also all bang flops with other rifles, 2 with 308 and 168 bergers and a 300 win mag with 168 TTSX. The general census was that the 77 TMK is a very efficient and effective killer. All three of us concluded that there is no reason to shoot anything bigger within 450 yards.

My only regret is when I shot my two does with the 308, that I didn’t grab the 223 tikka from my dad instead!!

Thank you to all who have posted information in this thread and have helped me see the way!!!
Ryan
 
Serious question, Is there any reason you wouldn’t use a 77 TMK on a bison if allowed? Reason I ask is we saw one while antelope hunting with the TMK.

Also another question, what are your thoughts for the TMK on fall turkey where a rifle is allowed?

Ryan
If it is accurate enought for head/neck shots at that distance, go for it. If you are body shooting them, anything other than a solid will make a mess. I did a flock reduction with the state once on a ranch where the turkeys were getting into the feed lot and making a mess. There were over 100 birds in this group. A 17HMR was used and the tipped bullets made a mess, the soft points weren't quite as bad, but the fmj bullets were the best for meat retention. Shot through the upper wing took out the lungs and damaged the spine leaving the breast alone or with a small hole. Birds were donated to the food bank.

Jay
 
Serious question, Is there any reason you wouldn’t use a 77 TMK on a bison if allowed? Reason I ask is we saw one while antelope hunting with the TMK.

Nope. I’d use it.



Also another question, what are your thoughts for the TMK on fall turkey where a rifle is allowed?

Ryan

They make a mess with body shots. You need to hit them at the top of their back to stay away from the breast and legs, and you still can get meat damage. During the fall I have a mag of 77gr SMK’s in my pocket for turkeys.
 
Nope. I’d use it.





They make a mess with body shots. You need to hit them at the top of their back to stay away from the breast and legs, and you still can get meat damage. During the fall I have a mag of 77gr SMK’s in my pocket for turkeys.
I like a neck or headshot. If I miss no damage done. I missed one turkey and I think the sonic crack confused him for a second, he stood frozen so I shot at him again for the kill. YMMV
 
Will do.. I'm not a red line reloader anyways. Do you happen to have a grain weight of leverevolution to work up to? Feel free to pm me if you don't want to open source it. I like to keep my options open as I'm in northern BC and powder availability can be spotty. TIA
Where you at Moose? I use a bunch of Lever and know where to get it pretty cheap.
 
Welp. This just got more expensive. Went to swap my razor from the 300prc onto my AR for this season. 30mm tube vs the 1” that’s currently on it. Larue prices went up since the last time I bought one. At their new price point might as well buy another geissele. Really happy with that one on the 6.5. But shoooot. I’m not feeling like dropping almost $350.

Anybody use American defense optic mounts? I was looking at the vortex precision line and came across a few of their mounts. Never used them before but they look intriguing. Or any other recommendations that isn’t a budget mount but not high end?
 
Larue mounts are junk as with all vertically split rings like ADM too. Other issue with those levers on either is they don’t have a fraction of the clamping force of torqued screws which effects zero.

I’d look at Badger COMM and NF Ultramount if you want a cantilever style mount.
 
Larue mounts are junk as with all vertically split rings like ADM too. Other issue with those levers on either is they don’t have a fraction of the clamping force of torqued screws which effects zero.

I’d look at Badger COMM and NF Ultramount if you want a cantilever style mount.
not necessarily looking for a cantilever. Didn’t even think to look at Nightforce mounts. Close enough to my price point that I’ll probably snag a set of those. Thanks.


Now to find a magnum cartridge only page to offload the 300. 😂
 
Welp. This just got more expensive. Went to swap my razor from the 300prc onto my AR for this season. 30mm tube vs the 1” that’s currently on it. Larue prices went up since the last time I bought one. At their new price point might as well buy another geissele. Really happy with that one on the 6.5. But shoooot. I’m not feeling like dropping almost $350.

Anybody use American defense optic mounts? I was looking at the vortex precision line and came across a few of their mounts. Never used them before but they look intriguing. Or any other recommendations that isn’t a budget mount but not high end?

I’ve had good luck with the Burris extreme tactical rings on flat top ARs.
 
not necessarily looking for a cantilever. Didn’t even think to look at Nightforce mounts. Close enough to my price point that I’ll probably snag a set of those. Thanks.


Now to find a magnum cartridge only page to offload the 300. 😂

If you don’t want cantilever look at the NF mag mount as well. Spuhr also makes a hunting series which is nice, I use their Tikka/Sako version.
 
Welp. This just got more expensive. Went to swap my razor from the 300prc onto my AR for this season. 30mm tube vs the 1” that’s currently on it. Larue prices went up since the last time I bought one. At their new price point might as well buy another geissele. Really happy with that one on the 6.5. But shoooot. I’m not feeling like dropping almost $350.

Anybody use American defense optic mounts? I was looking at the vortex precision line and came across a few of their mounts. Never used them before but they look intriguing. Or any other recommendations that isn’t a budget mount but not high end?
I have two ADM Recon mounts used for work purposes. I have had zero problems with them, and they have returned to zero when removed and reattached.
 
Also another question, what are your thoughts for the TMK on fall turkey where a rifle is allowed?

I shot this dude two weeks ago with my RARR in 556 using a Hornady Frontier 75gr HPBT. It was about a 55-60yd shot, it was facing me and I shot it just below the neck. The bullet made a complete pass through, no meat was damaged in the making of this event.
IMG_7977_Original.jpeg
 
Also another question, what are your thoughts for the TMK on fall turkey where a rifle is allowed?

I shot this dude two weeks ago with my RARR in 556 using a Hornady Frontier 75gr HPBT. It was about a 55-60yd shot, it was facing me and I shot it just below the neck. The bullet made a complete pass through, no meat was damaged in the making of this event.
View attachment 601183
Formidilosus answered this earlier today:
They make a mess with body shots. You need to hit them at the top of their back to stay away from the breast and legs, and you still can get meat damage. During the fall I have a mag of 77gr SMK’s in my pocket for turkeys.
 
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