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

BigThig09

FNG
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Sep 3, 2017
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Finally got to take my Tikka .223 to the range yesterday. If these TMKs do as well as everyone says and the pictures show, I may never use anything else around here for whitetails…

First 3 shots at 100 with the factory Black Hills TMK load:7491D79B-D3C6-4C92-8AA6-697FC1C268C4.jpeg

Two more at the end of the range session to verify zero: 76034002-73AA-4EFC-8485-D9CE2D5C19C4.jpeg

Can’t wait to see what they do to Georgia whitetails! Good luck this year to everyone!
 
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PNWGATOR

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
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Finally got to take my Tikka .223 to the range yesterday. If these TMKs do as well as everyone says and the pictures show, I may never use anything else around here for whitetails…

First 3 shots at 100 with the factory Black Hills TMK load:View attachment 605481

Two more at the end of the range session to verify zero: View attachment 605482

Can’t wait to see what they do to Georgia whitetails! Good luck this year to everyone!
Please let us know about your experiences this coming season and share how they do.
 

hunterjmj

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I started reading this thread last night for the entertainment aspect I thought I'd get. About 30 pages in I opened up gun broker and started looking at .223's. Another rifle is never a bad idea but wow, the power of persuasion is strong. Anyhow, I came to my senses and realized I already have plenty of rifles and even a .243. This thread is full of some great info to learn from. I'll get back to more reading today and who knows, maybe I'll end up buying a .223.
 
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PNWGATOR

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
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I started reading this thread last night for the entertainment aspect I thought I'd get. About 30 pages in I opened up gun broker and started looking at .223's. Another rifle is never a bad idea but wow, the power of persuasion is strong. Anyhow, I came to my senses and realized I already have plenty of rifles and even a .243. This thread is full of some great info to learn from. I'll get back to more reading today and who knows, maybe I'll end up buying a .223.
Lotta good entertainment in this thread for sure!

I promise you’ll be thrilled with you he value a .223 brings to your riflemanship journey. You’ll shoot it exponentially more than any other centerfire rifle you own. Plus, with correct bullet selection, there is no compromise in terminal performance.
 

atmat

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Lotta good entertainment in this thread for sure!

I promise you’ll be thrilled with you he value a .223 brings to your riflemanship journey. You’ll shoot it exponentially more than any other centerfire rifle you own. Plus, with correct bullet selection, there is no compromise in terminal performance.
And barrel life is supreme on a .223. The rifle pays for itself in ammo and barrel replacements.
 

hunterjmj

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Lotta good entertainment in this thread for sure!

I promise you’ll be thrilled with you he value a .223 brings to your riflemanship journey. You’ll shoot it exponentially more than any other centerfire rifle you own. Plus, with correct bullet selection, there is no compromise in terminal performance.
I have zero doubts about your setup. I've slowly built a rem 700 300wm over the years and I love that rifle. Killed many animals with it using the 215 Berger and I just know my rifle. That said, I'd love to add a .223 to the mix now that i've read this. Like many, I grew up being taught bigger is better even though I know better. I still love the 30 cals, magnums, etc. Calibers, bullets, reloading and all that is very fascinating to learn and will be a lifelong endeavor. I appreciate this thread and the things it's made me think about. Good stuff!
 

Tartan

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I read a lot of pages but not all. Are there any elk pics taken with this setup?

hasn't been updated in 80 pages or so, but here's a summary of this thread with links to the posts about elk

 

hunterjmj

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hasn't been updated in 80 pages or so, but here's a summary of this thread with links to the posts about elk

Way cool. For whatever reason I always thought of a .223 as a coyote pickup packing gun. 🤯 Won't happen now but I'm definitely going to pick up a .223.
 

307

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Jun 18, 2014
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The 77gr TMK is the king for .224 caliber, the 130gr TMK is similar for the .264? Does this apply to 6.5 cm and something like the 6.5 PRC equally?

What's the bullet recommendation for situations where lead isn't allowed?
 

ElPollo

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Aug 31, 2018
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The 77gr TMK is the king for .224 caliber, the 130gr TMK is similar for the .264? Does this apply to 6.5 cm and something like the 6.5 PRC equally?

What's the bullet recommendation for situations where lead isn't allowed?
Yes on the 130 TMK.

On the nonlead, I have not personally used this one, but its what I would try if I had to go back to them.

 

atmat

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maybe ya'll should ask for a poachers subforum. in the mean time, let's keep the conversations here centered on legal hunting methods.
Yeah I can’t believe it’s even a conversation. The general public is already skeptical of hunting and gun ownership without folks saying “hmm, but could we get away with it?”
 

JCMCUBIC

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Nov 22, 2020
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....

What's the bullet recommendation for situations where lead isn't allowed?

I've had good results on deer with the 62 TTSX and TSX in .223/.223AI. I much prefer the TTSX to the TSX. Those are the only non-lead I've used. After a fair bit of experience with them, I wouldn't leave lead for them unless legally required.
 

xsn10s

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May 3, 2022
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Hmm I came late to the show so I don't know all the details. I don't poach, and I don't hunt where there are lead restrictions. My guess is wildmills and solar plants kill far more than hunters using lead bullets. Now back to the original program. I want a bolt .223 lol.
 
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