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

hunterjmj

WKR
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
1,312
Location
Montana
Read this thread about a month ago considering the 77 gr tmk for my bull elk hunt.
Thought I'd register and share my data point since there's not a ton on bull elk.
Shot my bull yesterday morning. 171 yard shot with AAC 77 gr TMK. Hit him slightly high on the crease/edge of the shoulder. No blood to track as expected. There was a 4" shredded wound channel on entry side ribs (no pic of that- he died in the sun so I was in a hurry to work him up and was alone). Found shards in off side shoulder. He was slightly quartering away. He rose up on his hind legs at impact, turned, went 20 yards and was done moving in about 15 seconds.
Used my 16" Henry long ranger express (love lever guns), 1:9" twist.
Had my reservations but wanted to test for kids hunts in the future. I've hunted with my bolt action 308 for years (also used my ar on a few whitetails using the 62gr fusion with mixed results). Never seen this kind of performance on an animal. Very pleased with the 77gr tmk.
Congrats! Also, that rifle is gorgeous. I recently watched a video on that rifle and the magazine it uses. I need to add that to my list of rifles I need to buy.
 

Big_wals

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2020
Messages
405
Location
W Texas
Read this thread about a month ago considering the 77 gr tmk for my bull elk hunt.
Thought I'd register and share my data point since there's not a ton on bull elk.
Shot my bull yesterday morning. 171 yard shot with AAC 77 gr TMK. Hit him slightly high on the crease/edge of the shoulder. No blood to track as expected. There was a 4" shredded wound channel on entry side ribs (no pic of that- he died in the sun so I was in a hurry to work him up and was alone). Found shards in off side shoulder. He was slightly quartering away. He rose up on his hind legs at impact, turned, went 20 yards and was done moving in about 15 seconds.
Used my 16" Henry long ranger express (love lever guns), 1:9" twist.
Had my reservations but wanted to test for kids hunts in the future. I've hunted with my bolt action 308 for years (also used my ar on a few whitetails using the 62gr fusion with mixed results). Never seen this kind of performance on an animal. Very pleased with the 77gr tmk.
Congrats on the bull! Sweet rifle, I've thought before that one of those long rangers in .243 would be pretty cool...
 

krimbi

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
3
Thanks all.
I had been looking for this rifle for over a year and finally found one at a decent price a few weeks ago. After a few shooting trips I felt very confident in its abilities. Just in time for the hunt. Such a cool rifle.

Working on the bull this morning, realized there is a bit of damage to be seen on the entry shoulder. Most of the cavity occurred behind the shoulder but got a pic of what I have, plus the two fragments of the bullet in the far side shoulder.
 

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270quest

WKR
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Messages
709
Location
Boise, Idaho
I have no objections to anyone hunting elk with whatever legal cartridge they desire, and yes I do believe small caliber bullets sent fast kill well.....

But if/when I kill a bull elk this year and post the pic, it will be with a 150 scenar out of a 7 rem mag...Elk taking death runs in the country I hunt in, is not something that brings one much joy.

Also, the 622 yard kill on my 5 point bull in Wyoming last year would not had been in the cards with a .223.
 

Formidilosus

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
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Oct 22, 2014
Messages
9,993
But if/when I kill a bull elk this year and post the pic, it will be with a 150 scenar out of a 7 rem mag...

Ok? Has someone told you to not use that?


Elk taking death runs in the country I hunt in, is not something that brings one much joy.


All animals (100%) when shot with a 7mm 150gr Scenar drop immediately regardless of where hit in the chest? That is: bang, bullet impacts and they fall instantly- not stand for few seconds or walk a bit?



Also, the 622 yard kill on my 5 point bull in Wyoming last year would not had been in the cards with a .223.

Are you positive? The wounds created by the 150gr Scenar are not class leading, and in a lot of cases are less than, or identical to some .224 projectiles at like impact velocities.
 

LiveFire

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
22
Gonna try this out in Michigan for white tail in November. I currently have a dandy load for the 77smk using AA2520 loaded to 2.260 for an ar15. Are you guys doing full load work ups or using existing data youve used for the 77smk? I also have some imr8208xbr which I know seems like the preferred powder here.
 

WestTN2288

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 26, 2022
Messages
124
Gonna try this out in Michigan for white tail in November. I currently have a dandy load for the 77smk using AA2520 loaded to 2.260 for an ar15. Are you guys doing full load work ups or using existing data youve used for the 77smk? I also have some imr8208xbr which I know seems like the preferred powder here.
I’ve had good luck with a2520 out my my ARs too.

Have you read forms thread on simple load work up?
 

LiveFire

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
22
I have not read it yet. I will look for it. I have some 77tmk's showing up tomorrow. I plan on making a run to the range friday morning.
 

BryanL

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
127
25.0 gr AA2520 and 77gr TMK with standard SRP in LC brass loaded to 2.260 consistently shoots at 1” groups for 10 shots with my tikka. Followed the load development thread Form started. Worked great.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
982
Location
Montana
Tikka T3X Stainless cut to 17”. Sourced a compact stock here in classifieds. Tally light weight rings. Had a Nikon Coyote Special BDC 4.5 x 14 laying around. Silencer Co ASR flash hider. 38” OAL. 7lbs 6 oz.
Got it dialed in today with Black Hills 77gr TMK.
Kids will be behind the gun for the next two weeks getting ready for the youth deer hunt.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and helping me spend my money. :)
 

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LiveFire

FNG
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Messages
22
25.0 gr AA2520 and 77gr TMK with standard SRP in LC brass loaded to 2.260 consistently shoots at 1” groups for 10 shots with my tikka. Followed the load development thread Form started. Worked great.
Thats the charge weight I currently use. Ive won a few of my local 300yd ar15 matches with it.
 

Floridave

FNG
Joined
Sep 20, 2022
Messages
66
25.0 gr AA2520 and 77gr TMK with standard SRP in LC brass loaded to 2.260 consistently shoots at 1” groups for 10 shots with my tikka. Followed the load development thread Form started. Worked great.

Exactly same load I use in my AR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Smenning

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 19, 2016
Messages
253

In Stock!!!
 

mt terry d

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Jul 18, 2023
Messages
730

In Stock!!!
$27 shipping on a $70 box of ammo?

OUCH!!

Just saying.
 
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