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

Luke S

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Messages
239
Okay so this is a bit off topic but somewhat related. I'm heavily invested in a 308 rifle (ammo, reloading components etc) and it shots very well. Based on what we know from the 223 what would be the best way to maximize the 308s performance if I decided to run with it for everything including incidental grizzly hunting? I like 150 SST Superperfmance ammo because it's still going 2700 fps in a short barrel and it's accurate. I saw one round of that punch to the opposite side of a moose rib cage. The other load I've used is a 200 gr Nosler Partition going about 2415 fps. It has blown through every black bear it encountered including a 6 footers that was probably 300 to 350 pounds.
I'm guessing the recommendation will be to use the lighter and faster rounds and maybe the 200 gr if I follow a bear into the bushes.

Oh and if Rokslide wants to sponsor a grizzly hunt I'll go! I'll either pull the trigger or backup a (resident) hunter with an old fashioned rifle of larger caliber.
 

BigStick

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 10, 2023
Messages
116
You are having a VERY good day,if you can keep a 155 Scenar in a Bear,much larger than cited.

I'm not a 308 Guy,because I've suffered many of them,but that's the only way I'd fly,as a Utility Killing Machine..............
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,382
Location
oregon coast
Round 2 on getting a tikka goingā€¦ had to run my daughter and friend to town so stopped at the gun shopā€¦ have one ordered and background filled out, and the shop owner said heā€™ll have a serial number Monday and submit the background check and rifle should arrive mid weekā€¦ well sonuvabitch, why did I even consider going through sportsmanā€™s the first time? (They had one sitting on the rack I guess)

This shop has always been beyond excellent and really go out of their way, and do everything they can to get you in possession of your gun asap, and Iā€™ll keep my firearms shopping there and there only.

Only problem is itā€™s always crazy in there, but thatā€™s to be expected when you have that service with their prices on top of it. Going to order some UM rings and a vertical grip tonight and just shoot the factory stock until the rokstock is available

Got lots of ammo, taking my 2.5-10nxs off my 308 and putting it on the 223 and have a 3-15x swfa thatā€™s going on the 308. Canā€™t hardly wait for a new toy

Have a couple hundred tmkā€™s and now will grab some more, and will grab 1k primers tomorrow when I go to give them money (didnā€™t bring cash today not planning on them being able to order one today, and didnā€™t really plan on the gun shop until I was in town)
 

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,920
Okay so this is a bit off topic but somewhat related. I'm heavily invested in a 308 rifle (ammo, reloading components etc) and it shots very well. Based on what we know from the 223 what would be the best way to maximize the 308s performance if I decided to run with it for everything including incidental grizzly hunting? I like 150 SST Superperfmance ammo because it's still going 2700 fps in a short barrel and it's accurate. I saw one round of that punch to the opposite side of a moose rib cage. The other load I've used is a 200 gr Nosler Partition going about 2415 fps. It has blown through every black bear it encountered including a 6 footers that was probably 300 to 350 pounds.
I'm guessing the recommendation will be to use the lighter and faster rounds and maybe the 200 gr if I follow a bear into the bushes.

Oh and if Rokslide wants to sponsor a grizzly hunt I'll go! I'll either pull the trigger or backup a (resident) hunter with an old fashioned rifle of larger caliber.

168 a max


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BigStick

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 10, 2023
Messages
116
For starters,the 168 'Max has a BC,which is softer than the 155 Scenar.

The Lapua is more ruggedly reliable and along with same,I'll happily trade 13grs of mass,for more velocity and less recoil,along with improved flight characteistics and Terminal Effects...........
 
Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
688
Location
Western Kentucky
I've searched the thread a few times with several different search terms and couldn't find any info on the following, forgive me if I over looked it.

Anyone have any experience with the Barnes 69gr jhp bt?

I know they're not the recommended 69/77 tmk or 73/75 eld that are very proven. Just curious about that barnes bullet because in the thread there has been mixed results with Barnes tsx
 

DJL2

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
261
Okay so this is a bit off topic but somewhat related. I'm heavily invested in a 308 rifle (ammo, reloading components etc) and it shots very well. Based on what we know from the 223 what would be the best way to maximize the 308s performance if I decided to run with it for everything including incidental grizzly hunting?
The Federal LE TRU ammo is loaded with the TMK in either 168 and 175. Hornady loads ā€œregularā€ and LE ammo with the 168 ELD-M, including a Superformance variant. The 150 SST is also a solid choice, as is the 165 SST. If you hand load, you can look at the 178 ELD-M as well as the 195s if you are so inclined. You can also find Black Hills loaded 155 TMK, though the velocity tends to be mild and the price high. Hornady also loads ZMax and Black with the Amax (old tip ELD).
 

Grumman

WKR
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
1,643
Location
Kentucky
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
Messages
1,757
Location
Oregon
You need access to dealer pricing so you can sell at or below retail. The margin on something as simple as gun legos is going to be less than 5%


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Honestly, im a dealer and my margin on tikkas, or any gun under $1k really, isn't anything to write home about. Typically about $100-150 less than MAP prices. Maybe its cause im a low volume dealer, others have more meat on the bone
 

xsn10s

WKR
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
462
Honestly, im a dealer and my margin on tikkas, or any gun under $1k really, isn't anything to write home about. Typically about $100-150 less than MAP prices. Maybe its cause im a low volume dealer, others have more meat on the bone
Yup I've seen it myself at my shop.
 

Der Schwabe

FNG
Classified Approved
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Messages
33
Location
Libertyville, IL
Nice buck and even nicer looking rifle. What model rifle is it?


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Thank you. Itā€™s actually a Dakota Varminter. Itā€™s based on a Nesika target action, which is a single shot. I had to laugh after it was all over. It registered that I had just smoked a 200 pound deer with a rifle called Varminter. It never would have crossed my mind to use it before I read this thread.
 

brockel

WKR
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
918
Location
Baker,mt
Another data point for the 77 grain TMK. This was from 17ā€ 22-250 started at 3000fps. Buck was 313 yards. Wife hit him in the shoulder slightly quartering towards us. Bullet went through shoulder and exited behind opposite shoulder. Buck stumbled 20 yards and tipped over.
CD71A224-637C-4B38-B0B6-338C358AFD29.jpeg
 
Joined
Dec 22, 2022
Messages
59
I got to try out the 77TMK opening morning up here in the northeast. 181lb dressed 4pt whitetail.

79FC5ABE-D125-441F-AEAB-D07F63747115.jpeg

Howa mini action 16ā€
Hinged bottom metal (6+1 capacity)
77TMK MV @ 2680fps
80yd impact velocity est @ ~2440
Broadside impact in shoulder just behind the scapula and joint. The deer walked 20yds and expired in less than 30seconds. No bloodtrail from the entrance wound, a few specs of blood from caughing. Bloodtrailing would have been difficult as pointed out by others.
42456779-CF54-4BB7-BBF0-D1E1919CF817.jpeg
Through entrance side rib bone
7434A022-25EF-4A40-9150-CC1F25356DF2.jpeg
Cause severe pulmonary hemmorraging and severed the aortic arc. Bullet traveled ~16ā€ and stopped in the offside hide with a smaller (1.5ā€) exit out of the thoracic cavity.
5EB3A5B7-A756-4DDF-B4A0-A635869D7154.jpeg

The performed as other here have suggested. Three fragments including the jacket base, petal, and core were recovered separated but resting together. 42.5 grains (55% weight retention) and maximum diameter of the jacket was 0.675ā€, the lead base expanded to .440ā€.
2C18942C-F753-432B-B716-AC4721A87A9C.jpeg
4AB7FDF2-7506-4850-B585-9AECE7990A7D.jpeg
7780684D-98C2-47E2-A7EA-E3F72B70F735.jpeg
I was very pleased with the terminal performance. I was able to clearly see my impact through the scope and stay on the deer. I had the opportunity to pic my shot through trees and brush which is not very common up her in the ā€œbig woodsā€. We often have to take moving or running quick shots when tracking deer in the snow. I personally believe this combo is up to the task because I can get back on target much faster for follow up shots and the TMK performed as well if not better than other 30cals in similar scenarios I have had.
 

ElPollo

WKR
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Messages
1,610
I got to try out the 77TMK opening morning up here in the northeast. 181lb dressed 4pt whitetail.

View attachment 626390

Howa mini action 16ā€
Hinged bottom metal (6+1 capacity)
77TMK MV @ 2680fps
80yd impact velocity est @ ~2440
Broadside impact in shoulder just behind the scapula and joint. The deer walked 20yds and expired in less than 30seconds. No bloodtrail from the entrance wound, a few specs of blood from caughing. Bloodtrailing would have been difficult as pointed out by others.
View attachment 626377
Through entrance side rib bone
View attachment 626379
Cause severe pulmonary hemmorraging and severed the aortic arc. Bullet traveled ~16ā€ and stopped in the offside hide with a smaller (1.5ā€) exit out of the thoracic cavity.
View attachment 626382

The performed as other here have suggested. Three fragments including the jacket base, petal, and core were recovered separated but resting together. 42.5 grains (55% weight retention) and maximum diameter of the jacket was 0.675ā€, the lead base expanded to .440ā€.
View attachment 626387
View attachment 626388
View attachment 626389
I was very pleased with the terminal performance. I was able to clearly see my impact through the scope and stay on the deer. I had the opportunity to pic my shot through trees and brush which is not very common up her in the ā€œbig woodsā€. We often have to take moving or running quick shots when tracking deer in the snow. I personally believe this combo is up to the task because I can get back on target much faster for follow up shots and the TMK performed as well if not better than other 30cals in similar scenarios I have had.
Nice job. What bottom metal are you using that is getting you 6+1 capacity in a mini and how does it feed?
 
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