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

Sundodger

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
199
Location
Washington
This might be an unpopular opinion, but looking though many of the photos in this thread and it seems to me that a 223 with a 77 TMK is a bit more "gun" than I would like for big game hunting. Not that I don't like my critters DRT, but the meat damage is far more than most of my kills with more conventional calibers and tougher bullets.

Is there a 223 bullet that's a little more "goldilocks"? I don't want to drift to far away to the wrong end of the spectrum, but maybe something that still kills pretty well but with less bloodshot meat?
 

ElPollo

WKR
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Messages
1,610
Gotta get to 10 posts to buy that thing homie. Quick before they miss out on the deal of a lifetime.
If it’s all about numbers of posts for being classified-approved, why not post something that provides a better impression? There are lots of people who’s post on Rokslide whose posts definitely ensure that I would never buy anything from them.
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Messages
453
Location
AR
This might be an unpopular opinion, but looking though many of the photos in this thread and it seems to me that a 223 with a 77 TMK is a bit more "gun" than I would like for big game hunting. Not that I don't like my critters DRT, but the meat damage is far more than most of my kills with more conventional calibers and tougher bullets.

Is there a 223 bullet that's a little more "goldilocks"? I don't want to drift to far away to the wrong end of the spectrum, but maybe something that still kills pretty well but with less bloodshot meat?
The gold dot/fusion loads are probably what you're looking for. The nosler 64gr bonded seems to be another good performer.
 

Formidilosus

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
10,054
This might be an unpopular opinion, but looking though many of the photos in this thread and it seems to me that a 223 with a 77 TMK is a bit more "gun" than I would like for big game hunting. Not that I don't like my critters DRT, but the meat damage is far more than most of my kills with more conventional calibers and tougher bullets.

Not unpopular at all. The 77gr TMK is a bit much on meat.





Is there a 223 bullet that's a little more "goldilocks"? I don't want to drift to far away to the wrong end of the spectrum, but maybe something that still kills pretty well but with less bloodshot meat?


Federal 62gr Fusion or the identically constructed Speer Gold Dot 62 and 75gr.
 

The Guide

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2023
Messages
897
Location
Montana
My kids just got called and activated for a damage hunt on whitetail does for next weekend. I'm going to see how the AAC 75 grain Sabre Blade Black Tips shoot in the RAR and maybe get some data points for performance on game. That rifle is very accurate with the 73 ELDM ammo so we might be able to get some additional data points with that bullet too.

Jay
 

Bugger

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 24, 2024
Messages
146
My kids just got called and activated for a damage hunt on whitetail does for next weekend. I'm going to see how the AAC 75 grain Sabre Blade Black Tips shoot in the RAR and maybe get some data points for performance on game. That rifle is very accurate with the 73 ELDM ammo so we might be able to get some additional data points with that bullet too.

Jay
Looking forward to the Sabre results.
 

Reddish

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 1, 2023
Messages
266
This might be an unpopular opinion, but looking though many of the photos in this thread and it seems to me that a 223 with a 77 TMK is a bit more "gun" than I would like for big game hunting. Not that I don't like my critters DRT, but the meat damage is far more than most of my kills with more conventional calibers and tougher bullets.

Is there a 223 bullet that's a little more "goldilocks"? I don't want to drift to far away to the wrong end of the spectrum, but maybe something that still kills pretty well but with less bloodshot meat?
I use Fusion 62gr when I hunt in the timber for this reason. Also have handloaded Gold Dots with the same performance.
 
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