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

Taudisio

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Jan 20, 2023
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IMG_3826.jpegWe just got done cutting up the meat from this gal. My first bear with a 5.56, I switched to an “unconventional” method to hunt bears and chose one of my gassers for the job. The amount of bear hunters I’ve run into has been enough to make me change things up. Black hills 77gr tmk’s did the work at the longer than expected shot distance, 40 yards.
 

Matt5266

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Sep 19, 2021
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SW Idaho
Not to de-rail the thread but I've tried searching on here for some good load data info on the 77 tmk and cant find any. This is the first time I'll be hand loading them in my newish Tikka. If someone could possibly message me a link or send me what has worked for you I'd appreciate it. Mine is chopped at 18 inches. About what distance is that dropping off to 1800 fps? PM is fine. As I said I dont want to derail this thread but I don't want to start a new post either just because my search game is weak. Thanks
 

sveltri

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Jun 22, 2016
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Not to de-rail the thread but I've tried searching on here for some good load data info on the 77 tmk and cant find any. This is the first time I'll be hand loading them in my newish Tikka. If someone could possibly message me a link or send me what has worked for you I'd appreciate it. Mine is chopped at 18 inches. About what distance is that dropping off to 1800 fps? PM is fine. As I said I dont want to derail this thread but I don't want to start a new post either just because my search game is weak. Thanks
What powders do you have to choose from?
 

Matt5266

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What powders do you have to choose from?
For rifle loads H335, varget, imr 4350, h4350 and blc2. Im not opposed to buying a new powder. I've heard tac and xbr but the xbr is impossible to find in my area and when you do it's about $65 a pound.
 

sveltri

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jonandy

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Nov 6, 2022
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9e7eb2a605169fa5db48d958297a1740.jpg



In addition to my pile of 77 TMK slingers I picked up a 6 ARC too. 108 ELDMs show expansion velocities out to 550 as well. 20” upper. Excited to tinker with it too. The kiddos have taken about all of my 5.56 uppers haha.


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Just curious, what bullet weight are you putting in the calculator? Yours is showing way more energy than I’m getting?
 
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
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The hells canyon mag in factory pattern bottm metal work very well for loaded longer 300 wsm and 6.5 prc stuff. The hells canyon feed like butter.

I am going to have to pick up some waters mags everyone seems to like them.
Yes, the ones i have work well for my 7 SAUM IF i'm using 175/180 class bullets loaded long. With 145 CEB lazers they dont feed worth a shit.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
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For rifle loads H335, varget, imr 4350, h4350 and blc2. Im not opposed to buying a new powder. I've heard tac and xbr but the xbr is impossible to find in my area and when you do it's about $65 a pound.
get some leverevolution. i don't like BLC2 much, and tac pressures up quickly on hot days
 

Lawnboi

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Mar 2, 2012
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Anyone shooting n135 or n140? Seems cheapish.

I got a lot of n140 for a 6br build coming down the pipe. 290 for an 8lber could be good. Supposed to be fairly cool burning powder as well.
 

FZMT

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Aug 2, 2018
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MT
Anyone shooting n135 or n140? Seems cheapish.

I got a lot of n140 for a 6br build coming down the pipe. 290 for an 8lber could be good. Supposed to be fairly cool burning powder as well.
N140 is very accurate, definitely a good powder especially given the Hodgdon/Alliant price increases. I’ve been meaning to see how it meters out of a Dillon powder measure, I haven’t used it as much as I would if it had a better reputation for metering well.
 

fwafwow

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Apr 8, 2018
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BattleHawk Armory has the Black Hills 5.56 in 77gr TMK, but it's a bit on the steep side at $1.60 per before taxes and shipping, and they are either down to 7 boxes of 50, or you are limited to buying that many.
 

wyosam

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Aug 5, 2019
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Since i'm a degenerate & cant leave good enough alone lol. Has anyone tried a 1-7 .223 shooting the 88 ELD's? Thats what i use in my creed, it would be nice to only buy 1 bullet for both rifles. thinking maybe a 223 AI

I’d have to dig through old notes, but in my 26” 223ai, I believe I was around 2800 with the 88.


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jonandy

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Nov 6, 2022
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39
This is Horandy’s listing for the 22 ARC in a bolt gun. Pretty awesome with the 88’s. I recently grabbed a 22ARC in the new Ruger Gen 2. Once I have it put together I’ll update what I get with the 88’s. I’m excited to give it a go. It is definitely set up to shoot the longer bullets. I debated on doing the 223ai it looks sweet as well.
IMG_5865.jpeg
 
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