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

Matt5266

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Question for Form, or another similarly experienced person (if such a person exists!)…

Will the TTSX expand better than the TSX?

It seems maybe the tip helps the TMK do its job, and I wonder if the same might be said for the tip on the TTSX.

Thanks!
My experience with the TSX and TTSX is limited to 30 caliber in my 300 WSM. I was not impressed with either. They penetrated deeply but very minimal expansion. I shot a 6 point bull at 320 yards with the 168 grain TTSX. It was a frontal shot. It went through the brisket all the way to a rear quarter where it was lodged. It basically penciled through. I recovered the bull but after that I switched to 185 Bergers.
 

Matt5266

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Thanks!

Most all of my Barnes experience is with the 300blk 110 Tax-Tx, which has been great for me. Now I’m looking for similar 5.56 rounds.
I also shoot the 110 Tac tx rounds out of my 300 blackout. They are NOT even close to the performance I've seen from the 168 grain ttsx in my 300 wsm. The 110 tac tx is the best hunting bullet for the 300 blackout I've seen.
 

Axlrod

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I'm digging through my powders, looking to use something on hand for 77 TMKs in a 223.

I have a slew of Varget and a bunch of H4895 and IMR4895, which seem to be in the range, but I see most people here are getting relatively low velocities with these.

Found a couple jugs of WC 846, which is said be like BLC2. I have a pile of LC brass, CCI #41 primers and a brand new box of 77s staring at me...

I searched the forum for BLC2 data but didn't see anything specific. Any comments and/or starting data for this powder with 77s in the .223?

Running them through a Ruger American Ranch 5.56 1:8 with AR mags.

Thank you,
Ed
Here is data for the 4895's and BL-C(2), although "WC 846, which is said be like BLC2" doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy, it's your gun, fingers, etc.
I have had very good results with H4895 in several 223's.

 

WIDrake

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Jul 30, 2024
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I also shoot the 110 Tac tx rounds out of my 300 blackout. They are NOT even close to the performance I've seen from the 168 grain ttsx in my 300 wsm. The 110 tac tx is the best hunting bullet for the 300 blackout I've seen.
I love that round out of the blackout. Damage is amazing on organs but meat damage is almost none. I have a hard time switching from that around here cuz I have yet to shoot a deer past 100 yards
 

Luvda208

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Aug 18, 2024
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The gold dot/fusion loads are probably what you're looking for. The nosler 64gr bonded seems to be another good performer.
I use a lot of 64gr bonded at work and they are a very balanced performance. Typically hold 90%+ weight through barriers, penetrate well and hold together for a .40-50" mushroom. They dont do anything great but do everything else well enough with no significant downside.
 

Luvda208

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The toughness of Nilgai is largely related to the fact that their vitals are further forward under the shoulder like a lot of other old world game species. Americans tend to shoot them in the crease or behind, missing most of the vitals. You hear the exact same thing with oryx needing a 300 WM. But even a 300 WM doesn’t help with bad shot placement. I would be confident that a 223 with TMKs would kill a nilgai handily if you hit them in the right place. Although I also agree with @wind gypsy that the likelihood of a guide letting them use a 223 on a bull nilgai or even a cow is low.
Add in the fact a lot of them are shot from a vehicle at poor angles as it runs away. Definitely contributes to the reputation of being hard to put down. I have seen .270 with 140 Bergers work just fine.
 

Luvda208

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Where are you measuring to see a 2-3 shield? I have culled thousands and more than a couple over 300lb and not seen that. I think the thickest I have ever seen was a solid inch and it stands out in my memory as distinctly larger than normal. It was punched with a .45lc and a hardcast flat point so penetration was not an issue at all.
 

sveltri

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I'm using a Tikka t3x stainless Walnut and a 1 in 8 twist.
From this thread I think the 75 gr eldm it's perfectly acceptable to me.
I'll be modifying the tikka magazine as I am Dutch and therefore cheap :)
But that means I won't be restricted with mag-length
Make sure you have enough freebore to run the 75 eldm, it has a longer book COAL than the rest of the Hornady bullets in that class.
 
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Where are you measuring to see a 2-3 shield? I have culled thousands and more than a couple over 300lb and not seen that. I think the thickest I have ever seen was a solid inch and it stands out in my memory as distinctly larger than normal. It was punched with a .45lc and a hardcast flat point so penetration was not an issue at all.
I’ve seen pigs that had 2” or more of shield+subcutaneous fat+ skin. But that’s a lot different than the shield alone being 2-3”
 
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Make sure you have enough freebore to run the 75 eldm, it has a longer book COAL than the rest of the Hornady bullets in that class.

They are longer because they have longer nose and boat tail but less bearing surface. That means they can actually be seated with the bearing surface in front of the shoulder junction and not be jammed in the lands with less freebore than a 77 TMK or 73 ELDm. Pic of 77 TMK, 73 ELDm, 75 ELDm for reference

582A1013-99D5-4CE8-AEC6-3960C5C56371.jpeg
 

sveltri

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They are longer because they have longer nose and boat tail but less bearing surface. That means they can actually be seated with the bearing surface in front of the shoulder junction and not be jammed in the lands with less freebore than a 77 TMK or 73 ELDm. Pic of 77 TMK, 73 ELDm, 75 ELDm for reference

View attachment 757711
Interesting, thanks for the example.
 
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