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

[Elk botherer]

I was thinking about setting up a new Tikka RSS in .243Win for an all-around deer/varmint catcher for next year, but I already have a .223 Tikka that I am very curious (but hesitant) to give a try on whitetail this season. If it works out well maybe it would save me a few hundred dollars on another rifle. Or maybe not... I can't seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to rifles...”

It’s a hard mental block to accept that such a small cartridge can perform so well. It took me a while to wrap my brain around it and undo all of the fudd lore I’ve been taught my whole life. I can assure you if you put your bullet in the vitals, you’ll have a dead deer as long as your bullet still retains 1,800 fps for proper bullet upset. I posted this picture a few days ago but I’ll post it again. If the 77gr tmk can shatter the bottom of the scapula where it meets the humerus on a mature cow elk at 226 yards and still make it to the vitals, it can take out a whitetail just fine. And if you can’t find the Sierra 77 tmk, we’ve had awesome results with the Hornady 73 gr eld which you can buy factory loaded. Good luck on your hunt!

Edit: fix quote

 

[SamsonMan22]

I was thinking about setting up a new Tikka RSS in .243Win for an all-around deer/varmint catcher for next year, but I already have a .223 Tikka that I am very curious (but hesitant) to give a try on whitetail this season. If it works out well maybe it would save me a few hundred dollars on another rifle. Or maybe not... I can't seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to rifles...

Anyway, I don't think I will have time to load new ammo before rifle opens here this year and all I have loaded right now are 75 ELD-Ms @~2600fps (have to single feed so maybe not the best option because my rifle doesn't always chamber these rounds easily when single feeding), 55 V-MAX @~3000fps, and factory loaded 77SMKs. Would you guys recommend I use any of these loads? Or would I be better off buying a different factory loading for this year (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-eld-match-223-remington-73-grain-centerfire-rifle-ammo) Other recommended factory ammo? I know the 77TMK is highly recommended, but I don't see factory loads with that bullet? What about the 55 and/or 64 soft points or the 73FTX critical defense?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-critical-defense-223-rem-73-grain-ftx-rifle-ammo

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-premium-power-shok-223-remington-64-grain-jacketed-soft-point-centerfire-rifle-ammo

If it is a consideration, my archery buck this year weighed in at 136lbs field dressed and he was a fairly large deer for my area. Also, where I hunt, the max shot distance for my area is 300yds with most shot opportunities occurring from 15 - 200yds.

I do have a 6.5CM Tikka as well that I am confident in, but I (somewhat regrettably) bought that one in the varmint model and scoped it is just shy of 11lbs. Makes it really nice to shoot, but kind of sucks to carry for extended periods. I have thought about having it cut down, but it shoots so well I am very reluctant to mess with it.

Your deer are sized like ours here, the 8 point I posted earlier is a large deer here and he went 135lbs dressed. The 223 is more than enough with the proper bullets, I hunt with 77tmks but would have zero hesitation to use the factory 73eldm loads. I also have a tikka 6.5cm that hasn’t left the safe for hunting in 2 years now. I occasionally shoot it on the range but I’m lucky to put 3-400 rounds a year through it now. My current tikka 223s has one going on just over 5k rounds and my second which is the one in the picture is just shy of 9k rounds through it. I am to the point now where I have no desire to shoot or hunt with anything else especially in my home area.

My best advice is shoot the 223 a lot and hunt with it, I went from 30cal magnums and kept sizing down over the last few years. These little 223s have really changed my shooting for the better, and are just plain deadly.

 

[Heat]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-5-56-nato-77-grain-sierra-tmk-20rd-box-ammunition.html

factory loaded and in stock 77 tmk.

Thanks got some. Price went up some, no?

 

[Spoonbill]

Thanks got some. Price went up some, no?

I think they were .80 cents a couple months ago. Still a good deal all things considered.

 

[wind gypsy]

I was thinking about setting up a new Tikka RSS in .243Win for an all-around deer/varmint catcher for next year, but I already have a .223 Tikka that I am very curious (but hesitant) to give a try on whitetail this season. If it works out well maybe it would save me a few hundred dollars on another rifle. Or maybe not... I can't seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to rifles...

Anyway, I don't think I will have time to load new ammo before rifle opens here this year and all I have loaded right now are 75 ELD-Ms @~2600fps (have to single feed so maybe not the best option because my rifle doesn't always chamber these rounds easily when single feeding), 55 V-MAX @~3000fps, and factory loaded 77SMKs. Would you guys recommend I use any of these loads? Or would I be better off buying a different factory loading for this year (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-eld-match-223-remington-73-grain-centerfire-rifle-ammo) Other recommended factory ammo? I know the 77TMK is highly recommended, but I don't see factory loads with that bullet? What about the 55 and/or 64 soft points or the 73FTX critical defense?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-critical-defense-223-rem-73-grain-ftx-rifle-ammo

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-premium-power-shok-223-remington-64-grain-jacketed-soft-point-centerfire-rifle-ammo

If it is a consideration, my archery buck this year weighed in at 136lbs field dressed and he was a fairly large deer for my area. Also, where I hunt, the max shot distance for my area is 300yds with most shot opportunities occurring from 15 - 200yds.

I do have a 6.5CM Tikka as well that I am confident in, but I (somewhat regrettably) bought that one in the varmint model and scoped it is just shy of 11lbs. Makes it really nice to shoot, but kind of sucks to carry for extended periods. I have thought about having it cut down, but it shoots so well I am very reluctant to mess with it.

Those hornady factory match 73 ELDm shot awesome in my factory tikka lite barrel. That would be my first stop if a guy couldn't get the black hills 77 TMK.

Speer gold dot 75 gr or federal fusion 62 gr are a couple others i'd not hesitate to use on deer.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Thanks got some. Price went up some, no?

they did. Still pretty cheap compared to everything else with that bullet

 

[BLJ]

I was thinking about setting up a new Tikka RSS in .243Win for an all-around deer/varmint catcher for next year, but I already have a .223 Tikka that I am very curious (but hesitant) to give a try on whitetail this season. If it works out well maybe it would save me a few hundred dollars on another rifle. Or maybe not... I can't seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to rifles...

Anyway, I don't think I will have time to load new ammo before rifle opens here this year and all I have loaded right now are 75 ELD-Ms @~2600fps (have to single feed so maybe not the best option because my rifle doesn't always chamber these rounds easily when single feeding), 55 V-MAX @~3000fps, and factory loaded 77SMKs. Would you guys recommend I use any of these loads? Or would I be better off buying a different factory loading for this year (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-eld-match-223-remington-73-grain-centerfire-rifle-ammo) Other recommended factory ammo? I know the 77TMK is highly recommended, but I don't see factory loads with that bullet? What about the 55 and/or 64 soft points or the 73FTX critical defense?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-critical-defense-223-rem-73-grain-ftx-rifle-ammo

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-premium-power-shok-223-remington-64-grain-jacketed-soft-point-centerfire-rifle-ammo

If it is a consideration, my archery buck this year weighed in at 136lbs field dressed and he was a fairly large deer for my area. Also, where I hunt, the max shot distance for my area is 300yds with most shot opportunities occurring from 15 - 200yds.

I do have a 6.5CM Tikka as well that I am confident in, but I (somewhat regrettably) bought that one in the varmint model and scoped it is just shy of 11lbs. Makes it really nice to shoot, but kind of sucks to carry for extended periods. I have thought about having it cut down, but it shoots so well I am very reluctant to mess with it.

Given your parameters, if the 62 grain Fusions will shoot good from your rifle, you could light the grill before you go hunting and eat well when you return.

 

[Billy Goat]

man.. I wish Virginia would change rules for using a 22 caliber. Change it to energy regulation like they have on pistol rounds

Real metric would be bullet construction, not energy.

Cheap bulk 55gr FMJ will have same energy as 55gr HP, but bullets will act differently, let alone a 69 gr hp compared to a 69 tmk or 73 eld-m.

Hard to regulate, but it's no different than someone buying fmj .308, doesn't save ignorance.


Can just say my gun identifies as...

 

[longmire-mt]

This is my first year venturing into the 223 realm. Always shot 7mm and wasn’t unhappy with it but started to develop a bad flinch and wanted to try something different. I built a RSS and shot more this summer than I did in the last 4 years. Felt super confident and love the set up. Now that we’re well into this season I have had mixed feelings.

A few weeks ago I had an opportunity at a bull at 115 yards. He was in some brush and I made the choice to try and bust through the bit of brush in front of him (my mistake, learned my lesson and I won’t do that again) bullet deflected and I grazed him. He did not die and is still running around. Saw him yesterday. I can’t help but wonder if I was still shooting my 7mm if it would have punched through and resulted in a dead bull. Definitely can’t blame the 223, I made a stupid choice to try and get through the brush.

Last night I shot a whitetail at 324 yards and it dropped like a sack of potatoes. I made a follow up shot and it proceeded to get up and run 80 yards into a creek bottom. No pics of that one since I found it late at night.

This morning I shot a whitetail buck at 230 yards and he jumped at the shot and sprinted 75 yards before piling up. It was a great double lung shot and the damage was incredibly. But still, 75 yards?! I’m very accustomed to bang flops with the 7 and having a hard time with the distance these deer are going. I really want to work with the platform, but I absolutely hate tracking animals after the shot. And the lack of blood trail in thick brush is a nightmare.

Are consistent bang flops a possiblity with the TMK in 223? Am I missing the correct shot placement for that?

Pics are of the exit on the 230 yard deer.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Are consistent bang flops a possiblity with the TMK in 223? Am I missing the correct shot placement for that?

From the cult leader himself


This is a bang flop shot.

 

[The Guide]

Are consistent bang flops a possiblity with the TMK in 223? Am I missing the correct shot placement for that?

For any shot to guarantee you a bang flop, you need to disrupt the center nervous system. Either high shoulder shot or neck/shoulder junction are the best spots if you need it to die in its tracks.

Jay

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

@Ryan Avery @PNWGATOR @Formidilosus Headstamps don't matter, bullets do...

Mid season report for my first .224 big game season using my Tikka 22 Creedmoor, shooting 80 Grain ELDX's. 2.5 months into the season and this combo has been ruthless on big game animals. I have necropsy photos in this thread as well as "The 22 Creedmoor Thread" showing 11 big game kills since early September 2024. In an effort to keep the 22 Creedmoor thread more focused on bullets, re-loading, and guns I'll be updating with kill reports here as the season rolls on.

All kills have been with my Tikka 22 Creedmoor Factory Stainless 1:8 19" barrel, shooting factory Hornady Precision Hunter 80 ELDX ammo around 3110-3140. It's in a Rokstok with a Maven RS1.2 scope mounted in @Unknown Munitions Tikka rings. So far for 2024/2025 hunting season these are the results...

1. Bull Moose: Yardage: 523. Impact Velocity: 2,180. Shot Position: Seated Supported. Impact Location: What most would call "high shoulder". Distance Traveled After Shot: 20-30 feet.

2. Black Bear Boar: Yardage: 110-130 (never ranged). Impact Velocity: 2,900ish. Shot Position: Standing Supported. Impact Location: Mid Body Distance Traveled After Shot: 80-90 yards full sprint before collapsing.

3. Mule Deer Buck: Yardage: 636. Impact Velocity: 2,150. Shot Position: Prone Supported. Impact Location: High Brisket. Distance Travelled After Shot: 180-220 yards tumbling/rolling downhill.

4. Coues Deer Buck (Different Shooter): Yardage: 212. Impact Velocity: 2,720. Shot Position: Seated Unsupported. Impact Location: 1st Shot Neck. Ran 40-60 yards and stumbled but stayed up. 2nd shot broke as it started jogging forward again, impacted rear quarter. Deer dropped and died. Distance Travelled After Shot: 40-60 Yards.

5. Whitetail Doe: Yardage: 203. Impact Velocity: 2,740. Shot Position: Seated Unsupported. Impact Location: 4th Rib Bone. Distance Traveled After Shot: 20 Yards.

6. Whitetail Buck: Yardage: 40-50 (Never Ranged). Impact Velocity: 3,050. Shot Position: Standing Unsupported. Impact Location: Between 4th and 5th rib bones. Distance Traveled After Shot: 0 Yards.

7. Whitetail Buck: Yardage: 404. Impact Velocity: 2,390. Shot Position: Prone Supported. Impact Location: Scapula. Distance Traveled After Shot: 20 Yards.

8. Whitetail Doe: Yardage: 20-30 (Never Ranged). Impact Velocity: 3,070. Shot Position: Standing Unsupported. Impact Location: Quartering Away, 5th and 6th ribs. Distance Traveled After Shot: 110-130 Yards.

9. Whitetail Doe: Yardage: 272. Impact Velocity: 2,610. Shot Position: Seated Unsupported. Impact Location: Between 3rd and 4th rib bones. Distance Traveled After Shot: 120-140 yards.

10. Whitetail Doe (Different Shooter): Yardage: 208. Impact Velocity: 2,740. Shot Position: Kneeling Supported. Impact Location: Forward-Facing Neck (head up smelling us). Distance Traveled After Shot: 0 Yards.

11. Whitetail Doe: Yardage: 510. Impact Velocity: 2,225. Shot Position: Seated Supported. Impact Location: 1 Shot, 5th Rib. Deer ran 60-80 yards and stopped. 2nd Shot, Scapula. Dropped. Distance Traveled After Shot: 60-80 Yards.


PM for any requests of detailed necropsy photos. I have lots.


Still to come for November, December, and January are elk hunts in Arizona, Idaho, and Wyoming. Deer in Arizona and Mexico...

 

[rackcity24]

Wife shot her buck at 150 yards with the 223 and 77tmks. Broke both front legs. I'm a believer.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[doc holiday13]

Real metric would be bullet construction, not energy.

Cheap bulk 55gr FMJ will have same energy as 55gr HP, but bullets will act differently, let alone a 69 gr hp compared to a 69 tmk or 73 eld-m.

Hard to regulate, but it's no different than someone buying fmj .308, doesn't save ignorance.


Can just say my gun identifies as...

55fmj to the noggin works great. Pistols are only required togenerate 350ft/#... i should be able to use 223...

 

[ElPollo]

Real metric would be bullet construction, not energy.

Cheap bulk 55gr FMJ will have same energy as 55gr HP, but bullets will act differently, let alone a 69 gr hp compared to a 69 tmk or 73 eld-m.

Hard to regulate, but it's no different than someone buying fmj .308, doesn't save ignorance.


Can just say my gun identifies as...

@doc holiday13

Most of the western states just set the minimum big game requirement as a .22 caliber centerfire cartridge. State fish and wildlife agencies are just better off keeping simple like that.

 

[Billy Goat]

55fmj to the noggin works great. Pistols are only required togenerate 350ft/#... i should be able to use 223...

Those noggin shots are great til you're off 2" and disable their jaw.

Still lethal, just takes a lot longer.


The volume of deer stacked with damage permits and 40-55 gr bullets in .223, there's no real reason to not be able to use them as far as I can tell.

But he'll, just everything I heard today alone has my head hurting. 270 minimum? Don't use match bullets, they are only for paper?

Our big deer are 230# on the hoof, but due to the years of road hunters using .22 cal, their hair/hide has evolved to Kevlar material.....
Genetic selection

 

[Ajsomp]

From the cult leader himself

View attachment 791034
This is a bang flop shot.

Can confirm. Shot a doe there two weeks ago and she dropped on the spot. In fact the only other animal I’ve seen drop that fast was a bull elk last year when he took one to the base of the neck.

Though I’m sure if you shot with any other good bullet it would do the same. but it’s quick and effective.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Can confirm. Shot a doe there two weeks ago and she dropped on the spot. In fact the only other animal I’ve seen drop that fast was a bull elk last year when he took one to the base of the neck.

Though I’m sure if you shot with any other good bullet it would do the same. but it’s quick and effective.

I’ve been taking that shot since I was a kid. That was where my dad taught me to shoot because he hated tracking animals. Can also confirm it works with every other caliber

 

[Ajsomp]

I’ve been taking that shot since I was a kid. That was where my dad taught me to shoot because he hated tracking animals. Can also confirm it works with every other caliber

There’s an older hunter I used to hunt with in Georgia. He said he always shot through the shoulders because even if they were in two wheel drive, they weren’t going far. Seems they were on to something there