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

[primarchtimmy]

.........



I'm seeing a pattern

Oh and what's that? Where I'm at, I don't have the lexury to shoot under 200

 

[KyleR1985]

Yeah I agree that the grid search was a failure. But I only know that in hindsight. In the moment I was thinking "maybe I did hit farther back than I thought and it was really a liver hit so since i didn't quickly find it I need to get out of here before I make it too hard for my dog."

Yup.

Mostly saying something to help anyone who may think they're helping by tromping all over. If not done exactly right, it indeed does more harm than good.

It's nice to learn and have venison at the end of the lesson!

 

[Veloci_Wrench]

I can finally add to the data pool.

I built this Howa Mini spring 2023 because of this thread. 18" barrel, Stockys VG Mini stock. Shooting AAC 77 TMK load. I get 2693 fps average velocity, measured with Garmin chrono. Last year was a bust hunting in VT, but now I'm back South in my home state.

This guy came out at 300 yards, and was quartering towards me. I hit him just behind the shoulder, whereas I should have put it just before the shoulder. Impact velocity was about 2135 fps according to Hornady calc. He crossed the back of the knoll out of sight, ultimately going 40-50 yards and then folded up in some thick brush. He was easy enough to find. I found him alive, and he would have died within 10 minutes, but I put another bullet in his neck to kill him quick.

The first bullet blew out the back of his lungs, and front of liver. Liver looked like a grenade went off inside him. My buddy took the necropsy photos while I dressed him. Also, my buddy was a doubter this whole time, as he hunts with a larger caliber. He couldn't believe his eyes, and said the damage in my deer looked more severe than the deer he just killed day before with a 6.5mm Berger projectile.

So after 18 months, I've finally made a kill with this rig. Easily the most satisfying gun to hunt with.

 

[brockel]

77 TMK at 417 yards started life at 3150fps. Finger is in entrance next picture is exit with bullet up against the hide. Daughters first deer

 

[Tell]

That’s a heck of a first deer! Congratulations to you both

 

[bcmntgoathunter.]

Congrats very nice first deer , was that a 223 ai?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Oh and what's that? Where I'm at, I don't have the lexury to shoot under 200

You are lobbing rounds beyond what your skills are. When was the last time you hit an animal where you wanted to, on the first shot? "Sighters" dont count... How many times have you emptied that mag? How many animals have you not found?

I bet there are guys with bows in your area that would argue about not being able to get inside of 200yrds.

Either way. You either need to learn how to shoot. Or learn how to hunt.

 

[hunterjmj]

77 TMK at 417 yards started life at 3150fps. Finger is in entrance next picture is exit with bullet up against the hide. Daughters first deer
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That is one heck of a first buck! Congrats to both of you! Now, you have to find her a bigger one next year.

 

[brockel]

Congrats very nice first deer , was that a 223 ai?

No it’s an 18” 22 creed. Figured I’d post it since this is basically a 77 TMK thing now

 

[bcmntgoathunter.]

No it’s an 18” 22 creed. Figured I’d post it since this is basically a 77 TMK thing now

Right on was just curious I'm about a week away from getting my 22" 223 ai and I still got about 1.5 to months wait on my 24" 22 creed.