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

[BjornF16]

You may have missed the part where BTHP are NOT recommended on game. They can perform well, or they can do just what you experienced. Stay with ELD-M or TMK and you’ll be golden.

Mmmm…not so sure about this if we are talking about Hornady 75 HPBT; Form indicates they are a good option.

But I do like the ELD-M and TMK

Both. The 73gr ELD-M is good. Wide wound channels with sufficient penetration for deer/lopes. The 75gr HPBT is a penetrator. Kills well while going through bone. I prefer results when impact velocity is above 2,200fps with the HPBT.

 

[Schmo]

Mmmm…not so sure about this if we are talking about Hornady 75 HPBT; Form indicates they are a good option.

Guess I’m wrong. I just stay away from them unless it’s a highly proven bullet.

 

[Formidilosus]

Mmmm…not so sure about this if we are talking about Hornady 75 HPBT; Form indicates they are a good option.

But I do like the ELD-M and TMK

All/nearly all HPBT are variable in their performance. The common version of the 75gr Hornady HPBT was more consistent early on, later versions have shown more instances of poor performance. Compounding that, there are multiple variants of Hornady 75gr HPBT and they can and do behave differently in tissue.

They kill well generally. However, they can at times behave oddly as the gentlemen above experienced, and there are much better choices available.

 

[FredH]

All/nearly all HPBT are variable in their performance. The common version of the 75gr Hornady HPBT was more consistent early on, later versions have shown more instances of poor performance. Compounding that, there are multiple variants of Hornady 75gr HPBT and they can and do behave differently in tissue.

They kill well generally. However, they can at times behave oddly as the gentlemen above experienced, and there are much better choices available.

That was the second deer I used the Hornady BTHP 75 on. The first deer was hit just behind the shoulder, the bullet traveled upwards a bit, tumbled, threw the jacket from below the cannelure through the far shoulder blade where it was sticking out and the rest of the bullet went through the hide sideways leaving a bullet shaped exit hole. That deer ran 30 yards and expired. Not much internal damage other than a 1 inch square hole in the far lung. Hopefully the better choice will be the 80 grain ELDM. 1-7 twist for that deer and 1-9 twist for the one that took three bullets.

 

[FredH]

Mmmm…not so sure about this if we are talking about Hornady 75 HPBT; Form indicates they are a good option.

But I do like the ELD-M and TMK

Started at 2920 using Levrevrolution out of a 22 inch barrel and impact around 150 yards. Well over 2200 fps impact.

 

[Catabre]

How does the 6.5 K sound? I have a 6.5 S on my RSS, but Andrew posted this last night...

View attachment 798767

I wonder how it'll compare sound and weight wise to the OCM5 or the OCM5 Gen 2 which is coming later this year.

Have you seen anyone put an OCM5 on a Tikka T3X Lite barrel?

 

[Bluumoon]

Wanted to update feedback on Mamaba mags, 3-400 rounds between two mags. First round of 10 is a little tight and takes a little more effort to pick up. No feed issues thus far.

 

[Rams horns]

I've no problem using .223 for deer, done it before and seen it done before. You've got to be willing to pass on iffy shots. Known a few natives who used it for caribou.

I wouldn't use it for elk or moose, just because that's a decent outlay of time and money and I would prefer the extra oomph of a larger caliber, but I wouldn't condemn anyone that did. I've known a couple ranchers that use it for depredation permits on elk coming in to feed piles and such.

 

[waterengineer]

How does the 6.5 K sound? I have a 6.5 S on my RSS, but Andrew posted this last night...

View attachment 798767

I’ll be getting one when they are released. I’ve been on the fence between a polonium (shorter) and wolf hunter (lighter). A lightweight polonium makes the decision easy.

 

[ihookem]

How is the Speer 70 gr. bullet ? Anyone use it? Seems like it would be real stout . BC is not there but I don't care, cause my shots are 30 yds.

 

[Castle Rock]

It is really good up close

 

[Shraggs]

I've no problem using .223 for deer, done it before and seen it done before. You've got to be willing to pass on iffy shots. Known a few natives who used it for caribou.

I wouldn't use it for elk or moose, just because that's a decent outlay of time and money and I would prefer the extra oomph of a larger caliber, but I wouldn't condemn anyone that did. I've known a couple ranchers that use it for depredation permits on elk coming in to feed piles and such.

Clearly you haven’t read this thread…

 

[Schmo]

I've no problem using .223 for deer, done it before and seen it done before. You've got to be willing to pass on iffy shots. Known a few natives who used it for caribou.

I wouldn't use it for elk or moose, just because that's a decent outlay of time and money and I would prefer the extra oomph of a larger caliber, but I wouldn't condemn anyone that did. I've known a couple ranchers that use it for depredation permits on elk coming in to feed piles and such.

With good bullets, there’s not a shot you can’t take with a 223 that you would take with a 308.

 

[hunterjmj]

The authority on big game hunting has spoken and he's not happy with the small caliber trend. So, listen up to JVB and put those .223's and 6mm's back in the safe. His latest podcast says so.

 

[The Guide]

The authority on big game hunting has spoken and he's not happy with the small caliber trend. So, listen up to JVB and put those .223's and 6mm's back in the safe. His latest podcast says so.

I'm going to sell a couple 300WM so I can afford another Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC and another one in 223 and couple more Trijicon scopes. My big guns are going to be 6.5 PRC barreled.

Jay

 

[hunterjmj]

I'm going to sell a couple 300WM so I can afford another Howa Mini Action 6mm ARC and another one in 223 and couple more Trijicon scopes. My big guns are going to be 6.5 PRC barreled.

Jay

You're really going to piss off jvb. He's going to send his brother up to wound and steal your deer.

 

[Thegman]

The authority on big game hunting has spoken and he's not happy with the small caliber trend. So, listen up to JVB and put those .223's and 6mm's back in the safe. His latest podcast says so.

That was a little tiresome. Didn't listen to the whole thing, but everything I heard was "Some people say small calibers can work well on big game, but I say you shouldn't use them for that"

Okay, thanks, duly noted.

To add: I skimmed through the rest. He was apparently, unknowingly, talking about my experience during the last 3:30. Talk about stepping in it.

His final offer was "I can get more people to tell you this is a bad idea if you want". How about, "I can get people that have very successfully done what I'm saying is a bad idea, if you want"?

 

[Schmo]

I’ve now been informed that, despite field experience, my 223 doesn’t work well and shouldn’t be used.

 

[Tahr]

62 grn Maker TRex’s first outing. Ranges 100 - 250 yds. 3100 fps. 4deer.

Entry at 200


Lungs


Blood


Exit at 250

 

[ElPollo]

I've no problem using .223 for deer, done it before and seen it done before. You've got to be willing to pass on iffy shots. Known a few natives who used it for caribou.

I wouldn't use it for elk or moose, just because that's a decent outlay of time and money and I would prefer the extra oomph of a larger caliber, but I wouldn't condemn anyone that did. I've known a couple ranchers that use it for depredation permits on elk coming in to feed piles and such.

Given the sheer amount of carnage in this thread, I cannot see how anyone could go through this and not be confident they could kill anything in North America with a 223 and the right bullet inside of 400-500 yards.