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

[Juan_ID]

View attachment 805612



What was your shot distance?

500 yards

 

[sierracharlie338]

500 yards

Hammered him

 

[Pescetism]

62 gr Hornady BTHP ~ 60 yards ~ 2,600 impact velocity. Doe ran about 70 yards leaving a blind mans blood trail. Dime sized entrance and half dollar exit. Family members have several other WT kills with this load but I haven't been around for pictures/autopsies. Shots have been between 125-175 yards with shot placement similar to the pictures - minimal/no blood trail - run 20 - 90 yards - jacket and core usually separate with the jacket caught in the ribs or rib muscle and the core between the ribs and hide.

 

[Big_wals]

Does anyone have pictures of how this round performs on game?
View attachment 805517

Here’s a hogs lungs

Exit wound on another hog.

That’s all the pics I have, but I’ve shot probably close to 80 pigs with that round this year. Very rarely get an exit. I would prefer something with slightly more penetration, but it works good for the price. Was hoping to have a buddys kid shoot a deer with them, but it didn’t work out.

 

[FB Trout]

.223 80 ELDX 260 yards, impact velocity ~2375. 2 hits, first one quartered slightly towards and hit on left front shoulder and bullet found on off hide, hit back of lungs and exploded diaphragm. Blood in chest and stomach contents coming out of chest wound. I waited for the cow to slow once the herd spread out and it was in back, hit again, steep quartering away shot, broke right humerus, but bullet slipped between chest wall and front shoulder, more quartered away than I would have guessed. At that shot, it went down, head up still so I clocked it in the head.

 

[mtnbound]

22 GT 80 eldm impact velocity ~2175. I wish I’d have snagged some pics of the insides but having never been around a dead wild dog before them suckers stink. I’ll be better prepared next time I kill one. Entrance was pencil-ish diameter exit was about 3” wide and 1” tall. Didn’t take a step.
This is the exit side.
View attachment 805581

Outstanding, good job.

 

[BLJ]

Thanks for doing the comparison. I’ve had great success with the TMK, but will have to try the eld-m if there is a chance for better blood trails.

No problem.
Just bear in mind, that’s a sample of two each. And I had exits with both bullets.
Honestly I’m very satisfied with both for a small sample size, but I do prefer the blood trails from the ELDM.

 

[rclouse79]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

 

[wind gypsy]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

Hard to answer definitively but yes, a suppressor does make a 223 significantly more enjoyable to shoot. My daughters will be introduced to centerfire rifles with suppressed 223s but that's easy to say because I've already got one.

You also don't need a $1000 ti can. An AB a-10 warhog for $450 will significantly improve the shooting experience.

 

[sierracharlie338]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

Yes it is. It can alleviate the hassle of ear protection when there may not be time for it depending on what model you’re using (how well the suppressor suppresses). Plus your kid will just enjoy shooting it that much more.

 

[Juan_ID]

Outstanding, good job.

Thank you, it was quite the trip. We ended up with 3 dogs.

 

[SBR Sarge]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

Another vote in favor of the can. Yes, the 223 is mild in recoil. A can will make it more so, and cut down a whole lot of the muzzle blast and noise.

Is it ‘hearing safe’? No, hearing damage is cumulative and it all adds up. But for the hunting shots where you might not have ear plugs/muffs it makes a world of difference.

 

[mtnbound]

Thank you, it was quite the trip. We ended up with 3 dogs.

That’s even better. In Idaho?

 

[Elk botherer]

Thank you, it was quite the trip. We ended up with 3 dogs.

One is crazy hard to get, three is flat out awesome. Good work, congrats, and a huge thank you! Call them in?

Edit: you just need to make a separate post with a write up of your hunt!

 

[swavescatter]

Hard to answer definitively but yes, a suppressor does make a 223 significantly more enjoyable to shoot. My daughters will be introduced to centerfire rifles with suppressed 223s but that's easy to say because I've already got one.

You also don't need a $1000 ti can. An AB a-10 warhog for $450 will significantly improve the shooting experience.

I’m in love with my cheap OCL polonium 556. Really quiet with my 223 and will work fine on a 22creed and any 6mm. Can’t wait for the hydrogen model.

 

[h2so4]

WMy original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

Please get the suppressor. My young boy really likes shooting my .223, but only suppressed. It’s so much better from a communication and safety standpoint. The wait for a suppressor is only a few days now, there is zero reason not to get one.

 

[ElPollo]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

A suppressed 223 is the most fun centerfire combo you will ever shoot. My daughter loves it and it’s the gun I shoot the most. It’s also really nice to be able to hunt without ear pro. Shot a doe last week with no plugs and no ringing. Trying to preserve the hearing that I have left.

 

[fwafwow]

A suppressed 223 is the most fun centerfire combo you will ever shoot. My daughter loves it and it’s the gun I shoot the most. It’s also really nice to be able to hunt without ear pro. Shot a doe last week with no plugs and no ringing. Trying to preserve the hearing that I have left.

I’m with you on ear pro. I double up with one exception - my 223 with the Magnus when hunting. I *think* it’s hearing safe. But it’s unwieldy length wise, even with the 16.5” barrel

 

[mtnbound]

My original plan was a suppressed rifle for my daughter to get into hunting. After reading this thread I have decided to go with a 223. For the hassle and cost of a suppressor, I am now questioning if the juice would be worth the squeeze for such a light recoiling round.

A suppressor is always a good idea and like others you don’t have to go with a super light one, there are good low cost options. If you are a veteran or first responder some companies offer discounts on suppressors.

 

[Lawnboi]

Thank you, it was quite the trip. We ended up with 3 dogs.

Little peppermint oil goes a long way with the stinky ones.