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

[Deere_Man]

If I was look for alternatives, I would start at the Winchester Super X Power Point 64gr.

 

[SamsonMan22]

sorry double post

 

[sierracharlie338]

. . . with the 62 gr fusion and then tried the 77 tmk this year. Wound channel was good with the fusion but not as destructive as the tmk.

This is my experience too. I used to hunt exclusively with 62gr fusions in a 556 and would channels are smaller than the TMKs. Still kill and most were exits that I recall.

 

[FCCDerek]

First experience with 77 TMK on game. Very close impact, roughly 2725 impact. Top of the back about an inch to the right of the spine into fourth rib. Good size impact. Immediate lights out, didn’t even kick. Vitals were shredded. Entire front of the body cavity and Backstraps very bloodshot. Massive internal hemorrhaging. Larger Northern Wisconsin whitetail doe. Rifle was 16” factory seekins NX-15. Happy thanks giving! God bless

2725 from a 16" barrel? How are you managing that?

 

[KyleR1985]

2725 from a 16" barrel? How are you managing that?

I’ve gotten 2700+ at 2.35” COAL, and cleared 2800 at 2.45” COAL. Lever powder.

16” barrel

 

[Slickhill]

For the twist challenged or the non reloader that lives in an ammo desert I’ve always had really good luck with the plain old 55gr Hornady. They won’t give the large wound channels of the heavier tipped match bullets but they are very consistent in producing 1.5” straight line wound channels and will penetrate around 12”. I have killed several hundred head of game with them.

Another good option if you run across some is the Hornady pistol ammo with the 75gr SP. I bought a pile of the bullets on a midway overrun deal and have found them to be a good performer at 200 yards and in on the couple dozen critters I’ve shot with them. They behave more like a traditional “hunting” bullet, but will give good penetration with a 1.5” or so wound channel.