.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.

 

[zdc1775]

I only killed one white tail this year. 62gr Dual Performance. It took the front 1/3 of the heart and disappeared it. However, due to the angle (broadside) and the impact (low in the chest, aiming for the heart), there wasn't much deer that it "passed through". I did note the entrance was not noteworthy, nor was the exit. The damage to the heart was impressive, and upon the inside of the ribcage on the exit side, I noted about a 1.5-2" diameter area of dispersion for the fragments of the front of the projectile. The exit was, again, not really note worthy. Entrance and exit of the ribcage proper shows much more trauma from 70gr TSX. However, the damage to the heart was indeed in keeping with a fragmenting round. I will probably standardize on 70gr TSX, after now having used:

MK318 SOST
RA556B
70gr TSX
70gr GMX
62gr Dual Performance

I used the MK318 Mod 0 in Afghanistan out of a Mk18 and can attest that it's performance from near contact distance out to around 250-300 yards is more than adequate for what we were using it for, but I had never thought to try it on any game animals.

And out of curiosity, isn't the Black Hills Dual Performance basically their version of the Mk318 Mod 1? If so, and based on what some of my friends who used the Mod 1 on later deployments have told me, I would think that would be almost the perfect mono metal round for those who either want or are required to not use lead core ammo

 

[BigNate]

Hey guys, what 223 or 5.56 round would you use for deer if you couldn't use 73eldm or 77tmk? Also, what practice rounds are you using or are you just using more of the same ammo to practice and to hunt?

What twist barrel? How far is typical?

I've taken a few WT with 64gr Win PP, and Nosler BSB. All were fairly close, wound was adequate, most exited. I still have a slow twist bolt gun that I commonly use these for.
Gold dots, have a good reputation but seems hard for me to find here. I bought the only two boxes of 62gr I've seen, but that's not enough stock to make a switch. I have a small pile of 75gr Hornady bthp on hand that are viable, just not as good.

Another option is to go lighter 50gr Barnes TTSX. It has a narrow wound channel but exited as well.

If you typically need longer range performance, I'd suggest being patient and ordering in what you want.

 

[Unckebob]

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

16” barrel

Are you adding more powder with the long COL?

 

[Mideerhunter]

1:7 twist and my average shot is between 150 and 200 yards but I am practicing to hopefully extend my range to 300. Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have to look at trying some of those and some of the other recommended rounds.

 

[Unckebob]

I can't find 77tmk in my area and I am just looking for more options. I'd like to be able to find a few more factory loads to see what my rifle likes the most. I was thinking of looking at the 70grn tsx. I'll probably just stick with the 73eldm.

Cabela's online has the 77g TMK on sale for $0.40 per round. They have free shipping if the Order is greater than $50.

MidwayUSA is a little cheaper, but I don't know of a free shipping promo.

For practice, I usually look for factory seconds at MidwayUSA for something that matches my needs.

 

[Thegman]

88 ELD-M, 2,560 mv, ~2,200ish impact velocity. Mostly broadside shot ~220 yards.

I'm no judge of hogs, but the local guys I was with thought 200+# (barnyard fat sow).

Poor info but was cutting a couple up at night and needed to finish the job..

Summary: small entrance, no exit. Broke spine but not sure where bullet stopped inside (no necropsy). I'll have to do better next time.


Approximate entrance



Entrance with hide removed

 

[Unckebob]

88 ELD-M, 2,560 mv, ~2,200ish impact velocity. Mostly broadside shot ~220 yards.

I'm no judge of hogs, but the local guys I was with thought 200+# (barnyard fat sow).

Poor info but was cutting a couple up at night and needed to finish the job..

Summary: small entrance, no exit. Broke spine but not sure where bullet stopped inside (no necropsy). I'll have to do better next time.
View attachment 810549

Approximate entrance
View attachment 810572


Entrance with hide removed
View attachment 810555

Can you share your setup?

 

[Thegman]

Can you share your setup?

Yes, this is the culprit...the Little Big Gun

Post in thread 'Ultralight Ultralight Rifles' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/ultralight-ultralight-rifles.329402/post-3752334

Shaw 1 in 7 223 Wylde barrel.

 

[Brontosaurus]

@PNWGATOR as the OP for this thread did you take anything with the 77 TMK this year? Any autopsy pics?