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

[BigNate]

I know this has been rehashed over and over, and this question has been answered 200 times probably already. I'm outta screen time and trying to decide.

I've got an ID elk and deer tag. Looks like no caliber minimums.

I've spent a thousand bucks in the last month trying different loads in my 300 WM and 7RM. I'm accurate enough to about 400 yards right now. But if 4-500 yards ends up my max, what do I gain over the 223/5.56?

My 5.56 bolt gun is very accurate with both 73 eldm's and 77 TMK's. Both with factory ammo. I do reload, but don't enjoy it. I have plenty of componets to load the 77 TMK, and assume I could beat factory offering velocities I've seen.

I ran the ELD M and TMK through Bergers Calculator.

I'm really struggling with this right now, and want to dedicate my range time to one rifle. My free time is very limited, and I feel like I'm going in circles.

I can afford a new rifle/barrel if I should change caliber.View attachment 824587View attachment 824588

For me, living and hunting in North Idaho, the only advantage to bigger calibers is getting an exit wound that leaks. The terrain is usually steep, and vegetation is thick. It's not easy to follow your elks tracks when they cross others and there's no blood to follow.

That being said, many have had near instant incapacitation with the 77gr TMK so tracking wasn't an issue.

 

[Castle Rock]

Go with the 223 for this year, but sell at least one of the others and get a 243 or 6 Creedmoor fo next
The difference in n the wind is big

 

[Pharmseller]

Was….

Good. From your getup it looked like they might have been a terrorist beaver cell.




P

 

[Poe]

Big Brown Beaver.

Depredation permit.

Hornady 52gr BTHP.

44.5lbs.

View attachment 824148

How do you like the 52 gr hornady’s. I have them a try last year in my 22-250 on coyotes. They shot really good but if I didn’t hit bone coyotes definitely ran farther than normal. They seemed a little harder with more of a delayed expansion

 

[sierracharlie338]

How do you like the 52 gr hornady’s. I have them a try last year in my 22-250 on coyotes. They shot really good but if I didn’t hit bone coyotes definitely ran farther than normal. They seemed a little harder with more of a delayed expansion

The 53g Vmax should solve those problems if you are looking for a lighter varmint bullet.

 

[Nine Banger]

How do you like the 52 gr hornady’s. I have them a try last year in my 22-250 on coyotes. They shot really good but if I didn’t hit bone coyotes definitely ran farther than normal. They seemed a little harder with more of a delayed expansion

I had one rando box of 100 bullets come in with a bunch of .224 bullets I bought on another forum. I loaded them up a little long and had some trouble feeding so I was happy to run out of them last night. The wounds I observed on small game (opossum, raccoon, armadillo, beaver) this Summer and Fall on night hikes were devastating.

The 53g Vmax should solve those problems if you are looking for a lighter varmint bullet.

I switched to 55gr factory loaded VMAX last night...I see lots of folks that reload prefer the 53gr though and always wonder why when I see it mentioned.



This was a 55gr Vmax shot last night...frontal...DRT after some flopping. Had 5-6 cups of blood pour out through the entry when I moved the carcass. No exit. Great performance.

 

[Castle Rock]

The 53 has considerably higher BC