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

[Lawnboi]

Hey all, I’m VERY late to the party here but between this thread and the match bullet thread I’ve learned a ton. I’m an “adult onset” hunter and have hunted the last three years with a 7mm Rem Mag because that’s what all my buddies told me I needed and I didn’t know any better.

One question I’ve got (I’ve made it through about 60pgs so sorry if the answer is in here already) is this… the TMK is touted as being great because it expands immediately, and one of the downside of the Berger is that it has a slightly longer neck length before expanding. I would think the slightly longer neck length would be a positive, since it would minimize meat damage through a shoulder but still cause sufficient damage to the vitals. What am I missing? Thanks in advance!

Particularly on deer, the neck length means you may not be causing damage for the first half of the wound channel. For that reason I choose to not use bergers regardless of caliber for smaller sized game. Have seen much faster kills with tmk/eld style bullets. Keep it off the shoulder and meat damage will be minimized.

 

[HighUintas]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

 

[sierracharlie338]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

Pretty much going rate around my area. If you can find it I would buy it personally but I really like that powder.

 

[Matt5266]

That seems like alot. Not sure I would pay it. I got lucky and posted a WTB add in my area on a different site and got 4 pounds for $40 each.

 

[sierracharlie338]

That seems like alot. Not sure I would pay it. I got lucky and posted a WTB add in my area on a different site and got 4 pounds for $40 each.

You’re lucky. Every store around my area is 57-60 a pound for most powder but haven’t had xbr in prob a year.

 

[Matt5266]

You’re lucky. Every store around my area is 57-60 a pound for most powder but haven’t had xbr in prob a year.

Dang, ya powder in the store is pretty spendy here too. I did just get lucky and found some private party that just didnt use it anymore

 

[Poe]

Particularly on deer, the neck length means you may not be causing damage for the first half of the wound channel. For that reason I choose to not use bergers regardless of caliber for smaller sized game. Have seen much faster kills with tmk/eld style bullets. Keep it off the shoulder and meat damage will be minimized.

I’m not saying that you are wrong but I had really good results with the 87 and 95gr Berger’s out of a .243 on white tails but I also didn’t have a very large sample. The 87’s also knocked down coyotes pretty good to

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m not saying that you are wrong but I had really good results with the 87 and 95gr Berger’s out of a .243 on white tails but I also didn’t have a very large sample. The 87’s also knocked down coyotes pretty good to

I’m guessing they were moving pretty good? Fast velocity seems to be a factor that brings them more in line. Most Berger kills I have and have seen are with the 6.5mm variety.

 

[FB Trout]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

I think so, I’ve paid $59.00/lb directly from Hodgdon and once you pay hazmat, you are more than the asking price you noted. It’s a wonderful powder. I’d buy it whenever you see it reasonably.

 

[HighUintas]

Well, I've got a line on a jug of 8208. But this isn't my main hunting gun and have other items that take higher priority for this year. So.... Dang.

I haven't found many reports of accurate 2520 here, just a few. Both that and Lever seem like good options for speed. Are they accurate?

Perhaps since I'm using a 16" barrel I should use a faster powder like benchmark that might not give as much up as a slower powder in a short barrel, like varget or 2520. But, has that myth been busted for a 16" 223?

The plan was to just go with benchmark, lever, staball match, or 2520 since I can find them locally and affordably for 1lb. But then I went and found a couple 1lbers and a jug of 8208! I really want that unicorn dust but don't know if I can justify it

Anyway, black arc 77otm reman seems to shoot ok in my factory 223. This is 20shots. I think I had 120ish rounds down the barrel before these. Didn't get velocity. Had 1 cull out of a box of 50. The neck mouth was folded over and it chambered very hard and cause a bit of shaving on the bullet on the opposite side. I didn't fire it. Single shot wolf brass from a range is what the owner said. It's not bad for 0.063/round. It was gusty left to right. I didn't hold for wind and I'm pretty sure the 2 shots to the right were during a gust.

 

[HighUintas]

And this is 10-15rds of Scheels target max 5.56 55gr. Not bad for a short range practice round at 0.55/Rd