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

[Formidilosus]

The ADI 69gr SMK is averaging between 1.5 and 1.7 MOA for multiple 10 round groups. The ADI 55gr Blitzkings are doing solidly under 1.5 MOA. Both are consistent in every tikka we have shot them in.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Prefer to stick with a 77gr projectile, the Norma zeroed the same (within a tenth mil) as the BH 77 TMK's.

 

[rabbithuntr]

Re: practice ammo, I've been shooting Norma Golden Target Match 77gr SMK's but I'm down to 80 rounds left of the 400 I bought last fall at $0.90/rd. Not seeing any on Ammoseek currently. I shot 152 over the chrono, average 2633.5 FPS with 24.9 SD, 127.7 ES.

Black Hills 77gr TMK has been 2735.7 FPS average with 25.4 SD and 71 ES over 75 shots over the chrono.

Any recommendations on these options for loaded SMK's?

Remington Premier, $0.75/rd
PMC X-TAC, $1.03/rd
Federal Gold, $1.25/rd

That's what I'm seeing so far that I can confirm uses the SMK.

IMI razor core $.95 @ midway I bought some a few years ago and it shot well in my ar and tikka. I believe velocity was ~ 2700 in 16” ar. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2090124928

 

[colby12]

Not sure if either is semi difficult to find anymore but Scheels in Overland Park(KC) has at least one threaded stainless .223 and a good amount of IMR8208XBR.

 

[GiantGreg]

What is minimum impact velocity for the hornady 75gr bthp ?
I been hunting with factory 73eldm an my tikka 223. Assuming 1800+ for it.
I got a a lot of the 5.56 FR320. But not sure which be better.


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[Schmo]

What is minimum impact velocity for the hornady 75gr bthp ?
I been hunting with factory 73eldm an my tikka 223. Assuming 1800+ for it.
I got a a lot of the 5.56 FR320. But not sure which be better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The 75 BTHP is not recommended for hunting. It shows erratic behavior. Sometimes it works well, other times it doesn’t. You’re better off with the 73 ELD-M, and the 77 TMK is the best.

 

[GiantGreg]

The 75 BTHP is not recommended for hunting. It shows erratic behavior. Sometimes it works well, other times it doesn’t. You’re better off with the 73 ELD-M, and the 77 TMK is the best.

Thanks that was fast respond you must been lurking


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[Schmo]

Thanks that was fast respond you must been lurking


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Just happened to see the notification. You’re welcome!

 

[darkhunter6.5]

Which bullet should I use if I want an exit? 40-180 yard shot? Picked up the super lite Bass Pro had on sale. Having a blast shooting it.

 

[Schmo]

Which bullet should I use if I want an exit? 40-180 yard shot? Picked up the super lite Bass Pro had on sale. Having a blast shooting it.

Probably the 75 Gold Dot, which is the same as the 75 used in Federal Fusion

 

[Tahr]

Which bullet should I use if I want an exit? 40-180 yard shot? Picked up the super lite Bass Pro had on sale. Having a blast shooting it.

80 grn eldx or Gold Dot. The heavier GameKings too. An exit wont guarantee any sort of blood trail. You will seldom get a reliable blood trail with any .223 bullet. Especially with the preferred high shoulder shot. Sometimes with heart shots and lower chest shots you will get some spill but its very erratic, and to get that I would recommend a softer bullet (ELDM/Tipped Match)) rather than a harder one.

 

[Tahr]

This is the best blood trail I have encountered from 78 deer this year. It was like this for about 25 yards. Low chest shot with a 62 grain Hammer Hunter at about 150 yds.
This is not typical of the Hammers although they do churn things up and always exit.

 

[KHntr]

This is the best blood trail I have encountered from 78 deer this year. It was like this for about 25 yards. Low chest shot with a 62 grain Hammer Hunter at about 150 yds.
This is not typical of the Hammers although they do churn things up and always exit.
View attachment 892162

I'm not sure you can call that a "blood trail"... I think "blood bath" is likely more accurate.

 

[rabbithuntr]

The 75 BTHP is not recommended for hunting. It shows erratic behavior. Sometimes it works well, other times it doesn’t. You’re better off with the 73 ELD-M, and the 77 TMK is the best.

Is there a velocity threshold where it is less erratic, I know there are better options but I also am pretty sure Hornady used it in their TAP line of ammunition previously.

 

[Schmo]

Is there a velocity threshold where it is less erratic, I know there are better options but I also am pretty sure Hornady used it in their TAP line of ammunition previously.

I could be wrong, but I don’t know that there is. I haven’t seen it recommended for anyone. It’s one of those things where it varies per bullet, because the 6mm 105 BTHP is exceptional on game. Same bullet, different caliber.

 

[Styer22]

Is there a velocity threshold where it is less erratic, I know there are better options but I also am pretty sure Hornady used it in their TAP line of ammunition previously.

I’ve always read and gone by a 2200fps threshold for fragmentation on the 75gr Hornady BTHP stuff. Not exactly great.

 

[Kimber7man]

Re: practice ammo, I've been shooting Norma Golden Target Match 77gr SMK's but I'm down to 80 rounds left of the 400 I bought last fall at $0.90/rd. Not seeing any on Ammoseek currently. I shot 152 over the chrono, average 2633.5 FPS with 24.9 SD, 127.7 ES.

Black Hills 77gr TMK has been 2735.7 FPS average with 25.4 SD and 71 ES over 75 shots over the chrono.

Any recommendations on these options for loaded SMK's?

Remington Premier, $0.75/rd
PMC X-TAC, $1.03/rd
Federal Gold, $1.25/rd

That's what I'm seeing so far that I can confirm uses the SMK.

69’s at $0.75/each

Norma .223 Remington 69gr HPBT Golden Target (GTX)

Norma 223 Rem loaded with 69gr Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) Golden Target (GTX) Match Bullets - Made in Sweden. Quantities available: 1 Box (20 rounds) 1 Case (200 rounds)...

ravenrocksprecision.com

 

[waspocrew]

69’s at $0.75/each

Norma .223 Remington 69gr HPBT Golden Target (GTX)

Norma 223 Rem loaded with 69gr Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) Golden Target (GTX) Match Bullets - Made in Sweden. Quantities available: 1 Box (20 rounds) 1 Case (200 rounds)...

ravenrocksprecision.com

Was going to post the same - sign up and get $10 off. I believe it's free shipping on that as well...

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Why shoot 69gr practice ammo if my hunting ammo is 77gr?

I can get the Remington Premier Match 77gr SMK's at $0.75/rd also, with free shipping.

 

[Slickhill]

Is there a velocity threshold where it is less erratic, I know there are better options but I also am pretty sure Hornady used it in their TAP line of ammunition previously.

I’ve only used them out of 16 and 18 inch 223s but they’ve been all over the map, unless you can be sure of running them into some pretty heavy bone. They work pretty well if you can steer them into a shoulder knuckle or a hip or neck bone.

The 75 SP from the Hornady AR pistol load is a much more consistent performer IME. Midway has them as 2nds for less than $20/100.

Sample of probably 30 pigs with the BTHP and 25 with the SP.