First time poster. I had been pondering a fast twist 22-250 for a few weeks. I was deciding between a 1in 9 Bergara and the 1in 8 twist Tikka. I’ve owned both brands in other calibers in the paste past and had favorable experiences with both. I decided on the Tikka and while searching for a 1 in 8 Tikka 22-250 this “crazy” thread titled 223 for bear deer elk and moose.
Before clicking on it, I am telling myself this can go one of two ways. One, it is an over exaggerated post complaining about people shooting game animals with 223 and other 22 caliber centerfire rifles. Or two, it is some guy out there theorizing how a 223 “could” possibly kill bigger animals. I immediately was sucked into the rabbit hole. (Full disclosure: I have killed a pickup full of deer here in Texas with a 1 in 14 22-250 and 55 grain SP bullets over the last three decades. I have killed a freight train full of hogs with a 223…so I have experience with the concept).
I have never considered the 1,000 ft pounds of energy business meaningful in any way. I have killed too many big hogs with 45-70 subsonics as well as 45 Colt rounds limping along at 900 fps to know that it is not required. Anyway, I spent most of my Labor Day weekend in this thread and I managed to kill one hog too with a new 25-06. Way over gunned but it was very successful. I made it to page 113 and decided to register.
My new Tikka should arrive in three days. I started this post in a Cabelas parking lot after picking up their last 3 boxes of 77 TMKs and 50 new pieces of 22-250 brass. I have a 1 in 7 twist 5.56 AR and 100 pieces of Starline brass that will also be coming out of retirement. I had moved over to a 6.8 SPC but I am happy to be moving back. I love the 6.8 but the brass flying in a field at night while laying down fire on a sounder of hogs gets to me. The brass is expensive vs the 223/5.56. Question, I am thinking about keeping the 77TMK around 3200 fps but if I find the accuracy is at a higher pace, say 3400, will that extra velocity put too much stress on the bullet and not get me to the vitals?
Anyway, here is to the greatest thread on the interwebs and I can’t wait to learn more.
