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

Like many things on this forum, I've spent a LOT of time reading through this thread. I've been shooting a 7RM that has been great on game so far. But man is it costly, I can't spot my impacts until about 500yds, and it beats me up.

I plan on keeping it as a loaner/back-up, but am going to transition into 6CM and .223 exclusively for hunting. My T3x Lite Compact shoots factory 73gr ELDM and 75gr BTHP Black right at an inch. When I get it back from Smith cut to 18" and threaded for my suppressor, it will not only be my "practice" gun but my primary hunting rifle. Just need to upgrade the scope and get my hands on Black Hills 77 TMK to see how it shoots. 73 ELDM or 77 TMK, I'm convinced.

570+ pages is daunting but the data is invaluable and in-depth. Thanks to everyone who contributes.
 
After nagging him for a few years, a hunting partner of mine finally decided to give it a whirl…. 77TMK on a decent VT blackie. The picture doesn’t do the bear justice (weird angle) probably dressed out at ~200. I wasn’t with him but they all said there was no drama with the bullet. 65 yard shot, 35 yards of running then a flop. Damage on par with what we’ve seen with this bullet. View attachment 939849View attachment 939850View attachment 939851
Seems like bear weight is more than you think on average bears, but less than you think on big bears. I’m hoping to run a TMK through one before the end of the week.
 
Have you missed an animal due to lack luster BC?

The wind bracket for the 22CM and 77gr TMK load I am using is the exact same as the wind bracket for the factory 108gr ELD-N load in my 6 CM.
It’s been awhile since I considered shooting the TMK from my 22 creedmoor..what kind of velocity are you getting? I might run the numbers again now that I’m experiencing what numbers actually make a difference.

The 88s have been good so far..I think 10 animals now with one or two question mark wounds but everything has died and my current barrel shoots them well.
 
Finally got my hands on some XBR 8208 and loaded up 100 of the 77 TMK for the coming season and beyond. Hoping to kill my first antelope next month with this load and add another animal to the thread

IMG_1190.jpeg
 
No, but my use is relatively limited as I can’t get them to shoot in most rifles.
👍🏻, I appreciate that. They shoot well in my Tikka 1:8 twist .223 for some reason, but I can’t get them to shoot out of the 1:8 22 Creedmoor, at all, either. The 88s shoot well, and are of all the same lot, and seem to perform well, but sounds like a fast 77 TMK is the way to go in the 22 Creed.
 
It’s been awhile since I considered shooting the TMK from my 22 creedmoor..what kind of velocity are you getting? I might run the numbers again now that I’m experiencing what numbers actually make a difference.

20” barrel, 3,385fps MV.


The 88s have been good so far..I think 10 animals now with one or two question mark wounds but everything has died and my current barrel shoots them well.

I wouldn’t talk someone out of 88’s that are working well for them.
 
Seriously, what's to love about a bullet explosion like that? Other than killing the animal, I'd want no part of on game performance like that.
Fwiw imo

Comes down to low recoil preference and cost for practice.

223 55 GR soft point isn’t a great big game at 400+ but that 77 tmk is. puny cartridges benefit with increased destruction making more than suitable and capable vs a bigger caliber.

But I’m not sure I’d use a tmk in a 30 cal based early thread pics for the reason you bring up. 308 w/ 165 accubond is capable and yet 223/77 is equal easily in damage at 300 yards.

I’d just rather have 4 vs 16 lbs of recoil…
 
I'll stick to something that doesn't make a mess of the game I'm shooting. To each their own.
I keep looking at these wounds and have to say not that impressive. Bloodshot yes, hamburger yes but the reality is I just don't see the kind of penetration I would want for other than broadside ribcage hits and I don't trust the Eldm's or the TMK in .224 if it came to breaking the upper leg bone at or under the ball and still give good penetration and damage after. The shoulder blade isn't much of a bone and other than having a solid chunk of meat on it it offers little in the way of holding a bullet up. I often wonder why so many hold it up as some kind of example.
 
I keep looking at these wounds and have to say not that impressive. Bloodshot yes, hamburger yes but the reality is I just don't see the kind of penetration I would want for other than broadside ribcage hits and I don't trust the Eldm's or the TMK in .224 if it came to breaking the upper leg bone at or under the ball and still give good penetration and damage after. The shoulder blade isn't much of a bone and other than having a solid chunk of meat on it it offers little in the way of holding a bullet up. I often wonder why so many hold it up as some kind of example.
You mean like this?

 
I don't trust the Eldm's or the TMK in .224 if it came to breaking the upper leg bone at or under the ball and still give good penetration and damage after.
I think there are multiple pics in this thread demonstrating the 77TMK, e.g., being able to do this just fine. Not saying anyone should or shouldn't use them, just that they do seem to be capable of accomplishing this.
 
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