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

[Valumpessa]

Not here to buy or sell. Just wanted to contribute my experience with the 77 TMK’s

Again, not directed at you. There was another FNG who was just posting nonsense so he could access the classifieds. Post away with your 223 experiences!

 

[chrsclnngr]

Many TMK’s in stock

https://bluebirdprecisionandtactical.com/?s=Sierra+tmk&post_type=product

 

[Xae289]

Hi all. Just got a steal of a deal on a barely used Ruger American in .223, so a buddy gave me 20 rds of Bonefrog 77gr TMKs and put me onto this site/thread. No game taken with it yet, but I have a reloading report of a poor powder option.

I already had dies, but didn't really reload for .223, so the only powder I had on hand that works at all with .223 was IMR 4064 to try with the 77gr TMKs. I gave it a try. The most I could get in there with minimal compression that didn't leave a mark on the ogive was 22.3gr. Accuracy was fine, a couple of just under 1" 5rd groups. But only gets an average of 2536 fps out of the 22" barreled Ruger and ~2400 fps out of my 16" barrel AR. Hodgdon lists the max as 22.7gr. That much powder causes lots of compression and trying to force the bullet onto that much powder crimps the ogive and the damage hurts accuracy. Velocity was barely higher at 22.7gr anyway, maybe 40 fps average. I went ahead and got a few pounds of IMR 8208 XBR to do it the right way.

Not a complete bust since that velocity still seems to be plenty for short-range woods hunting, but well short of the 2775 fps to replicate the Bonefrogs I chrono'ed.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Hi all. Just got a steal of a deal on a barely used Ruger American in .223, so a buddy gave me 20 rds of Bonefrog 77gr TMKs and put me onto this site/thread. No game taken with it yet, but I have a reloading report of a poor powder option.

I already had dies, but didn't really reload for .223, so the only powder I had on hand that works at all with .223 was IMR 4064 to try with the 77gr TMKs. I gave it a try. The most I could get in there with minimal compression that didn't leave a mark on the ogive was 22.3gr. Accuracy was fine, a couple of just under 1" 5rd groups. But only gets an average of 2536 fps out of the 22" barreled Ruger and ~2400 fps out of my 16" barrel AR. Hodgdon lists the max as 22.7gr. That much powder causes lots of compression and trying to force the bullet onto that much powder crimps the ogive and the damage hurts accuracy. Velocity was barely higher at 22.7gr anyway, maybe 40 fps average. I went ahead and got a few pounds of IMR 8208 XBR to do it the right way.

Not a complete bust since that velocity still seems to be plenty for short-range woods hunting, but well short of the 2775 fps to replicate the Bonefrogs I chrono'ed.

Try a better powder [edit - than the 4064]. That XBR should do a lot better.

 

[Matt5266]

? XBR is a great powder for the 77 TMK

 

[Q_Sertorius]

? XBR is a great powder for the 77 TMK

He was talking about using 4064. Good choice for a .30-06.

 

[Matt5266]

He was talking about using 4064. Good choice for a .30-06.

Awe, I thought you were referring to the end of his post where he said he bought some XBR to try...

 

[BLJ]

@Xae289

The velocity that you’re getting from the 4064 will keep the 77’s effective to 415 yards depending on elevation.
If my groups of 5 were consistently under an inch, I would not discount that load.

XBR has a good opportunity of replicating the accuracy in addition to more speed.
But if the accuracy isn’t good, I’d go back to the 4064 load and get a little closer.

 

[Deere_Man]

@Xae289

The velocity that you’re getting from the 4064 will keep the 77’s effective to 415 yards depending on elevation.
If my groups of 5 were consistently under an inch, I would not discount that load.

XBR has a good opportunity of replicating the accuracy in addition to more speed.
But if the accuracy isn’t good, I’d go back to the 4064 load and get a little closer.

This right here. 1800fps impact speed will be A+ OK