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

[Pharmseller]

I haven’t stuck to recommended twist rates. If I did I wouldn’t have half the bullets to reload that I have.

75 Amax Works in a 9
77 TMK Works in a 9
140 Amax Works in a 9
208 Amax Works in a 12

I live in the high areas of the flatlands and have zero stability issues. I’ll be picking up some these new fangled ELDM bullets to try out next spring. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong.

75 ELDM are skookum in my 1-8” Tikka.

 

[Jermh]

Went to post my second for the year with the 20" 223 Tikka and just now realized I didn't even take a picture...oops. WT doe, 160 yards, broadside. Factory 73 eldm. Aimed high shoulder and hit about 2 inches right. Right where the spine bends up into the neck was essentially demolished. Bang flop with a little kicking around when she went down. Getting to be really fond of the little pea shooter.

 

[zdc1775]

Curious on this also. State has a 60 grain minimum for deer. Would like to us the 1 in 12" sometime on deer

I killed several deer with a Savage 1 in 12 using the old Winchester Super-X 64 gr Power Points. All were one shot kills, of the heart/lung shots about 50% dropped immediately with almost all getting pass through. Was also great that they shot within a 1/2" at 100 yards of the 53 gr VMax I used for coyotes, which the one time I used it on a deer almost decapitated it with the high neck shot I used.

 

[WestTN2288]

So, while we’re on the subject: I’ve seen the 60 TMK mentioned a time or two but has anybody used the 52 Eldm in a slow twist gun? Would it be better or worse than a vmax in a 12 twist barrel?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

For those who’ve been asking…

Factory black hills 77 TMK.
Factory Tikka 8 Twist Barrel 16”.
Polonium K 5.56 Suppressor.

Ew. A gun range.

 

[sierracharlie338]

So, while we’re on the subject: I’ve seen the 60 TMK mentioned a time or two but has anybody used the 52 Eldm in a slow twist gun? Would it be better or worse than a vmax in a 12 twist barrel?

Don’t believe I knew that existed. Off to spend money I go…

 

[RockAndSage]

So, while we’re on the subject: I’ve seen the 60 TMK mentioned a time or two but has anybody used the 52 Eldm in a slow twist gun? Would it be better or worse than a vmax in a 12 twist barrel?

50gr VMAX has a thinner jacket, and is flat-based. 52gr ELDM has a boat-tail, and a bit thicker of a jacket. The VMAX would probably be a better choice for closer in, and on lighter animals, like predators...I'd take the ELDM on deer between the two though, as it would probably penetrate a bit deeper with the thicker jacket.

 

[ezwy]

50gr VMAX has a thinner jacket, and is flat-based. 52gr ELDM has a boat-tail, and a bit thicker of a jacket. The VMAX would probably be a better choice for closer in, and on lighter animals, like predators...I'd take the ELDM on deer between the two though, as it would probably penetrate a bit deeper with the thicker jacket.

Apparently there’s a 60 gr v max too…. A 60 grain eldm would be interesting. Not that I think the market is there

 

[MEdude]

What of the 60 TMK? Is it significantly inferior to the 69 & 77?

 

[Tahr]

So, while we’re on the subject: I’ve seen the 60 TMK mentioned a time or two but has anybody used the 52 Eldm in a slow twist gun? Would it be better or worse than a vmax in a 12 twist barrel?

I have. They punch well above their weight. I dont think there would be much of a difference to a VMax. They penetrate well into a white tail doe sized deer but dont pass through. A lot of tissue damage and blood shot.

Top pic entry under the shoulder. Bottom pic no sign of an entry (about 200 yards) but it's there. Just a pin prick in the skin. MV 3275 fps. I recall this one walked a little circle after the shot and fell over.

 

[SBR Sarge]

Reading this over the years, I might have to add a bolt 223/5.56 to my stable.

I like short barrels for convenience with a suppressor and because I do not shoot really long distances, 16” is ideal for me. I’d like a synthetic stock.

This is the only Tikka I see with a threaded 16” barrel. It has a wood stock, though. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...2-x28-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3rd-ranch-

Is this the way to go? Is there another/better option?

I’d consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but they are made of unobtanium.

Thanks,
SBRSarge

 

[Deere_Man]

Reading this over the years, I might have to add a bolt 223/5.56 to my stable.

I like short barrels for convenience with a suppressor and because I do not shoot really long distances, 16” is ideal for me. I’d like a synthetic stock.

This is the only Tikka I see with a threaded 16” barrel. It has a wood stock, though. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...2-x28-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3rd-ranch-

Is this the way to go? Is there another/better option?

I’d consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but they are made of unobtanium.

Thanks,
SBRSarge

I have been perfectly happy with my Ruger American with a 16” barrel and AR magazine

There is also the 1:8 twist Winchester XPR with 16” barrel. It doesn’t get talked about enough in my opinion. Everyone I know that has an XPR loves it, as much as anyone can love a plastic fantastic gun…

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1125618857

XPR Stealth SR | Bolt-Action Rifle | Winchester

Picatinny-style scope rail, precision button rifled barrel, Perma-Cote black finish, free-floating barrel with recessed target crown, 5/8"x24 threading for suppressor or muzzle brake (223 Rem. threading is 1/2" X 28, 350 Legend threading is 11/16"-24), nickel Teflon™ coating on bolt. Now...

www.winchesterguns.com

 

[rbutcher1234]

For those who’ve been asking…

Factory black hills 77 TMK.
Factory Tikka 8 Twist Barrel 16”.
Polonium K 5.56 Suppressor.

Ew. A gun range.
View attachment 970418

To add to this:

Factory black hills 77
Factory 223 1:8 twist tikka barrel cut to 16”
CGS Helios QD Ti direct thread

Avg velocity on my garmin: 2698 fps

 

[wesfromky]

Reading this over the years, I might have to add a bolt 223/5.56 to my stable.

I like short barrels for convenience with a suppressor and because I do not shoot really long distances, 16” is ideal for me. I’d like a synthetic stock.

This is the only Tikka I see with a threaded 16” barrel. It has a wood stock, though. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...2-x28-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3rd-ranch-

Is this the way to go? Is there another/better option?

I’d consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but they are made of unobtanium.

Thanks,
SBRSarge

I have one of these in .223 and one. in .350, both shoot and handle well with a 7" suppressor.

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-roughtech-ranch-223-rem-16-1-8-5-8x24-bbl-roughtech-black-rifle-jrtxrt

 

[BradArnett]

Reading this over the years, I might have to add a bolt 223/5.56 to my stable.

I like short barrels for convenience with a suppressor and because I do not shoot really long distances, 16” is ideal for me. I’d like a synthetic stock.

This is the only Tikka I see with a threaded 16” barrel. It has a wood stock, though. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...2-x28-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3rd-ranch-

Is this the way to go? Is there another/better option?

I’d consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but they are made of unobtanium.

Thanks,
SBRSarge

This is what I have. Its 16" and threaded 5/8th

Tikka T3X Lite 223 Rem 16" Threaded Barrel JRTXE31216MT - GUNPRIME %

buy Tikka T3X Lite 223 Rem 16" Threaded Barrel JRTXE31216MT for sale best price

gunprime.com

 

[Mikido]

Reading this over the years, I might have to add a bolt 223/5.56 to my stable.

I like short barrels for convenience with a suppressor and because I do not shoot really long distances, 16” is ideal for me. I’d like a synthetic stock.

This is the only Tikka I see with a threaded 16” barrel. It has a wood stock, though. https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x...2-x28-bbl-matte-hunter-stock-blued-3rd-ranch-

Is this the way to go? Is there another/better option?

I’d consider a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, but they are made of unobtanium.

Thanks,
SBRSarge

I’ll trade you the black stock plus cash if you get this!

 

[Steve300xcw]

I haven’t stuck to recommended twist rates. If I did I wouldn’t have half the bullets to reload that I have.

Always amazed me, how hard it is for some folks to just try something and find out for themselves.

 

[FredH]

Always amazed me, how hard it is for some folks to just try something and find out for themselves.

A lot of people have tried .224 rifles on deer and other medium game. Some are satisfied others not so much. I like them ok for certain situations.

 

[SBR Sarge]

I’ll trade you the black stock plus cash if you get this!

I’ll let you know. I’m kind of liking the roughtech ranch though!

 

[Steve300xcw]

A lot of people have tried .224 rifles on deer and other medium game. Some are satisfied others not so much. I like them ok for certain situations.

Good for you.

You should read the post I quoted as well