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

[Castle Rock]

Boggles my mind to shoot that many deer. I shoot one or two per year, but I really wouldn't want to shoot a bunch. Too much work to process!

I could shoot a dozen each weekend if I chose to, when I go I shoot 3or 4, generally all head shots

 

[zdc1775]

Probably the most prolific whitetail hunter of all time is here and I know him well. He has gotten up there in age. But he has killed thousands of deer. Fed many many food shelters through his years.

Look up Dr Bob shepherd. His book “Whitetails” is the best and I give it out as gifts a lot.

I've actually met him a couple times, though I've never read the book. Got it downloaded on the Kindle now so I'll fix that soon.

 

[zdc1775]

So how big are these WT does you fellas are shooting?

A good mulie doe will exceed 150 lbs. I’ve seen a few bigger but not many.

The three I've shot this year have been 110, 115, and 130 pounds, that's truly on the hoof not field dressed or anything.

 

[Kaleb]

So how big are these WT does you fellas are shooting?

A good mulie doe will exceed 150 lbs. I’ve seen a few bigger but not many.

I've not weighed one so keep that in mind but I'm guessing an average mature doe to be 100-115 and the majority that are shot being 75-90lbs. Again this is just a guess.

 

[Nine Banger]

Shoot the Rifle Kraft drill.
Shoot the Carl Ross Hunting drill.
Maybe throw in some other course of fire or two if more data seems relevant. Have all the shooters shoot it with .223 and some larger caliber. Maybe a 30-06 or similar. And shoot both from rifles that are similarly set up. So like a .223 T3X and a 30-06 T3x, both with same stock and scope.

Add a dummy round drill. On camera.

 

[liv3mind]

I've not weighed one so keep that in mind but I'm guessing an average mature doe to be 100-115 and the majority that are shot being 75-90lbs. Again this is just a guess.

This is about spot on, I average 35-40# of meat per.

 

[omicron1792]

I don’t mind losing a front shoulder as long as it doesn’t affect the rear shoulder.

I hate that.

I see what you did there. Haha.

 

[SBR Sarge]

So how big are these WT does you fellas are shooting?

A good mulie doe will exceed 150 lbs. I’ve seen a few bigger but not many.

Southern Michigan does for me are usually around 110# after field dressing.

I don’t mind losing shoulder meat. I need to drop them quickly as I have a neighbor who won’t let me recover any from his property.

When I hunt my larger property farther north, I am fine with double lung shots.

 

[omicron1792]

So how big are these WT does you fellas are shooting?

A good mulie doe will exceed 150 lbs. I’ve seen a few bigger but not many.

My farm is in the black belt which is a fertile stretch of land through the south. Typical doe is prob 100-120 and I have seen some momma up to 150. Big Buck is 200lbs. We killed one that weighed 230 a couple of weeks back.

Not as big as the northern deer for sure, but good size.

 

[Steve O]

I’m going to grab a barrel for my TC Contender for a little killer to keep in my pack for my “snowbird” years out in AZ; I’ll eventually read all 13,000 posts here but could the powers that be tell me if there is any advantage to a 223AI for some extra zip or a 223 Wylde for versatility? 77g TMK is optimal for anything I may run into in the desert I imagine?

I have this unit in 350 Legend now for deer in our straight wall zone.

 

[KHntr]

The main gain you will see is that the cartridge looks cooler.

And maybe 50 or 100 fps faster, and less case trimming.

If you run into something where you can’t get it done with a 77 TMK you are gonna have way bigger problems because you are evidently too close to Area 51.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I’m going to grab a barrel for my TC Contender for a little killer to keep in my pack for my “snowbird” years out in AZ; I’ll eventually read all 13,000 posts here but could the powers that be tell me if there is any advantage to a 223AI for some extra zip or a 223 Wylde for versatility? 77g TMK is optimal for anything I may run into in the desert I imagine?

I have this unit in 350 Legend now for deer in our straight wall zone.

View attachment 988092

IMO you’d be better off with a 22ARC over the 223AI.

 

[Anschutz]

IMO you’d be better off with a 22ARC over the 223AI.

Can only go 22ARC with an Encore or G2 Contender. 223AI can go on any T/C. Just profiling a bit, but if he's got a Contender, he has a set of dies for a weird cartridge like .256 Winchester for that barrel he let get away. He doesn't walk down the ammo aisle unless he needs 22LR.

 

[Billy Goat]

I’m going to grab a barrel for my TC Contender for a little killer to keep in my pack for my “snowbird” years out in AZ; I’ll eventually read all 13,000 posts here but could the powers that be tell me if there is any advantage to a 223AI for some extra zip or a 223 Wylde for versatility? 77g TMK is optimal for anything I may run into in the desert I imagine?

I have this unit in 350 Legend now for deer in our straight wall zone.

View attachment 988092

I thought I wanted to go that route, but realized it kinda did away with the best part, simple.

If you want more velocity, there's better ways to get there.

223 wylde isn't bad for the throat, but fire forming, then loading for ai, why not do something you can really get speed from?

223/556 for me covers a lot of bases in a very simple platform. I have plenty of stuff I can tinker with, but sometimes its really nice to have a plain simple system.

 

[Steve O]

@Billy Goat I think that makes the most sense. Thank you gents for the insight.

 

[np307]

Mostly been using the 243 this year but I popped a doe this morning with the 5.56 Ruger Ranch today. AAC 77gr TMK frontal at 20 yards. Top of the heart and Good bit of lungs were taken. Cup of the bullet made it to the liver and stopped. Deer ran about 30 yards and died. Coughed up a decent trail along the way.

 

[Matt5266]

Finally got to make my first kill with the. 223 77TMK . Im a believer. Been cold today was the first day it didnt snow but it was about 11 degrees. The beard is not the best in these conditions as you can see haha.

Elevation was 8150 ft, Large cow 410 yards straight uphill. Group of 7 this one gave a good shot so I took it. Quick drop worked great, dialed 2 mils and sent one into the lungs. She ran 60 yards and stopped. She was dead on her feet but I quickly sent 2 more. Another broadside and one frontal high in the brisket. She fell down dead. No drama. Shooting supressed the others didnt know where the shots came from and they ran to us to less than 200 yards. Gutless method so I didnt get inside but the damage from the brisket shot was impressive. I was happy to get some great meat!

 

[kswaterfowl]

Finally got to make my first kill with the. 223 77TMK . Im a believer. Been cold today was the first day it didnt snow but it was about 11 degrees. The beard is not the best in these conditions as you can see haha.

Elevation was 8150 ft, Large cow 410 yards straight uphill. Group of 7 this one gave a good shot so I took it. Quick drop worked great, dialed 2 mils and sent one into the lungs. She ran 60 yards and stopped. She was dead on her feet but I quickly sent 2 more. Another broadside and one frontal high in the brisket. She fell down dead. No drama. Shooting supressed the others didnt know where the shots came from and they ran to us to less than 200 yards. Gutless method so I didnt get inside but the damage from the brisket shot was impressive. I was happy to get some great meat!

Im jealous. Wish I was in the mountains right now. Looks awesome!

 

[Matt5266]

Im jealous. Wish I was in the mountains right now. Looks awesome!

Weather wasn't ideal but it rarely is..still a great time!

 

[omicron1792]

My 11yo son with Blaser r8 223. Tink Nas3 77TMK at 2835mv. 90 yards quartered away, double lung. 30 yards and he was down. Blood trail from blood coming from nose and mouth.