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

[Deere_Man]

I picked up a TC Venture with a 1/12 twist. Will probably use it more for varmints but wouldn’t mind having a reliable deer option for it as well.

For now I’ll be shooting factory.

So far it really likes 55gr TSX, 55 gr VMAX is a close second. Federal 55gr SP and 62gr Fusion are are little less accurate and 60gr Partition another step back.

Anything else I should be looking at? How’s the VMAX on deer under 100yds?

64gr Federal Power Shok & 64gr Winchester Power Points. I’d also try Hornady’s 55gr soft points….as long as it’s not the SX version

 

[deer_hunter132]

55gr Gold Dot would also be an option.

Speaking of bonded bullets... In the past I've had great luck over many years with the 180 Accubond from my .30-06. I recently snagged about 150 of the 70gr .224" Accubonds, and I've been debating giving them a try in my .223. They are not great BC wise, but realistically most of my shooting on deer or elk will probably be sub 400, and I dont *need* the 80 ELDs slippery form factor at those ranges. I'm a bit concerned about the ELDs fragmenting too much at closer ranges, wrecking meat on the front shoulders. I used the 80 ELD match on a buck mule deer and cow elk last fall without too much issue with frag, and quick, if not "instant" kills.

I've also been considering trying the new 88 TMK, as it would keep the MV down a touch, and maybe help with fragging things up close too.

I know the consensus is 77 TMK all the things! But I'm curious how many have shot game with the .224" 70gr Accubond and how they felt it performed.

Signed, a reformed long time heavy for caliber bonded bullet user.

until you try the 77tmk, im not sure you will realize what it does. Seriously, it defies logic. it doesnt tear up the meat like any "magnums". pinhole in, grenades in the chest, no hole to small hole out. i couldnt ask for better. i havent killed a deer past 150 with it yet, i shot a wt buck 3x at ~75yds within 40yds of distance and you wouldnt have known it. maybe all 3 didnt hit. either way, meat damage wasnt an issue.

 

[Salty Guerrilla]

223. 525 yards. Fallow deer. Berger jacketed 74 grn.

That was a beautifully placed kill. Those 4Ks have really peaked my intrest.

 

[Big_wals]

Killed a smaller boar in the Frank Church with an 88 tmk. 120ish yards, he was quartering to me and a steep uphill shot. Hit mid ribcage, exited just in front of the diaphragm and below the backstrap. He ragdolled 20 yards down the scree slope he was on and came to rest wedged under a tree. I didn’t take and pics of the lungs, it was 80 degrees and I was working on a steep hill.

This is the rocks on the exit side…..



A rock he bounced off of on the way down..




His final resting place. Exit side up.

 

[WDR]

Timely... I just bought a box of 88s... and the max OAL that hits my rifles throat is right about the max length my mags can hold.

ETA: Thats a beautiful color on that bear!