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

[Q_Sertorius]

I’m down in New Zealand and out of stock of the 77gr tmk’s has anyone used the 69gr tmk’s with good results?


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I’ve seen good results on deer-sized animals, just not quite as violent as the slightly larger ones. I would not hesitate to use them if they shot well in my T3.

If we could get a .204 caliber 60-grain TMK, that’s what most of us would be using.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Im in NZ and id try the 73 elds. Ive got probably 2-300 animals with them.

thats a few critters lol

 

[nm.otter]

If we could get a .204 caliber 60-grain TMK, that’s what most of us would be using.

A 70gr .204 would roughly model a 153gr 6.5mm or a 120gr 6mm.

By that math, we should eventually see a 40gr .17 cal...

 

[Neil84]

Im in NZ and id try the 73 elds. Ive got probably 2-300 animals with them. Thr 77tmks are more violent but ive found the 73s typically shoot better and kill very well as well as being cheaper down here. Ive used them down to 1700fps.

Cheers man. I’ll get some to use. What are you typically shooting with them?


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[Stocky]

thats a few critters lol

Its alot easier when you can shoot a dozen or more in a trip and dont have seasons. Probably 2/3rds are goats and pigs. But have shot caribou, black bear, red deer, fallow deer, tahr and Chamois.

 

[Te Hopo]

Cheers man. I’ll get some to use. What are you typically shooting with them?


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73 and (if they fit your rifle) 75ELDMs work great for deer and goats.
I'm not quite at Thar or Stockys quantity of animals, but I have shot approx 70 red deer and a 160 goats with ELDMs and they flat out kill.
A lot of deer just pile up right there, full of blood soup from mushed up lungs or shoulders.
Only a few deer have required a 2nd shot.

 

[Stocky]

Cheers man. I’ll get some to use. What are you typically shooting with them?


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You mean catridge powder or rifle?

223, various but mainly staball match lately, and a Tikka and a few howas.

 

[Neil84]

You mean catridge powder or rifle?

223, various but mainly staball match lately, and a Tikka and a few howas.

I meant animals, but good point. I’m running a Howa sa so can seat the projectile longer if I want, I have 2208/varget for 308 was going to use that if it works.


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[Stocky]

I meant animals, but good point. I’m running a Howa sa so can seat the projectile longer if I want, I have 2208/varget for 308 was going to use that if it works.


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Ahh I shoot everything with it. Primarily reds. Theres 10 further up this thread from s few weeks ago. With mag length and a longish throat 2208 works mint. The 75 elds are also very good but I have found them picky.

 

[Neil84]

Ahh I shoot everything with it. Primarily reds. Theres 10 further up this thread from s few weeks ago. With mag length and a longish throat 2208 works mint. The 75 elds are also very good but I have found them picky.

Awesome. Those were some good animals taken. Sweet that’s good to hear. I’ll give the 75’s ago aswell. Where in Nz are you?


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[Stocky]

Awesome. Those were some good animals taken. Sweet that’s good to hear. I’ll give the 75’s ago aswell. Where in Nz are you?


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North Canterbury based.

 

[Neil84]

North Canterbury based.

Nice, access to thar, I’m Manawatu based.


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[SBR Sarge]

For 73gr ELD-M fans…. NAS3-cased in stock here…..

NAS3 73GR ELD M - Blackarc Munitions

MORE INFORMATION CONDITION NEW MANUFACTURER BLACKARC MUNITIONS CASE TYPE NAS3 (NICKEL ALLOY STAINLESS) BARREL TEST 18 INCH BULLET MAKE HORNADY BULLET WEIGHT 73GR ELD M CALIBER 5.56X45MM APPLICATION COMPETITION AVG VELOCITY 3040 FPS G7 BC .200

blackarcmunitions.com

 

[Southerner223]

69gr berger jacketed hollow points at 100m.

Have a few more of these to shoot out and will get into the 77tmk and 73eldm I have been collecting

 

[The Guide]

Finally got out to try my new 20" Tikka CTR in 223. It has been nothing but wind and rain for the last month so when it was calm just before dark I grabbed the rifle and went to a local block of BLM and got it on paper. Fired 1 shot at 50 after bore site and made a slight adjustment. This is shots 2 to 6 @ 100 yards with the Creedmoor Sports 223 77 SMK ammo I got on the sale from CMP. Looks like she might be a shooter. Ammo gave me 2669.7 fps out of the 20" barrel. Took 9 shots on steel @ 510 yards. It was pretty dark by the time I got steel set up and drove back to the firing position so I was glad I had put a flashlight shining on the target. First 3 shots were consistent off the left edge so I held a half MIL wind (0 wind at shooter and minimal at target when setting up) and put the last 6 into a 5 inch group.

Looking forward to shooting this thing a bunch!

Jay

 

[JHcaliber9]

Hey all,


Just picked up a Howa Mini Stainless Carbon Stalker in .223 Rem with 1:8 twist as a lighter backpack/fun gun after running heavier stuff (smallest was 6.5 Creedmoor). Super light and handy, low recoil for more range time and precise shooting on game.


I don’t reload, so I’m looking for solid factory ammo recommendations. I know you guys have tons of experience (and this massive .22 caliber centerfire thread) on these for game. Looking for real-world input before taking it into the deer woods:


• Best factory loads / bullets for deer? (Especially ones that perform well in a 1:8 twist Howa Mini – 70-77gr range like TMKs, TSX, etc.)


• What velocities/distances to keep it ethical and effective? (Shot placement is key, but any rules of thumb on max range or energy?)


• Things to know switching from heavier calibers – wind, terminal performance quirks, preferred shot angles, etc.?


• Any Howa Mini specific tips or gotchas in the field?


• Will 5.56 ammo be safe in this .223 chambered rifle, or should I stick strictly to .223 Rem labeled ammo?


Appreciate any input from folks who’ve run similar setups. Planning lots of practice this summer. Thanks!