Ideal big game 223 bullets

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Aug 23, 2024
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N.w. Pennsylvania
So... for those that regularly take deer and other larger game with 223, what's your requirements for the load. I see the 77 tmk, 88 eldm suggested. Keep impact speed above 1800. What else?

My ar will shoot a 69gr tgk out of the mag, same with hornady 75 bthp. 88's must be single loaded...

Suggestions please.
 

BAKPAKR

WKR
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May 10, 2018
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Appalachia
How far are you planning on shooting? My daughter and I have had good luck with 62 gr Barnes TTSXs on deer out of a 14.5” barrel (so not that speedy). However, our farthest shot with them has not been much over 100 yards.
 
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SloppyJ

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Feb 24, 2023
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Obviously you've read the 223 thread. Hard to beat 77tmks. Not sure what else you're looking for. If its out of an AR that and the 75bthp are the only ones that will fit.
 
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coyotekilla
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How far are you planning on shooting? My daughter and I have had good luck with 62 gr Barnes TTSXs on deer out of a 14.5” barrel (so not that speedy). However, our farthest shot with them has not been much over 100 yards.
Depends on how far they are away lol. I've been known to tag 1 at 350 with my 6.5 creed, 243 I try to keep them inside 300.

My prefered stand, its 180 to the woods where they like to pop out.
 
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coyotekilla
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N.w. Pennsylvania
Obviously you've read the 223 thread. Hard to beat 77tmks. Not sure what else you're looking for. If its out of an AR that and the 75bthp are the only ones that will fit.
I have a 16" ar carbine that's legal for deer season, or a 20" ruger american. Both run 2.26 ar mags, and I handload.
 

BLJ

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I killed 2 whitetails last season with the 73 ELDM. 1 at 25ish and 1 at 125ish.
I saw no difference in terminal performance between them and the 77 TMK. Used on whitetail deer.
The factory 73 ELDM will work in a 2.26 internal length magazine.
 
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