Youth elk rifle/cartridge combo

[eric1115]

I’m not familiar at with the 77 TMK. I’ll have to do some research.

That question was directed at @BuckSmasher, who has repeatedly now called out the .22 cal bullets as categorically unethical and a bad choice. I have a guess but I am curious to know what he bases his opinion on. Those of us who actually have experience with this bullet generally don't find it to be marginal, unethical, or ineffective. It's worth noting that a .223 with mono (like TSX, etc) or hard bonded bullets like Accubonds are very much not what we're recommending generally. The Sierra 77 TMK is the bullet for rifles chambered in .2235.56.

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

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

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“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

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• Replies: 13,350
• Forum: Firearms

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This is the thread a few of us have referred to where lots of data and photos are provided. It's a master class in terminal performance and well worth the read even if you decide not to hunt with that bullet.

 

[Tmac]

If you are not comfortable with the smaller .22 and .24 cartridges, the 6.5 Creedmore would be a good choice. Especially with a good suppressor to help mitigate felt recoil. Since you handload I’d suggest a 120 - 130 grain cup and core bullet loaded to moderate velocity to further help reduce recoil. Set a moderate max shot distance and go hunt.

My grandson will be using a suppressed 6mm ARC on his first elk hunt this season. Virtually no felt recoil. Seems like less felt recoil than an unsuppressed 223 to me.

Another grand killed his first elk with a 223 & 77 TMK a couple years back. One shot dropped it in its tracks. The terminal performance was no different to my eye from his older brothers elk the day before shot with 270 Win and 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tipped bullets. Both elk from nearly the same distance and same shot placement.

 

[coloradodrifter]

From my experience with my oldest daughter, with what ever gun/cartridge you choose, buy a lot of ammo and practice from field shooting positions. My daughter was 12 when she shot her first buck. The problem is I let life get in the way during that summer and didn’t take her out shooting nearly enough. On opening day we got to about 80 yards from a group of deer with a little buck in it. The shot was down hill over the top of some oak brush so no option to other than a standing shot off shooting sticks. She had never practiced that shot before. She shot and made a perfect hit. She got kind of excited then started crying. I thought she was just getting emotional until she grabbed her face. She got scoped pretty good and had a black eye with in minutes. She has not shot a rifle since and has no interest in doing so (she’s in college now). She was shooting a 7mm-08 with 120g Barnes loaded down with a cut down stock that fit her.