Small Bullets (.224) and BIG game

[Frequently Banned Troll]

All the other forums have this topic. It's a popular subject.

I'm having an 8 twist put on my .223 and just love shooting that rifle. Not sure about grabbing it to go hunting with a few other likely more widely accepted choices, but why not?

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

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

rokslide.com

.224 for elk

Since the 22-250 AI tread went cross ways, What states are .224 calibers legal for elk? If legal what are the parameters? Colorado they are not.

www.longrangehunting.com

Bullets for longer range work in .223/5.56

For you guys buying at a little longer distances with .223/5.56 for stuff other then small Varmints ( southern whitetail )and down what are y'all liki...

www.24hourcampfire.com

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I have not personally taken any big game with anything in the .224 realm yet but the more research I do the more I'm willing to try. At the very least my .223 is going to end up in the deer woods this fall.

 

[DFS]

77 tmk. I think this has already been settled

The only experience I have is my nephew shot a deer with my 22 creedmoor. 75 eld-m killed the deer and it exited. Performed like a bullet should.

 

[Fire_9]

All the other forums have this topic. It's a popular subject.

I'm having an 8 twist put on my .223 and just love shooting that rifle. Not sure about grabbing it to go hunting with a few other likely more widely accepted choices, but why not?

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

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

rokslide.com

.224 for elk

Since the 22-250 AI tread went cross ways, What states are .224 calibers legal for elk? If legal what are the parameters? Colorado they are not.

www.longrangehunting.com

Bullets for longer range work in .223/5.56

For you guys buying at a little longer distances with .223/5.56 for stuff other then small Varmints ( southern whitetail )and down what are y'all liki...

www.24hourcampfire.com

Haven't you killed a bear with a .223 or is my memory all screwed up?

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

77 tmk. I think this has already been settled

The only experience I have is my nephew shot a deer with my 22 creedmoor. 75 eld-m killed the deer and it exited. Performed like a bullet should.

I went to 8 twist because I’ve got a thousand 60vmaxs I’d like to shoot still. I ordered 300 75 eldms and 100 70ABs to try out.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

Haven't you killed a bear with a .223 or is my memory all screwed up?

Yes I’ve shot 2 bears with 62ttsx out of a 9 twist 223.

 

[Fire_9]

The smaller caliber/cartridge stuff can make sense to me. If the projectile creates a sufficient wound channel, that's all that matters. The one argument against it that I've heard and can get on board with is that it's more difficult to pinpoint/spot where you hit an animal. You can spot shots easier, but the smaller bullet doesn't leave as much of a signature on the animal. But as far as killing, I don't think they leave much on the table with the proper bullets

 

[DFS]

obviously you are talking big game but I have been very impressed with the 77 tmk’s and coyotes this year.

 

[chevyman181]

It's not the best picture but I shot this WT in 24 with a 73eldm. The shot was about 350yards. The bullet passed through. Not much of a blood trail but he didn't go far enough to need it.

I'd do it again and use it on bigger critters.

 

[44hunter45]

My first thought is, what would @psinclair do?

I had my granddaughter started on a Mini14 and 70 grain flat base bullet. Never got the shot to test that combo, but I'm confident it would have been fine for deer.

US Military doctrine says the 5.56x45mm is effective to 550m on an "individual target" (aka a human). That is with an FMJ. Even "out of the fight" vs Dead Right There, that is compelling data.

Having said that, I do think there are things best left to the varsity players like you and Pat. Meaning people see something on youtube and Dunning-Kruger takes over.
There are certainly people out there who have no business doing it.

 

[mtmuley]

My first thought is, what would @psinclair do?

I had my granddaughter started on a Mini14 and 70 grain flat base bullet. Never got the shot to test that combo, but I'm confident it would have been fine for deer.

US Military doctrine says the 5.56x45mm is effective to 550m on an "individual target" (aka a human). That is with an FMJ. Even "out of the fight" vs Dead Right There, that is compelling data.

Having said that, I do think there are things best left to the varsity players like you and Pat. Meaning people see something on youtube and Dunning-Kruger takes over.
There are certainly people out there who have no business doing it.

@psinclair isn't the average shooter. I know smaller cartridges work but use what I want. mtmuley

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

What would @Carl do?

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I think both those guys are shooting the biggest/bestest small bullets in rifles set up for just that, which have higher velocity and BC, and faster twist in a rifle like a 22cm. But I know Carl has some regular ol .223s too. Tiny little quiet and rifles are so fun to shoot, a lot.

 

[Fire_9]

Having said that, I do think there are things best left to the varsity players like you and Pat.

I'm confused. Putting a bullet into the chest cavity of an animal is a varsity level move?

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I'm confused. Putting a bullet into the chest cavity of an animal is a varsity level move?

You are not confused.