Frequently Banned Troll
Well-known member
That guy’s (Tyler Freel) had a bear video on shot placement that I watched maybe a year ago. It was something I wish I’d seen maybe 30 years ago..
Small Bullets (.224) and BIG game
- Thread starter Frequently Banned Troll
- Start date
I have killed a few deer with a 22 long rifle, a few with a 223, and a few caribou with a 22-250. All with 55 grain Hornady soft points. I know people who have killed elk with 22-250, 220 Swift, and 22 magnum. All of these 20 to 50 years ago. I don't see little bullets being any better than bigger bullets.
If I had to hunt elk with a .223, I would not feel disadvantaged, but since I don't have to, I will be packing a bigger caliber.
Do whatever puts a smile on your face.
If I had to hunt elk with a .223, I would not feel disadvantaged, but since I don't have to, I will be packing a bigger caliber.
Do whatever puts a smile on your face.
Hams42
Well-known member
Shoot I shot a cow at 400 through both lungs with a 168 VLD hunter out of my 7 mag and watched her run over 3/4 of a mile before tipping over. I decided bergers weren't for me and switched to coppers. Proof right there that caliber isnt the end all be all.
Hams42
Well-known member
I have yet to get a bear in the cross hairs but I know when I do im going to have to chant "aim further back" the whole time.
Redmt
Well-known member
I've taken countless pigs and deer with a .223 . My hunting is mainly on our place or neighboring ranches. I also stepped up to 25-06 and the dreaded 6.5 CM . My 6.5 is my grab and go preferred caliber. If I was to have the opportunity to hunt elk, I would consider the 6.5 but would probably center up on a .308. if I could develop a load as accurate as the 6.5 . I also have a .300 Wetherby mag but don't care to turn meat to jelly.
Gerald Martin
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- 9,533
Hold my beer… Little Ralphie enters the chat.
Potsie
Well-known member
Tikka compact .223 “for the kids” with a can is about as much fun as possible with your clothes still on.
Great thread for what Ive been thinking. My kid is still too young for big game, but just got a shotgun for small game n birds. When I get him a rifle in a few years, I was debating on doing a .223 bolt action because its legal in CA to hunt with. As far as can it kill? I equate it to bow hunting - shot placement is the key and theres less room for error.
Questions - are there any kids .223 bolt rifles anyone has used? Any good all copper rounds? The .77gr TMK everyone talks about are not all copper.
Questions - are there any kids .223 bolt rifles anyone has used? Any good all copper rounds? The .77gr TMK everyone talks about are not all copper.
Redmt
Well-known member
The Ruger Ranch is a pretty nice little .223 bolt rifle. If you don't reload, any of the Barnes or Remington Barnes bullet factory loads are very accurate with the rifle.
Rack Daniels
Well-known member
Sounds like uhh.. middle of the night over on farmer Johnson’s place…
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
Same deal different approache. The kid and I may shoot hundreds of suppressed 6 creed rounds in a session.
Minimum load of h4895 behind a 75 vmax has to be dam close.
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
Like @Potsie suggested, get a T3X Compact, or you can get any Tikka 223 you want and put it in a T3X Compact takeoff stock. I chose the latter option for my daughter so she could have a stainless rifle (I am kind of bad about cleaning).
As far as copper bullets, I have really liked what Barnes 62 gr TTSXs have done. However, none of the deer we have shot with them have been much past 100 yards so I can’t tell you what they do when velocity gets really low. But, we have been using them with a 14.5” barrel so they are starting out kind of slow.
Caseknife
Well-known member
I've killed a boar and whitetail buck with a 62TTSX, worked fine. What I don't like about the frangible bullets that are all the rage is the meat destruction and metal fragments all through the meat whether lead or copper. I don't have the ability to shoot numerous animals in a season and cherish my wild game in the freezer. All my big game hunting for the last 30+ years has been with monos. Better have your shooting skills up to snuff when shooting monos in 22 caliber, not a lot of room for error. Hammers give a little more leeway with their terminal performance.
Love my Bob!I didn’t think there would be a day when my .257 Roberts would be considered a Heavy…yet here we are!
This thread has inspired me to start looking for another rifle “for the kids”
Potsie
Well-known member
I own multiple tikkas, so swapping the barreled actions around between stocks is nice.
Any of the 3 can go in the compact stock, and all three are bobbed/threaded for the cans.
For the kids, of course.
jpc01101
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- 962
I got my 7 (now 9) YO a 300 Blackout in the new Ruger Gen 2 (which has a piece you can remove to make the stock shorter). With a can it is crazy quiet. He hasn't shot a deer with it yet since he used a crossbow this year, but I would have no problem putting him on one out to 80-100 yds. with proper ammo.
Was actually a slip and fall with his rifle while out deer hunting. Then shooting at this buck and realizing the Leupold was 10’ off after the fall. I was packing the 204 for coyotes
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
Looks like I need a new rifle for "the kid" sooner than later, you know, so he can practice. Always wanted a tikka so a compact .223 with a shorter barrel shooting 62TTSX sounds like the right setup. Shots where I hunt are rarely outside 100 yards. Thx.
I mainly want to stick with .223 as I have rounds for it already and like to have multiple guns for the same caliber. I imagine my boy could shoot it now without issue too.
I mainly want to stick with .223 as I have rounds for it already and like to have multiple guns for the same caliber. I imagine my boy could shoot it now without issue too.
