Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 223 Rem best deer bullet?

My load is,

Lake City brass
75gr Gold Dot
24.5 grs H-4895
CCI BR4 primer
2.275 OAL

Or

Lake City brass
75 gr Gold Dot
25 grs H-4895
CCI BR4 primer
2.35 OAL

The first load is for my .223 standard throat Rifles Inc Strata. The Second load is for my .223 long throated NULA.
Both loads average 2925 fps. These are my loads work up with caution and all that stuff. Hodgdon shows 24.5 grs as max for a 75 gr bullet but it’s not a gold dot.

Lever’ will grant more velocity and meters a whole bunch better. Also better ES/SD. Hint.

I don’t have a throat on any 223/223AI OEM or otherwise,that kisses a 75 ELD,shorter than 2.435” COAL. Hint.

Just saying………….

Stick, is there any published data for Lever and 75’s?

Thanks?

NOPE. HINT. LOL

Lever' is slower burning than CFE and that data abounds. I shoot it in dozens of rifles and it's interesting,that Data is often soooooo slow in it's arrival. Hint.

I've long shot it in 223,223AI,224 Grendel,22BR,243 Grendel,6BR,ARC,264 Grendel and will be squirting 112's with it in a new K&P 6 Dasher spout,next pass. Hint.



I tend to drive .003" constriction and Lapooey brass,with an obvious Square Smooch. This particular throat arranges same,at 2.530" COAL. I don't have any less than 2.430",whether OEM or Custom,with cited projectile. Hint.





Imitation is THE most Sincere form of flattery and CLUELESS Lying Piece Of fhuqking Schit Brokedick Droolers like to Pretend aloud,as they "live" vicariously. Pardon wares that exist. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!....................

I’ve got some Lever my son runs in his 223AI at your recommendation, I need to try it in my vanillas.

I’d have to check my notes for how much at a time but Lever is the business under the 75 BTHP and the 77TMK for my uses.

I’d be curious about your loads with both bullets. I’ve got lever and the BTHP sitting on my bench. Planning on picking up the TMKs.

I've ready them all... just giving the bullet another tip of the cap

Same here.

26.5 to 27 has been amazing in alot of rifles with anything 75-77 grain.

For those who have read the Rokslide link, does the 77 TMK seem too destructive?

Looks like a ton of bloodshot.





P

I was just reading an article on the .22 K-Hornet. The 35 gr. Hammer Hunter was the most accurate bullet and they tested a bunch.

The 60 gr. Hammer Hunter you mention should work great in a .223. They do recommend 9 twist, so OP should check his Dad's rifle.

I've been impressed with Hammer bullets, as have you. Accuracy and terminal performance are top notch.

There is a Weatherby You Tube video, Adam Weatherby interviewing the Hammer founders/owners. Lots of good info. Google it.

Wby is now offering their factory ammo loaded with Hammer bullets. That speaks volumes.

They're not cheap, but how many does one actually use when hunting. Use enough to work up a load, then plink with cheaper stuff.

DF

Not to be a smartass, but a ton of bloodshot as compared to what? My little bit of use of the 77TMK on game versus what I've seen with .223 varmint bullets, FMJ, and monolithics points more toward what you might see in a conventional cup/core standard weight 95-100gr .243 factory load, being more damage than I've seen with a mono or FMJ but with more penetration than a lightweight HP or other varmint-style bullet. Perhaps not a bad place to be. I do wish the 75gr Gold Dot was still available on the market, as it also looks like a good all-rounder with a bit more of a nod to penetration. Would be a fun one to test a bit on deer and hogs.

Aw man, is the 75gr Gold Dot discontinued? As a component, or loaded ammo too? I have a box of their cop marketed stuff in the drawer just in case it ever comes down to 223 deer shooting.

About that...do you guys find a certain bullet/shot placement makes for better blood trails and tracking, or is it pretty much just foregone that there will be very little to none but the deer won't get very far?

Ingwe's posts on the lighter TSX and TTSX on deer make it sound great.

The component bullet and ammo are still listed by Speer, it just seems that they haven't made them in a while, as they don't show up at retailers.

I've generally gone for lungs with anything other than a mono when shooting the .223. With a mono, I try to hit shoulders.

Broadside exit from 77TMK on whitetail. Good blood trail and short run.

Compared to a 150 gr ELDX from our 7mm-08s. We’ve killed a bunch of deer over the last decade with that cartridge and I haven’t seen that kind of destruction from the 7mm-08 as from the 77 TMK.




P

Thanks JPro! Man I believe you on the short run. Would not be able to guess what cartridge/caliber did that. Definitely wouldn't think 22 cal.

And appreciate the info. Will continue hoarding the Speer

Factory loaded Hornady 75 grain ELDM from a 16” AR-15 at ~115 yards

Factory loaded 75eldm fits in an ar mag?

I only run 25gr of Lever under the 75s and 77s. They shoot good and terminal performance is great so I haven’t messed with it. 2” diameter wound channels are the norm and I haven’t noticed any huge amounts of bloodshot though I am not butchering pigs, which is the main target.

Typical exit wreckage from the 77TMK.
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