Thread: 223 on deer

It's quite annoying that the Howa mini magazine is so restrictive for OAL. The modified accurate mags I'm using would allow longer if you wanted e.g. you could chamber for a longer throat and seat the 88gr ELDMs out further. My chamber is roughly set up for a 75-80 seated with the base at the neck/shoulder junction in the case.

Left - right: Red hind 250m, fallow buck 170m, bull tahr 60m. Nice little mushrooms

Those are 80 ELDMs gimp?

Originally Posted by gimp

Left - right: Red hind 250m, fallow buck 170m, bull tahr 60m. Nice little mushrooms...

That is one of the most interesting recovered bullet photos I have seen in a while @gimp.

I’ve been a staunch advocate of ELD-M bullets in my homeland for a good while now - I am using the 6mm version and flattening reds, fallow and goats past 400m. Very happy indeed with the terminal performance. By and large I get lambasted by the Europeans for being an unethical heathen for even hinting at the use of “match bullets”. (Add that to the concept of using a .224 calibre rifle and I’d be put on the rack.)

I’d love to know what the expansion on those mushrooms is as a function of calibre. They all look over 2x and a bit more.

Yes, 80gr ELDM at 2810fps muzzle

It seems though that if the ELDM hit solid bone they do seperate (as per one of gimp's Tahr). Over all though the ELDM do seem to hold together better than the Sierra Tipped MK.

Ive just had 2 of the "Waters" 6 shot 2.6" (66mm) Tikka mags arrive so that I can try the 80ELDM, and seat the 77TMK I'm using a bit further out. I don't though expect to see a big advantage with the ELDM on deer.

Originally Posted by Tahr

It seems though that if the ELDM hit solid bone they do seperate (as per one of gimp's Tahr). Over all though the ELDM do seem to hold together better than the Sierra Tipped MK.

Ive just had 2 of the "Waters" 6 shot 2.6" (66mm) Tikka mags arrive so that I can try the 80ELDM, and seat the 77TMK I'm using a bit further out. I don't though expect to see a big advantage with the ELDM on deer.

I’ve just ordered a Waters 6 shot 66mm mag for my Tikka .
Im interested in hearing how you got on with yours , do they feed well and how did they go in combination with the 77gr TMK .
Did you use the available length that they provide to your advantage with 2206H and the 77 TMK ?

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’ve just ordered a Waters 6 shot 66mm mag for my Tikka .
Im interested in hearing how you got on with yours , do they feed well and how did they go in combination with the 77gr TMK .
Did you use the available length that they provide to your advantage with 2206H and the 77 TMK ?

77 STM stayed at 2.3” cos no benefit from being longer. Couldn’t get 80 eldm to shoot out near the lands so didn’t persist. Extended mag ideal for 74 and 80 grain Targex and both shot well at fullish length. Mag feeds well regardless of bullet length. I have to watch for the bottom plate dipping and jamming when loading the mag though.

Originally Posted by Tahr

77 STM stayed at 2.3” cos no benefit from being longer. Couldn’t get 80 eldm to shoot out near the lands so didn’t persist. Extended mag ideal for 74 and 80 grain Targex and both shot well at fullish length. Mag feeds well regardless of bullet length. I have to watch for the bottom plate dipping and jamming when loading the mag though.

That’s good information
Interesting that you couldn’t get the 80 eldm to work .
To be honest that is half of the reason why I’ve fronted up for the Waters mag , I want to give them a run after seeing the results achieved by gimp and his “ wonder beast “ of a .223

Originally Posted by Ground Control

That’s good information
Interesting that you couldn’t get the 80 eldm to work .
To be honest that is half of the reason why I’ve fronted up for the Waters mag , I want to give them a run after seeing the results achieved by gimp and his “ wonder beast “ of a .223

I've been trying the 80 ELDM in my Tikka as well without much luck.
They shoot ok but nothing like the 80grn Targex or the 77tmk.
If you want to try them I have at least half a box here.

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I doubt you'd notice a difference. This little guy did separate, found halfway through the off shoulder. I didn't find the core but I also didn't really waste time looking as it was more or less dark and I had a big walk out

270m

Originally Posted by gimp

270m

Attachment 164417

Absolute savage. Love your work with the 223 mate

Originally Posted by gimp

270m

Attachment 164417

Nice one and @gimp bring back your videos!


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Originally Posted by Dreamer

Nice one and @gimp bring back your videos!


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I keep thinking about it, but I get a lot more hunting done just hunting...