Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by SPEARONZ

Given most of these shots seem to be sub250m are you guys dialling much or just holding high shoulder for long shots?

I have a 200yd zero. Anything past that I’m dialling

Originally Posted by Beavis

Anyone tried 73gr ELD's on deer? Just got a packet to work up a load for my not-an-AR

Shot 1. Neck shot so not much of a test. @300wsm for life might be able to help.

Only taken 3 deer with the 73g ELD m. None were at distance, 1 head shot, 1 neck shot both 100mtrs and the third was high shoulder at 150mtrs. All dropped on the spot, as I was rather busy breaking down deer I never looked at the internals of the shoulder shot one.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Anyone tried 73gr ELD's on deer? Just got a packet to work up a load for my not-an-AR

75g have worked fine in my 22-250 for deer so can't see why 73g wouldn't either when the shot is placed correctly for the range.

Decided to scratch the itch & picked up a tikka .223 1/8 twist off a fellow forum member. Bought some 77 TMK, 73 ELDM & have some 80gr ELDM coming to try. Took it to the range & put some factory hornady 55gr through it which shot brilliantly, 5 shots in to 1 ragged hole.

Bought some starline brass to load (have to measure but appears to have noticeably less case capacity than the hornady brass) & loaded up some of the 77 TMK to try. FED205, 2206h & loaded them to 15 thou off jam trying to give myself as much case capacity as possible. Topped out at 24.5gr 2206h for 2840fps (20 inch barrel) no obvious pressure signs but not really room in the case for much more powder. However all the loads from 22 up to 24.5 shot pretty average groups, 1 moa at best.

Loaded a seating depth ladder at 24.5gr from 15 thou off jam to 39 thou in 3 thou increments & still no joy, pretty average groups compared to how well the factory hornady stuff shot.

Anyone out there using 77TMK in their tikka willing to share their experiences? Maybe they like alot more jump than im giving them? Also interested to know what COAL people are running with the 73-75-80 ELDM



Shoots the hornady 55gr factory stuff awesome so no problem with the rifle itself.

LMFAO 24.5grns 2206h has been my 50-55grn load for the 223 for last 25 years and now you fellas are poking heavies out with it.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

LMFAO 24.5grns 2206h has been my 50-55grn load for the 223 for last 25 years and now you fellas are poking heavies out with it.

I started at 22 and worked my way up to that carefully. 24-26gr of 2206h seems to be about the norm from what i have read others doing with the heavies.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

I started at 22 and worked my way up to that carefully. 24-26gr of 2206h seems to be about the norm from what i have read others doing with the heavies.

I have a long Waters' mag but only load the 77 grn TMK to 2.3" oal which fit in a standard Tikka .223 mag. They shoot superbly and I expect that they have quite a jump.
The TMK are designed for use in a 2.3" AR mag.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

I started at 22 and worked my way up to that carefully. 24-26gr of 2206h seems to be about the norm from what i have read others doing with the heavies.

I know Tahr loads the 77 TMK in his Tikka, I tried the 80eldm in mine but didn't shoot that well the 80grn Targex shoots all through one hole.
I've got some 77TMK loaded ready to try same powder charge as I loaded the 80 Targex so I hope they shoot ok.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I have a long Waters' mag but only load the 77 grn TMK to 2.3" oal which fit in a standard Tikka .223 mag. They shoot superbly and I expect that they have quite a jump.
The TMK are designed for use in a 2.3" AR mag.

That was my next plan of attack, read another post of yours saying you loaded them to 2.3" so planning to use the hornady brass that has a little more capacity & load a charge ladder to 2.3" & see how that goes

I had loaded 26 grains of AR2206 behind the 55 grain in my old Brno .223 for years. This gave around 3,200 fps with its long and worn throat. When a new .223 appeared in the cupboard in 2005 a mid load for the 55 grain from Nick Harvey's 6th edition of 23 grains of AR2206 was tried. I was expecting around 3,050 fps based on NH velocities but the chronograph only said just under 2,900 fps and in a 26 inch barrel too. FFS if I had wanted a .22 Hornet I would have bought one so a hunt around turned up an ADI 3rd addition (2000) which listed 25.5 grains for 3,250 fps. This time the chronograph said 3,235 fps, snap. Later when the slightly slower AR2206H replaced AR2206 the Hodgdons data for H4895 (AR2206H) showed 26 grain behind the 55 grain as max. This was a tight fit in the case so 25.5 grains was used chronographing 3,170 in the T3x. 25 grains behind the 69 grain Sierra HPTBT produced 2,960 fps.
I know your feelings @ Mickey Duck on chronographs and you are likely very happy with the load you are using but just in case you want to here is some data that may be of use and some reasons others are using the higher loads.
Regards Grandpamac.

Interesting reading seeing I have acquired one although it is most likely a 1-12 twist.
Unless I get onto heaps of wallabies I probably won't reload either so factory ammo will be the go

Personally think you can’t fit enough powder in a small case to do anything too serious. Straight to max and get on with it

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

I've got some 77TMK loaded ready to try same powder charge as I loaded the 80 Targex so I hope they shoot ok.

Are you running them in a tikka? What COAL are you trying them at?

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

Are you running them in a tikka? What COAL are you trying them at?

The 80 grn Targex are 20thou off the lands I'll be able to give you a LOA once I go over to my reloading room.
I also use Waterman magazines which don't limit your length.
I just wish the Targex 80 were available as they shoot the best of any of the heavy weight pills in mine

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