77 tmk for deer?

[iukamedic]

Just like it said. I’ve looked at new calibers and such in a previous post. What about the 77tmk for deer and like sized critters? I’ve read some interesting things about that bullet on medium sized game.

 

[vonb]

Read up on the Rokslide forum. There's a lot of content there on the matter.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Using a .224 for deer is like walking in the shop a grabbing a Crescent wrench for a job that you knew a correct box end would have done the job better.

 

[Rtheurer]

Using a .224 for deer is like walking in the shop a grabbing a Crescent wrench for a job that you knew a correct box end would have done the job better.

And lets get rid of those Bow and Arrow's too...

 

[Kracken McGraw]

And lets get rid of those Bow and Arrow's too...

Probably, if you have to reach behind a 30-06 to grab the Bow. lol.

 

[AWS]

When everything goes right a 223 or a bow works. When things go wrong is where there problem comes in. Using a bullet that the manufacturer doesn't even recommend as a bullet to hunt with, well I think that just might be another thing that could go wrong. There are lots of bullets designed to hunt with, why depend on one that isn't.

 

[Knotwild]

That question involves a ton of variables. I live in SC and the bigest deer I'm likely to shoot is 200lbs and most are 100 to 150lbs. The ranges I shoot are 200yds max and most are 100yds or less. The rifles I use are capable of 1" or less and I am not a trophy hunter- does and cull bucks. I shoot for the spine or I pass on the shot. I have killed 10-15 100 to 150 lb deer at less than 200 yds with the 77gr Sierra OTM. Under my conditions it works in a 5.56. I might expand my parameters a little if I used something like a 22-250. But then again I do not know how that bullet would perform at higher velocities.

If I was hunting deer with heavier body mass, shooting at longer ranges, or might encounter a trophy that presented a less than ideal shot scenario

there is no way I would be using a .22.

 

[Larryh128]

I have no experience with 77 TMK's but quite a bit with 62 gr Barnes TTSX. What I can tell you is they are a solid killer. I've been on several cull shoots that the deer were anywhere from 150# to 250#. I'm not talking a few, I'm talking pickup loads. I've never had a deer hit with one ever go 50 yds. That's more than I can say for a lot of larger calibers. Most were DRT. Bullet placement is and always has been key. Some were 300 yds and that's pushing energy levels for a 223. About 100 critters fallen to one. Lost 0.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

There are gel tests on youtube for TMK and a whole channel basically about hunting with match bullets. I have taken hogs with 62 gr TSX. I would go with a Barnes.

 

[AckleymanII]

Hornady 80g A max for the win since the 77g TMK do not exist for purchase with no end in sight.

62g Speer Bonded Gold Dot are available right now, have not seen the 75g Gold dots in 4 years.

 

[CJ6]

I like bonded bullets for hunting...So there's that.

 

[Clancy]

Hornady 80g A max for the win since the 77g TMK do not exist for purchase with no end in sight.

62g Speer Bonded Gold Dot are available right now, have not seen the 75g Gold dots in 4 years.

They’ve been available this week, keep an eye out.

 

[varmintshooter]

Match bullets are not tested for hunting so they are not recommended for hunting although they may work fine. As to using 22 cal for deer I have had very good results. Keep in mind shot placement is critical. Be willing to pass up on some shots that would be doable with a larger cal bullet. I haven't tried the 77 tmk for hunting but the 75 Amax has worked well as have 55 and 65 sgk

 

[Clancy]

I shoot a match bullet on pretty much everything. Some are to be avoided and others are not.

I didn’t shoot a deer with anything other than 222 until I was grown and moved out of my parents’ house. Now, I generally use a 6BR and Bart’s 68 Avenger.

Shooting a few coyotes is usually a good test on how well a bullet performs on game. If you’re getting pin hole exits, move along to another.

 

[Rsadams]

Just a question , do they not make a 77gr tgk... Tipped game king.... It will probably be more expensive though...

 

[SecondsCount]

The internet is an interesting place. You must use synthetic motor oil and change it every 3000 miles, Varget is the only good powder, and a 30 something caliber is the minimum for a deer

I'm a varmint hunter so don't listen to me but I read internet posts all the time of guys shooting their deer with a 223...using the 77 TMK, 75 Gold Dot, or one of the Barnes offerings. Either they are full of it or the little bullet is doing the job.

 

[Doug Casner]

My dad used to hunt deer with a swift. I dont know what bullet. Wasnt over a 60 gr. He said 250 yds. was about max range. That little bullet lost it quick after that. That was before we had a huge bullet selection when I was a kid. Doug

 

[30378]

Simply put, there are better choices!!

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

If that's all you have, could work. You might try a Barnes 78 gr TSX. I have some 69 gr TMKs that didn't shoot very well for me, but have had better luck in that rifle with 77 gr SMKs. I have never tried 77 gr TMKs.

 

[AckleymanII]

Super accuracy combined with minimal recoil makes for some very dead animals.