77 tmk for deer?

[Idaho-Lefty]

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.

While Blind Hunting for Elk over water, a few years back, I shot a Nice sized 4x4 Idaho Muley, at 34 yards.
The Arrow was found covered with, "Wall to Wall" Blood and a nice blood trail for 15 yards or so.
We all thought, I had me, a dead Deer in less than 100 yards,.. NOPE,.. and NO more, Blood was found !
I've NEVER Lost, a deer with a Rifle and I've shot them with .22-250's thru .270 Wby's /.30-06's and, a couple with a .338 Win Mag all, dead, pretty much, on the spot !
We believe that My Arrow ( a Razor sharp, 3 Bladed, Stryker ) hit the lower Back strap area, a couple of inches just above, the Lungs.
I've Killed Elk with, the Strykers,.. just Fine !
You HAVE to Hit, the Heart, Lungs or Femur Vein with, an Arrow and that's a much smaller Target on a Deer !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

The Deer I shot with, the .22-250 walked on for quite a while before,.. collapsing !
Fortunately, I was on a Hill above him and was able to see him, lay down
IMO,.. a .243 Win is Minimum for Deer and that's the Beginning Caliber,.. in MANY States.

 

[Downhill]

Shot several whitetail with a 223. DRT. Shot placement is paramount (as it is with any caliber or arrow!). Could not tell you how to follow a blood trail- never had to do it. In the mid 90's I watched a guy hit a doe with a 35Whelen, she ran 150 or so yards before falling. It is where you put the hole not the size of it.

 

[White Eagle]

22 cal in proper chambering will kill deer with authority
deer are not that hard to kill save the 06 for something else

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I wonder what size human the 556 was designed to kill?

 

[WSnyder]

Scoff if you like but there’s a lot of 77 TMK carnage with pictures in this thread:

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

 

[3Ackleys]

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.

Such as a Berger hunting bullet? They were not "designed" for hunting. They were the original Berger target bullets, and lots of people were having excellent results hunting with them. Berger then changed the name on the box from target to hunting. This is written on Berger's web site.
The 77 TMK is an excellent hunting bullet. Terminal results are all that matter. I have seen first hand the wound channel on this bullet in lots of deer and elk. Zero issues using it.

 

[K22]

This kind of debate will never have a clear right or wrong answer because someone will have killed a deer with a 223 with one shot using a bullet designed for target shooting.

Lots of theories, paper ballistics, and internet babble.

Just ask yourself one question, if you encountered a deer of a lifetime, how much margin and certainty would you want to ensure a humane kill.

 

[WSnyder]

There’s a whole lot more than one someone that’s killed many deer and more with 77 TMK’s and 88 ELDM’s. The ELDM’s are another that the manufacturer says not recommended but kill a lot of big stuff.

 

[linebaugh]

I'm sure not going to tell you that you dont have enough gun because I have taken my share of mid sized game with smaller calibers. I would tell you that you "may" not get pass through shots which could limit tracking from time to time.
Some food for thought. An 80 gr bullet in a .243 was once a staple deer cartridge for many. Seems like a 77gr with higher sectional density would be right in that wheelhouse.

 

[1raggedhole]

As the saying goes, poachers have been taking deer with 22LR for a long time. You can probably kill one jumping out of a tree with a knife, but I’d prefer to take the more reliable solution that is well proven, meaning high sectional density controlled expansion bullet. Bigger bullets work. Ammo and bullet mfrs classify their products for best potential performance for a reason.
But, that’s just my opinion. Try the 77TMK and let us know.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Will a 6.5 Creedmoor kill a deer?
Sorry, but it needs to be mentioned in threads like this.

 

[iukamedic]

Really didn’t mean to open up a can of worms. Sometimes I try to find variable uses for a caliber. I enjoy the 223 for what it is. I do understand there are better bullets and calibers, just had a few of these and wandered if any one had first hand experience. Don’t really understand how the 6.5 got into the scenario. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[1raggedhole]

Really didn’t mean to open up a can of worms. Sometimes I try to find variable uses for a caliber. I enjoy the 223 for what it is. I do understand there are better bullets and calibers, just had a few of these and wandered if any one had first hand experience. Don’t really understand how the 6.5 got into the scenario. Thanks for all the comments.

I know the feeling. Asking questions like this always gets us excited… we just can’t help ourselves

 

[jwink]

I've taken deer with my .22-250AI, 3 out of 3, never made a second step after the trigger was pulled. I will admit though, longest shot was maybe 75 yards out of my tree stand. Oh, 75 amax

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Really didn’t mean to open up a can of worms. Sometimes I try to find variable uses for a caliber. I enjoy the 223 for what it is. I do understand there are better bullets and calibers, just had a few of these and wandered if any one had first hand experience. Don’t really understand how the 6.5 got into the scenario. Thanks for all the comments.

Sorry for the derail. It was starting to go a little sideways and the Creedmoor usually shows up in a thread when it does.
Of course a 223 with 65 grain or so cup and core bullet will kill a deer if you get a good shot off. A larger caliber will be more effective if your shot placement is less than ideal.

 

[ACF]

While I don't use the 77 gr. TMK's on deer I was using them on groundhogs. Been trying to get some for 2 years now and can't find any. So what's the story with Sierra bullets? I called to see if they were discontinued
and was told they were not. Asked when they were going to be available, they didn't know. This is a bullet manufacturer that hasn't made these in over 2 years. All I can say is WOW!

Chris

 

[1K6BRA]

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 must add I also met my French model girlfriend on the Internet also +1 on using Barnes TTSX bullets for shooting deer at any reasonable range.

 

[SecondsCount]

While I don't use the 77 gr. TMK's on deer I was using them on groundhogs. Been trying to get some for 2 years now and can't find any. So what's the story with Sierra bullets? I called to see if they were discontinued
and was told they were not. Asked when they were going to be available, they didn't know. This is a bullet manufacturer that hasn't made these in over 2 years. All I can say is WOW!

Chris

They're still being made

Available in 500 count at the moment

Creedmoor Sports - Precision Reloading and Shooting Gear

Shoot and Reload with the Pros! Creedmoor Sports has served the Precision Shooting Community for over 40 years in Centerfire, Small-bore, Air Rifle and Pistol Disciplines.

www.creedmoorsports.com

 

[ACF]

Thanks a million "seconds count" just ordered them. I may still get in some groundhog hunting.

Chris