77gr .223 for Bear?
- Thread starter TrevorF
- Start date
SomebodyTookMyName
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Saskatchewan
Shot placement is everything. If you're an experienced archer, you know this already 
Don't let the rest of the keyboard caliber warriors here change your mind- just be patient and put those 77 grains where it counts.
Don't let the rest of the keyboard caliber warriors here change your mind- just be patient and put those 77 grains where it counts.
Shot placement is everything. If you're an experienced archer, you know this already
Don't let the rest of the keyboard caliber warriors here change your mind- just be patient and put those 77 grains where it counts.
I have to reason that a 77gr .223 travelling at almost 2800 fps has got to do a number on a bear's lungs and or heart within 30y.
What was your experience/success with arrows?
Why moving to a rifle?
Why a .223 caliber?
Sure, ill bite. Not going to manage the debate on the ethical discussion around use of the 223 cal. Just make sure your area allows for it.
If I were going to consider the 223 win then I would use the 70gr barnes tsx if you have a 9 twist or other TSX options matched to your rifle twist. Next best alternative would be 60gr partition if you can find them. Shy away from cup and cores as they have a tendancy to explode on impact at such short distances. I would shoot for head or shoulder(autonomic plexus) with the TSX. Your goal is to damage and destroy the mobility and vital organs and drop em where they stand. A meat saver shot may result in a bit of a tracking job. Simply put, never trust the 22 cal to do the job so you make the shot count.
I'll bet you have some bear burger for the BBQ. BTW, if you have stuck them with the bow then why the smoke pole now?
My 2c.
If I were going to consider the 223 win then I would use the 70gr barnes tsx if you have a 9 twist or other TSX options matched to your rifle twist. Next best alternative would be 60gr partition if you can find them. Shy away from cup and cores as they have a tendancy to explode on impact at such short distances. I would shoot for head or shoulder(autonomic plexus) with the TSX. Your goal is to damage and destroy the mobility and vital organs and drop em where they stand. A meat saver shot may result in a bit of a tracking job. Simply put, never trust the 22 cal to do the job so you make the shot count.
I'll bet you have some bear burger for the BBQ. BTW, if you have stuck them with the bow then why the smoke pole now?
My 2c.
My issue with it is that I can't think of a hunting 77 grain bullet. Target bullets may work great or they may pencil through or fail to penetrate. I have used the .223 successfully on a couple of smaller (less than 220 lbs) bears. A 64 grain power point through the heart and neither got out of sight. I wouldn't recommend the 223 and it was more of a case of bears needing permanent sorting and the .223 was the rifle I had. If I was going to set out to do it again, I'd probably choose a 75 grain Swift Scirocco, 60 grain Partition or TTSX in that order, blood trails may be lacking if one does move very far.
With archery I shot 5, lost one, hit him too far back. No bear at the end of the small blood trail. Why move to a rifle, something different. I've only shot deer with a rifle and bears with a bow. Now I want to harvest a bear with a rifle and I have a new Macabee defense SLR that I want to hunt with. My 7.62x40WT upper isn't built yet so that's why .223.
Target bullet? These bullets are HPBTs.
I haven't bow hunted since 2012 when I got into firearms in a big way. I would never try a head shot at any distance. I'm a broad side in the cage type of hunter. I think .223 Rem traveling at similar speeds to .308 inside 30y with the right bullet construction and shot placement should drop a bear, but not in it's tracks.
Your wildlife laws may well not allow it: here for big game it is REQUIRED 1500ft/lbs muzzle energy (recommended 1800ft/lbs) . The .223 does not meet that required (close with VERY hot loads) but not legally enough.
If it were an emergency and that's all you had OK sure but if your intention is to hunt big game with a rifle I have to ask why a.223.
If it were an emergency and that's all you had OK sure but if your intention is to hunt big game with a rifle I have to ask why a.223.
I have to question your reasoning on this: I have hunted many a bear and seen what others' misplaced shots / failed headshots with .30< can do (or not do) so a headshot with a .223 on a bear at more than contact distance.... nope no thanks.
HPBTs may fragment too much that close at velocity. I think a heavy load of 223 for blackies at 30 yards is fine, bullet construction matters. Federal fusions have fused jackets and pressure formed cores .. should be good to go.
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Ask gallen270. He's used a .223 on bear.
I would definitely go with a Fusion load. And I suspect it would work just fine. If all I had was a .223, or even if it wasn't, I'd use it. Shotgun is best at that range, though, the slugs really pull them down. But why not use the .223 if it will work?
I would definitely go with a Fusion load. And I suspect it would work just fine. If all I had was a .223, or even if it wasn't, I'd use it. Shotgun is best at that range, though, the slugs really pull them down. But why not use the .223 if it will work?
