Tavor .223 & 62gr TTSX vs mulie doe

[Gateholio]

I drew a doe LEH this year so I decided to try to make the hunt a bit more interesting. Nothing could ever come close to the Epic Flatops and Fireballs adventure that Tod Bartell and I embarked on in our youth, but I wanted it more interesting than driving around in a pick up then blasting a doe with a 300 Winchester Magnum using a 180gr Power Point.

I was short on time, so I asked Bartell to QL some data for my Tavor and the 62gr TTSX bullet. He sent back the info and instead of my usual proper load work up procedure I just loaded a few rounds to work up and make sure pressure was fine then zeroed the Vortex Viper red dot sight at 100m and went hunting. Any buck season was open too, so I jumped into the Honda SXS and headed up the hills. My plan was to drive up and creep the timber and shoot the first buck or doe I saw.

I parked the 4 wheel contraption and scurried off into the timber. It was still pretty dark,but legal shooting hours. What's that? Big bodied buck, right off the bat. Can't see his his antlers yet and he's clearly busted me, I don't have a shot through the timber in the dark and he slips away silently. No snort, so he's not really freaked out, just not into me.

Nothing happens the rest of the morning so I go back for lunch and head out in the afternoon. Bumped into a buddy who mentioned he had seen some does in the area, so I figure I might get lucky one way or the other. I'm only hunting for a short while and I see a lone, big bodied doe. She's standing about 50 yards away, near a bit of a gully, it's pouring rain and I don't want to drag her out of there. So I take a high shoulder shot. BOOM FLOP! Legs in air. Lights out. I go get the SXS. By the time I'm done recovery, cleaning and loading her, every bit of me is soaking wet. Haha

I was able to load her right up, she wasn't far from a skidder road, so I hung her whole. Very rare for me, most deer get done gutless method then get backpacked out of the woods. Here are some bullet performance pics for those inclined.

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14702340_10154488368600516_4718094271755822480_n.j pg?oh=ca8e96987c0ec66b1b6f5ada75091c92&oe=58A06397

Entry

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14725715_10154488368590516_1215352225290364360_n.j pg?oh=caa87bcc4aebef648a50ffbf7c4876c3&oe=58A4842E

Exit (sorry about the pic)

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p206x206/14470455_10154488368605516_1929889806429800412_n.j pg?oh=47af0d44c362386f1f21b38054be14d7&oe=588CC6AE

It's what's inside that counts!

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14633045_10154488368595516_775666890199970224_n.jp g?oh=7911ad5779748ef85b22920acde246b2&oe=5898AA20

Tenderloin :

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14680492_10154479535375516_7721385478885776653_n.j pg?oh=fd33719da76f9e97166fc8b3d258949d&oe=5886BC7A

[325]

Nice! How accurate do you find your Tavor? Did you get an aftermarket sear?

[Seeadler]

Nice, did you have a 50 beowulf mag loaded up?

[rocksteady]

I have started digressing in my rifles.. started off with an 06 and went bigger. My fave right now is the 7-08 from Nechako outdoors... sweet shooting low recoil deadly

[ajr5406]

That meal looks amazing

[Gateholio]

I've never bench tested it, but I can hit a 6" gong offhand every time if I do my part, which is good enough for me for this rifle. It's a stock Tavor, getting used to the trigger is the most challenging part of shooting this rifle accurately.

[Gateholio]

Nice, did you have a 50 beowulf mag loaded up?

I had exactly 4 rounds. Now I have 3. :)

[325]

I've never bench tested it, but I can hit a 6" gong offhand every time if I do my part, which is good enough for me for this rifle. It's a stock Tavor, getting used to the trigger is the most challenging part of shooting this rifle accurately.

Yes, the Tavors get great reviews except their triggers. There are some aftermarket options that supposedly improve the trigger considerably. The Tavor is on my shortlist if I can find one at a decent price.

[Gateholio]

That meal looks amazing

Thanks. I've been known to chop a little broccoli in my time...:)

[rocksteady]

Highly accurate... but that is an ugly shooting stick..

[Gateholio]

Yes, the Tavors get great reviews except their triggers. There are some aftermarket options that supposedly improve the trigger considerably. The Tavor is on my shortlist if I can find one at a decent price.

I saw some for about $2200 recently. I'm not going to pay $500 for a new trigger system for this rifle, the trigger just takes some getting used to, and I don't forsee myself taking precision shots at long distance with this rifle for any other reason than fun.

[325]

I saw some for about $2200 recently. I'm not going to pay $500 for a new trigger system for this rifle, the trigger just takes some getting used to, and I don't forsee myself taking precision shots at long distance with this rifle for any other reason than fun.

Let me know where you saw that price, if you can remember. I agree, $500 on a new trigger system for an already expensive firearm seems a bit much.

[Spy]

Nice deer congrats and thanks for the pics, I'm hoping to get a doe soon :-)

[Gateholio]

Go to gunnutz and do a search with Tavor as the thread title. Lots of used ones, new ones for $2400 etc etc

[rocksteady]

A quote from Bartell

You can polish a turd all you want, it's still a turd...

sorry but that that gun is definitely turd material..

if if you like it, good on you but I think it's fugly

[Gateholio]

A quote from Bartell

You can polish a turd all you want, it's still a turd...

sorry but that that gun is definitely turd material..

if if you like it, good on you but I think it's fugly

Fascinating contribution to the thread.

[Brew]

I wish I was eating that meal. Looks amazing

[rocksteady]

Fascinating contribution to the thread.

sorry but that is not what a gun is supposed to look like in my mind. If you like it, good on you but I think it is very unpretty :)

[rocksteady]

But dinner does look awesome..

[.264winmag]

Beauty eater! Nice high shoulder shot, can't walk with a shocked spine! Nice rig, not as pretty as my sks all tricked out but shoots a bit better HA

[lip_ripper00]

Cool! Tell me more about your optics decision, I have a HK SL8 I want scope.

[Gateholio]

Cool! Tell me more about your optics decision, I have a HK SL8 I want scope.

Bought it from Nechako. It's a 1x red dot, not a traditional scope. It really depends on what you want to accomplish with the rifle. HK SL8 are really accurate and may be better suited to a 1-6x scope or similar. I view my Tavor as a carbine for use to about 200 m, and the red dot does that fine. If I was going to shoot it further I would put a scope on it.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/venom_red_dot

http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/series_rd_venom.jpg

[Busterpayton54]

Tavor for sale on hbc, $1800 with mags and ambi kit. http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?131102-Tavor-Tar-21-Ruger-No-1-in-303-British-and-Browning-Cynergy-for-sale

[Busterpayton54]

I was rocking my xcr in 7.62x39 this weekend. It sports a vortex spitfire 1x. I do have a scope for it also but it really is only a 200m rifle which the red dot suites just fine also.

[Surrey Boy]

Classy in its entirety. Good thread.

[Slinky Pickle]

I keep almost pulling the trigger (financially speaking) on a KelTec RFB. I think the first company to produce a reasonably priced, .308 (7.62) bull pup will do very well.

Unlike some others, I really see the benefits of a full length barrel in a short hunting rifle.

http://aftermathgunclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RFB18-G-1-large.jpg

[Xenomorph]

Looks awesome man, interesting rifle.

[adriaticum]

Cool Gatehouse, I can only imagine someone calling police saying there is an active shooter in the area :mrgreen:

[Gateholio]

Tavor for sale on hbc, $1800 with mags and ambi kit. http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?131102-Tavor-Tar-21-Ruger-No-1-in-303-British-and-Browning-Cynergy-for-sale

Good deal!

[Gateholio]

I keep almost pulling the trigger (financially speaking) on a KelTec RFB. I think the first company to produce a reasonably priced, .308 (7.62) bull pup will do very well.

Unlike some others, I really see the benefits of a full length barrel in a short hunting rifle.

http://aftermathgunclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RFB18-G-1-large.jpg


I've hemmed and hawed about a RFB for years to use as a timber rifle. A bullpup design can be ideal, you can even sling it close to your body for two hands free climbing up steep nasty stuff. Too many people get hung up on physical appearances that they overlook practical applications.

Next I'm thinking about a Troy PAR in 300BLK. Not a bullpup but it's only 6lbs.

http://troydefense.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PumpAction_Nat_300-right.jpg

[325]

Good deal!

Yeah I PM'd the seller and heard nothing back...

[Fisher-Dude]

I have started digressing in my rifles.. started off with an 06 and went bigger. My fave right now is the 7-08 from Nechako outdoors... sweet shooting low recoil deadly

Me too. Started with a 308 and climbed up to a 300 mag that I used for nearly 20 years.

Now I'm back killing stuff with a 308 again, and some with a 280 AI. Almost feel guilty that the magnums are collecting dust in the gun safe.

BTW, nice lookin' deer, GH.

[hoochie]

Thanks for posting this. I am glad to see the .223 has now been proven, with pics, to be fully capable of taking a deer.
saw a guy on some hunting show hit a deer with a 300 Ultra mag... he figured he needed it I guess.

[Gateholio]

Me too. Started with a 308 and climbed up to a 300 mag that I used for nearly 20 years.

Now I'm back killing stuff with a 308 again, and some with a 280 AI. Almost feel guilty that the magnums are collecting dust in the gun safe.

BTW, nice lookin' deer, GH.

I'll use whatever interests me at the time. This week it's a .223 and I'll probably take the 50 BMG out next spring for bear.

[Gateholio]

Thanks for posting this. I am glad to see the .223 has now been proven, with pics, to be fully capable of taking a deer.
saw a guy on some hunting show hit a deer with a 300 Ultra mag... he figured he needed it I guess.

A .223 is never going to offer the versatility of a 300, no matter what bullets you use. But a good .223 bullet at a reasonable range with good placement is a killer.

[dougan]

Meal looks great except I think something $hit in the middle of the plate

[Gateholio]

Meal looks great except I think something $hit in the middle of the plate

classy..............

[twoSevenO]

Damn, that meal looks delicious .... I should not have seen that at 11:53pm on a growling empty stomach :(

[moosinaround]

That Tavor almost looks like a nail gun!! Nice to see the results of a TTSX in 22 cal. I just bought a .223 rem off of Nechako, and am going to start reloading for it next month. Guess I better not use those on a yote or wolf if I wanna save the pelt? Grub looked pretty good there Gates, I'd expect nothing less form a gourmet Chef! What beer went with that table Fare? Moosin

[Gateholio]

I used about a glass of Cabernet to make the mushroom/tomato reduction so I polished off the rest of the bottle. No beer.:)

[monasheemountainman]

I'll use whatever interests me at the time. This week it's a .223 and I'll probably take the 50 BMG out next spring for bear.

Nice! I'd love to see a video of that! would you do a center mass shot maybe a bit on the high side?

[Gateholio]

If I actually get around to it, I'll probably aim for the ribs. But my 50 cal is almost 40 lbs so I might just leave it at home. :)

[boxhitch]

Those medallions look to be warmed through just right.
No Fireball in the recipe ? Times are a changin'

[Asco]

I just sent an email to Rampart to get a PAR. Those pics sold it. I had
worked up a load for the mini 14 using 75gr AMAX ( old 14 with 1-7 twist no optics)

I have to say the TTSX looks like the way to go.

Beautiful meal; presentation absolutely counts

[Surrey Boy]

I just sent an email to Rampart to get a PAR. Those pics sold it. I had
worked up a load for the mini 14 using 75gr AMAX ( old 14 with 1-7 twist no optics)

I have to say the TTSX looks like the way to go.

Beautiful meal; presentation absolutely counts

Like/+1/Thumb Up

[Salty]

A Tavor. hahahaha awesome. Hey it got the job done that's got to be about the best hunting bullet choice for 223 IMO thanks for the good pics Gate. I bet that rifle is a real crowd pleaser at the range and now a deer slayer cool beans.

[Gateholio]

I just sent an email to Rampart to get a PAR. Those pics sold it. I had
worked up a load for the mini 14 using 75gr AMAX ( old 14 with 1-7 twist no optics)

I have to say the TTSX looks like the way to go.

Beautiful meal; presentation absolutely counts

I personally wouldn't choose an Amax for deer hunting with a .223. If you are going to do it, use a TSX/TTSX or a Nosler partition. It's for sure the way to go!!

[Gateholio]

A Tavor. hahahaha awesome. Hey it got the job done that's got to be about the best hunting bullet choice for 223 IMO thanks for the good pics Gate. I bet that rifle is a real crowd pleaser at the range and now a deer slayer cool beans.

it'sa all about being cool on the intraweb ;)

[Stormy]

The Tavors are really awesome, what else would one expect from the Israeli's?

I don't like bull-pups though, if I did - I would gladly trade my XCR-L for one, but for now I'll stick with it.

TTSX bullets work well in the 223 platform, as do Accubonds and partitions - deer sized animals have never been a problem as long as you place he shot properly.

nice looking meal there BTW.

[KodiakHntr]

I personally wouldn't choose an Amax for deer hunting with a .223. If you are going to do it, use a TSX/TTSX or a Nosler partition. It's for sure the way to go!!

While I personally have had great results with the 75 amax on deer and black bears, the ttsx is a better mousetrap than the tsx in the 22cal stuff. But don't forget about the GMX, it has shown to expand quite a bit better than the Barnes offerings as it is a bit softer construction. Still digs deep too.

Great at looking meal there.

[Chopper]

A quote from Bartell

You can polish a turd all you want, it's still a turd...

sorry but that that gun is definitely turd material..


if if you like it, good on you but I think it's fugly

Most refined battle riffle ever designed ... other than the updated versions of the Tavor. Incredible rifles, calling that rifle a " turd " just shows you lack of knowledge about the rifle.

Nice work Gatehouse, glad your putting that piece of art to good use

[rocksteady]

Most refined battle riffle ever designed ... other than the updated versions of the Tavor. Incredible rifles, calling that rifle a " turd " just shows you lack of knowledge about the rifle.

Nice work Gatehouse, glad your putting that piece of art to good use

fair enough. Don't know much about them but imho they are fugly.

[Chopper]

fair enough. Don't know much about them but imho they are fugly.

un believable rifle, balanced so well it can be shot with one hand, ak 47 style gas piston ejection system for reliability, " Over the beach capable " fires in water. AR compatible mags and controls, all stuffed into a compact bullpup design. Entire rifle can be field striped with a .223 round in about a minute.

Only complaints about it is the trigger ... common with bullpups. I fired one with an after market Geissele trigger group , was unreal

High quality rifle

[rocksteady]

I respect your assessment of it as a killing weapon but I still think it's ugly

[geno]

Right on Glad to see someone is using a MSR for hunting.
Ive been using my Jard J48 this year. Still haven't connected yet but the year isn't over yet.

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w656/geno856/FullSizeRender%204_zpsbjuh9gyv.jpg (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/geno856/media/FullSizeRender%204_zpsbjuh9gyv.jpg.html)

[Busterpayton54]

How is that j48 treating you? I was really exited about those but I know someone who demo'ed one and it was issue
after issue. I was really hoping they would be good, or they've dealt with the issues.

[Ketchika]

fair enough. Don't know much about them but imho they are fugly.

I heard this quote used when describing people from the east kootenays..... LOL

[geno]

I love my J48. It has been updated as there were issues but the guys at Jard are great to deal with.
Since I've owned it I have had Zero issues. By now I have run over 700 rounds thru is with no complaints. I'm thinking of buying another in the new year and converting it to a 6.5 Grendel if possible.

[mooze]

Am I the first to notice or pissing in the pool unnecessarily: Isn't there a limit of 6mm for game? Never mind that the animal was dead with a spine shot, but 223 is super-marginal on deer.

[monasheemountainman]

Am I the first to notice or pissing in the pool unnecessarily: Isn't there a limit of 6mm for game? Never mind that the animal was dead with a spine shot, but 223 is super-marginal on deer.
Not in bc. Good to go with .22 cal centre fire

[Gateholio]

Am I the first to notice or pissing in the pool unnecessarily: Isn't there a limit of 6mm for game? Never mind that the animal was dead with a spine shot, but 223 is super-marginal on deer.

Super marginal :)

Sure if you use gopher bullets. Super Deadly killer if you use big game bullets.

[todbartell]

Am I the first to notice or pissing in the pool unnecessarily: Isn't there a limit of 6mm for game? Never mind that the animal was dead with a spine shot, but 223 is super-marginal on deer.

Better put a set of the regs next to the shitter. As for the 223 being 'super marginal' for deer, do you care to back up that bold statement with some personal experience that would suggest it be correct? With the correct bullets and proper shot placement the 22 calibers can be used with great effectiveness

[twoSevenO]

Better put a set of the regs next to the shitter. As for the 223 being 'super marginal' for deer, do you care to back up that bold statement with some personal experience that would suggest it be correct? With the correct bullets and proper shot placement the 22 calibers can be used with great effectiveness


People don't actually know what it takes to kill a deer. I know way too many people who bought 300win mags or 300rem ultra mags as their first rifle with the intent of only hunting deer.

[Salty]

Specially if you got a Tavor! pew.. pew pew :razz:

[Busterpayton54]

My understanding is .223 is the most used cartridge by Inuit for hunting caribou, seals and polar bear

[twoSevenO]

My understanding is .223 is the most used cartridge by Inuit for hunting caribou, seals and polar bear

wtf? Someone had some surplus rifles they wanted to get rid of for cheap or something?

[dino]

Super marginal :)

Sure if you use gopher bullets. Super Deadly killer if you use big game bullets.

I was wondering if you were only using the tavor for a doe hunt and would you use it for a hunt that included bucks? I believe the caliber is deadly enough but is it worth risking passing on a good buck at ranges that are farther than the capability of the gun.
I have a few black rifles myself that I thought would be fun to hunt in the heavy timber with but with my luck I would see a bruiser at 300m in a clear cut on the way to my timber hunt.

[Gateholio]

I was actually looking for a big bodied buck I had seen earlier in the day when I shot the doe, although had decided that I would shoot first deer I see. I would have to shoot the Tavor more at 300m to see if I would use it for anything other than a hunt in the timber. I would also want a scope on it instead of a red dot.

Tavor is not innacurate at all, once you learn the trigger. But at this point with the red dot I don't see it as a 300m deer rifle.

[Salty]

Maybe its just the way I hunt but the ol Tavor would have been a worthy tool for all the deer I've shot. Furthest maybe 180 yards average probably less than 100. But there were a couple more like 300 that I almost got a shot at. :/