SMLE Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Hi Folks, Been shooting 77g TMK’s through my 1:8 twist 223 rifle for a few months now with generally good results. Consistently about 0.75 moa out to 500 yards. I get the odd flyer and the even rarer tighter group with the greatest variable being me of course! Velocity around 2650 FPS. I’ve been toying with going for the 69g TMK’s as an alternative as I ever really only shoot this rifle at 500 yards maximum range and wondered if they might stabilise a little more readily or sufficiently to tighten the group up a bit. What experience do others have with these bullets? Worth playing with? I know they’re not big money but if folks have a poor experience with them, I’d rather try something else or stick with what I’ve got. Alternatively, any other good options based on real world experience and which reflects my set up and range that’s worth trying? Oh, it’s a 24” barrel by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephentri Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Hi I have same set up as you I tried the 69g tmk but did not shoot as good as 77g tmk, I am using cfe223 powder bullet oal 2.410 and getting 2900fps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Using 69gr tmk with vhit n135 oal 2.360, with Tikka T3x 1/8 twist having good results with these upto 500yrds using 8 inch gong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One on top of two Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Digger said: Using 69gr tmk with vhit n135 oal 2.360, with Tikka T3x 1/8 twist having good results with these upto 500yrds using 8 inch gong Very nice shooting mucker ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattnall Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 16 hours ago, Digger said: Using 69gr tmk with vhit n135 oal 2.360, with Tikka T3x 1/8 twist having good results with these upto 500yrds using 8 inch gong Did you sneeze on that target? 😉 Nice group at 500. Whatever that load is keep using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 15 minutes ago, Mattnall said: Did you sneeze on that target? 😉 Nice group at 500. Whatever that load is keep using it. spray off eggs placed below gong, 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattnall Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Ah, I wondered if you got a bit over excited.😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumbag Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 On 1/9/2020 at 4:28 PM, Mattnall said: Ah, I wondered if you got a bit over excited.😁 If he got a bit "over excited" and it's that colour I'd advise seeing a doctor!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumbag Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 I've been playing around with Ramshot Tac with the 65gr Game King Spitzer Boat Tail with some good results. Some say it's a bit temperature sensitive though. I do wonder how well that will do at distance as the BC is claimed to be .303 at above 2700 so potentially could be interesting as a do all load. Scrummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMLE Posted January 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 Cheers folks. Quick update after a bit more load development. Achieved a 0.3moa 100 yard group with the 77g TMK’s now using the max load of RS52 and 8 thou off. Seems to be consistent so far but didn’t take my chrono so not sure of speed but probably around 2700. Just need to try out a bit further now. Got a slot on stickledown next week for my 6.5 CM - might take the 223 along and go for the 1000 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlts Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 1 minute ago, SMLE said: Cheers folks. Quick update after a bit more load development. Achieved a 0.3moa 100 yard group with the 77g TMK’s now using the max load of RS52 and 8 thou off. Seems to be consistent so far but didn’t take my chrono so not sure of speed but probably around 2700. Just need to try out a bit further now. Got a slot on stickledown next week for my 6.5 CM - might take the 223 along and go for the 1000 yards. RS52 works great under 77gr TMK's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re-Pete Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 How do you measure 8 thou off the lands? Is that an average of multiple measurements using a different bullet each time, or the same bullet? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMLE Posted January 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Re-Pete said: How do you measure 8 thou off the lands? Is that an average of multiple measurements using a different bullet each time, or the same bullet? Pete Ok, so seating depth established using one of those Hornady things and digital callipers. 3 data sets of 10 measurements with a fresh bullet in each set of 10 established a mean value. Spread of 3 thou in values across the data sets. Load development started at 30 thou off based on that mean value giving a mean of 0.75 moa at 100 yards over 3 sets of 5 shot groups. Same mean group size at 20 thou off, mean of 0.55 moa at 10 thou off. Happy with that but a friend mentioned he saw a difference by setting his to 8 thou off in his Tikka, so thought I’d give it a go. Different day and only 2 sets of 5 shots this time set to 8 thou off based on original data gave me a mean group size of 0.3moa. I observed seating depth varying from 7 thou off to 10 thou off based on the original data sets mean seating depth when loading the last 10 rounds used for the final two 5 shot groups at the nominal 8 thou setting. This reflected the 3 thou variance I saw originally when establishing the starting point. Think I’ve been pretty thorough and recognise it’s a point in time. It worked. Will it continue to work? On going observation will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re-Pete Posted January 18, 2020 Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 When you insert the gauge with the bullet into the chamber, how do you ensure that you're applying the same pressure each time to sit the bullet on the land? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMLE Posted January 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Re-Pete said: When you insert the gauge with the bullet into the chamber, how do you ensure that you're applying the same pressure each time to sit the bullet on the land? Pete With care..... probably the same way in which you’re trying to say what I’ve done is worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popsbengo Posted January 18, 2020 Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 SMLE - back in the day, we called it "fitter's feel" - stood Henry Royce a career. I use the Hornady gauge and the drop bolt method - both ok but the Hornady gauge is easier to feel. I use a dowel down the bore to just ease the bullet back off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMLE Posted January 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Popsbengo said: SMLE - back in the day, we called it "fitter's feel" - stood Henry Royce a career. I use the Hornady gauge and the drop bolt method - both ok but the Hornady gauge is easier to feel. I use a dowel down the bore to just ease the bullet back off. Exactly Pops. Same as I do. Repeatability being the thing...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re-Pete Posted January 19, 2020 Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 Why do you say that? I've had a load of grief trying to get a repeatable method, and I was just trying to find out exactly how others do it.......... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popsbengo Posted January 19, 2020 Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 32 minutes ago, Re-Pete said: Why do you say that? I've had a load of grief trying to get a repeatable method, and I was just trying to find out exactly how others do it..........Pete I find the trick is to ensure: a spotlessly clean and dry chamber and throat, make sure the modified case is dry and spotless, screwed up tight to the gauge body press the gauge and case firmly into the chamber and keep the pressure on gently slide the bullet upto the lands until it just stops (helps to have three hands 😁) push a dowel rod down the bore and ease the bullet back and to and find the 'touch' (by feel) lock it off, withdraw and measure. replace the bullet and do it again a few times - record the measurement and take the mean. I use Sinclair stainless steel inserts in the caliper gauge as the Hornady anodised alloy ones give me variation I can get to +/- 1' on my 308 with Lapua Scenar 155 and Sierra MK 155 I've tried the drop bolt method (stripped so no resistance from the sear) and it's not as repeatable on 308 or 338 for me. (but it is an excellent way to check headspace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMLE Posted January 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 5 hours ago, Re-Pete said: Why do you say that? I've had a load of grief trying to get a repeatable method, and I was just trying to find out exactly how others do it.......... Pete Pete, looks like I mis-read you, apologies. I can be a grumpy bar steward some times..... For what it’s worth, Popsbengo has described my approach pretty much. I use the same bullet for 10 measurements, usually for at least two sets of 10, fresh bullet for each 10. I use the Hornady comparator insert. I usually get about a tolerance of 3 thou +/- though. Based on Pops technique, that might be the comparator insert effect. Still friends.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re-Pete Posted January 19, 2020 Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 Ow, awright then........................ Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumbag Posted March 2, 2020 Report Share Posted March 2, 2020 Don't know if this helps anyone but seen on SD Sierra has brought out: 60gr TMK 62gr Gameking (looks like a slower twist alternative to the 65gr Gameking) 64gr Tipped Gameking / Game changer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumbag Posted March 13, 2020 Report Share Posted March 13, 2020 Also, anyone tried the 70gr Accubond? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KABOOM Posted March 22, 2020 Report Share Posted March 22, 2020 The 69tmk will go faster and should be great over CFE223. All depends on your needs and what you like. never have I had any sierra bullet be a poor performer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrumbag Posted March 22, 2020 Report Share Posted March 22, 2020 I like Sierra bullets. My 257 Roberts really likes the 117gr Gameking and my old 7mm loved the 160gr TMKs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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