153 TMK Load Data

[david2duck]

Thought I’d start a thread for the 153’s now that all the new TMK’s are starting to show up.


Seekins Element Hunter w/Airlock ZG6.5
6.5PRC
Brass: ADG (new)
Primer: Fed 210m
COAL: 3.000
Powder: N565
56.5: 2708fps
57.0: 2746fps
57.5: 2772fps
58.0: 2810fps
58.5:2826fps
I had zero signs of pressure throughout.



I’m going to load up 10 at 58gr and see how they shoot. The 3 PRC’s I’ve loaded for in the past were 57-58gr’s of N565 with the Berger 156’s.

This is 5 @ 58gr of N565 with the Berger 156’s I had loaded for another rifle. They averaged 2776 with an ES of 19.1 and an SD of 6.8.

 

[Tdonat]

Here’s my load:
22” benchmark barrel
6.5 PRC
153 TMK
ADG brass
fed GM215M
56.5G H1000
C.O.A.L 2.950
2907 fps
Es:14.2-for 5 shots
As: 5.5-for 5 shots

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

View attachment 1044724
Here’s my load:
22” benchmark barrel
6.5 PRC
ADG brass
fed GM215M
56.5G H1000
C.O.A.L 2.950
2907 fps
Es:14.2-for 5 shots
As: 5.5-for 5 shots
View attachment 1044725

What bullet?

Edit: nvm thought I was in a different thread lol

 

[Chopper36x]

Not going to lie loaded up some of these this weekend. The amount of bearing surface and shape of these has me severely disappointed. I really hope the 25,7mm,30 cal look much better like the 6mm do. I don’t even think I’m going to waste my time with doing a load work up at this point.

 

[43.6N]

Not going to lie loaded up some of these this weekend. The amount of bearing surface and shape of these has me severely disappointed. I really hope the 25,7mm,30 cal look much better like the 6mm do. I don’t even think I’m going to waste my time with doing a load work up at this point. View attachment 1044939

I’m genuinely curious. What were you hoping to see? I’d have a hard time writing off a bullet before seeing how it shoots just based on how it looks.

 

[Chopper36x]

I’m genuinely curious. What were you hoping to see? I’d have a hard time writing off a bullet before seeing how it shoots just based on how it looks.

Well with how much bearing surface that bullet has and the way it’s sitting in the case already. I can say it’s going to need a special reamer and have issues. I’m pretty big on trying to run freebores to get the bullet as far out of the case and up into the neck as possible. The amount of bearing surface and short stubby noise on it just isn’t looking good. After shooting enough bullets, reamer, cartridge combos you start to notice things. I was really looking for the 150 smk with the 6mm size ballistic tip in it. This looks to be the same size tip that’s in the 30 cal bullets. That’s good for expansion but all the other stuff fighting this bullet isn’t looking good to me. This is just my thoughts and I was super excited for these new bullets. I’ve been running the 30 cal 195, 7mm 160 gr, 77 tmk for years and love them. The new 6mm look great too, this one just falls flat for me. I might spec out a new reamer for the 6.5 prc in a medium action for this to work. But that’s a lot of work for a bullet that’s just kinda meh.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Well with how much bearing surface that bullet has and the way it’s sitting in the case already. I can say it’s going to need a special reamer and have issues. I’m pretty big on trying to run freebores to get the bullet as far out of the case and up into the neck as possible. The amount of bearing surface and short stubby noise on it just isn’t looking good. After shooting enough bullets, reamer, cartridge combos you start to notice things. I was really looking for the 150 smk with the 6mm size ballistic tip in it. This looks to be the same size tip that’s in the 30 cal bullets. That’s good for expansion but all the other stuff fighting this bullet isn’t looking good to me. This is just my thoughts and I was super excited for these new bullets. I’ve been running the 30 cal 195, 7mm 160 gr, 77 tmk for years and love them. The new 6mm look great too, this one just falls flat for me. I might spec out a new reamer for the 6.5 prc in a medium action for this to work. But that’s a lot of work for a bullet that’s just kinda meh.

I would load them up and shoot some to see how they shoot before writing them off.

If they shoot well and you decide you want to shoot them, a $40 throating reamer rental fixes up all of your concerns. I’ve done this on a few rifles to get the bullet set where I want it in the case.

 

[43.6N]

Well with how much bearing surface that bullet has and the way it’s sitting in the case already. I can say it’s going to need a special reamer and have issues. I’m pretty big on trying to run freebores to get the bullet as far out of the case and up into the neck as possible. The amount of bearing surface and short stubby noise on it just isn’t looking good. After shooting enough bullets, reamer, cartridge combos you start to notice things. I was really looking for the 150 smk with the 6mm size ballistic tip in it. This looks to be the same size tip that’s in the 30 cal bullets. That’s good for expansion but all the other stuff fighting this bullet isn’t looking good to me. This is just my thoughts and I was super excited for these new bullets. I’ve been running the 30 cal 195, 7mm 160 gr, 77 tmk for years and love them. The new 6mm look great too, this one just falls flat for me. I might spec out a new reamer for the 6.5 prc in a medium action for this to work. But that’s a lot of work for a bullet that’s just kinda meh.

Oh I see. Yeah that bullet is definitely sitting deep.
Do you have a gunsmith you trust nearby? Adding more throat length is a pretty straightforward smithing process

 

[Chopper36x]

Ya I have a lathe and cut all my own barrels, I design all my own reamers. I’ve just recently started actually doing more posts online and stuff. I have a 2000 yard fully setup range in my back yard. So honestly I do a ton of testing with bullets, barrels, parts all of it. I have throating reamers and chamber reamers. I’m just not a fan of using just a throat long reamer personally. But doesn’t change the fact with that bearing surface it’s going to probably need to be a medium or long action. I think you will be well above 2.950 to get the bearing surface and boat tail even close to where it needs to be. Once again this is just my option on it. I have 10 loaded up and will shoot them today to see how they do. Like this is my 7mm fcp with a 180 hybrid where I usually run them on a medium action. I’m going to test them for sure but just don’t have high hopes as of now. I think they could have done a lot better on the design personally. Not trying to be a downer about them just think could have been done a lot better.

 

[43.6N]

Ya I have a lathe and cut all my own barrels, I design all my own reamers. I’ve just recently started actually doing more posts online and stuff. I have a 2000 yard fully setup range in my back yard. So honestly I do a ton of testing with bullets, barrels, parts all of it. I have throating reamers and chamber reamers. I’m just not a fan of using just a throat long reamer personally. But doesn’t change the fact with that bearing surface it’s going to probably need to be a medium or long action. I think you will be well above 2.950 to get the bearing surface and boat tail even close to where it needs to be. Once again this is just my option on it. I have 10 loaded up and will shoot them today to see how they do. Like this is my 7mm fcp with a 180 hybrid where I usually run them on a medium action. I’m going to test them for sure but just don’t have high hopes as of now. I think they could have done a lot better on the design personally. Not trying to be a downer about them just think could have been done a lot better.

Shoot man, I’m preaching to the choir.
Carry on good sir.