Thanks, I just order 400 loaded rounds from PSA to try them out.
I haven’t shot the 75 gr ammo yet, but my Tikka CTR shot the 62 gr ammo very well. I’m sure the 75 will do great.Thanks, I just order 400 loaded rounds from PSA to try them out.
Amongst others, I use a line of custom made projectiles that use Berger jackets and a proprietary core. The 74 and 80 grain are quite exceptional on deer. Right up there in the top cluster of heavy for caliber .223 projectiles.Howdy fellas - long time reader first time poster.
Canada is pretty cucked for the TMK it would seem, and the closest I’ve found locally is the 73g fusion - which is an open tipped Berger match bullet
They shoot very well out of my RAR, just wondering if anyone has any further feedback on this round
View attachment 724439
I've heard some good things about the Hornady 75 BTHP as well on game. Would be interesting to see and hear about more results, good and/or not so good.I will add that the 75 Hornady BTHP seems to stay together well and slightly mushroom or tumble upon impact. Every deer I have shot with it has had a 1 to 2 inch exit hole, instant blood trail, and has died within 30 meters. Everything I have shot with them I have gotten complete pass through.
77 SMK seem to frag out more. This is consistent with their historical performance in ballistic gel, animals, and humans. You typically get 4 inches of straight penetration, then a violent yaw, and the bullet breaks apart at the cannelure and frags out. Massive damage. Almost too much but very effective.
The 64 gr Nosler TBBC FBI duty load penetrates very, very well, and tracks absolutely true even when shooting through bone.
No, I don't work for the FBI. You couldn't pay me enough.
What kind of yardages and impact velocity have you used these at? I am thinking of using them for my son’s mule deer hunt.I will add that the 75 Hornady BTHP seems to stay together well and slightly mushroom or tumble upon impact. Every deer I have shot with it has had a 1 to 2 inch exit hole, instant blood trail, and has died within 30 meters. Everything I have shot with them I have gotten complete pass through.
What are the go to powders for the 77 TMK? I can’t find XBR 8208. What are some comparable, preferably temp stable, alternatives? I saw someone using Varget and some recommending TAC.
What are the go to powders for the 77 TMK? I can’t find XBR 8208. What are some comparable, preferably temp stable, alternatives? I saw someone using Varget and some recommending TAC.
I've heard of people having good results with AR Comp and LevrRevolution as well. I personally don't have any experience with either.Hodgdon 4895, and Vihta N530 are right next to Tac and XBR 8208 on the burn charts.
H4895, Benchmark, N135, TAC, LVR, AR-CompWhat are the go to powders for the 77 TMK? I can’t find XBR 8208. What are some comparable, preferably temp stable, alternatives? I saw someone using Varget and some recommending TAC.
I’m using 24.2gr of varget with the 77’s at 2780 velocity out of my 22” tikka t3x lite, not the fastest but it shoots greatView attachment 726041
After slumming it out with 73 ELDMs for the last couple years finally found some 77 TMKs.
I’ve been using Varget with the 73’s. Am I giving up much performance sticking with that powder or should I hunt for something else?
There seems to be a sufficiently large pile of elk posted in this thread that I think we're beyond the level of isolated examples in respect to that particular breed of ungulate.I think that better than just identifying the 77TMK as being top draw the greatest benefit of this thread is that it has confirmed and validated with data the usefulness of a whole range of heavy and not so heavy projectiles that are almost as good as each other on deer. And some wishful thinking and isolated examples on other large game species which I think based on my large deer experience is pushing the envelope a bit.
From what I remember of standard 75 gr Hornady BTHP testing, it typically performs a bit better than 77 gr SMK. A slightly shorter neck, maybe a little more frag, bit more consistent.I will add that the 75 Hornady BTHP seems to stay together well and slightly mushroom or tumble upon impact. Every deer I have shot with it has had a 1 to 2 inch exit hole, instant blood trail, and has died within 30 meters. Everything I have shot with them I have gotten complete pass through.
77 SMK seem to frag out more. This is consistent with their historical performance in ballistic gel, animals, and humans. You typically get 4 inches of straight penetration, then a violent yaw, and the bullet breaks apart at the cannelure and frags out. Massive damage. Almost too much but very effective.
If you're willing to use factory ammo and skip the loading process, I believe Black Hills 77 gr TMK is available from a number of online retailers right now. I can't speak as to the exact properties of their proprietary powder blend but it seems to be some very efficient stuff; the primers from the fired brass have been some of the roundest I've ever seen.What are the go to powders for the 77 TMK? I can’t find XBR 8208. What are some comparable, preferably temp stable, alternatives? I saw someone using Varget and some recommending TAC.
What kind of yardages and impact velocity have you used these at? I am thinking of using them for my son’s mule deer hunt.
and has died within 30 meters.
What are the go to powders for the 77 TMK? I can’t find XBR 8208. What are some comparable, preferably temp stable, alternatives? I saw someone using Varget and some recommending TAC.