6.5 in 130 ELDm or 130 TMK

[Luked]

Right now shooting the 143 ELDx out of my 6.5 CM
Thinking of moving to a 130 grain
Rifle is used for whitetail now.
Do you think there is much difference in the TMK or the ELDm or would you all say they are on par with each other?
Have seen both on the shelf a lot so getting them doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[Rugger7622]

I think both are good options. My gun likes the 130TMK's better, shoots them lights out. The wound channels with the TMK's have been devastatingly large!

 

[S-3 ranch]

I shoot TGK in one 270 win and they are large wound cavity
My friend shot eldx in 6.5cm and they had 100% core separation so he now
Shooting a 129gr interlock on deer

 

[JRMiller]

I used to shoot the 143eldx in two of my creeds but found after a while the 130GMKs and 130TMKs were just more accurate and easier to load. I load all mine though and do extensive load development first so YMMV.

 

[43.6N]

I just finished working up loads for both 130 TMK and ELD in an 18” tikka 6.5 creed.

Tried several powders.
N550, H4350, Varget, and Shooters World precision.

41.5gr N550, 43gr H4350 shot best.
Both at about 2750fps. I’ll be going with the H4350 load for better temp stability.

No real difference in groups, velocity, or ballistic drop between the TMK or ELDM. I ended up having more eldm bullets available locally, so that’s what I’ll be hunting with. No concerns with either terminally out to 1800fps.

Starline brass, magnum primers. Loaded to feed from aics magazines.

I much prefer the lower recoil of the 130 compared to 140/147 eldm.

And the velocity/bc fits quickdrop really well.

 

[Bluumoon]

130 TMK is a monster of a bullet (personal experience). 130ELDM is less ideal, but surely adequate for white tail from what I’ve seen reported.