Hornady Equivalent to 77gr TMK

[longrange13]

Anyone aware of a hornady bullet for the 223 rem with similar terminal performance to the 77gr tmk? They are too hard to find reliably. I’d rather switch to something else. Looking at the 75gr eldm or 80gr eldm.

 

[eric1115]

73 ELDM if you're trying to fit AR length mags.

 

[longrange13]

73 ELDM if you're trying to fit AR length mags.

It’ll be going in a tikka so I can load out a bit longer.

 

[Pharmseller]

I use the 75 gr ELDM in 3 Tikkas. Two stainless Varmints and a Superlite.

Killed a buck this year with one of the Varmints.







Max loads so work up.




P

 

[longrange13]

@Formidilosus any experience here with 77tmk alternatives?

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus any experience here with 77tmk alternatives?

There’s not. Or at least none that are the same. The 73gr ELD-M is fine, kills well just has a bit less penetration. The 75gr and 80gr ELD-M’s are fine too, just need something other than a standard Tikka mag.

The answer- TMK’s are in stock multiple places now, but enough to hunt and kill with for life. Buy 73gr ELD-M for practice.

 

[mills0713]

Buy 73gr ELD-M for practice.

Would the 77gr SMK be a better substitute to the 73g ELD-M as a practice bullet? Ignoring terminal ballistics, how closely does the 77gr SMK resemble the 77gr TMK?

While I'm at it, I'm completely new to the world of firearms and hunting, and your info on this forum has saved by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and time. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge here.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

They’re both close enough to practice with. The trajectories are hardly much different within hunting ranges. Don’t overthink it.

 

[Fire_9]

I'd have to double check but I think there was 3k 77 TMKs at my local sporting goods store last week. By in bulk and you shouldn't have to worry about finding them reliably

 

[wind gypsy]

Would the 77gr SMK be a better substitute to the 73g ELD-M as a practice bullet? Ignoring terminal ballistics, how closely does the 77gr SMK resemble the 77gr TMK?

While I'm at it, I'm completely new to the world of firearms and hunting, and your info on this forum has saved by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and time. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge here.

Getting in to the weeds there. The 73 has a higher BC than both the sierras, tends to be cheaper, and would be more consistent for use on game than the SMK so i find it to be preferable for your stated purpose.

 

[eric1115]

I buy the OTM 77 factory seconds off Midway, I've gotten them as low as 14 cents per and almost always able to stay stocked up in the high teens or low 20 CPR range. Super un-finicky, very cheap, what's not to like? I probably only load a couple hundred TMKs a year, and hope for 10x that in SMKs. I don't even buy 55 fmj's anymore for high volume short range practice ammo anymore, just do everything with the 77SMK seconds.

 

[mills0713]

I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[longrange13]

I buy the OTM 77 factory seconds off Midway, I've gotten them as low as 14 cents per and almost always able to stay stocked up in the high teens or low 20 CPR range. Super un-finicky, very cheap, what's not to like? I probably only load a couple hundred TMKs a year, and hope for 10x that in SMKs. I don't even buy 55 fmj's anymore for high volume short range practice ammo anymore, just do everything with the 77SMK seconds.

This was a great suggestion. Picked up 1000 for 170$ shipped.

 

[Thegman]

Getting in to the weeds there. The 73 has a higher BC than both the sierras, tends to be cheaper, and would be more consistent for use on game than the SMK so i find it to be preferable for your stated purpose.

I think I've heard that before, but I thought the 77 TMK had a slightly higher BC than the 73 ELDM ...?? (Not enough to make much difference, but higher anyway). .420 G1 vs .393 G1, I think that's what the respective makers state anyway. Is that not actually the case?

 

[wind gypsy]

I think I've heard that before, but I thought the 77 TMK had a slightly higher BC than the 73 ELDM ...?? (Not enough to make much difference, but higher anyway). .420 G1 vs .393 G1, I think that's what the respective makers state anyway. Is that not actually the case?

They are probably pretty damn close. AB has the 73 eld @ 0.210 g7 and 77tmk @ 0.202

 

[Thegman]

They are probably pretty damn close. AB has the 73 eld @ 0.210 g7 and 77tmk @ 0.202

Thanks for that info, I appreciate it.

 

[idahodave]

The 88 ELD-M is a wicked killer if your have the twist to spin it. A couple of victims from last year. Bull was a bit over 200. Buck was a bit over 300.

dave

 

[WestTN2288]

I’ve been shooting the 73eld-ms & 75 bthps with better accuracy results than 77tmk/smk. Also the Hornady are cheaper and can be found locally, so I actually choose those over the sierras

 

[xsn10s]

The 88 ELD-M is a wicked killer if your have the twist to spin it. A couple of victims from last year. Bull was a bit over 200. Buck was a bit over 300.

dave

What rifle, cartridge,and twist did you use for that 88 gr ELDM?

 

[idahodave]

What rifle, cartridge,and twist did you use for that 88 gr ELDM?

Rifle is a rebarreled Model 7, chambered in 22-250. Barrel is a Wilson #2 "Ultra Light Sporter" with a 7 twist finished at 23". Velocity is around 3,000 fps using an easy load of H4350. It's simply fun to carry and shoot. It's stupid accurate and relatively inexpensive to load for.

It's also quite deadly on ungulates.

Dave