New 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm TMK for big game

[AlaskaRed]

Having not used a TMK for hunting myself I think this year would be a good time to start some testing.

Which of the new TMK's listed above does everyone think will perform the best terminally?

I have a 6mm arc and a couple 7mm's I could use to test now; would be willing to build a 6.5.

The BC and bullet weight look pretty good on the 153 gr tmk for the 6.5. Interested on thoughts for cartridge choice for it also. A 6.5 PRC would be an easy button but I do like interesting cartridges maybe a 6.5 saum?

 

[cole96]

I want to try the 185. How does the tmk perform in comparison to betger. More fragmentation on impact like a Eldm?

 

[43.6N]

Having not used a TMK for hunting myself I think this year would be a good time to start some testing.

Which of the new TMK's listed above does everyone think will perform the best terminally?

I have a 6mm arc and a couple 7mm's I could use to test now; would be willing to build a 6.5.

The BC and bullet weight look pretty good on the 153 gr tmk for the 6.5. Interested on thoughts for cartridge choice for it also. A 6.5 PRC would be an easy button but I do like interesting cartridges maybe a 6.5 saum?

I would personally start with either a 95 or 107 in your 6ARC. Then see how you like that performance as a baseline before going on to other sizes.

What are the details of the 6ARC you have?

 

[AlaskaRed]

Good question. I have not used a TMK on an animal. All my kills this year were done with a 338 barnes. From what I have concluded from posts on this forum TMK can perform well and are similar to an eldm. I'd be more comfortable with a 185 hunting on animals here in Alaska but may not be necessary.

 

[AlaskaRed]

I would personally start with either a 95 or 107 in your 6ARC. Then see how you like that performance as a baseline before going on to other sizes.

What are the details of the 6ARC you have?

I have a 22" howa mini. This was the direction I wanted to lean with a 107. I'd be comfortable testing it out on some black bear hunts coming up this spring.

 

[43.6N]

I have a 22" howa mini. This was the direction I wanted to lean with a 107. I'd be comfortable testing it out on some black bear hunts coming up this spring.

Yes this is 100% the right call.
Let me know if you need reload data for the 6 arc. I’ve got a pretty reasonable guess what the winning combo for a bolt gun load will be.

 

[AlaskaRed]

Yes this is 100% the right call.
Let me know if you need reload data for the 6 arc. I’ve got a pretty reasonable guess what the winning combo for a bolt gun load will be.

Yeah let me know. What brass? Alpha testing looks capable of some good velocity. I have tons of varget for powder.

 

[43.6N]

Any brass. Any primer.
28.0gr Varget. 107tmk.

You’ll probably have a little room to go up if you want with premium brass, but not by a whole lot.

N540, CFE224, or Staball Match will probably give 100fps higher velocity with an extra grain or two of powder, but I’m betting Varget will be the “accuracy” load when Sierra finally publishes updated load info.