Sierra Heavy TMK 6MM Testing

[packgoatguy]

TMK across the board.




Given lot to lot variation, TMK by probability.




TMK- especially 116gr.




If you get a “good” lot of ELD-M’s, they can have a slightly wider wound for the first half of the wound channel. But often they do not.

TMK’s do what TMK’s do to about the highest probability of any bullet.




TMK more if you hit big bone.





TMK.





TMK, though it can be difficult to see without large numbers of animals.




More consistency lot to lot. ELD-M’s can be variable. They are still a good bullet, but with TMK’s the likelihood of a bullet failing to upset is close to zero.





The difference between a .600 and a .609 G1 is not observable targets until way, way beyond terminal range. .609 G1 has done well out to 1,100 yards.




Most of my distance shooting with the 107gr was with a 6x45- so low MV. To the times that I sgot it (800y). I used a .574 G1, and that worked fine. But, like the 116gr .010 G1 BC points isn’t noticeable on target until well below 1,800fps impact.

Thank you

 

[huntnful]

FWIW I had a 147 eldm with the tip busted off that I had set aside. Shot it this afternoon and centred the plate at 325. Still nothing I would shoot at an animal, but interesting none the less. Will try a farther target next time.

Hahaha that's epic. I would think a tip busted clean square off would cause less issues than an intact,crooked tip. That's just my brain pondering it. No facts lol.

 

[J.B.]

Hahaha that's epic. I would think a tip busted clean square off would cause less issues than an intact,crooked tip. That's just my brain pondering it. No facts lol.

Yeah I guess it should be concentric with the tip broken off, but lower bc. Might have to purposely bend a few to test at distance lol

 

[ckt3]

But a suppressed 6ARC? Oh boy…

The 6arc is so skewed in shootability towards the 223 side it’s not even funny.

Be honest with yourself on if you are going to train enough in the conditions where you will be hunting in order to take shots at game past 600 yards. If the answer is no, or you’re like me at 100% of game is already just killed at sub 450 (with 95% killed sub 300), then the ease of shooting, barrel life, performance of a 6arc is impossible to argue against.

Yall are making the ARC sound pretty great. I got no business taking a shot at game beyond 400 at my current skill level. Likely realistically targeting 300 and in to be honest.

There might be a Tikka 243 barrel up for sale here soon (8 twist, stainless, threaded, 20 inch, 200 shots… if that piques anyone’s interest).

 

[bonepoint]

I loaded up a few of the 116s with a few different powders to see which powder I wanted to focus on. 3 each, 1 grain below book max. Springfield Waypoint 20" 6 CM. It loves RL16 with the 103 ELDXs and 109 ELDMs.

Starline brass, WLR primers, 116 TMK, 2.820" OAL for all.

40.0g RL16 - 3 in 0.6" - ?? FPS
43.0g H4831sc - 3 in 0.25" - 2850 FPS
42.5g 6.5 Staball - bad - 2,900 FPS

No pressure signs. I will load up some more of the H4831sc load and see how that group looks.

 

[rbutcher1234]

Yall are making the ARC sound pretty great. I got no business taking a shot at game beyond 400 at my current skill level. Likely realistically targeting 300 and in to be honest.

There might be a Tikka 243 barrel up for sale here soon (8 twist, stainless, threaded, 20 inch, 200 shots… if that piques anyone’s interest).

Had the magazine situation been figured out before I had my Blaser 6BR barrel made (same thing but different bolt face), I would have a tikka 6arc no question.

 

[Plague]

Yall are making the ARC sound pretty great. I got no business taking a shot at game beyond 400 at my current skill level. Likely realistically targeting 300 and in to be honest.

There might be a Tikka 243 barrel up for sale here soon (8 twist, stainless, threaded, 20 inch, 200 shots… if that piques anyone’s interest).

My 6 arc t3x gets the most use of any of my rifles since getting the barrel on. With the 107 tmk handloads, it’s terminally capable to 600+ yards. My 11 year old will shoot it all day without fatigue or shoulder pain. My 6.5 prc is getting dusty in the safe.

 

[Hurley88]

Yall are making the ARC sound pretty great. I got no business taking a shot at game beyond 400 at my current skill level. Likely realistically targeting 300 and in to be honest.

There might be a Tikka 243 barrel up for sale here soon (8 twist, stainless, threaded, 20 inch, 200 shots… if that piques anyone’s interest).

Oh it’s becoming my favorite cartridge. I’m not anti-6GT, although I haven’t posted anything favorable about it. It’s just so incredibly similar to what you have that it’s almost like swapping your 243 for a 6CM.

Main reason I leaned towards the 6ARC was the barrel life. Sick of replacing 243 barrels. Since owning it, the low recoil and velocities you can get kinda blew my mind. The 107 TMK breathes even more life into it terminally. 6ARC with that bullet would be a one-and-done for most guys.

 

[Gstew1930]

Had the magazine situation been figured out before I had my Blaser 6BR barrel made (same thing but different bolt face), I would have a tikka 6arc no

Send me that 6BR

 

[huntnful]

116 TMK
42.5gr. N555
2.920” COAL


6 Creed
26” benchmark CF

I QC’d tips really quick before loading.

100 yards


725 yards


1020 yards



Trued BC at .31 G7

 

[Spartan1810]

Second group of 10. Went from 2700 fps (39.0 GR) to 2800 fps with 40 gr H4350. Notice some more felt recoil or almost snappier feel. Might settle around 39.5.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Second group of 10. Went from 2700 fps (39.0 GR) to 2800 fps with 40 gr H4350. Notice some more felt recoil or almost snappier feel. Might settle around 39.5.
View attachment 1044960

How many rounds on this barrel? Curious if its fully sped up, ie 120 rds+.

 

[Spartan1810]

How many rounds on this barrel? Curious if it’s fully sped up, ie 120 rds+.

Ben, I’ve actually tracked round count so it is approximately at 350 rds. 18 inch barrel

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I tested 5 shot groups with 40.0gr (2812 fps avg), 40.5gr (2806 fps avg), 41.0 gr (2824 fps avg) of H4350 with 116 TMK, 2.80" COAL. 18" 6 Creed tikka w/prefit, 200 rounds down the barrel. Saw best accuracy (0.7" 5-shot) with 40.0gr, barely any velocity gain going to 41gr, group size opened up more as I went up in charge. Going to retest at 2.850" at 40.0gr and 41.5gr just to see, have a bit more room in std tikka mag.

 

[mtnbound]

116TMK- 2.900”- Hornady brass- Fed LRP- 100rds on the 16.5” barrel at this point.

42gr- H4350-AV 2759-SD 1.5- Slight Ejector mark. Drop to 41.5 and fire 10 next time.

44gr- H4831sc- AV 2682- SD 25.

43- N555- AV 2739-SD 14. First shot was the one not hitting the dot, this is the worst test group I have ever had with N555. I will likely redo this.

43gr- Staball65- AV 2745- SD 18- Ejector marks. Drop to 42.5 and fire 10 next time. This is the best group I have ever had with this powder.

47gr - H1000- AV2809- SD 28- Stiff bolt + ejector marks.

 

[Bowfinn]

116TMK- 2.900”- Hornady brass- Fed LRP- 100rds on the 16.5” barrel at this point.

42gr- H4350-AV 2759-SD 1.5- Slight Ejector mark. Drop to 41.5 and fire 10 next time.

44gr- H4831sc- AV 2682- SD 25.

43- N555- AV 2739-SD 14. First shot was the one not hitting the dot, this is the worst test group I have ever had with N555. I will likely redo this.

43gr- Staball65- AV 2745- SD 18- Ejector marks. Drop to 42.5 and fire 10 next time. This is the best group I have ever had with this powder.

47gr - H1000- AV2809- SD 28- Stiff bolt + ejector marks.

Is this with a standard 6 creed chamber?

 

[mtnbound]

Is this with a standard 6 creed chamber?

Yes.

 

[Bowfinn]

Yes.

Thanks! I’m hoping to get out this weekend and try the 116s with h4350 and n555.