Sierra Heavy TMK 6MM Testing

[Nine Banger]

What barrel twist?

1:7 on that one. .680 taperless

 

[Nine Banger]

Has anybody using Hornady Custom Grade Dies, replaced their seating stem with the one they make for the 110 A-Tip? Curious if that would be a better fit for these bullets, as the standard stem in my seating die is leaving a pretty heavy ring on these TMKs and preferably not buy a new seater.

I bought that stem and it works with the 107s but still leaves a light ring on the 116s.

The stem it comes with straight up fuggs up the 116s.

I ordered a Frankford arsenal universal seating die.

 

[Axlrod]

With the same load of N570 as the Dtacs in my 6-7 PRC, the 116 TMK's shoot about 40 fps faster (3320) and .2" smaller.

 

[huntnful]

Haha.


I got a 500ct box of production 116’s and just grabbed a big handful of bullets from it- nothing bad or unusual with the tips.
For sure extreme precision (.5-.7 MOA) is easier with Berger’s in a few flavors (105gr Hybrid) than almost any other bullets. But, the TMK’s have all been 1 MOA for ten or better with little to no effort for dozen guns or so that I have used them in.

Yeah you’re right. They haven’t shot terribly for me by any means. Normally right around .8 for 10. They just shoot a little wider than a berger, and only on occasion. Which isn’t terrible considering the Berger is basically the gold standard just for precision, and these are mainly for killing things with nice wounds, while maintaining still well enough precision to do it out to a long ways.

 

[huntnful]

With the same load of N570 as the Dtacs in my 6-7 PRC, the 116 TMK's shoot about 40 fps faster (3320) and .2" smaller.

Sweet Jesus. That’s an awesome upgrade all the way around.

 

[Jimbee]

Tikka 243 8twist cut to 17" with 38.5 H4350 116tmk.
Was pretty slow.
Loaded 10 more at 39.5gr H4350.
DA was -400 when I shot this morning. Doesn't appear to be stable 2610fps.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Tikka 243 8twist cut to 17" with 38.5 H4350 116tmk.View attachment 1050806
Was pretty slow.
Loaded 10 more at 39.5gr H4350.
DA was -400 when I shot this morning. Doesn't appear to be stable 2610fps. View attachment 1050807

I’ve been experimenting with them today in my 20” 1:8” twist Tikka .243. So far, I haven’t been thrilled with H4350.

My velocity has been very consistent, but the groups haven’t been great. I am going to try 40.5, then switch powders.

38.5 - 2631
39 - 2672
41 - 2797
41.5 - 2839 (pressure signs)

 

[Jimbee]

Here's a few groups with H1000. Different 8 twist Tikka 243 barrel. 95tmk, 107tmk, 108 eldm and bottom right is a 6.5CTR

 

[ckt3]

I’ve been experimenting with them today in my 20” 1:8” twist Tikka .243. So far, I haven’t been thrilled with H4350.

My velocity has been very consistent, but the groups haven’t been great. I am going to try 40.5, then switch powders.

38.5 - 2631
39 - 2672
41 - 2797
41.5 - 2839 (pressure signs)

Have you tried the 107s yet? Curious how they compare in the 8 twist 243

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Have you tried the 107s yet? Curious how they compare in the 8 twist 243

No, they are next. I have such high hopes for the 116s that I have not opened the 107s yet.

 

[nm.otter]

I bought that stem and it works with the 107s but still leaves a light ring on the 116s.

Has anyone tried the #397113 (105gr Aeromatch) stem on these?

 

[mtnbound]

Has anybody using Hornady Custom Grade Dies, replaced their seating stem with the one they make for the 110 A-Tip? Curious if that would be a better fit for these bullets, as the standard stem in my seating die is leaving a pretty heavy ring on these TMKs and preferably not buy a new seater.

Yes, I use the VLD stem with the ELDM and X's. I use the same stem with the 77, 107, and 116 TMKs and get no rings.

I use the regular stems with the BTHP and Aeromatch bullets.

 

[Tanner]

Yes, I use the VLD stem with the ELDM and X's. I use the same stem with the 77, 107, and 116 TMKs and get no rings.

I use the regular stems with the BTHP and Aeromatch bullets.

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

No, they are next. I have such high hopes for the 116s that I have not opened the 107s yet.

I finally tried the 107s as the light was fading. Even with me having difficulty finding the aiming point, my first group was still better than anything I saw from 116s and 4350 today.

They averaged 2796 with an SD of 10. If I can do slightly better than that in the morning, I’ll be happy with the 107s.

 

[Matt5266]

I finally tried the 107s as the light was fading. Even with me having difficulty finding the aiming point, my first group was still better than anything I saw from 116s and 4350 today.

They averaged 2796 with an SD of 10. If I can do slightly better than that in the morning, I’ll be happy with the 107s.

Awesome keep us updated!

 

[Xperimental]

Sierra Match Kings................They will be good for your intended purpose, and they make them in 110g as well.

 

[Spartan1810]

Finally got my Rokstok back and got to test the 116s.

6 CM 18" PVA .750 Taperless .210 FB 1/7 Twist
Measured the lands at 2.996 COAL
Loaded to the Neck/Shoulder Junction at 2.895 COAL (2.235 CBTO)

I'm going to resist the urge to tinker and load 41 and be done.

View attachment 1049850
View attachment 1049851
View attachment 1049852
View attachment 1049853

 

[huntsd]

I finally tried the 107s as the light was fading. Even with me having difficulty finding the aiming point, my first group was still better than anything I saw from 116s and 4350 today.

They averaged 2796 with an SD of 10. If I can do slightly better than that in the morning, I’ll be happy with the 107s.

The 116s haven’t liked my 243 20” either

 

[huntsd]

Continuing with the “painless method” with my 20” 243. The 116s don’t like my gun. I give up on those. Had previously shot the 107s with 42 of staball 6.5 into a nice group. Was about 20 fps under my desired 2775 fps. So I figured I’d bump it up by .1 and see if I could hit it and had hopes of being done. Both 42 and 42.1 grouped fine. Virgin lapua brass

Problem is my ES. Using garmin chrono
42 avg = 2759 es = 81
42.1 avg = 2762 es = 117

Any suggestions? I’m using an fx120i so don’t think it’s the amount of powder I put in being inconsistent

 

[Matt5266]

Suggestions, ya just go shoot. Your not shooting F class. Just go Hammer away and have fun