Sierra TMK vs MKX

[AlaskaRed]

What's the convential wisdom between terminal performance on these two as hunting bullets?

Just to add some context I am more interest in the 6.5mm bullets. We have a new to us tikka 6.5 creedmor which my wife was able to put a .6 inch 3 shot group with the 140 smk. The bullet weight had pretty decent velocities and seems like a good shooter for that rifle. That leaves us to a hunting bullet choice for Moose sized game and smaller. The new 153gr tmk looks like a nice bullet and would lean towards that over the 130 tmk. The 142 gr smk and mkx seem to be in a better weight sweet spot for velocity and bc out of a 20" barrel.

If anyone has experience with these bullets on game out of a 6.5 would be helpful. Also, any information on game with other known good performers out of a 20" 6.5 creedmoor speed would be appreciated. Experiences and pictures are welcome. Also I may add we are looking at 400-500 yards and in for shots with this rifle.

 

[Jordan Smith]

I would start and finish with the 147 ELD-M.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I have no terminal performance experience with the 142 MKX but it shoots really well in my wife’s 6.5x47 Lapua.


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[AlaskaRed]

I would start and finish with the 147 ELD-M.

Do you have good experience with the 147? How does it compare to the eldx?

 

[alexnelon]

If you want TMK-style performance (big giant holes) in a 6.5 creed then if the 130 TMK shoots in your gun I really don't see a good reason to pick anything else.

 

[43.6N]

130tmk is a really good bullet out of a Creedmoor.
my 18” gun pushes it 2725 with a conservative charge of H4350. It would be my recommendation as a general purpose Creedmoor case hunting bullet.
Same gun shot 153tmk at 2477.

Lots of great bullets for the creed.
I’m just a big fan of this combo

 

[Jordan Smith]

Do you have good experience with the 147? How does it compare to the eldx?

My hunting partners and I have several dozen kills with that bullet from various 6.5 CM rifles, and it has performed very reliably and predictably with impact speeds under 2700 fps. I like a moderate wound channel and deep penetration, and the 147 has provided that, regardless of animal size, bone in the wound path, etc. It typically exits, even on large game like elk and steep shot angles with heavy bone impacted. Wound channel is larger in diameter and not quite as long as a mono, but smaller in diameter and longer than a Berger.

The 147 ELD-M seems to expand a bit less aggressively and more moderately than the 143 ELD-X, likely due to the smaller HP beyond the tip in the ELD-M, which moderates initial expansion.

 

[AlaskaRed]

My hunting partners and I have several dozen kills with that bullet from various 6.5 CM rifles, and it has performed very reliably and predictably with impact speeds under 2700 fps. I like a moderate wound channel and deep penetration, and the 147 has provided that, regardless of animal size, bone in the wound path, etc. It typically exits, even on large game like elk and steep shot angles with heavy bone impacted. Wound channel is larger in diameter and not quite as long as a mono, but smaller in diameter and longer than a Berger.

The 147 ELD-M seems to expand a bit less aggressively and more moderately than the 143 ELD-X, likely due to the smaller HP beyond the tip in the ELD-M, which moderates initial expansion.

This sounds a lot more like the performance I am looking for. Although moose aren’t as wide as some would apply and 48” of penetration isn’t always needed a moose is wider and thicker boned than most game. Deeper penetration is a factor. I know the swedes like the 156 gr lapua mega and I think that performance works well on moose and most game just a ballistic turd.

 

[BLJ]

My hunting partners and I have several dozen kills with that bullet from various 6.5 CM rifles, and it has performed very reliably and predictably with impact speeds under 2700 fps. I like a moderate wound channel and deep penetration, and the 147 has provided that, regardless of animal size, bone in the wound path, etc. It typically exits, even on large game like elk and steep shot angles with heavy bone impacted. Wound channel is larger in diameter and not quite as long as a mono, but smaller in diameter and longer than a Berger.

The 147 ELD-M seems to expand a bit less aggressively and more moderately than the 143 ELD-X, likely due to the smaller HP beyond the tip in the ELD-M, which moderates initial expansion.

Any comparison of wound channel between the 147’s and the 130 TMK’s at 6.5 Creedmoor velocity?

 

[Andouille]

I'm pondering the 145 TGK for elk and moose out of 6.5 CM, as ive heard recently that 147 eldm sometimes dont expand as dramatically as expectes. The 145 TGK has reasonable weight, high BC, good reputation for expansion and penetration down to 1800 fps ish if it is like other TGKs. The only problem for some is that it isnt likely to be offered in factory 6.5CM loadings, as it is intended for 6.5 PRC. Handload with H4350, SB 6.5, or RL19 should give at least 2650-2700 fps out of a 20" barrel, similar to ELDM.

And the new 153 tmk seems impressive in terms of BC, but thats getting pretty heavy for a CM and will suffer from low muzzle velocity that might counteract any benefit from the high BC, though there's a thread with some kills already reported for 6.5 CM.

 

[Castle Rock]

The TGKs are generally regarded as a hard bullet.

 

[nm.otter]

the new 153 tmk seems impressive in terms of BC, but thats getting pretty heavy for a CM and will suffer from low muzzle velocity that might counteract any benefit from the high BC

...at <65k chamber pressures.

 

[Jordan Smith]

This sounds a lot more like the performance I am looking for. Although moose aren’t as wide as some would apply and 48” of penetration isn’t always needed a moose is wider and thicker boned than most game. Deeper penetration is a factor. I know the swedes like the 156 gr lapua mega and I think that performance works well on moose and most game just a ballistic turd.

Not a 147, but I watched a 180 ELD-M impacting ~2900 fps on a near frontal shot of a large bull moose, and the bullet penetrated 4+ ft and exited behind the last rib on the offside. High-SD ELD-Ms impacting at moderate speed tend to penetrate well and create moderate wound channels, which is just my game.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Any comparison of wound channel between the 147’s and the 130 TMK’s at 6.5 Creedmoor velocity?

Sorry, I haven't seen the 130 TMK on game, but from reports here, it sounds more frangible than the 147. Maybe others that have seen both on game can weigh in.

 

[Jordan Smith]

I'm pondering the 145 TGK for elk and moose out of 6.5 CM, as ive heard recently that 147 eldm sometimes dont expand as dramatically as expectes. The 145 TGK has reasonable weight, high BC, good reputation for expansion and penetration down to 1800 fps ish if it is like other TGKs. The only problem for some is that it isnt likely to be offered in factory 6.5CM loadings, as it is intended for 6.5 PRC. Handload with H4350, SB 6.5, or RL19 should give at least 2650-2700 fps out of a 20" barrel, similar to ELDM.

And the new 153 tmk seems impressive in terms of BC, but thats getting pretty heavy for a CM and will suffer from low muzzle velocity that might counteract any benefit from the high BC, though there's a thread with some kills already reported for 6.5 CM.

The 145 TGK will likely expand even less dramatically than the 147 ELD-M.

 

[glock233]

For reliably killing game quickly in a 6.5 Creed under 600 yards:

130 TMK > 153 TMK > 140 ELDM > 143 ELDX > 147 ELDM.

All excellent, although bad batches of 147 have been noted where the tip interferes with expansion. Stick to cup and core bullets with ballistic tips.

The reality is that Creed isn’t the best platform for 153 and 147 weight bullets, but it doesn’t matter much inside 600.

 

[Jordan Smith]

For reliably killing game quickly in a 6.5 Creed under 600 yards:

130 TMK > 153 TMK > 140 ELDM > 143 ELDX > 147 ELDM.

All excellent, although bad batches of 147 have been noted where the tip interferes with expansion. Stick to cup and core bullets with ballistic tips.

The reality is that Creed isn’t the best platform for 153 and 147 weight bullets, but it doesn’t matter much inside 600.

Please explain “where the tip interferes with expansion” and how that determination was made.

Also disagree with your last assertion. Why isn’t the 6.5 CM a good fit for 147 and 153 gr bullets? A lot of BG animals would argue otherwise.

I’ve seen far more reports of inconsistent terminal performance with the 143 ELD-X than I have with the 147 ELD-M.

 

[LongWayAround]

Please explain “where the tip inferences with expansion” and how that determination was made.

Also disagree with your last assertion. Why isn’t the 6.5 CM a good fit for 147 and 153 gr bullets? A lot of BG animals would argue otherwise.

I’ve seen far more reports of inconsistent terminal performance with the 143 ELD-X than I have with the 147 ELD-M.

Form was recently talking about the ELD tip issue on the EXO podcast. I haven't seen it myself but it seems that he sees a lot more stuff than I do...

My 147 experience is that I usually find them on the surface of the offside meat. No complaints here. I would love to try the 130tmk though.

I've posted the below before, but it's basically how all of the 147's that I have recovered look.

 

[43.6N]

This sounds a lot more like the performance I am looking for. Although moose aren’t as wide as some would apply and 48” of penetration isn’t always needed a moose is wider and thicker boned than most game. Deeper penetration is a factor. I know the swedes like the 156 gr lapua mega and I think that performance works well on moose and most game just a ballistic turd.

The animals I’ve shot with the 147 had wounds described exactly like @Jordan Smith.

The 130 TMK wound in the deer posted above was a complete pass through. My brother had shot a deer same day with his 300wsm shooting 150ttsx at sub 300yds. The wound diameters slightly favored the TMK.

Also a good point of comparison: He has shot a lot of animals with that gun using 165gr fusions. The 130tmk out of a short Creedmoor made wounds that were indistinguishable from 165gr fusions out of a 300wsm.

I had switched to the 130gr bullet because it started faster, and gave me a greater range to 2000fps compared to the 147 and 140 eldm.

130eldms have also done well on game for me. With wounds more similar to the 130tmk than the 147.

 

[Andouille]

...at <65k chamber pressures.

I see what you mean now, with Fedrral announcing the Peak+ 6.5 CM 153 TMK loading going 2800 going out of a 24" barrel. That probably equates to 2650fps put of a 20" barrel which is a very exciting prospect for folks like me running a suppressor. I hope to use this bullet on elk and moose in the next year if I can get my hands on some.

The 145 TGK will likely expand even less dramatically than the 147 ELD-M.

agreed, but also TGK have a reputation for extremely consistent expansion to quite a bit larger than caliber than "tough" bullets like monos. They also seem to shed some weight (20%?) while penetrating deeply. Moose don't tend to run when shot (at least not like a white tail or black bear) so a highly reliable and medium-high lethality bullet offering a lot of shot angle and distance options is worth consideration.

Please explain “where the tip interferes with expansion” and how that determination was made.

Form mentioned in the recent Exo podcast (and I paraphrase...) that the tip and cavity on the 147 ELDM are relatively small compared to the bullet size when compared to the tip/cavity on a 130 ELDM. This may explain rare examples of 147 ELDM penciling through game. He also mentions that the TMK likely are very effective because of the comparatively large cavity behind the tip, and he has stated before that TMK are very consistent on game because they are designed and tested for expansion in ballistics gel for law enforcement use, despite Sierra stating that they are "not hunting bullets."