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.