Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[packgoatguy]

For me I want a mid to long range rifle as light as I can go without going full custom bolt action.
Solo 223 Shaw with AAC 77 TMK going 2565 fos maxes at about 375 yards.
Solo 223 Shaw with reloads, black hills, or stage 1 77 TMK at 2750 fps maxes at about 450 yards.
BCA 6 ARC with Hornady 108 ELDM factory going 2483 fps in my barrel takes you to 525 or just shy.

I think it’s time to get some dies and work up a load for the ARC to see if 600 yard terminal range can be achieved.
My 6 ARC is about 6 pounds even with SWFA 3-9. I’ll take a 6 pound 500 plus yard capable rifle all day. Goal achieved for me.

Now when I want to pack a rifle for just in case, the solo/shaw 223 with folding stock will take a ride.

What is your minimum target impact velocity? My data tells me a 77tmk at 2750mv gets to 560 yards before it drops below 1800fps, and at least according to Form over in the 223 thread... the 77tmk will still expand well even below 1800fps, but 1800 is a good threshold.

If your threshold is 2000fps, I get that out to about 430 yards with the 77tmk.

 

[Thegman]

The solo/shaw 223 is hammering with 77 TMK loaded over AR Comp. It nearly duplicates the AAC velocity (gain of 6 fps) but consistency of accuracy is much better.
15 fps ES.
5 shots, paper grids are 1/4”, target grids are 1” with small dots at half inch increments.
View attachment 847037

I also shot a load over Lever that hit 2700 fps average and still has room to go up on pressure. It shoots about an inch for 5 shots with 70 fps ES. I’ll take it higher and see if it tightens up accuracy and ES. Would be nice to hit 2750 fos

I very seldom take anything past 300 yards, so the 223 gets me that far no sweat, 6x45 would as well. Yeah, getting 2,700+ with 77TMKs should be doable. I have several loads that run around 2,700 -2,720 pretty easily.

According to my Strelok, 2,720 hits 1,800 at 470 yards with the TMK. If you could get the 75ELDM to work, it could probably stay above 1,800 fps out to 550 as they also seem to be able to be pushed faster than the TMK and have a better BC.

Now if I could find a TMK load that shoots as well as yours does!...my barrel may not shoot the 77TMKs as well. Seems to do better with the 73 ELD-M so far. Those have been pretty easy to load for.

 

[Thegman]

What is your minimum target impact velocity? My data tells me a 77tmk at 2750mv gets to 560 yards before it drops below 1800fps, and at least according to Form over in the 223 thread... the 77tmk will still expand well even below 1800fps, but 1800 is a good threshold.

If your threshold is 2000fps, I get that out to about 430 yards with the 77tmk.

What are you using for your TMK calculations? Strelok shows about 90 yards less than what you're getting. Would be a bonus if that was the case!

 

[packgoatguy]

What are you using for your TMK calculations? Strelok shows about 90 yards less than what you're getting. Would be a bonus if that was the case!

I'm at about 4800 ft.

This dope has held true out to about 720 yards. At 35 degrees or so, 80 clicks was an inch or two high, 79 clicks was an inch or two low.

 

[fishdart]

What is your minimum target impact velocity? My data tells me a 77tmk at 2750mv gets to 560 yards before it drops below 1800fps, and at least according to Form over in the 223 thread... the 77tmk will still expand well even below 1800fps, but 1800 is a good threshold.

If your threshold is 2000fps, I get that out to about 430 yards with the 77tmk.

What does a 10 mph cross wind comparison look like between the 77gr .223 and the 108 6mmARC at say 400 yards? I don't have a calculator and am curious.