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> Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06
Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06
@ 10:13 am (GMT) |
Joshua MayfieldHello Everyone,I finally snuck in a couple of hours at the range with the 195 gr. Sierra TMK. I only had time for 20 shots but thought I'd share. I started with what I believed a safe minimum, 54 gr. of Superformance. I shot a 5 shot string with that load. Average MV was 2,550. I shot three shot strings with different loads increasing by a half grain. My 55.5 gr. load showed the most initial promise in terms of accuracy. Velocities were just above 2,700 fps. My hottest load was 56.5 and MV was just over 2,800. Accuracy was not good but I blame the shooter at this point. Next time out I will shoot more rounds targeting that 2,700 fps velocity and shoot some faster rounds carefully watching for an accuracy node, monitoring for pressure issues of course. Nothing definitive yet, but even if the 2,700 fps load is as fast as I go with this bullet, the potential is intriguing. If anyone else has info to share about the bullet please do. I really want to give it a full evaluation. It's nice to finally have a start. |
Replies
@ 10:27 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06Hi Joshua, my only thoughts are that the TMK behaves differently to others. The load you started with was a good place to start. It was well down at a safe level. To others, if you are swtiching from the ELD-M to the TMK, do make sure you reduce loads by a good margin, start right over without trying to predict outcomes.The same also applies to bullet jump. Where the ELD-M quite often likes to be almost kissing the lands, the TMK may not always behave the same. But also, in the likes of the .308 where the jump is already long, do be prepared to experiment with jump within your given magazine space after initial load work. These experiments will allow you to change the harmonic timing and alter outcomes. |
@ 04:05 pm (GMT) |
Trace JacobyRe: Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06Joshua, just out of curiosity, what game are you primarily hoping to take with this bullet, and at what range?Thanks, Trace |
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@ 03:25 pm (GMT) |
Joshua MayfieldRe: Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06Trace, most of my hunting is whitetail deer. It is possible that I will try the TMK on them at some point. But the impetus for experimenting with this bullet and (in the near future) the 208 gr. Amax/ELD-M is Tahr. Nathan advises that they are a tough customer.My range for deer where I currently hunt rarely exceeds 150 yards so I have a lot of great options on hand for deer. For tahr, I hope to have a load fine tuned that would give me confidence to 800 if I, as the shooter, am ethically capable of taking shots out to that range. If the hunt were today I would not take a shot past 300 so I have a lot of work to do whether the TMK proves to be a good bullet through my rifle or not. The 178 gr. Amax shoots great through it, so that’s a solid option I already have confidence in. I’m going to explore possibilities with the TMK and heavier Amax as they have potential to extend my effective hunting range. |
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@ 03:13 pm (GMT) |
Trace JacobyRe: Initial testing of 195 gr. Sierra TMK in 30-06Thank you for the info, Joshua. It sounds like you and I are in about the same boat as far as ranges, and I am wanting to step up to animals larger and/or tougher than whitetail. I’ll be interested to see how the bullet turns out for you in your 30-06.Thanks, Trace |
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