Sierra 130gr 6.5 TMK for hunting ?

[harro]

I’m interested in hearing if anyone has used the Sierra 6.5 cal 130gr TMK projectiles for hunting.
I realise that the TMK is more of a target oriented projectile and their TGK line is for hunting but the TGK seems to be to strongly constructed for the smaller Deer and Hogs that I shoot .
Does anyone have experience of using the TMK’s on smaller Deer / Hogs ?

Ken

 

[dthomas]

I don't have any experience with them but have heard that they work great.

 

[padom]

I have no experience hunting with them but I've shot of bunch of them in my 6.5x47L and they are very accurate..

 

[AckleymanII]

A good friend here hunts with a 260 Rem loaded with 130g ELD-M and claims that they are extremely effective in putting white tails on the ground.

So, Op, give them a try and get back to us!

Sierra does sell a 130g bthp that is a great deer bullet, but not a target ogive at all.

 

[Charlie-NY]

On another forum there are pages of posts raving about the lethality of the 77TMK fired from a .223. I've shot quite a few 130TMK bullets from a 6.5 Creed and found them to be surprisingly accurate at 400yds. I'd be very confident using them on whitetails.

 

[padom]

I've done some expansion testing in denim and wet phone books with 223 60 TMK and 300blk 125 TMK. They are nasty.. their SMK counterparts just bent like a banana, zero expansion...

Black Hills uses the TMK in their defensive loads as well.

 

[Gary in MD]

On another forum there are pages of posts raving about the lethality of the 77TMK fired from a .223. I've shot quite a few 130TMK bullets from a 6.5 Creed and found them to be surprisingly accurate at 400yds. I'd be very confident using them on whitetails.

Those 77s are working very well in one of my 22-250s also.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Those 77s are working very well in one of my 22-250s also.

I stopped loading the 77TMK bullets in my .223 because the loaded ammo won't fit in my little MTM boxes. LOL

 

[GeoPat]

I’m interested in hearing if anyone has used the Sierra 6.5 cal 130gr TMK projectiles for hunting.
I realise that the TMK is more of a target oriented projectile and their TGK line is for hunting but the TGK seems to be to strongly constructed for the smaller Deer and Hogs that I shoot .
Does anyone have experience of using the TMK’s on smaller Deer / Hogs ?

Ken

I have only shot one deer with the 130 TGK but I would not call it a tough bullet. In fact I would not want to hit a sholder bone with it. I am assuming we are talking about 6.5 Creedmore velocity.
But, yes I would say it would be fine for your hunting.
I found the TGK very accurate but I just like tougher bullets.
I would be very skeptical about using the
TMK for hunting. Match bullets have different expansion characteristics.
Yes, I know that a well placed shot is going to kill quickly and humanly from even the worst bullets.
Good luck with your loads, Pat

 

[284winner]

I have killed deer with the 140 TMK. They do a great job BUT I'd keep the shot behind the shoulder or in the ribs. I've never shot a deer in the shoulder and wouldn't recommend it with that style bullet. I have no reason to shoot for the shoulder regardless but the deer are DRT when hit with the TMK just as they are with the ELDM. I think the 130 would be as good on deer.

 

[DaveTooley]

The 130 TGK has always been more accurate for me.

 

[Dimner]

The only reports of the TGK failing that I have heard is when someone shoots a deer at 55 yards at 3100fps MV. People come up with loads for max speed and 600 yards shots then complain about the bullet failing when they shoot something right in front of them.

 

[284winner]

The only reports of the TGK failing that I have heard is when someone shoots a deer at 55 yards at 3100fps MV. People come up with loads for max speed and 600 yards shots then complain about the bullet failing when they shoot something right in front of them.

Pretty accurate. I use the ELDM for 400 yard shots on average from a 6.5-284. They perform best at 2300/2400 impact velocity

 

[Prose]

The only reports of the TGK failing that I have heard is when someone shoots a deer at 55 yards at 3100fps MV. People come up with loads for max speed and 600 yards shots then complain about the bullet failing when they shoot something right in front of them.

The TGK is totally capable of a 3100 fps impact. Not too fast at all

 

[RRoe]

Their good 130gr tmk is all I use in my 6.5 creedmoore right behind the shoulder and they go down with h4350 f210m

 

[Dimner]

Their good 130gr tmk is all I use in my 6.5 creedmoore right behind the shoulder and they go down with h4350 f210m

What velocity are you pushing that at? And what distances have you used it on? I'm using it in the 6.5x47L. I have a 1/2 moa hunting load that only goes 2665fps . I'm trying to figure out if I waste components to find a faster tune or just stay where I am. Hard to find the justification to go faster when 400 yards max is my hunting range . 97% of my shots are inside 250 yards.

 

[SteveOak]

From the Sierra site;

"While they are recognized around the world for record-setting accuracy, MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are not recommended for most hunting applications."

But what would they know?

Then the idiots went and developed a 130gr .264 Tipped GameKing. I can't believe they are so stupid.

 

[Dimner]

From the Sierra site;

"While they are recognized around the world for record-setting accuracy, MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are not recommended for most hunting applications."

But what would they know?

Then the idiots went and developed a 130gr .264 Tipped GameKing. I can't believe they are so stupid.

My bad. I thought we were still taking TGK. I missed the part in the post where it changed to TMK.

I'll only use game king on animals. It's not worth the risk to use a bullet not designed for optimal penetration and expansion.

 

[CjC73]

Not the 130, but I used a 77gr TMK from my 22creed this year and dropped a whitetail in his tracks at about 140 yards. No exit.