Any experience with 175 TMK in 308 win?

[BW64]

Tried them about a year ago , and found out two things about them .
#1 they seemed to shoot best in my rifle at .005 off touch .
#2 My rifle would not shoot them even decently for competition , so after two hundred rounds wasted money , I went back to Berger's .
BTW ; I got the same kind of result @BW did at 100 yrds. , but they would not hold group at 600 out of a Kelby / Brux 30" - 1 / 10 twist .

My 600 is right around moa & 1100 is 14" on a good day on my part. BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>> it's more the rifle than me. Tim & John built me a keeper!!

BW

 

[BW64]

Are you in or out on your CBTO? I found the 168 SMK's shoot best .005 into the lands.

Sorry. Should have add that./ I'm 15 off lands.

BW

 

[STOMP442]

The 175TMK shoots very well out of a rifle I built for a client a few years ago. Works very well on game as well. This rifle has killed multiple deer, an Elk at over 700 yards and a couple of Audads in Texas at over 500.

 

[Metal God]

If you guys are finding them hard to tune, i recommend following Bergers VLD seating depth test.

That was kinda my point . I was never happy enough with any group at any charge to start playing with seating depth . 100+ in with two different powders IMR 4064 and AR-comp and best groups were moa at best . If I can't get sub moa right away with little effort . I get over it real fast . No way I was going to then spend another 100 rounds and 3 range trips just to "maybe" dial it in . I already have good loads with other components , I don't need the bullet that bad lol

 

[eric32]

That was kinda my point . I was never happy enough with any group at any charge to start playing with seating depth . 100+ in with two different powders IMR 4064 and AR-comp and best groups were moa at best . If I can't get sub moa right away with little effort . I get over it real fast . No way I was going to then spend another 100 rounds and 3 range trips just to "maybe" dial it in . I already have good loads with other components , I don't need the bullet that bad lol

If you have a bad seating depth not amount of powder is going to make up for that, i have alway figured a low charge weight and a seating depth test will tell you where the barrel likes the bullets after that powder will see how fast she will go. Then you can tweak it after.

But i do see the merit of keeping a single load and buying bullets to burn a barrel out.

 

[D-4297]

Think the point on this is simple . Some rifles like the bullet , and some don't . I went through two boxes , ( 200 bullets ) and extremely careful load and seating depth tests , and my rifle just did not like the bullet . Doesn't mean it's not a good bullet . I gave it a fair chance , hoping it was a keeper . It wasn't , For my barrel . It's only a "GOOD" bullet , if it works in your rifle . Doesn't matter who makes it , or how much hype by those who like it . If it doesn't work ? Move on ....Who goes to a F-class match with a , ( for their rifle ) mediocre load ? Anyone ?

 

[_Raining]

Here is my test with the 175 TMK out of a 1:11.25, 24", Krieger attached to a Rem 700. https://i.imgur.com/MNbhaHh.jpg

I stopped shooting those at the 2.840" COAL because the groups were bad and the butt stock loosened up. Ill try a seating depth test somewhere between 3,4,5,6. I am going to be using this for PRS style matches so mag length is what I am limited to. I will probably split the difference between 4 and 5 and do seating depth on that charge weight. I am not a great shot so this is probably a fools errand but might as well try.

 

[DirtySteve]

I have used regular SMK's and Berger VLD & Long Range 175's with 44.2-44.5 grs of Varget with great results. I imagine the same combination would work with the TMK.

Was used in my GA Precision 308 with a 1-10 twist.

 

[BW64]

Here is my test with the 175 TMK out of a 1:11.25, 24", Krieger attached to a Rem 700. https://i.imgur.com/MNbhaHh.jpg

I stopped shooting those at the 2.840" COAL because the groups were bad and the butt stock loosened up. Ill try a seating depth test somewhere between 3,4,5,6. I am going to be using this for PRS style matches so mag length is what I am limited to. I will probably split the difference between 4 and 5 and do seating depth on that charge weight. I am not a great shot so this is probably a fools errand but might as well try.

Never say fools errand. I'm not a great shot either but if you saw my target post you would think differently. #9 looks promising. What is the sd on that?

BW

 

[Bc'z]

Here is my test with the 175 TMK out of a 1:11.25, 24", Krieger attached to a Rem 700. https://i.imgur.com/MNbhaHh.jpg

I stopped shooting those at the 2.840" COAL because the groups were bad and the butt stock loosened up. Ill try a seating depth test somewhere between 3,4,5,6. I am going to be using this for PRS style matches so mag length is what I am limited to. I will probably split the difference between 4 and 5 and do seating depth on that charge weight. I am not a great shot so this is probably a fools errand but might as well try.

Load between 3 and 4

 

[10XSHOOTER]

42.0 4064 match load in M-14's works very well at 600 yds. load to mag length

 

[eric32]

What is the load specs for 3 and 4?

@_Raining

Try these seating depths or are 3 and 4 somewhere close to these?

1. .010 off the lands (jump)
2. .050 off the lands (jump)
3. .090 off the lands (jump)
4. .130 off the lands (jump)

 

[_Raining]

Never say fools errand. I'm not a great shot either but if you saw my target post you would think differently. #9 looks promising. What is the sd on that?

BW

The SD's were:
1 - SD 5.6,
2 - SD 7,
3 - SD 6,
4 - SD 6.6,
5 - SD 6.4,
6 - N/A,
7 - SD 8.7,
8 - SD 9.4,
9 - SD 4.3,
10 - SD 3.2

9 and 10 have good SD but from what I understand about 100 yard load dev is that you look for consistent POI and 9 and 10 are very different. And 9's flier is where 10's POI is and 10's flier is where 9's POI is so either that is a coincidence or those 2 charges are on the edge of a fairly large POI shift.

What is the load specs for 3 and 4?

@_Raining

Try these seating depths or are 3 and 4 somewhere close to these?

1. .010 off the lands (jump)
2. .050 off the lands (jump)
3. .090 off the lands (jump)
4. .130 off the lands (jump)

3 is 41.9 grains of n150 and 4 is 42.2 grains of n150.
3 is at 2547, 4 is at 2558 (charge 10 is 44gr of n150 at 2639 fps).

The MV is a little weak but the comp goes out to 700 yards so I don't need to be pushing them very hard. Plus there is no tactical class in this competition so I am going to always be at a disadvantage compared to the 6 and 6.5's. I am just trying to get a good load to compete with and practice reading the wind with. No signs of pressure on the brass so I suppose I could always look further for a higher node.

I am limited to magazine length and the notch on the R700 isn't deep enough to run long cartridges out of the ARC or any other mag that can be ordered with the spacer plate thing removed. So I am limited to less than 2.880", plus a little for tip variation I figure 2.875" is where I can start which is about 40 thou jump.

I locktited the butt stock screw so it shouldn't loosen up next time I go out. I suppose it is possible that the loose butt stock is the reason for the worse groups at 2.840" (I shot 2.860" first).

 

[Bc'z]

The SD's were:
1 - SD 5.6,
2 - SD 7,
3 - SD 6,
4 - SD 6.6,
5 - SD 6.4,
6 - N/A,
7 - SD 8.7,
8 - SD 9.4,
9 - SD 4.3,
10 - SD 3.2

9 and 10 have good SD but from what I understand about 100 yard load dev is that you look for consistent POI and 9 and 10 are very different. And 9's flier is where 10's POI is and 10's flier is where 9's POI is so either that is a coincidence or those 2 charges are on the edge of a fairly large POI shift.



3 is 41.9 grains of n150 and 4 is 42.2 grains of n150.
3 is at 2547, 4 is at 2558 (charge 10 is 44gr of n150 at 2639 fps).

The MV is a little weak but the comp goes out to 700 yards so I don't need to be pushing them very hard. Plus there is no tactical class in this competition so I am going to always be at a disadvantage compared to the 6 and 6.5's. I am just trying to get a good load to compete with and practice reading the wind with. No signs of pressure on the brass so I suppose I could always look further for a higher node.

I am limited to magazine length and the notch on the R700 isn't deep enough to run long cartridges out of the ARC or any other mag that can be ordered with the spacer plate thing removed. So I am limited to less than 2.880", plus a little for tip variation I figure 2.875" is where I can start which is about 40 thou jump.

I locktited the butt stock screw so it shouldn't loosen up next time I go out. I suppose it is possible that the loose butt stock is the reason for the worse groups at 2.840" (I shot 2.860" first).

I'd load 42gr and do seating test.

 

[BW64]

The SD's were:
1 - SD 5.6,
2 - SD 7,
3 - SD 6,
4 - SD 6.6,
5 - SD 6.4,
6 - N/A,
7 - SD 8.7,
8 - SD 9.4,
9 - SD 4.3,
10 - SD 3.2

9 and 10 have good SD but from what I understand about 100 yard load dev is that you look for consistent POI and 9 and 10 are very different. And 9's flier is where 10's POI is and 10's flier is where 9's POI is so either that is a coincidence or those 2 charges are on the edge of a fairly large POI shift.



3 is 41.9 grains of n150 and 4 is 42.2 grains of n150.
3 is at 2547, 4 is at 2558 (charge 10 is 44gr of n150 at 2639 fps).

The MV is a little weak but the comp goes out to 700 yards so I don't need to be pushing them very hard. Plus there is no tactical class in this competition so I am going to always be at a disadvantage compared to the 6 and 6.5's. I am just trying to get a good load to compete with and practice reading the wind with. No signs of pressure on the brass so I suppose I could always look further for a higher node.

I am limited to magazine length and the notch on the R700 isn't deep enough to run long cartridges out of the ARC or any other mag that can be ordered with the spacer plate thing removed. So I am limited to less than 2.880", plus a little for tip variation I figure 2.875" is where I can start which is about 40 thou jump.

I locktited the butt stock screw so it shouldn't loosen up next time I go out. I suppose it is possible that the loose butt stock is the reason for the worse groups at 2.840" (I shot 2.860" first).

That loose screw could also cause the flyer in 9&10.

BW

 

[cw308]

I'm shooting a Rem.700 set up for benchrest only , it started out as a Rem. LTR 308 20" barrel . It had so much free bore it was impossible it jam or even come close , even though it was a tack driver. After 4000+ rounds through the barrel I had a match RockCreek M24 barrel installed , completely blueprinted and bedded . The new using a Sierra 168gr. MK if I shot with store bought rounds which I don't would be jammed . The barrel has very little free bore . I shoots great with a .002 jump but if l were to try a .130 jump wouldn't or could it give me pressure problems . Luckily for me I didn't struggle finding a accurate load . I guess with some barrels there's not to much free space to work with .

 

[_Raining]

That loose screw could also cause the flyer in 9&10.

BW

It def could have but the other 4 shots are at very different POI in 9 vs 10.

 

[BW64]

I think 10 is where it starts to fall apart. 5,6,7,8 & 9 are very close to same POI. Might be worth a shot Like eric said try 9 with or 3 at 40 or 50 off if it's not already there. Mine likes 15-20 off but sounds like you may not fit mag with that.

BW

 

[Texas10]

When parts come loose, the whole test becomes suspect.

FWIW: FGGM 168 match ammo measures +.005 into the lands in my Shilen barrel, and quite literally shoots one ragged hole groups. So far, i can't build a load that matches it, although I've had some good success with 168 SMK and Varget.

I encountered this same situation when I built my 308 carry rifle with a 22 inch sporter barrel. Hornaday 175 gr Precision ammo would lay two rounds side by side at 200 yds with the third shot opening up the group to one inch as the barrel got hot. I decided right then to not waste my time, money or barrel life developing a hunting load when the off the shelf ammo was so accurate. The two boxes of ammo I purchased will probably last me the rest of my life, and all the deer I can eat.

 

[fatelvis]

175 SMK tipped 43.6/IMR4064 @2.234 to ogive. 26" Criterion 1:10 on Rem SPS action. 5 rounds @100.View attachment 1116627

Great shooting! Just out of curiosity, how far of a jump or jam is that in your barrel? I just want to see if indeed, the TMKs need to be jammed like VLD bullets do.