Sierra 69gr MK or TMK?

[SteveOak]

And discernable difference in accuracy between the two in a 223/5.56?

 

[SSchnd]

This topic in underway on another forum regarding SMK 77 vs TMK 77. I know folks that can get the TMK to shoot in gas rifles but it takes some doing to be mag length, The SMK is just too easy to load and shoot and I do not believe the BC of the TMK is worth the time to get them shooting great, A Bolt rifle I think would be quicker. But cost vs cost for the difference. Meh SMK 69 work just like the 77 SMK. Easy button. IMHO

 

[Mark M.]

Let your rifle decide

 

[Gabe22BR]

And discernable difference in accuracy between the two in a 223/5.56?

$3-$4 a box
Or
availability

I went 69MK- most available most of the time… the TMK was OS when I wanted to try the 69gr in my 16” CF barrel…

 

[jelenko]

This topic in underway on another forum regarding SMK 77 vs TMK 77. I know folks that can get the TMK to shoot in gas rifles but it takes some doing to be mag length, The SMK is just too easy to load and shoot and I do not believe the BC of the TMK is worth the time to get them shooting great, A Bolt rifle I think would be quicker. But cost vs cost for the difference. Meh SMK 69 work just like the 77 SMK. Easy button. IMHO

This.

 

[Jeff Porter]

The consensus for my experiment with 77 TMK vs SMK is the juice was not worth the squeeze. SMK shot tighter and the BC benefit of the TMK was not worth trying to fight a bullet that did not want to tune as easily as the SMK did.

 

[243winxb]

HPBT for me. The extra long TMK limits use in an AR magazine. Not a lot of adjustment in COL.

 

[cmillard]

I will say to go with TMK. Even though I'm not shooting the 69s, I was however shooting 77 smk and 77 burgers. Then the 77 TMK came out and then decided to try a new powder, since aa2520 was getting hard to find, so I bought some PP 2000MR. I haven't looked back. I have shot those loads out to 1430 yards in an 18" rifle I put together with 7" twist and CLE match chamber.

 

[SteveOak]

Thanks for the input. I would be hesitant to extrapolate results of the 77's to apply to 69's.

The .375 vs .301 BC is very seductive.

 

[Turkeytider]

Let your rifle decide

Just a personal opinion based on shooting experience, but the 69 SMK may well be one of the best .223 bullets ever produced. Then again, I think Sierra makes excellent bullets anyway.

 

[Tireguy]

I have not shot the TMKs but the groups I saw tested by some friends, the TMKs shot nice round groups. Then the SMKs were shot and they all shot very tight groups that were all knotted up on each other. Personally, I wouldn't consider the TMKs after seeing what printed on paper.

 

[Gary in MD]

We talking targets or hunting?
For targets only, I’d try both and see which your rifle prefers.
I’ve picked the 77 TMK for my tikka 22-250. Shooting steel out to 600 but I also wanted a bullet that would expand on animals if the occasion occurs. So far, it’s worked on a big doe and a ground hog. Limited testing but more coming soon
Also shot some of the 69 TMKs and they expanded on a couple small ground hogs.

 

[SteveOak]

Target only

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Just a personal opinion based on shooting experience, but the 69 SMK may well be one of the best .223 bullets ever produced. Then again, I think Sierra makes excellent bullets anyway.

AGREE with,.. THIS ^^^^