Sierra 7mm 160 TMK

[flatlander]

Several years ago, I built myself a nice 7-08 Improved 30* rifle based on a M700 bare receiver that I'd bought & fitted with a PTG custom 1-pc bolt, 26" Krieger 1-9tw sendero bbl, PTG Stealth DBM, TT Special trigger, all in a B&C #2015 stock, topped with a 20 MOA sloped rail & Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56 mil scope. I started fireforming WW 7-08 brass with S168MKs & IMR4350 at 2584fps, which gave decent accuracy at 600yds. The rifle weighs almost 13lbs, and with the suppressor, recoil is relatively mild. Since shooting initial forming loads with WW brass, I've also bought & necked-down some Peterson 308 w/small rifle primer pockets, as well as Starline 308 SRP brass. I've seen 2660fps with H 100V & the 168MKs, and accuracy is good with either FF or formed cases. Since I'm using AICS magazines, I'm having to seat the 168s pretty deep to fit; when I saw Sierra's 160 TMK bullets, I thought that might just be the ticket, with a better BC than the older 168s, and being able to seat the 160s out further. They also buck the wind a bit better than the 168s, so I've been looking for them for quite awhile, without success. I finally called Sierra's tech line, and the guy told me that they weren't making any of the 160s right now, but were planning on making a run of them in the not-too-distant future. I'm just a little bummed, as I like everything about the 160 TMKs - except the lack of availability. It's no real surprise that Sierra sees a lot more demand for 6mm & 6.5mm bullets, and it sure makes me wish that I'd bought at least a couple of 500ct boxes of the 160 TMK when I first found them. Guess it's either wait until they make another run of them, or try the 165 TGC...
I bought the B&C stock in straight black, then did the camo with Krylon Ultra Flat Fusion tan & OD camo spray paint on sponges. Gave it a few days to cure, and then gave it a couple of coats Krylon Fusion satin clear.

 

[Orr89rocz]

The 165 tipped gameking are as long as the berger 180 hybrids. I havent shot them yet in my nosler but in 308 and 257 the TGK are amazing. Good velocity and accuracy

 

[dhagerty40]

you are in the same boat as I am. My 7-08 loves the 160 TMK and also cannot find them. I have since gave up on Sierra and looking for a different bullet.

you got the same answer I get from Sierra, but i have been getting that from them for 2 1/2 years!

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Hornady ELD-X's ARE, a VERY good Replacement for, a Big Game Bullet in a,.. 6.5, .270, 7 MM or, .308 cal's.
Sierra is, SADLY in, "the Dumps" for some reason, IDK what, the F is going on with them ??
Hornady and Berger are cranking out Bullets,.. as FAST as, they can !
Both,.. Hunting Bergers and ELD-X's, get it, DONE Plus are, very accurate !!
My 23 y/o grandson has shot 3 Muley's with, his 6.5 PRC, 143 gr., ELD-X's, ALL,. DRT ( within, 20 yds of Impact ).
3 Kills made at, 225, 307 and 468 yds, with only, the furthest Deer, the Bullet was, just under, the far Hide.
My little gs 13 y/o has now shot, 2 big bodied, Desert Muley's with, His .243 Win Tikka, using the 87 gr. VLD Hunting Bullet at, 3,100 FPS at, 230 and 268 yds both,.. DRT within, 5 yds of Impact ( one walked a few steps and folded. ) Sierra's are Nice,.. IF you can get them,.. but ??

 

[Frankm]

Sierra had an ownership change 3-4 years ago I recall … pretty standard phase of someone with other ideas and deep pocketbooks going to make everything better … yeah right; gonna screw up another once proud Company.

You want to buy a bridge ??

 

[flatlander]

I'll admit that I haven't tried looking at any other bullet brand to try to find another 7mm bullet in this weight range. I've shot a lot of Bergers in my LR Prone rifles, from 90VLDs in 223 & 223AI, 105 VLDs & Hybrids in 6 Dashers, 6x47L, and 6XC, 130 & 140 VLDs in 6,.5x47, 6.5-08 Imp 30*, and 6.5x55AI. But when it comes to the 7mm rifles, most of my experience has been with 180VLDs in straight 284s for 1000 prone matches. This 'little' 7-08 Imp 30* will do ok at 1000, but if I was going to single load rounds for LR prone use in it, I'd probably just go with Berger or JLK 168VLDs. What I need for what I'm doing is something no longer than the 160 TMK for use in AICS mags. If I make it to the Mo. State 600yd prone champs at Bucksnort, I intend to try to get away early enough to make it to the Sedalia exit off I-70 in time to visit the Sierra plant.

 

[std7mag]

I'll admit that when they first came out, I had wanted to build a 7mm-08 improved 40° with a 30" barrel for some 600, 1,000 yard local matches.
Still want to build one.
But until Sierra makes bullets available again it's still on the back burner.

Unless Berger wants to build a 160gr Hybrid Target bullet.