Black Hills 5.56mm 77 gr TMK and 69 gr TMK Review

We went to the ranch a couple weeks ago with a few boxes of this load.

Now we could only shoot to 400 yds, the cattle were milling around in the adjacent pasture which prevented using our 500/600 yd. positions.

I did notice a tremendous difference in drop between the Speer 64 gr. GD (granted, .223 pressure) and the 69 gr TMK.
I think at 400 the difference in drop was near 8".
The TMK POI was quite close to the ranging "ticks" on several 1-6 and 1-8 scopes past 300, while the GD (which has been a preferred Whitetail round to 300) was way off.
The accuracy in several guns was MOA or a bit better as well.

Overall I was quite impressed with the round and look forward to stretching it's legs in the next few weeks.

With a 20" LMT LM8MRPSC20 and a Labradar;

I am getting 2839 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 8.5, and a ES of 29 with BH 5,56mm 77gr TMK.
I am getting 2944 fps over 10 shots, with a SD OF 20.1 and a ES of 54 with BH 5,56mm 69gr TMK.
I am getting 2819 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 11.9 and a ES of 41 with IMI 5,56mm 77gr Razor Core.
I am getting 2510 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 19.3 and a ES of 60 with FGMM 77gr SMK.
I am getting 2768 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 9.1 and a ES of 24 with Win 77gr Match.
I am getting 2616 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 10 and a ES of 30 with Hornady 75gr Steel Match.
I am getting 2680 fps over 10 shots, with a SD of 29.7 and a ES of 105 with Hornady's new 73gr ELD Match.


With a 16" LMT LM8MRPSC

BH 5,56mm 77gr TMK 2734 fps, SD 15.4, ES 46.
BH 5,56mm 69gr TMK 2812 fps, SD 20.2, ES 73
IMI 5,56mm 77gr Razor Core 2707 fps, SD 17.1, ES 58
FGMM 77gr 2403 fps, SD 12.2, ES 39
Winchester 77gr match 2645 fps, SD 19, ES 60
Hornady 75gr Steel Match 2514 fps, SD 34, ES 84
Hornady 73gr ELD Match 2577 fps, SD 15.3, ES 44

The BH 5,56mm 77gr TMK, IMI 77gr Razor Core, Win 77gr Match, FGMM 77gr, and Hornady 75gr SM all shot lights out in both rifles.

I was very disappointed with the 69gr TMK in these two rifles, but have more I need to try the 69gr TMK in before I give it the chop.

Hootie, some good data. I think BH OTM shoots better than the TMK for pure accuracy. I don't know why and maybe its just in my rifles. So try some BH OTM, which is the regular SMk's, cartridges before you crap out on the BH load. They are my preferred load from BH.

Its pretty impressive how they crush everybody in velocity while maintaining accuracy. You can always post pics of the BH ammo by those bad ass LMT rifles if you feel the need to be repping some quality stuff.

PB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pappabear

Hootie, some good data. I think BH OTM shoots better than the TMK for pure accuracy. I don't know why and maybe its just in my rifles. So try some BH OTM, which is the regular SMk's, cartridges before you crap out on the BH load. They are my preferred load from BH.

Its pretty impressive how they crush everybody in velocity while maintaining accuracy. You can always post pics of the BH ammo by those bad ass LMT rifles if you feel the need to be repping some quality stuff.

PB

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I will do that! I had close to 2000 rounds of the BH 5,56mm 77gr TMK put back but have shot close to 400 rounds of it in testing and coyote hunting. You just cannot beat it IMHO for a solid defensive load that can reach out there. For the $ I have been VERY pleased with the IMI Razor Core stuff too, but as far as social ammo the TMK is definitely one I have been stocking up on. I havea stack of targets I have been saving showing groups I have shot with the stuff I intend to post. I have also killed a few coyotes and the stuff is sho-nuff deadly.

I have a few shorty uppers including (2) of the dimpled KAC 14.5" uppers I recently picked up that I plan on testing this ammo with. I'll post the results here when done.

I'd suggest you send those KAC uppers to me for testing. ��

Awesome thread guys! Pappabear, I noticed that you said Varget was pretty harsh for .223 in an earlier post during this thread. Why so? I ask because I have heard a lot of great things about Varget for .223.

Varget is hard to meter, and it has bad bulk density. I.e. compressed loads.

H322, XBR, etc work much better for us.

Thanks Markm, btw. I tried to PM you and it said your "inbox was full" lol. Delete some messages bro. I got some questions for you. :D

Damn. Will do.

Mark will talk you into h322 for great 77 grain loads.

Good luck.

PB