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

[Jwknutson17]

This is not something we can do with regularity, the atmospheric conditions have to be perfect. There have been times when we couldn't even see our misses. But it is a testament to BH ammo. Our house load will often tumble in transition. But it gives us a big laugh when we hit it.

PB

I hear ya. Either way, I'm still impressed!

[markm]

The gong doesn't move with 5.56. So when we don't see dirt kick up, we have to stand by and listen for the ring.

[Jwknutson17]

The gong doesn't move with 5.56. So when we don't see dirt kick up, we have to stand by and listen for the ring.

I leaned this the hard when buying thicker 1/2 AR500 steel for distance targets. Can't hear much with 5.56 compared to heavier pills in other calibers.

[gaijin]

Yep.

Last batch of steel I went with 3/8" and it's still overkill/can't hear ring past 300 yds and 3/8" probably totally unnecessary past 2/300 yds.
I may try 1/4" AR500 next time and reserve the thick stuff for closer range/hotter rifle rounds.

[Pappabear]

I think Mark bought us the 1/4 inch steel for distance. Past 500 yards.

PB

[P2000]

Yep.

Last batch of steel I went with 3/8" and it's still overkill/can't hear ring past 300 yds and 3/8" probably totally unnecessary past 2/300 yds.
I may try 1/4" AR500 next time and reserve the thick stuff for closer range/hotter rifle rounds.

I went 1/4'' and think it is the way to go for shooting 223/5.56 at longish ranges. I went from 3/8 with thick chains to 1/4'' with this poly stuff. So much better to carry, and hits are easily noticeable. The closest I've shot this set up was 500 yards and it handled it fine. It looks like a teddy bear, but is actually very rude.




I wish this had sound.

[Lefty223]

FWIW my larue 308 barrel will shoot 168 FGMM well, very well for that matter, but shoots every other match ammo I've tried terribly.

Off-topic to MarkM’s 5.56 thread ... but for the 7.62x51 load, many find a 168-grn OTM over 44-grns of Varget to pretty much duplicate the Fed GM Match loading. I tune from there using Dan Newberry’s ‘optimal charge weight’ method and find that ideal for long distance loads and finding the sweet spot for the powder.

[gaijin]

I went 1/4'' and think it is the way to go for shooting 223/5.56 at longish ranges. I went from 3/8 with thick chains to 1/4'' with this poly stuff. So much better to carry, and hits are easily noticeable. The closest I've shot this set up was 500 yards and it handled it fine. It looks like a teddy bear, but is actually very rude.



I wish this had sound.

Nice.
You can clearly see the bullet "trace"/vapor trail in your film.
Wish they were all as obvious.

[markm]

We have one of my 1/4" gongs at 1000 yards. Our buddy popped it with a 50 cal ball round. It put a decent dent in the thing but didn't punch it. 1/4" is the way to go if you can get away with it. Lighter to transport, rings a lot better, etc.

[vicious_cb]

I dont care much for long range shooting, but I buy 77gr TMK because it does this: