Reloading 77 Grain Matchking

[H3nchman]

I am looking to get into reloading. I have bought some pieces of equipment already and generally know the route I wish to take there. I have decided I want to try Sierra's 77 gr. TMK. Does anyone have any powder recommendations for these bullets? I was thinking TAC. Any other suggestions? Barrel is a WOA 18" 1-7 twist.
Thanks

[joelogic]

R15 is MOA for me with the SMK and TMK bullets.

[dwalker]

I use TAC, RL15, and a couple other. Mostly TAC though..

[highpower790]

Tmks aren't worth the money!get the smk and use 24.5 of Varget.

[kcstott]

IMR or H 4895, Varget, RL 15, MR2000, Win 748, H335,

[Top Cat]

You are on the right track.

I loaded thousands of 75 Hornady BTHP over TAC for match work and it is a well proven combo. TAC measures well and is temp resistant. The Hornady has better BC than SMK.

You may want to do some research to be sure the TMK is mag friendly.

I don'k know because I haven't tried them. John probably knows you might give him a call.

[H3nchman]

You are on the right track.

I loaded thousands of 75 Hornady BTHP over TAC for match work and it is a well proven combo. TAC measures well and is temp resistant. The Hornady has better BC than SMK.

You may want to do some research to be sure the TMK is mag friendly.

I don'k know because I haven't tried them. John probably knows you might give him a call.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I bought Sierra's manual. Looks like TAC will push it to 2800. I like the sound of the TMK, higher BC .42 vs .39 of the hornady. Mag length compatiblr and good terminal ballistics.

[nimbus]

How many grains of TAC are you guys using for the 75-77s?

[dwalker]

My current load is 24.3gr of TAC for the 75 Hornady BTHPM and the same for the 77gr Nosler Custom Competition BTHP. The Nosler is a base load I am working up.The Hornady load is a proven load in my 18" guns. It is a very hot load and should be worked up to and NOT used in .223 chambers as the pressures will be very high. 24.5 is as high as I go with the 75gr Hornadys and thats a pretty hot load that is at a potential for a kaboom in warm weather and in match (3-gun) conditions where the gun will be very hot.
I do NOT use CCI primers anymore as they are not consistent and I have seen 200fps and higher spikes which again is on the edge of a kaboom.
I use Wolf or Federal GMM SRP's. The Wolf are very consistent but are a bit on the soft side.
I am seating at mag length- 2.260 and I trim to 1.750 with a good chamfer. I do not crimp them at all.
Advise against seating shorter as you are likely to have major pressure spikes, and any sort of crimp will also almost guarantee pressure issues.

I have seen data for a "sweet spot" accuracy node at 24.7gr of TAC under the 77gr Noslers but again its a hot load and should be worked up to very carefully.

[milotrain]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I bought Sierra's manual. Looks like TAC will push it to 2800. I like the sound of the TMK, higher BC .42 vs .39 of the hornady. Mag length compatiblr and good terminal ballistics.

.03 of BC is within the margin of error for calculations. The TMK just doesn't prove to be a very good bullet compared to the other options out there and certainly not at the cost. The Hornady HPBT 75 is a fantastic bullet for the cost.

24.5gr of Varget is well above max, make sure you work up to it.

[H3nchman]

.03 of BC is within the margin of error for calculations. The TMK just doesn't prove to be a very good bullet compared to the other options out there and certainly not at the cost. The Hornady HPBT 75 is a fantastic bullet for the cost.

24.5gr of Varget is well above max, make sure you work up to it.

Thanks for the info. That's why I read and post before I buy. I have shot the factory 75 hpbt and a 77 gr freedom reman outperformed the 75. I will still consider them tho. Do you have any info on the 75 vld from Berger?

[H3nchman]

I should also mention this is a 223 wylde chamber.

[highpower790]

The 75gr Berger will outperform any of the bullets mentioned to this point.Expect to single round load these.

[dwalker]

I should also mention this is a 223 wylde chamber.

I shoot the above load out of an 18" Nordic Competition barrel with the Wylde chamber, an 18" 5.56 BHW barrel, and a 16" 5.56 Wilson barrel.

[H3nchman]

I shoot the above load out of an 18" Nordic Competition barrel with the Wylde chamber, an 18" 5.56 BHW barrel, and a 16" 5.56 Wilson barrel.

So you can't load the 75 vld to mag length?