Thoughts on Black Hills 77 TMK for Target Shooting?

Gun & Shooting
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Introduction

I’m looking for some insights into the Black Hills 77 grain Tipped MatchKing (TMK) ammunition. I’ve been hearing a lot about its performance, especially for both target shooting and potentially hunting, but I’m not sure if it’s the right choice for me.

Performance and Accuracy

I’ve read that TMK ammunition is designed for precision, which is a huge plus for me. Accuracy is key when I’m out at the range. For those of you who have experience with this round, how does it really perform?

  • What kind of groupings have you been able to achieve?
  • How does it perform compared to other ammunition you’ve tried?

Alternatives at the Range

While the Black Hills 77 TMK is highly regarded, I’m wondering if there are other options out there that might be just as good or even better for range shooting.

  • What alternatives do you recommend?
  • How do those compare in terms of cost and performance?

Best Practices

Lastly, I’d love any tips on using this ammunition effectively.

  • Are there specific rifles or setups that work particularly well with the 77 TMK?
  • What should I keep in mind when matching this round with my firearm?

Thanks in advance for your help! Looking forward to hearing your experiences and any advice you might have!

2

I’ve been using the Black Hills 77 TMK for a few months and the accuracy is remarkable. I was getting sub-MOA groups out to 100 yards. It’s definitely a solid choice for target shooting!

3

That’s impressive! I found the consistency to be great too, but how does it hold up at longer ranges, say 300 yards?

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At 300 yards, I still managed decent accuracy. The wind can play tricks though, so I recommend practicing in varying conditions to truly gauge its performance.

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That’s good to know! Terminal ballistics is also a concern for me; how does this round perform on impact?

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The terminal ballistics are solid! I’ve seen clean exits on small game, which is impressive for a target round. It really performs well if you aim for the vitals.

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7

I’ll second that—I’ve used it for some varmint hunting, and it definitely does the job efficiently without excessive damage.

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Great to hear! How does it compare to other brands for consistent group sizes?

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9

I’ve compared it to several brands, and I find the Black Hills rounds outshoot most others I’ve tried. It’s definitely worth the investment for serious target shooters.

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That’s reassuring, especially when it comes to matching performance with price. Any thoughts on how it behaves with different barrel lengths?

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I shot it from both a 16" and a 20

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I find that the longer barrel really helps in getting that extra velocity, which definitely improves stability. Just something to consider!

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I joke that my rifle might have a personality because it performs differently with various ammo. Anyone else feel that way? Or is it just me?

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Haha, I totally get it! My rifle definitely prefers certain brands more than others. It’s kind of amusing how picky they can be!

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Overall, I think the Black Hills 77 TMK is an excellent choice for target shooting, especially if you’re looking for precision and reliability. It’s definitely earned a place in my range bag!

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I’ve been reloading the Black Hills 77 TMK and found that a charge weight of around 23.5 grains of Varget powder works well. It’s very consistent!

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That’s great info! What seating depth are you using? I’ve heard it can affect both accuracy and pressure significantly.

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I typically set the seating depth to around 2.250 inches. It seems to work nicely in my AR. What about others here? Any other powders you recommend?

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I’ve been using 2.260 inches, which provides a nice balance. But I’ve also tested 2.250 and found it okay too, depending on the rifle.

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If you’re using a different barrel twist, don’t hesitate to adjust the seating depth. A 1:7 twist can handle those 77 TMKs quite well, while 1:9 might prefer different bullets.