[G3Ranch]

Range Report MK68 Recon

SSA 90 TNT
SSA 85 TSX
115 OTM CL

Break in was done per H's breakin instructions: Losso paste, what a chore for me...
Also let the bolt fly 800 times before the Range.
My first 10 shots were with 90 TNT and 115 OTM thru the Chrony.
SSA 90 TNT: 2625
2579
2575
2600
2605

SSA 115 OTM: 2447
2457
2465
2447
2489
None of these were for accuracy. All were on the same path of being SLOW. Specially those TNTs...

Next, Shoot for groups at 100 yds:
Scope: 1.5 x5 MK4 SPR on Larue SPR-E, sand bags...
SSA 90 TNTs were awesome. Best 5 shot group was .75"-.80"... The other 2 shot groups of 5 was around
1" mark.
SSA 115 OTM was not as good but pretty close. POI change 1/2' higer but was still dead on. 3 shot groups of 5 put all
15 in 1.5" group...Which I think it was my fault due to the way I settled in behind the stock.

I have 40 rounds thru the Recon at this time, then I broke out the SSA 85 TSX. I did not run the 85s thru the Chrony off of the start, because I did not want to foul the bbl before checking the accuracy of the TNTs and 115 OTMs. I don't like mixing barnes bullets when testing for accuracy, Myth? I don't know, but it is what I do...
SSA 85 TSX: 3080
3052
3109
3092
3087
These had NO problems hitting FPS from a new build. Kind of shocked me that these 85 TSX hit this, and those 90 TNTs could not get to 2700. Groups with the 85 TSX, not very good. 3 shot groups of 5. Best shot group was 1.25" the other 2 shot groups were 1.5" group. POI changed to 1.5" higher and 2" to the left. I tried a different hold on the rifle for all 3 shot groups, same outcome.

60 Rounds total: Then I ran the 3 rounds SSA 90 TNT and 3 rounds SSA 115 OTM back thru the Chrony.
SSA 90 TNT: after 60 rounds 2675
2665
2683

SSA 115 OTM: 2500
2527
2532

Big jump for the TNTs and 115 OTMs.

SSA 85 TSX brass 3 to 3:30 exit
SSA 90 TNT brass 3:30 exit
SSA 115 OTM brass 2:00 exit
MK68 Recon with CTR stock, Troy Rail, Timney Trigger: Buffer is a H buffer with stock spring. The H buffer was bought by mistake in FEB 09. I bought the lower, parts kit and CTR stock through it all in a bag. When the upper arrived 4 months later I noticed it was a H buffer. I don't know if one way or another if accuracy suffers or what? But I had NO issues with any SSA ammo. Except on Primer, would not go off (SSA 90 TNT), even after 3 or 4 tries. Looked like a good hit on primer. NO FTE, FTF. MK68 Spit everything out in an orderly fashion...Also one thing I noticed the barrel does not get overly hot as other ARs that I have fired? Maybe it does, I don't know. All groups of 5 were shot with 3 - 10 seconds between shots, 5 minutes between groups.
Range started @ 0630, 70 deg. NO wind. A good Range day...
I DID NOT clean between shots, Full out over 60 rounds.

A scope with more power than x5 and with regular cross hairs. Really no telling what I would of done. I was impressed with this Leupy Scope as well and how well I did with it.

I have the 80 rounds of new SSA ammo, mystery powder coming in. I will report back.

I know this is kind of lengthy, but you guys here have helped me a whole lot on this MK68 build or 6.8 in general. Just maybe this INFO will help someone else out... H, Tim a big Thanks. Yes, you to Paulo you have been a big help to me and this forum...Thanks.

Michael

 

[rushca01]

Thanks for the range report, good info there.

I have a SAM R from H (18" SS) and got similar results with the 85tsx. I know the tnt's will be sub moa as long as I do my part

 

[jasonpeterson]

Nice report.

 

[constructor]

Unfortunatly the TSXs and Noslers really need to be loaded to 2.295 or 2.300 to get good accuracy from them.

 

[HTR]

Unfortunatly the TSXs and Noslers really need to be loaded to 2.295 or 2.300 to get good accuracy from them.

BIG + 1 on this

 

[rushca01]

Unfortunatly the TSXs and Noslers really need to be loaded to 2.295 or 2.300 to get good accuracy from them.

This has been my understanding from your results and others, factory SSA 85 come in at 2.22

 

[G3Ranch]

Unfortunatly the TSXs and Noslers really need to be loaded to 2.295 or 2.300 to get good accuracy from them.

I know H. I have reloaded all my life looking for that best group. They will be loaded to that length with my PRI mags. I have all of those reloading components for the 6.8. Except for the RCBS Small base, back order. Oh yeah, I have every primer except those 41's. lol. Those TSXs are moving fast enough without those 41's though.
Great build H.

 

[G3Ranch]

This has been my understanding from your results and others, factory SSA 85 come in at 2.22

10 of my SSA 85 are 2 .21 for all that I have left.

 

[G3Ranch]

Unfortunatly the TSXs and Noslers really need to be loaded to 2.295 or 2.300 to get good accuracy from them.

H, if they would make the TSX bullet 95-97 gr. That would move Ogive forward but keep it close to the same length as the 85 TSX that would close that jump. 3000 fps all day long. You cannot have T TSX, then you would be back to seating it deeper due to the tip. But I think it is the 100 grain pills that would best suited for the 6.8 anyway. Just blowing smoke, I know it has already been talked about...

 

[paulosantos]

Very nice report.

 

[Zippy]

Nice job on the report, that must have taken a bunch of time to write up.

 

[constructor]

H, if they would make the TSX bullet 95-97 gr. That would move Ogive forward but keep it close to the same length as the 85 TSX that would close that jump. 3000 fps all day long. You cannot have T TSX, then you would be back to seating it deeper due to the tip. But I think it is the 100 grain pills that would best suited for the 6.8 anyway. Just blowing smoke, I know it has already been talked about...

I agree completely, I talked to Art 2 weeks ago about that. I think Barnes requires a huge order of 2 million to produce new bullets unless of course it is their idea and think it will be a huge seller.
A 95-100gr TTSX would be a great bullet.
The 99gr GS should be a great bullet too but I think customs will kill that little project.

 

[joshuades]

I think if they would turn out about a 90-95gn TTSX, they could stop making the 85 TSX probably altogether, as it should have similar velocity, better expansion, and deeper penetration than the 85 TSX.

 

[244]

I wonder if Hornady would be more receptive to making a .277 GMX bullet in the 95-100 gr. weight?

I readily admit that I do not know how well their current GMX bullets perform given the proven performance of the TSX, so feel free to enlighten me.

 

[marinesg1012]

I agree with everyone else a 90-99 grain TTSX would be an ideal do all bullet for the 6.8.

Hopefully we will get those 99 Grain GS bullets one of these days and have a guess at what a 99 grain TTSX would do.....

H when you get some time maybe you can send me that updated bullet drawing for Hawks.......

 

[HTR]

Guys, I hope all of you will take a moment and end your ideas to both Barnes and Hornady. Please be very professional in your comments. No "hey, your kick-ass bullet"...comments I know that one guy meant well, but that does not make us exactly appears as professionals.

The GMX in 100 grains would be an awesome bullet. Please make sure that Hornady knows how much all of you would like to see that. I have already done this. I simply told them that a 100 grain GMX of around 1.16" in length would be just about perfect for the 6.8. If driven around 2800 to 2900 FPS, this load so closely approximates the .243 Winchester, that they could only imagine its selling potential if that could be fired from a standard sized AR-15 carbine type rifle.

How about if all of you make similar (but definitely in your own words) comments? I can assure you that they are listening.

 

[marinesg1012]

I have sent barnes comments before and they say they will forward it to the TandE Guys, Does anyone have any experaince with the MRX bullet in a different caliber?how was the accuracy and such? We all know the issues we have in getting the Vmax's to shoot well...

 

[BLACK LION]

Good job and great detail.

 

[BLACK LION]

Guys, I hope all of you will take a moment and end your ideas to both Barnes and Hornady. Please be very professional in your comments. No "hey, your kick-ass bullet"...comments I know that one guy meant well, but that does not make us exactly appears as professionals.

The GMX in 100 grains would be an awesome bullet. Please make sure that Hornady knows how much all of you would like to see that. I have already done this. I simply told them that a 100 grain GMX of around 1.16" in length would be just about perfect for the 6.8. If driven around 2800 to 2900 FPS, this load so closely approximates the .243 Winchester, that they could only imagine its selling potential if that could be fired from a standard sized AR-15 carbine type rifle.

How about if all of you make similar (but definitely in your own words) comments? I can assure you that they are listening.

What is the contact info??? We are asking for a 100gr GMX bulley with an oal of 1.16" ?

From the looks of it offering a bullet like this would be right up thier alley. It seems that it would top off thier selection quite nicely... I honestly dont see any reason why they couldnt or wouldnt do it. Maybe somone can make a general request template that we can copy and paste and just send mass emails in the same "professional" format...

just a thought.
Good job guys.

 

[G3Ranch]

I have sent barnes comments before and they say they will forward it to the TandE Guys, Does anyone have any experaince with the MRX bullet in a different caliber?how was the accuracy and such? We all know the issues we have in getting the Vmax's to shoot well...

MRX 160 gr 7mm (7WSM) Accuracy was as good as with the TSX or 160 Accubonds @ 100yds. But the problem was at 400, 500 and 600 yards where those MRXs and TSX would fall off of accuracy and velocity. I stuck with the 160 Accubonds due to the results down range. I have heard that those grooves\cannelures will slow it down and destabilize a bullet at those distances. I do agree with those findings. But between a 100 - 300 yards, they are damn good just as accurate as those Accubonds. I have shot Vmax's with good results in a number of calibers. My dad shoots 110 Vmax in 270 Remington, just crazy accurate. I read a report that the STAG 7 6.8 shot those 110 vmax very well.