1-8" twist heavy 22cal bullets

[Turdferg]

I'm sure this has been talked about in few forums especially regarding the 223. But just wanted to get others experience with heavy 22cal bullets in the 223 with 1-8" twist. I live in the mountains in Canada just north of the boarder, average shooting elevation is 3500', average hunting elevation is 4000-6000'.
Currently just got a tikka t3x 223, 22" barrel 1-8"

Hornady 80gr eldm, 80gr eldx and 88gr eldm all say 1-7" twist or faster on the boxes. Unsure on the Berger's or 77gr tmks there twist requirements as bullets is stock up here is still behind compared to the states.

What's everyone's experience/knowledge on say 70gr and heavier bullets in 223 with 1-8" twist. Also being at my elevations that should help make it less likely for destabilizing I believe?

Thanks in advance!

 

[199p]

75eldm or 77tmk are very very popular choices

 

[Turdferg]

I've heard lots about the 77tmk on here especially cause Form has had great success. I was kinda leaning towards the 75gr eldm as there available most places. An seem less likely to be a issue. I also found someone who has 300 75gr Amax bullets prior to eldm with heat shield tip for smoking deal. Might give them a try to start.

 

[Wrongside]

Can’t go wrong with the 75ELD in 8 twist Tikkas. It’s all I’ve shot in 223 for many years. And as a bonus, Horn stuff is actually available up here.

 

[The Guide]

73 grain ELDM ammo and bullets are good to go in an 8 twist and on game.

Jay

 

[ryanww]

73 grain ELDM ammo and bullets are good to go in an 8 twist and on game.

Jay

+1 to this. Never shot on game, but no issues on stability at all.

 

[Turdferg]

Thx for the insight fellas, ya I have heard lots of good for the 75gr eldm. I do like the fact in Canada on average there like 55$ a box where 80gr an up are like 80-85$. What about Berger's? Anyone try some heavier Berger's in the 1-8", I know Berger can be hard to get tho sometimes

 

[Lawnboi]

All of those longer bullets are going to require more magazine space than factory has to offer. Something to keep in mind.

I havnt had issues with 75 eldm but am cautious with them as it gets colder.

73 eldm, 75bthp, 77tmk and smk. Zero issues.

 

[Turdferg]

Oh shoot ya forgot about the mag length in factory tikka for those longer bullets. I do plan to upgrade stock so I can use aics mags, but not for a little bit. Really seems like the 75gr ELDMs are the money happy medium. I do have some factory hornady black ammo that uses 75gr bthp just to try an get some brass so will see how it works.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I’m at sea level here on the coast and both 73gr Eldm and 77tmk shoot well out to 500yards for me. (As far as I have taken them thus far) 223 1-8 twist. I have not tried anything heavier than those yet.

 

[ljalberta]

I’m at 2000’ ish feet outside the mountains. 8T Tikka shoots the 75 ELDs quite nicely loaded to 2.42”ish in an AICS mag. I’ve heard others have had success with the 80 ELDs. I think I’ll try the 88s, but may swap to a 7T barrel first.

I use CCI450s with 24 or 24.1gr Varget. Velocity is around 2800fps in the standard Tikka barrel length.

 

[Turdferg]

Nice so anything in the 70grs will do just fine especially if I'm a bit higher elevation. Cant wait to be able to run a aics mag so I can load them out. Not sure what the max coal on a tikka small mag is. Anyone have lots of experience with the 75gr ELDMs on deer?

 

[Drenalin]

Nice so anything in the 70grs will do just fine especially if I'm a bit higher elevation. Cant wait to be able to run a aics mag so I can load them out. Not sure what the max coal on a tikka small mag is. Anyone have lots of experience with the 75gr ELDMs on deer?

Not the 75s, but somewhere around 20 deer (whitetails) with 73 ELDMs. They shoot and kill well (meaning great wound channels, little time to incapacitation) in my 1:8 twist. Rarely see an exit, but haven’t had to blood trail one either - they generally die within sight.

 

[Turdferg]

Thanks Drenalin that's awesome to hear the 73s do a awesome job as well!

 

[Turdferg]

So I've done more research an found that the 75gr eldm don't work in saami max mag length of 2.26" found a pic online an it looks like the bullet is seated so far in the end of the brass neck ID isn't even touching the bullet. Anyone else experience this?

 

[pbroski]

So I've done more research an found that the 75gr eldm don't work in saami max mag length of 2.26" found a pic online an it looks like the bullet is seated so far in the end of the brass neck ID isn't even touching the bullet. Anyone else experience this?
View attachment 766910

In the .223 thread, Form has a list of bullets that work with the Tikka's at 2.26". I believe of the "good ones" only 73 ELD-M and 77 TMK will work. Also 69 TMK. 75 ELD-M will not work for this exact reason.

 

[Turdferg]

That would make sense!

 

[Moose83]

Up here 73 eld-m's are the way in a stock tikka mag.... 75 bthp's are a good practice bullet as well.

 

[Turdferg]

Ya I think what I'll do is in the stock tikka mag run the 73s unless I can find some 77tmk for fair price. Then once I put it in a chassis with aics mags go try the 80s see how the stabilize in the barrel. I doubt then 88s will says everywhere for 1-7" for them. Then start shooting the barrel out so the next one can be a 1-7"!

 

[Pharmseller]

+1 on the 75 ELDM. You can buy magazines for your Tikka that greatly extend the OAL.

I use Benchmark in my Tikka Varmint for 2915 fps and great accuracy. Very effective on the buck I killed last year.




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