.223 for bear, deer, elk and moose.

TX_Diver

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May 27, 2019
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Stupidly just got into my last dozen loaded rounds with 75gr ELD-M and N140.

Can load more at the same recipe (24.3gr N140 to get ~2713fps from a 18" barrel) or can try some 77TMKs I've got.

What powder would you guys suggest for 77TMK? Varget seems poorly reviewed due to case fill issues but I also have N140. I have 1lb of staball match and could probably trade for more but would hate to have to buy more at current prices!
 

wyosam

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Aug 5, 2019
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1,049
Stupidly just got into my last dozen loaded rounds with 75gr ELD-M and N140.

Can load more at the same recipe (24.3gr N140 to get ~2713fps from a 18" barrel) or can try some 77TMKs I've got.

What powder would you guys suggest for 77TMK? Varget seems poorly reviewed due to case fill issues but I also have N140. I have 1lb of staball match and could probably trade for more but would hate to have to buy more at current prices!

Doubt those prices are going anywhere but up.


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TX_Diver

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May 27, 2019
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Doubt those prices are going anywhere but up.


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Agreed. $100/lb is probably only a few years away, maybe not even that far. If Match is really the best option I'd probably just try to trade Varget for it.
 

Billogna

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
175
Location
Central MO
Stupidly just got into my last dozen loaded rounds with 75gr ELD-M and N140.

Can load more at the same recipe (24.3gr N140 to get ~2713fps from a 18" barrel) or can try some 77TMKs I've got.

What powder would you guys suggest for 77TMK? Varget seems poorly reviewed due to case fill issues but I also have N140. I have 1lb of staball match and could probably trade for more but would hate to have to buy more at current prices!
8208 XBR is the answer for the 77 tmk. load to saami mag length 2.260 OAL, 23.3 - 23.5 grains of powder and the primer and casing of your choice.
 

Billogna

Lil-Rokslider
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Nov 3, 2020
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Central MO
In sold 10lbs of it in 2020. Literally the last Time I’ve seen it 😢
Well that'll learn ya!!! lol Yeah. It's pretty scarce but it IS popping up on shelves from time to time. might check ammo seek and see if anyone has any kind of free hazmat promo.
 

TX_Diver

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May 27, 2019
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Well that'll learn ya!!! lol Yeah. It's pretty scarce but it IS popping up on shelves from time to time. might check ammo seek and see if anyone has any kind of free hazmat promo.
Is it that much better than varget, match, or n140? Also have imr 4064 (closer to 8208 on a chart actually) and imr 4895 and 4350.
 

Billogna

Lil-Rokslider
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Messages
175
Location
Central MO
Is it that much better than varget, match, or n140? Also have imr 4064 (closer to 8208 on a chart actually) and imr 4895 and 4350.
It's FAR superior to Varget for velocity. 24- 24.5 grains of TAC is a good option too but isn't as temp stable.
 

Lawnboi

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Stupidly just got into my last dozen loaded rounds with 75gr ELD-M and N140.

Can load more at the same recipe (24.3gr N140 to get ~2713fps from a 18" barrel) or can try some 77TMKs I've got.

What powder would you guys suggest for 77TMK? Varget seems poorly reviewed due to case fill issues but I also have N140. I have 1lb of staball match and could probably trade for more but would hate to have to buy more at current prices!
Benchmark may be worth a shot. I’m convinced it’s nearly the same as xbr. Looks the same, smells the same, meters the same. I havnt shot it specifically with 77s yet but it’s worked with everything else
 

ShootOkHuntWorse

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
174
Hahaha! Whoops!

My Tikka likes the same as you: 24.5 The Ruger prefers 24.2 & I have yet to work up a load for my Uberlight AR, but if it isn't one of those 2, one of those 2 will do. Shit's complicated enough!
I loaded ten 75bthp over 24.5 and they shot good enough that I’m not going to fret. My powder dropper hasn’t left 24.5 of tac in a couple years now.
 

Billogna

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
175
Location
Central MO
Is it that much better than varget, match, or n140? Also have imr 4064 (closer to 8208 on a chart actually) and imr 4895 and 4350.
I don't have any experience with it but I've read that AR Comp is also a pretty good option. It's kinda spendy tho.
 

TX_Diver

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I don't have any experience with it but I've read that AR Comp is also a pretty good option. It's kinda spendy tho.

They're all spendy :(

I'm gonna load up some 77 TMKs with Staball match in .5gr increments to around 24gr and see what velocity I get and where pressure is then try a group of 10 and see what happens.

Will post results later.
 
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leverevolution is another lower cost ball powder that works with the heavy 22 cal bullets. TAC can definitely get spicy when it's hot out.
 
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
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I believe my 77TMK, Match load is around 25 grains, in a tikka. I can look at my notes when I get home if it’s needed though.
 

TX_Diver

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Here's my results with match. Helps being able to shoot at the house right now.

loaded inside on a chargemaster lite and checked with an RCBS 502 scale so take listed weights for what their worth.

Loaded up 22 to 25gr. Had what looked like a slightly flat primer at 24.4g but it looked pretty comparable to some other loads so I kept going. With no other signs at 25gr I went back inside and loaded another at 25gr then 25.2, 25.4, and 25.6.

T3x with an 18.5" barrel, and a magnetospeed sporter strapped to a supressor with the sensitivity turned all the way up.

For reference I get 2710 with 24.3g of N140 and a 75gr ELD-M.

I'm guessing either Hodgdon load is extremely conservative, or the LC brass and Tikka being able to shoot 5.56 fine are letting me go over book max? I'm fine with ~2700 fps (I'd probably stop at 25 or 25.2 maybe...). Would anyone keep going though just to find max or would you guys stop there. I'm not extremely experienced so I'd rather not push it too far.

ZEWPS8ih.jpg
 
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