.223 Tikka velocity

[65Remmy]

I have Tikka T3x in .223 with a 16" barrel that I finally got to chronograph the other day. I am shooting 77 TMKs over 24 grains of Varget with CCI 450 primers. I was a little disappointed in the velocities. They are listed below. Accuracy is great just slow.
1-2465.9
2-2491.8
3-2461.0
4-2451.1
5-2431.8
6-2424.9
7-2456.4
8-2482.0
9-2448.2
10-2435.0
Am I expecting to much out of this combo? Would 8208 give me better velocities? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Matt5266]

Thats way slow. I use xbr. You might give it a go. Im using 23.5 grains in an 18" barrel and getting 2770 fps

 

[65Remmy]

That's what I was thinking when I seen the numbers. That it was way slow. I will load some up with xbr and see what I get.

 

[Matt5266]

Im sure you won't be disappointed. Speed and accuracy is great out of my gun

 

[65Remmy]

Thanks for the reply's

 

[Dave Thomas]

I'm getting about 2800 out of a 22" barrel with n540.

 

[Thegman]

I have Tikka T3x in .223 with a 16" barrel that I finally got to chronograph the other day. I am shooting 77 TMKs over 24 grains of Varget with CCI 450 primers. I was a little disappointed in the velocities. They are listed below. Accuracy is great just slow.
1-2465.9
2-2491.8
3-2461.0
4-2451.1
5-2431.8
6-2424.9
7-2456.4
8-2482.0
9-2448.2
10-2435.0
Am I expecting to much out of this combo? Would 8208 give me better velocities? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

That's not too terribly surprising. Varget is usually accurate, but too slow/bulky for top velocity in 223 with a 77TMK @ 2.26"ish. My experience with Varget is that it produces accuracy and good temp stability, but has never produced highest velocities in anything I've loaded with it.

Unless you can load longer to fit more Varget, for stick powders, burn rates from 8208 XBR up to around IMR 4895 will probably give higher velocities, though not necessarily more accuracy.

The ball powders in the Varget burn rate region, like AA 2520 and Leverevolution, can produce higher velocities in part because the ball powders pack more densely, so more (grains) can fit in the case.

 

[Kyguy]

Just a general comment here.... I always shake my head a little when someone chops a barrel and makes a post saying that they've got low velocity.... well yeah. That's what happens when a barrel gets chopped. Why is it such a surprise?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Just a general comment here.... I always shake my head a little when someone chops a barrel and makes a post saying that they've got low velocity.... well yeah. That's what happens when a barrel gets chopped. Why is it such a surprise?

Because it’s 300 FPS slower than what other people are getting with that barrel length.

 

[Sponge]

My 16" tikka 223 (factory barrel) gets 2680 with 23gr H4895 and 77 SMKs @ 2.26" in virgin Starline - maybe a little more now that I'm shooting once fired brass

Haven't done much with Varget, but I did test some 23-24 gr loads and 73-77gr projectiles - will need to check notes, but I don't think it was as slow as that, maybe mid 2500's? ill check and update later

Haven't used it, but 8208 is frequently mentioned as one of the better velocity powders for 70gr class bullets in 223.

 

[coyotekilla]

Try tac, xterminator, and lever... ill bet you get your speed back. 23.5 of tac gets me almost 3k fps with 75's but I'm also 26"

 

[Kyguy]

Because it’s 300 FPS slower than what other people are getting with that barrel length.

With that exact same load?

 

[65Remmy]

Thanks fellas for the replies. And as a side note, I didn't chop my barrel off, it came that way from the factory. And I wanted to know why my velocity was so much less than others with the same barrel length. I came home from work and loaded up 5 rounds with 23.5 grains of 8208 and got the following results.
1-2662.1
2-2642.4
3-2657.2
4-2657.8
5-2654.9
with an average of 2654.9
Then I loaded up 5 rounds at 23.8 grains of 8208 with the following results.
1-2713.9
2-2706.7
3-2724.4
4-2715.9
5-2680.8
with an average of 2708.3. I didn't see any pressure signs, so I will probably continue with this load. Looks like I will be stocking up on 8208!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

With that exact same load?

No that's the point. The 77tmk at short cartridge length 223 is slow with varget, its too bulky, it compresses before you've touched max pressure. Different powders will perk it up regardless of barrel length. If its seated long (barrel is throated for it) that won't nueter it as much with varget.