77tmk in a tikka

huntsd

WKR
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
899
i have a 22inch 223 t3x factory everything except its in a stockys stock. It shoots factory 55 gr pretty well. I'd really like to run 77tmks and tried multiple different charge weight starting with varget a 22.5 gr and worked up in .2 gr to 24.3. My lowest charge weight (22.5 middle picture) shot decent every other 3 shot group was horrible.

Do you think it worth while trying a different powder or just giving up on 77tmk all together?

IMG_4608.jpg


factory 55 gr
i pulled the bullet not in the 3 shot main group
IMG_5035.jpg
 
Realizing that every rifle is different in what it shoots well, I have that same rifle and stock set up. Mine shoots 77gr standard MK and TMK very well with IMR 8208 XBR.


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I also don’t really pay any attention to “groups” with a Tikka until 50 rounds minimum are through the gun. Ideally more like 100 and then start chronoing as well 👍🏻
 
I also don’t really pay any attention to “groups” with a Tikka until 50 rounds minimum are through the gun. Ideally more like 100 and then start chronoing as well 👍🏻
hopefully so. this is right after i bought the gun. less than 50 rounds down the pipe forsure
 
75 Eldms over varget are producing similar poor results. Not a single decent 3 shot group
 
Is your Tikka at least a 1:8" twist? If it is 1:9 or slower, you probably should focus on 69 grain or lighter bullets. If it is 1:8 or faster, then you've got lots more to try with the 77tmk.

First, get 100 rounds down the tub before you judge anything about loads.

Second, I'll assume your cases are all the same lot and brand, uniformly annealed, sized, trimmed, and chamferred. You may be able to mix them up later and still have accuracy acceptable to you, but eliminate that variable until you have a known good load.

Third, not to slight Varget, but it is not a universally best powder. Try N140, which has almost exactly the same burn rate but smaller kernels, so it is easier to trickle to the tenth grain or less in such small charge weights.

In my gun, 77tmk generally shoots better with some speed (relative to the chosen powder's burn raye). But, my loads become really compressed trying to cram anything near max loads of Varget in a .223 case at a mag-length COL. N140 is only slightly better. With both powders my seating stem would badly deform 77tmks until I made a custom stem mated to the full 77tmk ogive (,except plastic tip).

I can get similar speed with less compression and deformation using a faster powder. I haven't finished working up 8208xbr, but it looks like I may be able to get better accuracy from it at ~50 fps below Varget and N140 loads. You can also look in reloading guides for any options with faster burn (lower fps) single-base powders like H322, H4895 or IMR4895, N135, etc. Hodgdon's data center will point you in the right direction, the Sierra guide has a number of options, and check VV's guide, as well.

Of course, you can get higher velocity from published loads of ball powders and double-base powders like CFE 223, AR Comp, and anything (of the right speed) from Ramshot or Alliant. But I prefer temp stability versus higher velocities.

Good luck!
 
Is your Tikka at least a 1:8" twist? If it is 1:9 or slower, you probably should focus on 69 grain or lighter bullets. If it is 1:8 or faster, then you've got lots more to try with the 77tmk.

First, get 100 rounds down the tub before you judge anything about loads.

Second, I'll assume your cases are all the same lot and brand, uniformly annealed, sized, trimmed, and chamferred. You may be able to mix them up later and still have accuracy acceptable to you, but eliminate that variable until you have a known good load.

Third, not to slight Varget, but it is not a universally best powder. Try N140, which has almost exactly the same burn rate but smaller kernels, so it is easier to trickle to the tenth grain or less in such small charge weights.

In my gun, 77tmk generally shoots better with some speed (relative to the chosen powder's burn raye). But, my loads become really compressed trying to cram anything near max loads of Varget in a .223 case at a mag-length COL. N140 is only slightly better. With both powders my seating stem would badly deform 77tmks until I made a custom stem mated to the full 77tmk ogive (,except plastic tip).

I can get similar speed with less compression and deformation using a faster powder. I haven't finished working up 8208xbr, but it looks like I may be able to get better accuracy from it at ~50 fps below Varget and N140 loads. You can also look in reloading guides for any options with faster burn (lower fps) single-base powders like H322, H4895 or IMR4895, N135, etc. Hodgdon's data center will point you in the right direction, the Sierra guide has a number of options, and check VV's guide, as well.

Of course, you can get higher velocity from published loads of ball powders and double-base powders like CFE 223, AR Comp, and anything (of the right speed) from Ramshot or Alliant. But I prefer temp stability versus higher velocities.

Good luck!
yes 1:8. All same lot brass, powder ect...Sounds like i need to get load count up.
 
8208XBR is the only powder I tried that gave good results with the 77 TMK, N540 was actually pretty good as well. N540, from my understanding, is THE hottest burning powder on the market so I decided to stay away. AT VV's published book max I was getting almost 3K fps.
 
Shoot more groops with the 55 gr. Nothing is pulled, every shot counts.

Or, shoot a single 30 round group with the 55 gr.

Statistically, a 3 round group is pretty meaningless.
 
Shoot more groops with the 55 gr. Nothing is pulled, every shot counts.

Or, shoot a single 30 round group with the 55 gr.

Statistically, a 3 round group is pretty meaningless.i

i definitely pulled the 4th shot that one was on me. I agree that you can't tell a good load from three shots but I think you can tell a bad.
 
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