88 TMK Loading Thread

Good info in here so far!

I have some 88 TMK’s en route to test in a 20” Proof carbon 22 ARC bolt gun. Powders on hand are H4895, Varget, 8208XBR, and H4350. Alpha brass. I’ll be comparing these side by side to the 85.5 Berger’s at distance as well. I’ll be sure to share data as we go.
 
That’s kinda’ wild that both powders are so slow.

I shot 88 ELDMs over 2900 in a 19” 22-250 with H4350.

Seems like you have another 300fps left on the bone there, no?

3050 fps is all I have been able to get out of 88 hornadys in a 20" creedmoor.

Loaded some 88 tmks this morning but it is too windy for me to try and get groups shot today.
 
3050 fps is all I have been able to get out of 88 hornadys in a 20" creedmoor.

Loaded some 88 tmks this morning but it is too windy for me to try and get groups shot today.
3050 would be in line with what I’d expect I think.

Wonder if the H1000 rate of powders is just a touch slow for some folks Creeds.

I’d like to do a flyweight 18” on a Montana here soon and kinda’ figured I’d just go H4350 like everything else.
 
Looking to have my idea torn to shreds: re-barelling my 9 twist M77 to 223ai with a 7 twist 20-in barrel, PTG bottom metal, water's 2.6 oal magazines. Quickload says that Varget could do 2650 fps for a quick drop correction of +3 out to 550 yards. What am I missing?
 
Looking to have my idea torn to shreds: re-barelling my 9 twist M77 to 223ai with a 7 twist 20-in barrel, PTG bottom metal, water's 2.6 oal magazines. Quickload says that Varget could do 2650 fps for a quick drop correction of +3 out to 550 yards. What am I missing?
For a new system with controllable parameters why settle for the correction factor?

Get a GT or Creedmoor.
 
About 150 fps. My 16” 223 is getting 2686 fps.

Also, the Waters 223 AICS 2.6” have been horrible for me. Will not feed, especially when cold out. Kept trying to tune and modify with no luck.
You're putting some magic powder in yours!
Who else makes 2.6" 223 mags?
 
You're putting some magic powder in yours!
25.0 of N150

Is the follower stopping down in the body and not popping up?
It was doing that until I used a file on the follower. Now it will
Feed the first 2 or 3 and then the bolt just skips over the top of the next round & doesn’t chamber.

what mag are you running to get 2.55?
A few.
MDT Metal 10 rd with an AICS Improved Metal Mag Insert from Fyrebrand that I found on Reddit. ( fyrebrand.shop ) 2.7” OAL.

MDT Poly 10 rd that I shortened to 5 rds. This is the older style with 2.55 internal length. The new ones are 2.45.

Hawkins Hunter AICS 5 rd flush mag that I’ve modified the feed lips to work with a Tikka. They are only meant for R700 actions. 5 rds don’t work, but it’s been good with 4 rds in it.
( 2.5” OAL. These barely fit.)
 
223 1/7.5 18”
Loading Varget and H4895
IMG_0794.jpeg
Same as last time. Made a dummy cartridge for my chamber and measured overall length and CBTO

I’m using MDT polymer 223 mags. The limit me to an OAL of 2.500”

Lucky for me, 2.495” was exactly 20 thousandths short of the lands in my gun.
IMG_0795.jpeg

Loaded
88tmk, federal small rifle match primers. Starline brass. Trimmed to min Sammi length.
IMG_0796.jpeg

23.5gr Varget
10 shot avg velocity: 2623fps

23.0gr H4895
10 shot avg velocity: 2686fps

How about that for a quick drop load!!!
lol.

Conditions:
20mph crosswind with gusts of 40 if I believe my kestrel. Flags are bending flagpoles where I’m at.
The plywood I use for my target backer was rocking 3-4 inches during my course of fire. SMH just making excuses.
2500ft density altitude.
Scattered rain.
 
223 1/7.5 18”
Loading Varget and H4895
View attachment 1037003
Same as last time. Made a dummy cartridge for my chamber and measured overall length and CBTO

I’m using MDT polymer 223 mags. The limit me to an OAL of 2.500”

Lucky for me, 2.495” was exactly 20 thousandths short of the lands in my gun.
View attachment 1037004

Loaded
88tmk, federal small rifle match primers. Starline brass. Trimmed to min Sammi length.
View attachment 1037005

23.5gr Varget
10 shot avg velocity: 2623fps

23.0gr H4895
10 shot avg velocity: 2686fps

How about that for a quick drop load!!!
lol.

Conditions:
20mph crosswind with gusts of 40 if I believe my kestrel. Flags are bending flagpoles where I’m at.
The plywood I use for my target backer was rocking 3-4 inches during my course of fire. SMH just making excuses.
2500ft density altitude.
Scattered rain.
What’s a 223 WY?
 
What do you think your pressure is with that?
Also, thank you for the magazine recommendations.
No clue what the pressure is. Primers are slightly cratered, but bolt lift is fine and no ejector marks or swipes.

I’ve probably shot 1,000 rounds of 80 ELD-M with that same load fwiw.
 
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