88 TMK Loading Thread

[43.6N]

Glad to see this info, thx.
View attachment 1037455

Just got an order of 88 Sierras that I'm planning to load w Varget. 223 Rem barrel is 17" and 1:7, bullet seating at .025" off will max out the longer MDT magazines. Looking forward to shooting these bullets!

For the shorter barrel 22CM guys, anyone tried RL26 yet? Last summer I started loading 80 eldX for my 22CM and settled at 45.4 grains and 3,500 fps mv. Extremely accurate/same vertical poi at any charge, went as high as 45.9 with no pressure @ 3,590+ fps. Barrel is 22 inches and 1:8.

Anyway, RL26 for 88s in a shorter 22CM w 1:7s makes sense to me.

Happy to help.
Just make sure you’re measuring your own chamber. My throat length and rate of constriction might be wildly different from yours.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Happy to help.
Just make sure you’re measuring your own chamber. My throat length and rate of constriction might be wildly different from yours.

Yes, after measuring the 88s in my chamber I can seat .025" off to fit loaded rounds in the older 2.50" MDT mags.

 

[mtnbound]

Some testing with my 223 and the 88 TMKs.

 

[1000yards]

Some testing with my 223 and the 88 TMKs.

Barrel length?

 

[mtnbound]

Barrel length?

16.5”.

 

[ACHILLES]

88’s 2.6” is optimally loaded in the .223. What action/bottom metal/mags offer the most stress free reliable cycling for that?

223rem 2.6” mags

For tikka
Waters are 2.6”
Mag3D has 2.55 & 2.68”

Aics
Waters 2.6”

There are a few aics at 2.5-2.55” that might able to be opened up to 2.6” easily

 

[mtnbound]

88’s 2.6” is optimally loaded in the .223. What action/bottom metal/mags offer the most stress free reliable cycling for that?

NDR Mags allow for 2.6" with factory Tikka BM.

 

[Phinehas25]

The 22 creedmoor is a strange one. Browse the various forums and you will see extreme variation in velocities.

I just tested some 88 TMKs in my 16.5" 22 Creed, 38 grains of H4350, peterson LRP brass, Federal GMM primers. I averaged about 2750 fps. But it shoots like this :
So, not what I would call a bum barrel, but it's strange. It is a brand new barrel, but that's still quite slow.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

The 22 creedmoor is a strange one. Browse the various forums and you will see extreme variation in velocities.

I just tested some 88 TMKs in my 16.5" 22 Creed, 38 grains of H4350, peterson LRP brass, Federal GMM primers. I averaged about 2750 fps. But it shoots like this :View attachment 1037791
So, not what I would call a bum barrel, but it's strange. It is a brand new barrel, but that's still quite slow.

From my 22 CM experience, you'll probably gain 120 fps or so just from break in. Once it is, another grain or so of powder and you'll be in the 2900's.

 

[Murder Mittens]

22CM 18” barrel 40 grains of RL16

 

[Murder Mittens]

22GT 20” barrel 37.5 grains of H4831SC. Performs well out to 1000 yards.

 

[Murder Mittens]

22ARC 20” barrel 28 grains of Varget