88 TMK Loading Thread

[AM_Hunter]

I ran both H4895 and 2000-MR. I was getting 3050+ with 168ABLR in a 20” Tikka Roughtech.

So I bought a box of loaded ammo. On the first one I just pulled the 150gr NBT, dumped the powder, neck sized it, expanded with a mandrel filled with powder and seated the bullet. I did lube the neck with Neolube before seating the bullet.

After firing the first time, I ran through the resizing process, and all of the other steps above and shot progressively more powder until I stopped at a max velocity of 3060fps.

After the first firing, the bolt was stiff to close even after resizing and was the same on subsequent firings. I never did measure to the shoulder datum but I believe the sizing die may have been hitting the SS case head before the shoulders were being bumped back.

Any reason you used Neolube as opposed to normal sizing lube?

 

[BBob]

Any reason you used Neolube as opposed to normal sizing lube?

He likely used the Neolube inside of the neck rather than outside as a sizing lube.

 

[AM_Hunter]

He likely used the Neolube inside of the neck rather than outside as a sizing lube.

Interesting, I normally just use the same sizing lube I use for the outside of my cases to lube the neck when I size. Idk if thats right or wrong though, lol.

 

[Brazo264]

Interesting, I normally just use the same sizing lube I use for the outside of my cases to lube the neck when I size. Idk if thats right or wrong though, lol.

It’s for a different purpose some use it to seat and release more consistently some use it to prevent cold weld. It’s not necessary don’t feel like you are doing anything wrong.

 

[justin davis]

.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Any reason you used Neolube as opposed to normal sizing lube?

Yes. Neolube flashes off the liquid and leaves a dry graphite film.

 

[Mike D Texas]

He likely used the Neolube inside of the neck rather than outside as a sizing lube.

Correct.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Interesting, I normally just use the same sizing lube I use for the outside of my cases to lube the neck when I size. Idk if thats right or wrong though, lol.

Depending on what lube you are using you could be contaminating your powder. And when I tried one shot or imperial wax, the powder stuck to the case neck when cropping powder in the case.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Depending on what lube you are using you could be contaminating your powder. And when I tried one shot or imperial wax, the powder stuck to the case neck when cropping powder in the case.

Got it, I just realized youre using it when you seat the bullet. I was thinking you were using it when neck sizing. Makes more sense now thank you.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Got it, I just realized youre using it when you seat the bullet. I was thinking you were using it when neck sizing. Makes more sense now thank you.

Ah yeah. Sorry I wasn’t clear that I was lining inside the necks with the Neolube.

 

[deer_hunter132]

As I posted in the TMK thread in February- they did fine at 4,000ft DA. At -3,000ft DA they were shooting 3-4 foot groups at 200 yards. Where the line is that they lose stability remains to be found, but the 1:8” twist is a bit too slow for them.

just re-posting for others who are curious.

 

[KyleR1985]

26.6gr lever 2.5” oal once fired 223ai 16.5” barrel. Hoping I get a chance to shoot at the farm this weekend.

 

[Thegman]

just re-posting for others who are curious.

Thanks for the public service announcement, but...

I went out on the river just now. Set up a 200 yard target shooting laying down in the snow on an ice heave, jacket on a day pack, rifle top of that, and things definitely didn't fall apart.




This load did 3/4" for 5 @ 100 yards the other day off a much nicer rest off my deck, and 2" just now with me flopping around in the snow on the ice, so seems to be holding together okay.

This is from my stock Tikka Superlite 1 in 8. Zero load workup. Literally the first 10 88 TMKs I've put through it. I know that's still not definitive, but certainly shows it might be worth checking if they work in any particular 1 in 8 barrel (?).

 

[Nine Banger]

View attachment 1043732

26.6gr lever 2.5” oal once fired 223ai 16.5” barrel. Hoping I get a chance to shoot at the farm this weekend.

I interested to see the speeds, thanks for the close up of 223AI too.

26gr lever was pushing it in regular 223 with 77tmk for me and I backed off to 25gr.

 

[Nine Banger]

44gr N565 is around 2900 in an 18" barrel. 2.685" 22 Creed.

I didn't do any charge testing, I just went for it based on data obtained with H1000. I found these 2 powders to be close when I was shooting 6.5 PRC and you can fill the case and crunch down and almost catch H4350 but not quite, yet not have pressure.

Seems like one could cram another 2-3gr in there.

It won't meter for "s" in my Harrels Drop. I'm going to try to burn it up in a Hornady loadmaster next. Trying to get rid of a pound and a half.

200 yard, 2" circle:



335 yards 3" circle: (variable wind got me, mostly full value left to right 5-6mph, gusting and dropping to almost nothing)

 

[Dude270]

View attachment 1043732

26.6gr lever 2.5” oal once fired 223ai 16.5” barrel. Hoping I get a chance to shoot at the farm this weekend.

I'm curious about this myself. My 223ai is an 8 twist but I will probably still try them.

I'm thinking that charge may be a bit hot, but maybe not. I shoot 27.5 grains of Lever with 75s and 77s.

 

[Thegman]

I'm curious about this myself. My 223ai is an 8 twist but I will probably still try them.

I'm thinking that charge may be a bit hot, but maybe not. I shoot 27.5 grains of Lever with 75s and 77s.

I've run as much as 26.2 grains of LVR under an 88 ELD-M in a 223 Wylde. It was pushing it a bit, I think, but no issues at all with brass, primers, ejector marks or extraction. No guarantee obviously, but I think it's probably okay...(??).

 

[KyleR1985]

26gr under 88 eldm 2.43” shot just under 2700 fireforming perfect primers no bolt lift or swipes. I think 26.5 at 2.5” with an extra 1.5+gr capacity (and .100 off lands now) should at least not blow my face off.

 

[Dude270]

Good info, guys. I'm going to load some up for both my 223AI and a factory tikka 223 and see how the 8 twists like them at my altitude.