88 TMK Loading Thread

[mwoolsey5]

Apologies in advance, I’m a complete amateur when it comes to hand loads and reloading still, but trying to learn. I plugged everything into an ai tool, but could someone verify I have the correct COAL length before I load some of these up.

22 CM
.120 Freebore
88 TMK
Hawkins Hunter DBM Short

Hawkins website says the Hunter DBM short magazine has an internal length of 2.880”. AI tool says the ideal length is 2.65-2.75” to touch the lands, but that I’m limited by the magazine and need to have a COAL of 2.5-2.52” to ensure smooth feeding and that the tip doesn’t drag in the mag. Does this sound correct or should I be loading up a dummy round at the longer COAL length to see how it see if it fits the mag and/or feeds well?

 

[43.6N]

View attachment 1044659
Apologies in advance, I’m a complete amateur when it comes to hand loads and reloading still, but trying to learn. I plugged everything into an ai tool, but could someone verify I have the correct COAL length before I load some of these up.

22 CM
.120 Freebore
88 TMK
Hawkins Hunter DBM Short

Hawkins website says the Hunter DBM short magazine has an internal length of 2.880”. AI tool says the ideal length is 2.65-2.75” to touch the lands, but that I’m limited by the magazine and need to have a COAL of 2.5-2.52” to ensure smooth feeding and that the tip doesn’t drag in the mag. Does this sound correct or should I be loading up a dummy round at the longer COAL length to see how it see if it fits the mag and/or feeds well?

Do you have the magazine on hand?
Make a dummy round of your chamber, and see how it fits in the mag.

 

[BlueJay]

Did some initial load development with 88gr TMKs today in my 22 Creedmoor with a 20" barrel. I had tried previous workup with 88 ELD-m and couldn't get them to group well. Loaded up Alpha LRP brass with the TMKs at 20 thousands off jam and Reloder 23 with three rounds at each charge weight (36 grains up to 39 grains in 0.5 grain increments). Everything over 36.5 charge weight shoot itty bitty groups; 39.0 grains had no pressure signs and an average velocity of 2880fps. Going to load up 30 rounds with 39.0 grains to get a better sense of the true dispersion but this looks really promising. This is a pretty new barrel so I expect it'll speed up.

 

[BBob]

22 CM
.120 Freebore
88 TMK
Hawkins Hunter DBM Short

Hawkins website says the Hunter DBM short magazine has an internal length of 2.880”. AI tool says the ideal length is 2.65-2.75” to touch the lands, but that I’m limited by the magazine and need to have a COAL of 2.5-2.52” to ensure smooth feeding and that the tip doesn’t drag in the mag. Does this sound correct or should I be loading up a dummy round at the longer COAL length to see how it see if it fits the mag and/or feeds well?

Post in thread 'The 22 creedmoor thread'

Mar 26, 2026

That and I’ll add if you want an 88 ELDM specific freebore it’d be approximately .170”. That puts the shank ~.050” above the neck shoulder junction at touch and the OAL still has plenty of room to fit most all common magazines and boxes.

What would the OAL be with this specific freebore and the 88eld at touch

~2.770”

After a quick look with 88 TMK’s it’s pretty much the same. Base of the bullet shank in the neck with the TMK is pretty much the same as well. Basically an equal swap or near equal swap between the two 88’s.

• BBob

 

[AM_Hunter]

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

No you were I just dont know how to read . Thanks for the input, gonna likely test out the loads tomorrow and hopefully not explode.

 

[SeanM243]

View attachment 1044659
Apologies in advance, I’m a complete amateur when it comes to hand loads and reloading still, but trying to learn. I plugged everything into an ai tool, but could someone verify I have the correct COAL length before I load some of these up.

22 CM
.120 Freebore
88 TMK
Hawkins Hunter DBM Short

Hawkins website says the Hunter DBM short magazine has an internal length of 2.880”. AI tool says the ideal length is 2.65-2.75” to touch the lands, but that I’m limited by the magazine and need to have a COAL of 2.5-2.52” to ensure smooth feeding and that the tip doesn’t drag in the mag. Does this sound correct or should I be loading up a dummy round at the longer COAL length to see how it see if it fits the mag and/or feeds well?

Not sure if you've already gotten your answer, I am running a .150 Freebore in my 22 Creedmoor and I am on the lands at 2.68 with the 88 TMK on a brand new barrel. I'm using those Hawkins SA standard magazines, in my 6 & 6.5 Creedmoors, they have no issues feeding ammo to 2.85 or so OAL. I did get my hands on the extended model for my 260 AI but full disclosure I have not tested it yet. You would be fine using that mag with a 22 Creedmoor.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

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

@longrangelead asked me to work on a longer mag to fit 6x45 or long 223/223AI. I started with the 3rd flush variant. I can feed 6x45 into my 223 (till it jams short). Needs more validation to call it good but promising start.

 

[mwoolsey5]

Do you have the magazine on hand?
Make a dummy round of your chamber, and see how it fits in the mag.

Not sure if you've already gotten your answer, I am running a .150 Freebore in my 22 Creedmoor and I am on the lands at 2.68 with the 88 TMK on a brand new barrel. I'm using those Hawkins SA standard magazines, in my 6 & 6.5 Creedmoors, they have no issues feeding ammo to 2.85 or so OAL. I did get my hands on the extended model for my 260 AI but full disclosure I have not tested it yet. You would be fine using that mag with a 22 Creedmoor.

Yeah I think it’s just going to be a bit of experimenting once I have the mag in hand. It’s currently at UM as they finalize the build, but should be headed my way shortly.

I’ll build a dummy round once I have it in hand to check fit and feeding, but sounds like it should be able to go to 2.7” if needed based on Sean’s response. Thanks guys. Looking forward to seeing what works best when all is said and done.

 

[Jfrog]

@longrangelead asked me to work on a longer mag to fit 6x45 or long 223/223AI. I started with the 3rd flush variant. I can feed 6x45 into my 223 (till it jams short). Needs more validation to call it good but promising start.
View attachment 1045232

Seeing those magazines in the works really makes the 6x45 seem like an interesting option for a rifle build…

 

[PC356]

Quick n easy work up on these green tip 88ers. Once fired Peterson LRP, BR2 primer, 38.8 gr H4350, 2.650 COAL. Tikka, 18” PBB .22 Creed. Loaded one to 39 gr, sharpied, chambered it to check for proximity to lands. Fired to check for pressure, nuthin. Backed off .2 and loaded 6 more, 1 for a sighter.
Done.

 

[KyleR1985]

223AI howa mini 16.5” 1:7

Lapua formed brass
88TMK
26.6gr LVR
CCI 450
2.5” OAL
2770fps AVG

View attachment 1044641View attachment 1044642View attachment 1044643View attachment 1044644

Just measured my now 3x fired brass. Lapua is 32gr H2O, LC is 32.6gr.

Lapua averaged 2770 at above load, the LC was at 2715 average. I think the sweet spot is going to be around 2750.

The lapua is shooting smaller this go around than the LC with same loads. But I think the capacity disparity is what’s causing it - the lever is closer to where it wants to be pressure wise in the lapua. Not enough to care about, but kind of pointing to that 2750 mark being ideal.

I wish I didn’t have a gazillion 95tmk’s on hand - I think this would be the gun for me.

 

[Jake Leibke]

Updated post #2

- 30.5 gr CFE223 group.

- 900 yards on steel. 4 shots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KyleR1985]

22 Arc. 18” 7 twist barrel. Alpha brass. Fed 205 primer. Loaded at about .035 of jump.

LVR

Tested for pressure signs up to 31.5 gr. Really didn’t see any signs of high pressure.

Edit : 3 shots at each load testing pressure
30.5 gr : 2950 fps
31 gr : 3028 fps
31.5 gr : 3050 fps

[mention]KyleR1985 [/mention] asked about jumping the bullet .100. I used starline brass and downloaded a little. Here is that group.

CFE223

Tested for pressure up to 31.5 gr. Started getting tension on bolt lift at 31 grains.

Edit : 3 shot groups testing pressure
30.5 gr : 2915 FPS
31 gr : 2970 fps (pressure signs)
31.5 gr : 3025 fps (pressure signs)

28.8

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for shooting them with the .110” jump.

Confirmed for a lot of folks with mag limitations that these are still in play.

My initial results mirrored this - .6 moa 5 shot group at 2770fps and .100” jump in the .223ai.

The ARC/GT/Creed is the answer, but there’s some .223 application under the right circumstances.

 

[Thegman]

Just measured my now 3x fired brass. Lapua is 32gr H2O, LC is 32.6gr.

Lapua averaged 2770 at above load, the LC was at 2715 average. I think the sweet spot is going to be around 2750.

The lapua is shooting smaller this go around than the LC with same loads. But I think the capacity disparity is what’s causing it - the lever is closer to where it wants to be pressure wise in the lapua. Not enough to care about, but kind of pointing to that 2750 mark being ideal.

I wish I didn’t have a gazillion 95tmk’s on hand - I think this would be the gun for me.

Sierra seems to have hit it out of the park with this bullet.

Even from a 2# 12oz rifle, with a ridiculous 0.235" jump in my $50, 16 oz BCA 5.56 barrel, 4 @ 2.340"/26.2 LVR + 2 @ 2.340"/26.5 LVR + 2 @ 2.343"/26.7 LVR all went into 1 1/8" @ 100 yards. Seems to be working about as well as any other bullets have, and better than most, so far.

I know those charges seem pretty high, but for whatever reason, the pressure/velocity is pretty low with this barrel, at least with this bullet. 26.7 grains LVR maxed out around 2616 fps and zero pressure signs with primer or case.

A 6x45 would really have to earn its keep with this bullet around, if it keeps going like this with it.

 

[KyleR1985]

Sierra seems to have hit it out of the park with this bullet.

Even from a 2# 12oz rifle, with a ridiculous 0.235" jump in my $50, 16 oz BCA 5.56 barrel, 4 @ 2.340"/26.2 LVR + 2 @ 2.340"/26.5 LVR + 2 @ 2.343"/26.7 LVR all went into 1 1/8" @ 100 yards. Seems to be working about as well as any other bullets have, and better than most, so far.

I know those charges seem pretty high, but for whatever reason, the pressure/velocity is pretty low with this barrel, at least with this bullet. 26.7 grains LVR maxed out around 2616 fps and zero pressure signs with primer or case.

A 6x45 would really have to earn its keep with this bullet around, if it keeps going like this with it.

Those charges sound really high

I want to see if the hive mind can help with the difference in velocity for us.

32gr h2o capacity 223ai brass, 26.6gr lever, 2.5” OAL, .100” off lands, 16.5” barrel, 70*F: 2770fps average

30.6gr H2O capacity 223 brass, 26.7gr lever, 2.34” OAL, .235” off lands, 16” barrel, 25*F: 2620fps


Temperature and distance to lands surely can’t make that drastic of a difference right? These velocities should be reversed!

 

[SeanM243]

I tried loaded some in my 22 Creed, tried running them over 40g 6.5 Staball, that load is too hot for my rifle. I'm going to restart load development with H4831SC and see where it goes.

 

[JFK]

I want to see if the hive mind can help with the difference in velocity for us.

32gr h2o capacity 223ai brass, 26.6gr lever, 2.5” OAL, .100” off lands, 16.5” barrel, 70*F: 2770fps average

30.6gr H2O capacity 223 brass, 26.7gr lever, 2.34” OAL, .235” off lands, 16” barrel, 25*F: 2620fps


Temperature and distance to lands surely can’t make that drastic of a difference right? These velocities should be reversed!

It’s likely all of those factors combined. 45 degree temp difference on a known temp sensitive powder. I don’t believe that distance to lands and pressure are as well understood as most people think. Longer jump to lands reduces pressure to a point despite reducing case capacity. Then there is a point where the reduced case capacity starts increasing pressure. The sharper shoulder on the ai brass might also get a more complete burn out of the powder. It would be nice if every combo reacted predictably but that’s just not how rifles work most of the time when you change something up.

 

[Thegman]

I want to see if the hive mind can help with the difference in velocity for us.

32gr h2o capacity 223ai brass, 26.6gr lever, 2.5” OAL, .100” off lands, 16.5” barrel, 70*F: 2770fps average

30.6gr H2O capacity 223 brass, 26.7gr lever, 2.34” OAL, .235” off lands, 16” barrel, 25*F: 2620fps


Temperature and distance to lands surely can’t make that drastic of a difference right? These velocities should be reversed!

In addition to what's posted above from @JFK , I think maybe some variables (whatever they may be) have come in to play where your barrel is "faster" than average, and my barrel is "slower" than average. Just guessing this as I looked at some data for my Shaw 1:7 223 Wylde barrel and 26.2 grains of LVR under an 88 ELD-M seemed to be around 2,625 fps in that 16" barrel.

What barrel are you using for your 223 AI? I'm looking forward to see how my X-Caliber 223 AI barrel does. Thinking it might be about the "ultimate" chambering for the UL-ULs if these 88s shoot well in them.

 

[KyleR1985]

In addition to what's posted above from @JFK , I think maybe some variables (whatever they may be) have come in to play where your barrel is "faster" than average, and my barrel is "slower" than average. Just guessing this as I looked at some data for my Shaw 1:7 223 Wylde barrel and 26.2 grains of LVR under an 88 ELD-M seemed to be around 2,625 fps in that 16" barrel.

What barrel are you using for your 223 AI? I'm looking forward to see how my X-Caliber 223 AI barrel does. Thinking it might be about the "ultimate" chambering for the UL-ULs if these 88s shoot well in them.

Shaw 223ai deep chambered finished by @longrangelead . Then I throated it to get the additional freebore.