Load data for 77 TMK in 223

[philcox]

I did some pressure testing, and 24.5g of XBR didn't flatten primers or hard bolt lift. I was going to give 24.0 a shot, but was told that might be a bit hot. Anyone have an XBR load around that 24?

 

[pbroski]

I did some pressure testing, and 24.5g of XBR didn't flatten primers or hard bolt lift. I was going to give 24.0 a shot, but was told that might be a bit hot. Anyone have an XBR load around that 24?

I loaded 24.0 grs. of XBR in my Howa Mini with a 22" barrel. 2.38" OAL, about .065" from the lands, Lapua brass, CCI400 primers. No pressure signs. Average was 2766 fps for 5 shots.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Anyone have some more info on Tac?

Using fed 205m, Hornady brass, 2.26. Hoping for 2800-2850 tikka barrel.

I’ve done okay with it, I bet you would see 2850 with 24gr. This is one of the best groups it has given me, but not uncommon to be about 1.3” on average could be me could be the load.


It’s does about the same thing with 73eldms and the same COAL. Lil more speed

 

[ztc92]

Anyone have some more info on Tac?

Using fed 205m, Hornady brass, 2.26. Hoping for 2800-2850 tikka barrel.

I used it a bit during covid when it was all I could find. I looked at my data, I was getting 2800 with 24g of TAC and a 77 SMK. I recall that load was about 1.5” for 10 shots, so for me that is good not great.

Edit - My Tikka 223 has a 20” barrel + suppressor for reference.

I stopped using TAC when I had heavy bolt lift and other pressure signs with ammo that was previously fine due to shooting in warm summer weather and full sun. There are far better options available now so I no longer use it.

 

[Axlrod]

I did some pressure testing, and 24.5g of XBR didn't flatten primers or hard bolt lift. I was going to give 24.0 a shot, but was told that might be a bit hot. Anyone have an XBR load around that 24?

I have shot a lot of XBR out of 223/6.5 Grendel.
Out of a Tikka 16" w/suppressor:
24.2 Gr 8208 XBR
LC brass
CCI 450
2812 FPS
sub moa, multiple 10 shot groups

 

[WestTN2288]

Anyone have some more info on Tac?

Using fed 205m, Hornady brass, 2.26. Hoping for 2800-2850 tikka barrel.

24ish gr

 

[swavescatter]

Man, I wish I had sourced H4895 sooner after struggling with the so-called magic unicorn dust 8208 XBR...

Tikka with 22" barrel and OCL Poloium 556
Starline brass, Fed 205M primers, 2.32 COAL, 77gr TMKs, 24.0gr H4895, 2 thou neck tension
No pressure signs (maybe slight ejector mark every so often)
~2860 fps

 

[Mike D Texas]

Man, I wish I had sourced H4895 sooner after struggling with the so-called magic unicorn dust 8208 XBR...

Tikka with 22" barrel and OCL Poloium 556
Starline brass, Fed 205M primers, 2.32 COAL, 77gr TMKs, 24.0gr H4895, 2 thou neck tension
No pressure signs (maybe slight ejector mark every so often)
~2860 fps

View attachment 942210

I’m assuming 2.26 COAL?

H4895 is quickly becoming a favorite powder of mine.

 

[swavescatter]

No I use the Waters mags and backed the bullet 20-30 thou off the lands...

2.32" COAL which probably allows for more powder with less pressure. Just a tiny bit of crunch when seating and using a drop tube.

 

[YaakRiver]

77 gr TMKs. 24 grains of Varget. Once fired AAC brass. Factory Tikka action & barrel. Leaving some velocity on the table but this load is too accurate for me to change it.

 

[Ac338]

77 gr TMKs. 24 grains of Varget. Once fired AAC brass. Factory Tikka action & barrel. Leaving some velocity on the table but this load is too accurate for me to change it. View attachment 967398

That’s my exact load except brass is different. What coal are you using that load at? I’m at 2.36 in my Tikka anything over that and I can’t close the bolt

 

[MNess]

77 gr TMKs. 24 grains of Varget. Once fired AAC brass. Factory Tikka action & barrel. Leaving some velocity on the table but this load is too accurate for me to change it. View attachment 967398

Nice group. What primer are you using?

 

[goalie]

This thread is becoming relevant again for me. I have a little over 1k rounds of the AAC 77g OTM but they're not making any more due to powder supply issues for a while.

Time to use the 1400 77g SMK's and 500 75g HPBT's on the shelf.

Hopefully they get the AAC stuff back into production quickly.

 

[YaakRiver]

Nice group. What primer are you using?

Thanks - Federal GM205M

 

[YaakRiver]

That’s my exact load except brass is different. What coal are you using that load at? I’m at 2.36 in my Tikka anything over that and I can’t close the bolt

2.260

 

[huntsd]

Thread '77tmk in a tikka'

Apr 28, 2025

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?




factory 55 gr
i pulled the bullet not in the 3 shot main group

• huntsd
• Replies: 63
• Forum: Reloading

8208XBR was the trick for me

 

[swavescatter]

H4895 did it for me. Never got great results from 8208XBR....

 

[DeepMauka]

H4895 did it for me. Never got great results from 8208XBR....

Did you ever load them to mag length with 4895?

 

[swavescatter]

Did you ever load them to mag length with 4895?

No I load them to ~20 thou off the lands and use Waters/Ascension mags.

 

[Ranger 692]

25 gr LVR in Norma brass 77 TMK coal 2.270. 2750 out of a 16” Tikka lite barrel, right at 1 MOA