Load data for 77 TMK in 223

[philcox]

Got my hands on a few hundred of these. Want to work up a load. I have the following powders:

• CFE 223
• Varget
• StaBALL 65
• Ramshot Hunter

Starline brass, CCI 400 SRP.

I have heard CFE 223 has no temp stability (I have not validated). Would love to get some insight as to loads that might work with these powders.

I guess I should add if there is a "no brainer" load for the 77 TMK and a powder that I don't have, I would appreciate that as well.

 

[Matt5266]

Following, as I am in the same boat. Anyone with loads for the 77 tmk and XBR feel free to chime in as well.

 

[sveltri]

 

[sveltri]

Got my hands on a few hundred of these. Want to work up a load. I have the following powders:

• CFE 223
• Varget
• StaBALL 65
• Ramshot Hunter

Starline brass, CCI 400 SRP.

I have heard CFE 223 has no temp stability (I have not validated). Would love to get some insight as to loads that might work with these powders.

I guess I should add if there is a "no brainer" load for the 77 TMK and a powder that I don't have, I would appreciate that as well.

Those CCI 400's are pretty thin, I wasn't able to push much velocity without piercing them. Switched to 450's and had much better results.

 

[philcox]

Those CCI 400's are pretty thin, I wasn't able to push much velocity without piercing them. Switched to 450's and had much better results.

Interesting. I'll see how it goes. Looks like the CF3223 is my go to for the list I have. Time will tell how it works out.

 

[TxLite]

Min/max varget and min/max cfe 223 per now defunct sierra app

 

[RockAndSage]

Anyone have any good loads with .223 heavies and Benchmark? 75, 77gr?

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

I’m shooting 24.5grn Tac under 77tmk and 75hpbt. Could be considered spicy in hot weather.

 

[philson208]

24 gr varget seated at mag length gets crunchy but shoots well @ 2750fps ish
23.7 gr xbr 8208 seated at mag length meters well and gets more velocity @ 2800+ ish fps

 

[Schmo]

@sveltri, are the cups on 450s harder than the cups on the 400s? I was shooting some more 77TMK loads today. I pierced a 400 primer without that load being over pressure. I measure pressure by measure primer pocket size. You know if you’re getting a 1/2 thou growth per firing, you’ll have decent brass life. At 1 thou per firing, obviously very short like. I long throated my 223 for 77s and run long mags. COAL @ 2.550”. At 25.5 grs Tac, I averaged 2931 fps, but pierced one primer. But I had zero growth in primer pocket size.

 

[Dave Thomas]

N540 is working well in mine

 

[Schmo]

@Dave Thomas,
What’s your load data with N540 just for reference?

 

[sveltri]

@sveltri, are the cups on 450s harder than the cups on the 400s? I was shooting some more 77TMK loads today. I pierced a 400 primer without that load being over pressure. I measure pressure by measure primer pocket size. You know if you’re getting a 1/2 thou growth per firing, you’ll have decent brass life. At 1 thou per firing, obviously very short like. I long throated my 223 for 77s and run long mags. COAL @ 2.550”. At 25.5 grs Tac, I averaged 2931 fps, but pierced one primer. But I had zero growth in primer pocket size.

Yes they are, I pierced 400’s with an N540 load, 450’s were fine.

 

[Schmo]

Thanks! Guess I need to try some 450s then.

 

[Dave Thomas]

@Dave Thomas,
What’s your load data with N540 just for reference?

If I remember right 24.4 is giving me about 2800 fps. I'm using a magazine that let's me load longer but not sure on the overall length since I don't have my notes with me but the factory Tikka throat is fairly short. I'm still under VV's max load data which I think is a little over 25 grains.

 

[Schmo]

Thanks! That would be nice for temp stability