New 223 Load Development

[Back_Trail]

I’m about to start working up a new .223 load in my Tikka with a 1:8 twist and a 22.4-inch barrel. I’m looking at the 69-grain Sierra TMK with H4895. Has anyone used this combination?

 

[Castle Rock]

Yep, plenty, you should probably start at 24.5 and finish before 25.
Probably the easiest way to get good accuracy from a Tikka.
Load to max magazine length.

 

[Back_Trail]

Thanks Castle Rock

 

[Pharmseller]

If you change your mind and want to try 75 gr ELDM, hit me up.

Varget or Benchmark.

 

[coast range]

If you change your mind and want to try 75 gr ELDM, hit me up.

Varget or Benchmark.

Does those work?

 

[Pharmseller]

Does those work?

Sometimes

 

[sierracharlie338]

You can also try 8208xbr. That along with the 69 smk/tmk hammer in my 9 twist.

 

[Pharmseller]

You can also try 8208xbr. That along with the 69 smk/tmk hammer in my 9 twist.

Tough to find in my AO.

 

[Back_Trail]

If you change your mind and want to try 75 gr ELDM, hit me up.

Varget or Benchmark.

Thanks, I think I want to stay with the 69 to try and keep my energy still decent at distance. I will be using this as a target and varmint load.

 

[Pharmseller]

Thanks, I think I want to stay with the 69 to try and keep my energy still decent at distance. I will be using this as a target and varmint load.

Do some comparisons of your load vs 75 ELDM G1 .467 at 2836 fps (Benchmark) or 2852 fps (Varget).

I don’t know how far you shoot but we smoke marmots at 500 yards easily. Probably could stretch that but that’s the max given our AO.

 

[Back_Trail]

Nice, looks like a Tikka? I wasn’t choosing the 75 ELDM because I thought it might limit my case fill due to my mag length. If you’re running a tikka do you have any issues with seating?

 

[sierracharlie338]

Tough to find in my AO.

Hit or miss around here mostly miss lately so I hear you.

 

[coyotekilla]

I shoot a 26" custom barreled tikka. 75 berger vld's, 69 tmk's, 75 gold dots, about 24 gr of tac or varget. Paper, steel, or varmits to 500 ish

 

[Pharmseller]

Nice, looks like a Tikka? I wasn’t choosing the 75 ELDM because I thought it might limit my case fill due to my mag length. If you’re running a tikka do you have any issues with seating?

All four of the 223s I load for are Tikkas. Two are Varmints, the other two are stainless T3 Lites. I use aftermarket magazines from Ascension Industries to load long. No issues. Carlos is 2.441”, Kyle is slightly longer. The Varget load is just slightly crunchy, the Benchmark load is not.

 

[Castle Rock]

Do some comparisons of your load vs 75 ELDM G1 .467 at 2836 fps (Benchmark) or 2852 fps (Varget).

I don’t know how far you shoot but we smoke marmots at 500 yards easily. Probably could stretch that but that’s the max given our AO.

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You can tell he was a salesman in a past life

 

[Pharmseller]

Still am.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Keep in mind folks report hit / miss results with the 75eldm in factory tikka barrels. Awesome if it works for ya but it sounds like it can be a more finicky one.

 

[buckfever12]

Do some comparisons of your load vs 75 ELDM G1 .467 at 2836 fps (Benchmark) or 2852 fps (Varget).

I don’t know how far you shoot but we smoke marmots at 500 yards easily. Probably could stretch that but that’s the max given our AO.

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What's your full 75gr ELDM recipe if you don't mind sharing? I've tried several different powders: varget, benchmark, H4895, CFE223, imr 8208 seating lengths .020" .025" .030", and best I can get from my ctr 223 20" 1:8twist barrel is 1 - 1.25" grouping at 100yds. I'm most interesting in what seating depth you are using?

 

[Pharmseller]

New record, 606 yards this year.



Two loads for 4 Tikkas. Both loads are max so work up.

This load is 25.0 gr Varget, CCI 400 primer, Remington brass, COAL 2.451”.

My load uses 23.5 gr Benchmark at 2.472”.

MV is nearly identical at 2915 fps.

 

[buckfever12]

New record, 606 yards this year.

View attachment 1057700

Two loads for 4 Tikkas. Both loads are max so work up.

This load is 25.0 gr Varget, CCI 400 primer, Remington brass, COAL 2.451”.

My load uses 23.5 gr Benchmark at 2.472”.

MV is nearly identical at 2915 fps.

wow! 606yds nice shooting! Much appreciated sharing your recipes, hopefully I can get these 75 ELDM's to tighten up in my tikka like yours!