New 223 Load Development

[zekepa]

I've found the 75 ELDMs to be fickle. 1.25 to 1.5 inch groups.

73 ELDMs and 77TMK have worked better for me. I've only been loading them at 2.26 so far with H4895 and W748.

I ordered mags from pods, to be able to load longer than tikka factory mag length for the 75's. The extended length mags are working great.

WTS Thread 'Complete Tikka magazines - Orange, flush, extended COAL, etc.'

Feb 9, 2026

Going to try out a new method, blow is a link to a google form to collect an order request which will allow me to accurately send out an invoice link from the payment processor (a firearm accessory friendly account, paypal/venmo are out). If all the details are provided and I have the inventory I'll send you an invoice. If I have questions I will email you, similarly if I need time to replenish inventory for your request I'll advise you on the timeline, I won't send an invoice until I have product ready to ship. If you have issues you can always email me at [email protected]...

• pods8 (Rugged Stitching)
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Gun & Gun Parts Classifieds

I have some 88 TMKs on the way going to try those, will need the extended length mags for those.

 

[buckfever12]

I've found the 75 ELDMs to be fickle. 1.25 to 1.5 inch groups.

73 ELDMs and 77TMK have worked better for me. I've only been loading them at 2.26 so far with H4895 and W748.

I ordered mags from pods, to be able to load longer than tikka factory mag length for the 75's. The extended length mags are working great.

WTS Thread 'Complete Tikka magazines - Orange, flush, extended COAL, etc.'

Feb 9, 2026

Going to try out a new method, blow is a link to a google form to collect an order request which will allow me to accurately send out an invoice link from the payment processor (a firearm accessory friendly account, paypal/venmo are out). If all the details are provided and I have the inventory I'll send you an invoice. If I have questions I will email you, similarly if I need time to replenish inventory for your request I'll advise you on the timeline, I won't send an invoice until I have product ready to ship. If you have issues you can always email me at [email protected]...

• pods8 (Rugged Stitching)
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Gun & Gun Parts Classifieds

I have some 88 TMKs on the way going to try those, will need the extended length mags for those.

Yes, I just can't seem to figure out the 75gr eldm's in my barrel, I do have a couple boxes of the 73 eldm's haven't had time to ladder load a bunch of those up yet, I've been reading I should get better grouping with those. I actually just ordered a few boxes of the 77 tmk's they have been hard to find in Alberta

 

[Pharmseller]

Send your Tikka to me.

 

[Muley Buck]

I had trouble with the 75 ELD-M at first too. It wasn't until I was kissing the lands that things started tightening up. I give @Castle Rock the nod here. I took his advice and ran em in there. Glad I did.

TIKKA CTR 223 24" BBL
Virgin Lapua brass
24 gr. 8208 XBR
CCI 450
75 ELD-M
BTO 1.930

 

[Pharmseller]

BTO for Varget (Carlos) is 1.915”.

BTO for Benchmark (Kyle) is 1.940”.

I posted COAL because not every comparator is the same.

 

[Muley Buck]

BTO of 1.920 was garbage. Everything changed at 1.930.
My COL is 2.484

 

[coyotekilla]

Well I haven't tried eldm's yet... but i have 75 gold dots, 75 vld's, 69 tmk's.

24 of varget with the 69 tmk
24 of tac with the 69's & 75 vld's
23.5 of imr4895 with the 75 gold dots

All print less than half inch. Shot these thru a 1:7 ar, a 1:8 ruger, a 1:8 20" ranahan, and a 1:8 26" urban barrel. Load as long as possible.

 

[Schmo]

 

[dreamingWest]

For my 18" Tikka T3X, a Black Hills 5.56 77 TMK clone was:

23.6 grains of TAC, Starline Brass, CCI 400 loaded to 2.260".
I can load it hotter/faster, but this allows me to use the Black Hills and hand loads interchangeably.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I am messing with 80eldm and eldx in a factory throat 1:8 twist 20”. I’m shooting at 9k and getting really good velocities (2850fps), so pretty sure they are stable. Loading ~.05-.07” off the lands (OAL 2.40”)

It’s the messiest groups I’ve shot in any gun. Tried different powder charges and seating depth. Still playing with it though.

This morning had 3 in the same hole…then the next 2…. 2” away. That’s the closest I’ve gotten to a good group.

 

[Muley Buck]

20 round group today.
After one firing velocity slowed down a little. It's now at 2930 fps.

 

[Pharmseller]

Great group. I’m nervous about over-max charges.

 

[MCGHeel]

I think [mention]pods8 (Rugged Stitching) [/mention] mags will be good to load long. I measured mine and I think 2.500 should work fine. Mags functioning great so far. Gonna start my 223 journey soon with the 77tmks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Muley Buck]

Great group. I’m nervous about over-max charges.

I was too at first. I shot a ladder all the way to 24.8 grains exhibiting no signs of pressure with the brass or the rifle. I was very surprised. Primers were very round (like new) on the edges. Zero primer flow. Brass was perfect too. Bolt lift was the same as if dry fired. I shot 60 total rounds yesterday at 75°-80°. I'm definitely going to be keeping my eye on it though.