pick my powder

huntsd

WKR
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
658
Just picked a tikka 223 with a 22 inch barrel. Will be testing out 75 eldm and 77 tmks. I have some varget but am thinking CFE 223 may be a good pick with slower burn rate since these are heavier bullets.

Open to suggestions!
 

SloppyJ

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
1,997
Varget is hard to beat. With normal throated chambers and even some with extra freebore, i haven't been able to stuff enough in there to get to pressure but I know I'm close. Typically I start noticing seating depth inconsistency from the amount of powder before anything else.

I havent had luck with CFE 223 in anything and I've tried it multiple times.

That's just my experience though.
 
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huntsd

huntsd

WKR
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
658
thanks that's what I am leaning towards. looks like I should be able to milk a little more velocity out of varget as well.
 

SloppyJ

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
1,997
thanks that's what I am leaning towards. looks like I should be able to milk a little more velocity out of varget as well.

I can't find anything that's atleast as available as varget and performs the same. I would like to try H4895 eventually but it's hard to come by for me.
 

allaue87

FNG
Joined
Feb 6, 2025
Messages
2
I'm also picking up a Tikka 223 soon. I managed to find one for $600 shipped, no tax.

If I had to just start with one weight of bullets, what would it be? I have been reading about 69gr and 77 TMK, but also 73gr and 75gr ELD-M.

I was leaning towards the 73gr ELD-M. It seems that Varget is the go-to powder as well, so I think I will just buy that instead of CFE223.
 
OP
huntsd

huntsd

WKR
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
658
I'm also picking up a Tikka 223 soon. I managed to find one for $600 shipped, no tax.

If I had to just start with one weight of bullets, what would it be? I have been reading about 69gr and 77 TMK, but also 73gr and 75gr ELD-M.

I was leaning towards the 73gr ELD-M. It seems that Varget is the go-to powder as well, so I think I will just buy that instead of CFE223.
Smoking deal on that tikka
 

SloppyJ

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
1,997
I'm also picking up a Tikka 223 soon. I managed to find one for $600 shipped, no tax.

If I had to just start with one weight of bullets, what would it be? I have been reading about 69gr and 77 TMK, but also 73gr and 75gr ELD-M.

I was leaning towards the 73gr ELD-M. It seems that Varget is the go-to powder as well, so I think I will just buy that instead of CFE223.

75s aren't going to work in a tikka. Going to be too long.

If you can find 77tmks, go with those. Had great luck with them on game and they shoot pretty well too.

If not, the 73s are pretty good too.
 
Joined
Jan 29, 2025
Messages
10
Varget is one of my favorite all around powders. I’ve used it for just about everything. Super consistent in my Savage 223 with smks
 

allaue87

FNG
Joined
Feb 6, 2025
Messages
2
75s aren't going to work in a tikka. Going to be too long.

If you can find 77tmks, go with those. Had great luck with them on game and they shoot pretty well too.

If not, the 73s are pretty good too.
Is the limitation of the 75's the magazine or something with the chamber? I am switching the t3x lite over to a ctr stock & ctr magazine.
 
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Messages
2,573
Lever has been accurate and fast in my tikka. It’s also pretty cheap, and meters well enough that I just drop it in from the powder hopper and don’t weight every charge.
 
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