pick my powder

[huntsd]

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]

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.

 

[huntsd]

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]

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]

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.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I couldn’t stand Varget. I’ve had the best luck with TAC.

 

[huntsd]

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]

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.

 

[Dave Thomas]

I'm using N540 with 77 tmk in mine.

 

[SloppyJ]

I'm using N540 with 77 tmk in mine.

What velocities are you getting?

 

[Chupacabra]

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]

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.

 

[49ereric]

W748 was a common choice but newer powders are better choice but worth a shot anyway.

 

[willfrye027]

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.

 

[Matt5266]

XBR

 

[wind gypsy]

Factory mag is the constraint for 75 ELDs in a tikka, I THINK a CTR mag should work. Otherwise AI pattern or waters tikka mags work for the 75s.

Varget usually works good but it gets pretty compressed so I usually try h4895 or XBR first. For a ball powder, Leverevolution has been good for me so far with 75 ELD and 77 TMK as well. N540, N140, benchmark, and Tac are some others that might work well.

 

[huntsd]

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.

Glad this was pointed out. Will return my 75s!

 

[Wrench]

My 223ai absolutely hammers with xbr.....and it meters great.

 

[Castle Rock]

75s will be fine in a CTR magazine, but are a fussy bullet, 77s or 73s are the simplest
Powder as WG said 4895 or 8208 because it fits better

 

[Pharmseller]

Nothing wrong with Varget, except the slow speed.



Ignore the OAL on this target, it should read 1.915”, BTO.



Find some Benchmark and longer magazines. Ascension Industries sells them (among others), no dog in the fight but that’s what I use.



2915 fps. Can’t complain.

Don’t return the 75 ELDM, just get better magazines. The Ascension Industries mags let me load to the lands.

I killed my two most recent Mulie bucks with this load, 475 yards and 95 yards.






P