Sierra 88 TMK Load Data

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Shot some more 88’s today in the standard 8twist tikka 223 barrel, they continue to shoot well. Same load I’ve been using with H4895.

What COAL you at? Is yours standard throat or did it get throated longer?

Playing catch up here but 77s in my chamber as stuffed into the case, didn't know if these 88s have a profile that sits out longer?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

What COAL you at? Is yours standard throat or did it get throated longer?

Playing catch up here but 77s in my chamber as stuffed into the case, didn't know if these 88s have a profile that sits out longer?

Standard throat, nothing “optimal” about this setup.

COAL 2.460” puts me about .015–.020 off touch

They are stuffed deep into the case but I’m 200 bullets into this and they are really consistent

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Standard throat, nothing “optimal” about this setup.

COAL 2.460” puts me about .015–.020 off touch

They are stuffed deep into the case but I’m 200 bullets into this and they are really consistent

Did you try 77s prior in your chamber? Curious if your throat is similarly short but the 88s just are more elongated. 77s in mine need to be seated pretty close to sammi to fit my throat.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Did you try 77s prior in your chamber? Curious if your throat is similarly short but the 88s just are more elongated. 77s in mine need to be seated pretty close to sammi to fit my throat.

No iirc 2.330 was touch with 77’s in my chamber. Shot about 300 of those.

 

[BLJ]

No iirc 2.330 was touch with 77’s in my chamber. Shot about 300 of those.

So you went from 2.33 with 77’s to 2.46 with the 88’s just from bullet shape?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

So you went from 2.33 with 77’s to 2.46 with the 88’s just from bullet shape?

Si senor, 88 is a long bullet

 

[BLJ]

Si senor, 88 is a long bullet

Confirmed as such.

Thank you.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

No iirc 2.330 was touch with 77’s in my chamber. Shot about 300 of those.

Noted, I got a shorty throat in comparison.

 

[justin davis]

Got some N555 and N560 loaded up to test for my new 22cm with 88tmks. Have high hopes for the 560.

How did the N560 do?

 

[WDR]

Si senor, 88 is a long bullet

Yes, its much more "VLD" shaped than the 77.

I haven't been able to test my loads in my 7 twist 20" Savage .223 with more than 22gr of N540, but that got me to 2500 with no pressure signs using LC brass and CCI BR4s. I'm around 2.40" with the 88s. I'm hoping to break 2600, but not sure if its worth the trouble over just loading 77s or the 80 ELDm's that killed deer and elk fine last year. VV 88 ELD data says its maybe possible with N540.

The 88 TMK has me almost temped to AI this thing. Silk purse from a sows ear, but it could be fun. Would kinda like to see more terminal data/reports, but I suspect it will work just as well as the 77 does.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Yes, its much more "VLD" shaped than the 77.

I haven't been able to test my loads in my 7 twist 20" Savage .223 with more than 22gr of N540, but that got me to 2500 with no pressure signs using LC brass and CCI BR4s. I'm around 2.40" with the 88s. I'm hoping to break 2600, but not sure if its worth the trouble over just loading 77s or the 80 ELDm's that killed deer and elk fine last year. VV 88 ELD data says its maybe possible with N540.

The 88 TMK has me almost temped to AI this thing. Silk purse from a sows ear, but it could be fun. Would kinda like to see more terminal data/reports, but I suspect it will work just as well as the 77 does.

I’m 2720fps in a 22”, I’d try H4895, TAC, or XBR. I’ve never used N540 but may run out of room in the case before your so compressed it messes with seating depth.

I think 2600 is reasonable for 20”. Though it seems your throat is a bit shorter so not sure.

In tempted daily to get a 7twist with .100 extra freebore

 

[Tullis94]

Same rifle from post 478 with .5 grains less powder. 38.5 grains H4350 at 3120 FPS.

I'll probably do some hunting this fall with this load.

 

[WDR]

I’m 2720fps in a 22”, I’d try H4895, TAC, or XBR. I’ve never used N540 but may run out of room in the case before your so compressed it messes with seating depth.

I think 2600 is reasonable for 20”. Though it seems your throat is a bit shorter so not sure.

In tempted daily to get a 7twist with .100 extra freebore

FWIW I have three rounds each at 22.5, 23.0, 23.3 and 23.6 loaded up already, and haven't had any issues with compression yet. 23.6 is for sure getting close at my OAL.

I have a shooting buddy that has probably a dozen .223 rifles including an AI... and he keeps telling me not to spend the money at the gunsmith to have my #poorsrifle Savage AI'd or chopped down shorter. I keep toying with the idea of chopping it down to 16-18" and re threading it for my can, and AIing it to get the lost velocity back. He thinks I should save my pennies and build something like that on a custom action. Either way, I'd probably want to add some extra freebore for the heavies.

My only hesitation is that it shoots quite well as is. I've got a good N540/80 ELDm load that's going 2775ish right now, and could probably be bumped up above 2800 safely.

Banging steel with a .223 is great practice and a hell of a lot of fun. I've always considered myself a decent shooter, but the extra practice has caused me to consider longer ranges as more within reach. I used to consider 300+ as uncomfortable. Last years cow elk at 320ish felt like a chip shot with this rifle after all my practice.

 

[jonpall]

Same rifle from post 478 with .5 grains less powder. 38.5 grains H4350 at 3120 FPS.

I'll probably do some hunting this fall with this load. View attachment 1080270

Great group. You said you don't know COAL for this one? I'm loading up the same load basically and am wondering where to start.

 

[Tullis94]

Great group. You said you don't know COAL for this one? I'm loading up the same load basically and am wondering where to start.

I don't know. My seating die hasn't been touched though so when I load some more it will be the same COAL and I can measure. Im hoping to load some tomorrow. If I do I'll measure and let you know. I will say this load is likely still a little hot but I'm rolling with it.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

FWIW I have three rounds each at 22.5, 23.0, 23.3 and 23.6 loaded up already, and haven't had any issues with compression yet. 23.6 is for sure getting close at my OAL.

I have a shooting buddy that has probably a dozen .223 rifles including an AI... and he keeps telling me not to spend the money at the gunsmith to have my #poorsrifle Savage AI'd or chopped down shorter. I keep toying with the idea of chopping it down to 16-18" and re threading it for my can, and AIing it to get the lost velocity back. He thinks I should save my pennies and build something like that on a custom action. Either way, I'd probably want to add some extra freebore for the heavies.

My only hesitation is that it shoots quite well as is. I've got a good N540/80 ELDm load that's going 2775ish right now, and could probably be bumped up above 2800 safely.

Banging steel with a .223 is great practice and a hell of a lot of fun. I've always considered myself a decent shooter, but the extra practice has caused me to consider longer ranges as more within reach. I used to consider 300+ as uncomfortable. Last years cow elk at 320ish felt like a chip shot with this rifle after all my practice.

Leave that one alone and grab another exactly how you want it is always the answer lol.

It’s hard to beat 223 for FPTP (Fun per trigger pull) I shoot the shit out of mine and has made me a much better shooter

 

[Tullis94]

Great group. You said you don't know COAL for this one? I'm loading up the same load basically and am wondering where to start.

COAL for that load is is 2.695".

 

[jonpall]

COAL for that load is is 2.695".

Great thanks. Sounds like a good starting point for me.