Tikka 223 73 vs 75 vs 80 eldm

[Pharmseller]

Which size insert for the BTO comparator? Or alternatively, what COL?

Carlos COL is 2.451”, Kyle is 2.474”.





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[Alpha Echo]

Carlos COL is 2.451”, Kyle is 2.474”.





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Thanks @Pharmseller ! Super helpful, and plenty of room in the Ascencion mags, which I've started running as well!

 

[Pharmseller]

The charges are max, so work up to it.




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[Bowfinn]

75 gr ELDM recipes

Tikka Varmint
25.0 gr Varget
R-P brass
CCI400 primer
1.915” BTO
2927 fps
Carlos

Different Varmint
23.5 gr Benchmark
1.940” BTO
2915 fps
Kyle


You’ll need longer magazines. I use Ascension Industries.




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I’m planning on working up to one of these loads. If I remember right you shoot these in different rifles, do you recommend one of these over the other?

Another powder I have locally is 4895 if anyone has input on that.

I’ve got a few ascension mags on your recommendation, and so far they have been nice.

 

[Castle Rock]

I’m planning on working up to one of these loads. If I remember right you shoot these in different rifles, do you recommend one of these over the other?

Another powder I have locally is 4895 if anyone has input on that.

I’ve got a few ascension mags on your recommendation, and so far they have been nice.

4895 is the best powder for heavies in the 223 in my experience
24.3 gn with 80s from Berger and Hornady
Varget is way too crunchy

 

[Bowfinn]

4895 is the best powder for heavies in the 223 in my experience
24.3 gn with 80s from Berger and Hornady
Varget is way too crunchy

Do you load to 2.26?
Is Varget still crunchy if loaded long?

 

[flyinsquirel]

25g of Varget @ 2.410 coal had just the slightest bit of crunch for me with a 75. If you run em at the lengths Pharm posted I’d wager no crunch at all. You’ll need a aftermarket mag either way. I am using Ascension mags as well.

 

[Pharmseller]

I’m planning on working up to one of these loads. If I remember right you shoot these in different rifles, do you recommend one of these over the other?

Another powder I have locally is 4895 if anyone has input on that.

I’ve got a few ascension mags on your recommendation, and so far they have been nice.

No crunch with Varget loaded long.

One stainless Varmint and a Superlite (both 1-8”) like the Varget load, another stainless Varmint and a stainless T3 like the Benchmark load.

Try the load you have the most powder for. The velocities are very similar.



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[Bowfinn]

No crunch with Varget loaded long.

One stainless Varmint and a Superlite (both 1-8”) like the Varget load, another stainless Varmint and a stainless T3 like the Benchmark load.

Try the load you have the most powder for. The velocities are very similar.



P

Thanks!
I’m New to reloading, so I’ll have to buy the powder I choose. I have good access to all of the mentioned powders. If Varget isn’t crunching when loaded long I think I’ll try that first.
Out of curiosity how far off the lands are you with the Varget load?

 

[Pharmseller]

Thanks!
I’m New to reloading, so I’ll have to buy the powder I choose. I have good access to all of the mentioned powders. If Varget isn’t crunching when loaded long I think I’ll try that first.
Out of curiosity how far off the lands are you with the Varget load?

0.04” or so.




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[Jamie930]

I have been using the 75 AMAX for my 600 yd load for High Power for years.
I loaded them .003-.005 off the lands. Definitely not fitting in a AR mag.
H4895 is my favorite powder to but good luck finding it. Looks like CFE223 or Winchester StaBall match might be a good replacement.
The 75 eld do a much better job of bucking the wind at distance

 

[Axlrod]

I have been using the 75 AMAX for my 600 yd load for High Power for years.
I loaded them .003-.005 off the lands. Definitely not fitting in a AR mag.
H4895 is my favorite powder to but good luck finding it. Looks like CFE223 or Winchester StaBall match might be a good replacement.
The 75 eld do a much better job of bucking the wind at distance

H4895 has been in stock for a month or so at Hodgdon, Powder Valley etc.

 

[wind gypsy]

H4895 has been in stock for a month or so at Hodgdon, Powder Valley etc.

And now that it's finally here its harder to spend Hodgdon prices.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

And now that it's finally here it’s harder to spend Hodgdon prices.

I was going to comment yesterday, it’s hard for me to want to try new things at those prices, I got stuff that works good or good enough

 

[Jamie930]

$572 for 8lbs of Varget Is crazy, H4895 isn't to far behind.
I have been looking at CFE 223 or Staball Match.
The local Bass Pro stocks 8lb bottles of CFE 223 for the same price as Powder Valley

 

[PLhunter]

Not a tikka but I have been having good success with TAC powder in my TC contender and 75 eldm.
17 inch barrel 23.6 grains tac 2.456 COAL. 2675 avg. New barrel so that should speed up.

With 24.2 grains TAC I'm at 2750 but breaking the action is a hair stiff on occasion. In a bolt should be no problem. Primers are staying tight with NORMA brass.

Tac is fairly inexpensive and available locally. Meters very well. Loads have held up very well to 700 yards.

 

[The big greasy]

If one takes a factory tikka mag apart and remodels it, one can load and shoot whatever bullet length they want. I did mine. Works great.

 

[Schmo]

Not a tikka but I have been having good success with TAC powder in my TC contender and 75 eldm.
17 inch barrel 23.6 grains tac 2.456 COAL. 2675 avg. New barrel so that should speed up.

With 24.2 grains TAC I'm at 2750 but breaking the action is a hair stiff on occasion. In a bolt should be no problem. Primers are staying tight with NORMA brass.

Tac is fairly inexpensive and available locally. Meters very well. Loads have held up very well to 700 yards.

Tac is really good stuff. Not too spikey, is affordable, meters well, and gives good velocity.

I’ve got some powders that I want to play with. Sierra data shows PP 2000-MR as top velocity. I have some I want to try. Another is RL TS15.5. CFE223 gives good velocity, but I believe it’s more spikey than Tac. Also have StaBall Match and Benchmark and N150.

 

[PLhunter]

Tac is really good stuff. Not too spikey, is affordable, meters well, and gives good velocity.

I’ve got some powders that I want to play with. Sierra data shows PP 2000-MR as top velocity. I have some I want to try. Another is RL TS15.5. CFE223 gives good velocity, but I believe it’s more spikey than Tac. Also have StaBall Match and Benchmark and N150.

I have a friend with some RL15.5 that I hope doesn’t work out for him. So I can give it a try. I tried Varget and it was fine too just a bit crunchy and doesn’t meter as well obviously. I was around 2640ish with varget. I cranked out 100 rounds of preprimed with tac in minutes weighing every 5th round or so. All were on the money. My platform limits my ability to really push it. My goals were an accurate load that kept more than 1800 to 400 yards and I got there. Shoots so well though that now I want something that goes faster further. Always moving the goalpost.

 

[Schmo]

Yeah, I hear that. I push the 223 to its limit, but not so hard that loads are too hot. I thought about going to 223AI or 22ARC, but that would take away the simplicity that a standard 223 offers. My barrel is on its way to Kampfeld to get some freebore added.