Tikka 223 & 77TMK range results

[Schmo]

Nothing like doing some last minute load development before heading out on a hunting trip. I leave next Saturday to start hunting on Monday the 11th in Montana. Currently only have doe tags, but may buy a cow elk tag if we locate some. I have a Tikka 8 twist 223. I rented a PTG Uni-Throater from 4D and lengthened the throat. Running a Waters Rifleman 2.6” OAL mag. Shot both Tac and Varget in Starline brass with CCI 400 primers. These are just 5 round groups, but I was pretty happy. Did not chrono the Tac load yet (I will though). Varget load was right about 2750. 2.550” COAL.

 

[sdupontjr]

Nice, considering picking one up from the local shop. How much did you lengthen the throat from stock length? And at 2.550" how far off lands?

 

[Schmo]

I accidentally throated too far. That bullet should technically be seated farther into the case to be optimally held, but it obviously works. That is .064” off lands. I’m going to try some 80 ELD-Ms as well. Hoping they’re a tad longer so that I can seat them optimally. Some other powders might get me more velocity

 

[sdupontjr]

Nice because I bet at sammi lengths, that 77 is in the powder column pretty good

 

[flyinsquirel]

Looks good. I’d expect that TAC load to be right around 2900 fps at factory barrel length. I am interested in if a longer coal changes things. Please report back once you run it over a chrono.

 

[Schmo]

Will do! I’d expect the Tac load to be faster than Varget as well. Is there any other powder that would give better velocity than Tac? (Not really interested in CFE223 since it’s so spikey)

 

[Schmo]

Overlay the two groups, as they are same location on bullseye, and even with two different powders you’d have right around a .5” 10 shot group. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[Billy Goat]

Will do! I’d expect the Tac load to be faster than Varget as well. Is there any other powder that would give better velocity than Tac? (Not really interested in CFE223 since it’s so spikey)

And here I prefer the cfe223 over Tac because I was having pressure spikes with Tac.


Cfe223 was stable for me, and easily available. Varget wasn't terrible, but more expensive, and slower, or rather took more powder to hit same velocity, and was pretty crunchy at that point.

 

[Schmo]

Maybe I’m wrong on CFE223 then. I have some, but haven’t loaded it yet. I was going off of what I was told. I know CFE gives some good velocity. What have you gotten a 77 to with CFE?

 

[Pharmseller]

I use Benchmark with 75 ELDM for 2915 fps in my Tikka.




P

 

[Schmo]

I have Benchmark, but it seemed to be pressuring out before that kind of velocity.

 

[Schmo]

I have Benchmark, Tac, Varget, 2000-MR, CFE223, and X-Terminator

 

[Matt5266]

I get 2770 fps out of a 18 inch barrel and XBR with a 2.26 COAL

 

[Billy Goat]

Maybe I’m wrong on CFE223 then. I have some, but haven’t loaded it yet. I was going off of what I was told. I know CFE gives some good velocity. What have you gotten a 77 to with CFE?

I don't remember what I got on the high end, I settled on 2650, because across several powders, that was the speed that seemed to produce the best groups. I think that was a near max or max load with varget, and less with cfe.

Pretty certain I was seeing in excess of 2800, but don't know if that was tac or cfe, possibly both, but over 3 or 4 powders, just wasn't pleased with groups at that speed with my gun. I didn't see the point in more, it gets me to 400, that's all I need from that gun.

 

[Pharmseller]

I have Benchmark, but it seemed to be pressuring out before that kind of velocity.

I’m loading pretty long, 2.475” OAL.

23.5 gr Benchmark.

Tikka Varmint, so longer barrel.

Work up to it.




P

 

[Schmo]

22” factory barrel. Loading long @ 2.550” COAL.

 

[SloppyJ]

I'm still a bit shocked at how short throated my sons Tikka compact is. It's been harder than I thought to find a good varget/77tmk load with the stock mag and throat. Good job throating it out to something a bit more useful. I wish I had the lathe to do that and didn't get crunchy reloading around 24gr.

 

[Schmo]

Look into renting the Uni-Throater from 4D. Super affordable and you don’t need any special tools besides what you rent. The rental all in costs about $50

 

[SloppyJ]

Look into renting the Uni-Throater from 4D. Super affordable and you don’t need any special tools besides what you rent. The rental all in costs about $50

Well i'll be damned. Looking into it now. Thanks.

 

[Schmo]

Do purchase the optional insurance if it will cover tool breakage. Ask me how I know lol