Tikka .223 Berger 52 FB varmint crazy speed

[sveltri]

Wanted to try a lighter varmint bullet so I grabbed some Berger 52 grain hunting bullets. I had some H4895 on hand. Berger manual listed max load at 26.6 and 3268 FPS. I loaded 5 ea at 26, 26.3, and 26.6. All shots recorded with a Garmin xero. Average velocity for each group was as follows; 3483, 3523, 3552. My brass showed absolutely no signs of pressure and absolutely no heavy bolt lift. I can’t believe I got those velocities without being over pressure, but how would I know without having the chronograph?

 

[turbobrick]

I can't imagine attempting roading without a chrono. My Xero just arrived, headed to the range to give it a try shortly.