Tikka 223 Load Development & Accuracy Questions

[coyotekilla]

I'm getting over 3k with 75s in a 20". It should be easy to get close to 3200 with 26".

What powder you using? Mine might speed up some as well when it finally gets above freezing next month

 

[kit.critchlow]

What powder you using? Mine might speed up some as well when it finally gets above freezing next month

All of my load data is in the top of this thread. I think the second post. Power pro 2000 seems the best for heavies.

 

[coyotekilla]

Do you have any velocity data for the different powders you have tried with the ldms?

I'm still on my journey of finding the fastest velocity powder.

Ive used tac, varget, and cfe223 so far. Been using the tac lately, gonna work up an economy load soon, 11 cent 55gr softies, tac powder, wherever accuracy lands at 3k to 3300 fps.

 

[vonb]

I have Tikka .223 20”. I’ve tried XBR 8208, Aa2520 and Superformance. Super gave me the highest velocity but 2800 is about all I can get. 700’ DA.

What altitude you guys shooting?

 

[coyotekilla]

I have Tikka .223 20”. I’ve tried XBR 8208, Aa2520 and Superformance. Super gave me the highest velocity but 2800 is about all I can get. 700’ DA.

What altitude you guys shooting?

1500 about

 

[kit.critchlow]

I have Tikka .223 20”. I’ve tried XBR 8208, Aa2520 and Superformance. Super gave me the highest velocity but 2800 is about all I can get. 700’ DA.

What altitude you guys shooting?

I'm shooting at 1500 ft at the moment. 5k-7k ft for hunting.

What bullet are you getting 2800 with superformance?

Power Pro is giving me 2915 for 80s and 3015 for 75s.

 

[vonb]

I'm shooting at 1500 ft at the moment. 5k-7k ft for hunting.

What bullet are you getting 2800 with superformance?

Power Pro is giving me 2915 for 80s and 3015 for 75s.

77gr TMK (OAL: 2.255) with LC '21 brass, CCI 400 and 26.0 gr of LeverEvolution is giving me an average of 2,791 fps. However, 25.0 gr seems to be the sweet spot at 2,665 fps. In fact, every powder I've tested, my accuracy node is around that 2,660-2,680 fps. Anything above that and accuracy isn't there.

 

[kit.critchlow]

77gr TMK (OAL: 2.255) with LC '21 brass, CCI 400 and 26.0 gr of LeverEvolution is giving me an average of 2,791 fps. However, 25.0 gr seems to be the sweet spot at 2,665 fps. In fact, every powder I've tested, my accuracy node is around that 2,660-2,680 fps. Anything above that and accuracy isn't there.

I have been lucky. Neither of my Tikka care what the powder charge is. They don't care about seating depth either.

 

[30338]

Interesting results. My 23.5 gr of tac with 77 tmk today was .68 for 5 shots with speed of 2,650. 24 gr tac with 77 was right at 2,750 and accuracy opened up but still under moa. I may load some more at 23.5 and some at 24.5 just to see. If accuracy stays consistent, I can live with either of those loads.

 

[Muley Buck]

It’s easy to get ELDMs to shoot, just jam them 10 thousands, and use plenty of neck tension, but most are scared to.
8208 and 4895 will have them percolating.

Are you saying 10 thou off the lands?
What is "plenty" of neck tension? 2 thou, 3 thou, 4 thou?

 

[Castle Rock]

Jam means load them long enough so that if you colour the bullet with a texta the rifling marks are between rectangular and square when you extract the unfired round.
Regular sizing dies give you enough neck tension that they will extract jammed ammo, get fancy with bushings etc and you will be in for a load of grief

 

[Muley Buck]

Jam means load them long enough so that if you colour the bullet with a texta the rifling marks are between rectangular and square when you extract the unfired round.
Regular sizing dies give you enough neck tension that they will extract jammed ammo, get fancy with bushings etc and you will be in for a load of grief

Ok, I completely understand what you mean. I plan on loading 75 eldms soon and have read that quite often they don't like very much jump. Thank you for your insight.

 

[Jamie930]

I watch a Hornady pod cast, they were talking that bullet and powder selection is 80% of it.
They also talked that the ELD bullets like to jump vs being jammed in the rifling.

 

[kit.critchlow]

Ok, I completely understand what you mean. I plan on loading 75 eldms soon and have read that quite often they don't like very much jump. Thank you for your insight.

Just food for thought from my limited experience with 75 eldm. I didn't see any difference is group size or velocity SD going from .050 jump to .010 jam. Jam is a little hard to define so I probably didn't really jam them. I had rifling marks on the bullet just barely.