1:8 Tikka 223 62 ELD-VT Preliminary Results

[RabbitSlayer]

Tried the 62 gr ELD-VT with TAC and N133 in my tikka varmint 8 twist. Results are pretty awful at over 2 moa. Need to check my notes, but I think I was .010 or .015 off the lands. I am for sure not trying TAC again. The es was over 100. The N133 ES was around 40 and SD of 9.8. I gave up on the TAC and sent some of into the berm. Sure did explode the rocks at 300 yards better than the 53 vmax.

I might try a seating depth test, but I think its a waste of time. With 53 vmax I have never even done anything but a powder test and they shoot pretty good. 50 gr vmax shoot even better.

I think I might just save em for a different barrel with a 7.5 twist. I only have 1k of em to shoot up lol

All targets shot from a caldwell unstable table with a bipod.

62 ELD-VT



Just for some comparison, here is the usual load. The target on the right is a 30 shot group.

 

[JEFFPPC]

drill,a hole near the pointy end and go fishing...sinkers

 

[K22]

My Tikka Varmint (8" twist) shoots the 60 Vmax in the 1/2 moa range with Varget or H 4895. This is a flat base bullet with a long shank which I believe matches up well with the 8" twist.

As an added bonus, these bullets are not expensive, and usually readily available. You may want to try them.

PS: Also works very well in my 2 Tikka Lites.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

My Tikka Varmint (8" twist) shoots the 60 Vmax in the 1/2 moa range with Varget or H 4895. This is a flat base bullet with a long shank which I believe matches up well with the 8" twist.

As an added bonus, these bullets are not expensive, and usually readily available. You may want to try them.

PS: Also works very well in my 2 Tikka Lites.

I am trying to get the bc advantage of the ELD-VT. When I run the numbers its crazy. Wind drift is cut in half, drop at 300 is the same as the 53, and beyond that the drop is less. The retained energy is also almost double. Its a good excuse for me to get a new barrel. Maybe an AI or 22 Arc with a 7.5 or 7 twist.

 

[wedgy]

They worked for me jammed and at 0.020" off.

 

[cb186]

I have shot them in (2) 22 creeds, both 8 twist(one a Wilson, the second a CRB) and have found .030-.040" off to be best. N150 in both of those. Better than Varget.
I would try slower powders, Varget, N140, RL15, etc.
Do you have enough freebore?

 

[Clancy]

Take a few steps back.

What scope?

Is everything tight but not overly so?

Have a screw bottoming out?

SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB that barrel. Use some JB bore paste.

I’d suggest a different bullet with the following test, but if you’re set on that one….. here it is.

Get some Varget or similar burn rate powder, load 3 foulers and 6 groups of 3 for a seating depth test (luke warm charge) at 6 different depths starting 10 off and going deeper by .005 each group.

Analyze those results and then turn the heat up a little.

The above is, with respect, no way to do load development.

 

[Chilly807]

What is the recommended twist rate for the bullet in question?

 

[RabbitSlayer]

What is the recommended twist rate for the bullet in question?

The box says 8, but the berger calculator has that as 1.4 and marginal and 4dof has says 1.48. Im thinking that might be part of it.

Dang I have a lot of powder but I think TAC is the only one for heavier bullets. I have N133, TAC, xterminator, benchmark. I really need to burn some of this up before buying more.

I have never had anything shoot this bad! Thats 8 guns and 5 cartridges I have loaded for.

 

[Clancy]

The box says 8, but the berger calculator has that as 1.4 and marginal and 4dof has says 1.48. Im thinking that might be part of it.

Dang I have a lot of powder but I think TAC is the only one for heavier bullets. I have N133, TAC, xterminator, benchmark. I really need to burn some of this up before buying more.

I have never had anything shoot this bad! Thats 8 guns and 5 cartridges I have loaded for.

You’re either going to have to go with a smaller bullet or a slower powder. That’s all there is to it. That tikka should do half MOA easily.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ Rabbitslayer,..
My new, 1-8 twist Tikka, in .22-250 Rem., Loves,.. 60 grain NBT's with, IMR 8208xbr and the 69 gr. SMK's with IMR 4350 ! Both bullets shoot into about, 1/2 MOA or, Less ! Set them, .050 above the "Doughnut" area and Do an OCW set of, Targets with, a proper .223 Powder, Like,.. IMR 8208 or, AR- Comp, TAC ? idk ?
( Both Bullets are,.. "Jump Friendly" ). Easy to find, Accurate Loads for in most 1-8 Twists.
Life's to short to, Fool around with those New, UN-Stable Hornady Bullets,.. IMO !
They AIN'T, "Working well", for about, 1/2 the Shooters, on Planet Earth, from what,.. I've read.
That Bullet, Probably needs, a 1-7.5 Twist or, a 1-8 tw,.. AT,. "screaming" .22 Creed, Velocities !
Good Luck !