load needed

[Steve Ladino]

Rather than test and re test a box of Berger 55 FBHP in my 8 twist Tikka I thought I would ask here. Anyone have a .250 or less load for the 8 twist .223 Tikka ?...….Thanks

 

[grovey]

Not exactly what your after, and ... It's an odd combo, but a CCI 400 and 27.8 grs of Varget was the sweet spot in my factory 12 twist 700 24" bbl with the 55 Berger fb. I don't know the case capacity, as that was with weight sorted only IMI military brass. Several 3 shot groups ranged from .195 - .331 according to my notes. I know I was crunching powder, and if memory serves in my gun they were even seated out where I wasn't using the whole neck.

 

[grovey]

Also I think that was in my neck sizing era... lol

 

[Steve Ladino]

Not exactly what your after, and ... It's an odd combo, but a CCI 400 and 27.8 grs of Varget was the sweet spot in my factory 12 twist 700 24" bbl with the 55 Berger fb. I don't know the case capacity, as that was with weight sorted only IMI military brass. Several 3 shot groups ranged from .195 - .331 according to my notes. I know I was crunching powder, and if memory serves in my gun they were even seated out where I wasn't using the whole neck.

Mr. T. Grovey ??? St. Tom? Thanks Buddy...…... That there is a full case.

 

[grovey]

Yep. I remember telling you what my load was in that gun last yr. We agreed it was very hot, but that's what it liked. Should be another node down in the 26- 27 gr range as well?

 

[K22]

I purchased one last year. It was my first venture into the 8" twist world of 223's. All my other 223's have 12" twist and shoot light out with 50 and 55 grain Nosler BT's. I've tested 55 Nosler BT's, 60 Nosler BT's, and 60 V max's.

I'm still testing but the 60 gain Hornady V max w/ H4895 has given me the best and most consistent groups (about .700") so far but no where near close to .250". I thinks that's a lot to ask from a sporter factory rifle. However if I find something better I'll post it.

 

[long40shot]

Give Benchmark a try.

 

[drags]

I shot 69gr. Sierra TMK in my 8 twist Tikka Varmint Varget groups were just under .75 and R15 groups were just under .5 of and inch and were max loads. Longest kill on groundhog is 275 yards so far, I really like this rifle so far. Since you have a 8 twist give the heaver bullets a try you won't be disappointed.
drags

 

[Steve Ladino]

I shot 69gr. Sierra TMK in my 8 twist Tikka Varmint Varget groups were just under .75 and R15 groups were just under .5 of and inch and were max loads. Longest kill on groundhog is 275 yards so far, I really like this rifle so far. Since you have a 8 twist give the heaver bullets a try you won't be disappointed.
drags

Yes D Rags. the heavy's for the .223 etc. are great, are what I usually shoot but this box of Berger 55's on my shelf is beckoning me, I'm sure they will do .250 at 100 if the load is right.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I purchased one last year. It was my first venture into the 8" twist world of 223's. All my other 223's have 12" twist and shoot light out with 50 and 55 grain Nosler BT's. I've tested 55 Nosler BT's, 60 Nosler BT's, and 60 V max's.

I'm still testing but the 60 gain Hornady V max w/ H4895 has given me the best and most consistent groups (about .700") so far but no where near close to .250". I thinks that's a lot to ask from a sporter factory rifle. However if I find something better I'll post it.

75

I often can shoot less than .250 at 100 yds. with the 75 custom and the 73 and 77 commercial bullets out here, of course the excellent Tikka has a lot to do with it along with the brass prep and load tune for your rifle. Most bullets are good but for competition purposes it is a matter of getting the best !

 

[Steve Ladino]

I purchased one last year. It was my first venture into the 8" twist world of 223's. All my other 223's have 12" twist and shoot light out with 50 and 55 grain Nosler BT's. I've tested 55 Nosler BT's, 60 Nosler BT's, and 60 V max's.

I'm still testing but the 60 gain Hornady V max w/ H4895 has given me the best and most consistent groups (about .700") so far but no where near close to .250". I thinks that's a lot to ask from a sporter factory rifle. However if I find something better I'll post it.

Thank You !

 

[long40shot]

My

Give Benchmark a try.

My 223 does very well with the 50s and 55s with Benchmark. Haven't tried lighter or heavier bullets.

 

[joshb]

I have a "general load" that shoots well in 3 different Tikkas and a Remington. Give me a moment to look it up. Found my other post:
I have a few Tikkas. I was out banging steel at 500 with a ten twist T3 a few days ago. I was using my general plinking loads. Some were 22 grains H335 behind a 55 grain Barnes set at 2.2 COL, lit by a CCI 400. Some were 26.7 grains BLc2 behind a 50 grain Midway "second" or blemished. CCI 400, again at 2.2 COL. Those 2 loads were in LC brass. My hit rate was prolly 70-80 percent with those, shooting at the Ram.
I have an 8 twist T3 that likes a 75 grain AMAX with 22.2 grains Varget lit by a CCI 400. I load that one in Lapua brass and set the bullet touching the lands and 2 thou off. Not much difference in performance in my gun. Hit rate with that load goes up to 95% and better, depending on the wind and my ability to read it. Of course, drop down a couple grains and work up for your gun by .3 grains at a time and see what it likes.

 

[K22]

As promised, reporting back on testing my 223 - 8" twist, T3X lite rifle. After testing several combo's of 55 grain and 60 grain bullets with Varget and H4895 I hit on a load that works for me. 24 grains - H4895 - 60 Vmax - Federal 205 match primers - seated .010" off lands. Shot a .445" - 5 shot group. I couldn't get the 55's to shoot under .750" in my rifle.

I didn't test any bullet over 60 grains because I want the most precise bullet (group) with the least drop for hunting varmints / predators without having to dial up elevation changes out to 225 yards.

I was surprised that the Hornady gave me better groups than either the Sierra or Nosler bullets since the latter always shot better for me in other rifles. I guess it's true; rifle are like women, no two are the same.

I'm done testing. .445 is perfectly adequate for my purposes - it's time to hit the field.

 

[dstoenner]

My load for 55 berger hpfb target is 23.7 of 8208. It edged out varget and 4885 in my tests with both a rem 700 shilen 1:8 and 2 different ar15 match rifles.

HTH

David