Tikka T3x Varmint .223 load development

[Sieg]

I'm looking for assistance in developing two loads for my Tikka T3x .223 Varmint.

1) For Coors Light can sized digger squirrels in alfalfa pivots. Typical conditions: Winds constant predictable 5-20mph, 3,400asl, temps 40-70*.

2) For punching paper at 100-200 and occasionally 300yds. Local range with constantly swirling winds from hell, creek at 70yds, large berm at 130yds. Winds 2-15mph, 460asl, temps 35-80*.

I apologize if I'm being redundant, but I've done a lot of searching and not found any pertinent information. So I thought I'd take the direct route specific experienced input.

The rifle has about 350 rounds through it and has shown good accuracy with Federal 69g GMM. Five shot .32 moa at 100yds and seven shot .35 moa at 200yds.

I measured the rifle's cartridge base to ogive length using the bolt with only the extractor and handle (no ejector or pin assembly). My first attempt was using a cartridge fire formed from the gun, de-primed and partially neck sized using a 69g SMK. This created a false reading to the lands, so I bumped the should .001" in my RCBS FL die and checking the cartridge clearance in the chamber I obtained a free dropping bolt handle. Final verdict after carefully sneaking up on the lands was a BTO of 1.9325". The Federal 69g GMM BTO is 1.861" using the same gauge, so it's jumping .0715.

I'd like to shoot 52-60 grain for varmint and I'm open to target bullet suggestions, with our range conditions I'm leaning towards the heavier higher BC bullet options.

Regarding powders, I'd choose barrel life over speed and would prefer cleaner reduced fouling options as a typical good varmint weekend can be 400-600 rounds.

Current day insight would be greatly appreciated as my reloading equipment has been mothballed for 3 decades now so I'm basically starting from scratch.

Thanks,
Sieg

 

[Skippyisaaussie]

For the 55 grn pills 8208 is a great powder, and for the heavy 80 grn pills varget as it's rebaged for you Yanks. is a great choice.

Before 8208 came available in Aus after you Yanks got to test it for 2 years before us. I used a few different ADI powders.

8208 and 55 grn pills seen a many kangaroo fall ill to the panadol rapid with a bit of a splitting headache.

I shot commercially harvesting macropods for nearly 15 years burnt out a many of barrels in my tikka and Howa 223s. With 8208 being a choice powder for a 3rd of my time.

 

[drags]

I have a t3x 223 varmint 8" twist with the 69 gr. tmk it shot about 3/4 of and inch with varget and about 1/2 of an inch with r15, both loads were max charges.
Drags

 

[Sieg]

For the 55 grn pills 8208 is a great powder, and for the heavy 80 grn pills varget as it's rebaged for you Yanks. is a great choice.

Before 8208 came available in Aus after you Yanks got to test it for 2 years before us. I used a few different ADI powders.

8208 and 55 grn pills seen a many kangaroo fall ill to the panadol rapid with a bit of a splitting headache.

I shot commercially harvesting macropods for nearly 15 years burnt out a many of barrels in my tikka and Howa 223s. With 8208 being a choice powder for a 3rd of my time.

Thanks Mate, what's the typical round count on your barrels?

 

[Sieg]

I have a t3x 223 varmint 8" twist with the 69 gr. tmk it shot about 3/4 of and inch with varget and about 1/2 of an inch with r15, both loads were max charges.
Drags

Thanks Drags, how far were you seating those loads from the lands?

 

[mikehotel]

For my T3X, my favorite round for ground squirrels are the 69 grain Sierra Tipped Match Kings, 24 grain 8208 at 2.370 coal. My best kill last spring was a fuzz over 300 yards.

 

[drags]

Thanks Drags, how far were you seating those loads from the lands?

About .010 to.015 I have kills at 420 and 384 yards on Penna. groundhogs with this load. last year my 22x47 Lapua started blanking primers so I just used the .223 and was very impressed with the 69 gr. tmk load I could probably use this load 95% of the time. I shot one small groundhog about the size of a prairie dog at about 150 yards and it blew it in half. Right now it is my favorite groundhog rifle with the 69 tmk load.

 

[JFrank]

I recall the fellas at Tikka Performance had a 223 Varmint model placed in a chassis using hand loads iirc 80 gr hitting a 10 gong at a thousand yards without difficulty. www.tikkaperformance.com

 

[K22]

My Tikka T3X Lite, 8" twist, 223, shoots the 60 Vmax w/ H4895 and Federal 205match primers very well, groups averaging about in the 1/2 moa range give or take.

However I've only shot it out to 200 yards since that's the longest distance available at the ranges I belong to.

 

[Sieg]

I recall the fellas at Tikka Performance had a 223 Varmint model placed in a chassis using hand loads iirc 80 gr hitting a 10 gong at a thousand yards without difficulty. www.tikkaperformance.com

I'm considering trying a Berger 80g VLD due to the crazy wind conditions at our range even though it's only for 200yd matches.

The powders that are on my radar are AR Comp, TAC, Benchmark, 8208, and Varget. I have old stock of BLC2, 748, IMR 4064, 4895 that I'll probably test also.

So many decent choices now compared to the 80's and 90's when I was last doing this. Barrel life, copper fouling properties, and cleanliness are now options to be factored.

 

[JFrank]

Hell RL-15 might shoot great, IMR 4064 has a little longer kernel if that’s a concern.
J

 

[lawman29]

With 69 gr bullets and up Varget.
50-55 Win 748 H335
Once you start developing have a selection of primers...they matter.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

With 69 gr bullets and up Varget.
50-55 Win 748 H335
Once you start developing have a selection of primers...they matter.

Agree. My 2 223's prefer different primers. My Savage 26' Mod 10 prefers BR2, my sporter Federal Gold. Never managed to find a primer for both loads - and both use Varget (ADI2208) ADI cases (Aussie) in the Savage and Federal for the lightweight.

 

[xswanted]

I have a Varmint T3x and an lightweight.

I shoot 80 SMKs from the Varmint driven by IMR 4320. Lapua brass and 450 primers. Shoots very well and very consistent in all temps.

The lightweight one uses 52 Bergers and H335. Shoots half inch consistently. Both rifles are very impressive shooting guns.

 

[grovey]

I think most of these Tikka's .223's can put down 1/4" groups with the right combo, and serious load development. Between 25.0 and 25.5 grs of Varget behind the 69 gr MK should shoot well in your gun. I loaded mine to 25.2grs about.010 off the lands in my hvy bbl t3 scout. My T3 superlite likes a very mild load of Varget behind the old school 73gr Bergers. Both loads were single fed as they were too long to feed from the handicapped mags. I've never killed a critter with either of those bullets, but I heard the 69gr MK pencils thru groundhogs? My best 5 shot group with my superlite at 100yds with the 73's is in the high .1's, and I've shot smaller 3 shot groups . Not to shabby for a gun that weighs less than 6 lbs bare.

 

[JFrank]

Myself, a Tikka owner faced with over length 308 loads I believe I’ll order a long action bolt stop and long action magazine.
J
At least it sounds reasonable

 

[Sieg]

Hell RL-15 might shoot great, IMR 4064 has a little longer kernel if that’s a concern.
J

RL-15 was another on the worthy of testing list..... so many good choices now days. I'll be weighing old school with an RCBS 10-10 scale and trickler so long kernel isn't a major issue.

I also have a RCBS AmmoMaster that I used for pistol back in the day. If I can get a ball powder to meter well through the Uniflow powder measure I may use it for varmint loads.

My go to centerfire varmint rifle since '92 has been an Olympic Arms Ultramatch which just received a new Compass Lake Kreiger 22" 1:7.7. I also have a YHM Resonator waiting in jail.... another reason for wanting a cleaner burning powder.

The reloading Rabbit Hole is definitely a self inflicted deep one compounded by OCD tendencies.

 

[Sieg]

With 69 gr bullets and up Varget.
50-55 Win 748 H335
Once you start developing have a selection of primers...they matter.

I just went upstairs and checked my primer inventory, 5K+ assortment of pistol, 2.5K assortment of large rifle from my 22-250 days..……. no small rifle. It's only money. LOL

Any suggestions on a starting selection with the bullet and powder combinations I'm considering at would be appreciated.

 

[lawman29]

For the volume you're talking about shooting over a weekend, price of bullets is a consideration. Hornady is a good price point.

 

[Sieg]

Thank you all for your input, it's truly appreciated.

For the volume you're talking about shooting over a weekend, price of bullets is a consideration. Hornady is a good price point.

55-60g Vmax will definitely be part of my tests.

This was just a 'decent' day at 350+ rds. It can get expensive!