Looking for load data for standard 223 bolt guns with the heavier 70-80 gr. bullets. I just picked up a new Tikka t3x varmint and want to run 75-80 gr ELD-M bullets.
- Thread starter Rangerbob33
- Start date
25.6 grains of Varget
75g A-Max
Fed 205
LC brass
2975 FPS
75g A-Max
Fed 205
LC brass
2975 FPS
Tikka 22" factory varmint barrel
24.4 8208 xbr
75gr Amax
2.450"
2925fps suppressed or un-suppressed
Winchester brass, cci primers
24.4 8208 xbr
75gr Amax
2.450"
2925fps suppressed or un-suppressed
Winchester brass, cci primers
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24.5 8208 for 77 smk or 75 horn hpbt
80gr Amax
23.8gr Varget
Lapua brass
2.505" OAL
26" barrel
2775 fps
1/4 MOA if my wife does her part!
Brass lasts a long time.
23.8gr Varget
Lapua brass
2.505" OAL
26" barrel
2775 fps
1/4 MOA if my wife does her part!
Brass lasts a long time.
Tikka 20” factory 1:8
75 eld
OAL 2.495 10 thou off
26.6 gr cfe223
cci 400
win brass
2960
75 eld
OAL 2.495 10 thou off
26.6 gr cfe223
cci 400
win brass
2960
How does this group for you at 100 and further? what kind of sd es do you get?
Isn't the T-3 varmint available in 8 twist?
My T-3 stainless sporter is 8 twist.
I load the same 75/77gr load (24 Rl 15 w/Rem 7.5 primer and LC or Win brass) for everything.
My T-3 stainless sporter is 8 twist.
I load the same 75/77gr load (24 Rl 15 w/Rem 7.5 primer and LC or Win brass) for everything.
Yes my T3-X Varmint is a 1-8 twist. That was the main reason I got it, wanted the better twist in the bolt gun for the heavy bullets.
Factory RPR 7 twist 20 inch barrel
24.1gr XBR 8208
75 ELD
CCI 450
2.440 OAL (.010 off)
2940 fps
25.2 H4895
75 ELD
CCI 450
2.440 OAL (.010 off)
2980 fps
Edited to add primer type.
24.1gr XBR 8208
75 ELD
CCI 450
2.440 OAL (.010 off)
2940 fps
25.2 H4895
75 ELD
CCI 450
2.440 OAL (.010 off)
2980 fps
Edited to add primer type.
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FWIW- this information pertains to a fireforming load in a 223AI chamber. The barrel is 26" long and features a 7-twist.
73 ELD-M over 22.5 of 8208 XBR lit by a CCI 450 (Fiocchi brass) got me 2850-ish FPS with the projectile seated ~.010 into the lands. Accuracy was difficult to determine because I was also breaking in a brand-new barrel, so I was stopping, cleaning, etc..., which means that the barrel was getting warm, cooling off, clean, moderately dirty, etc...
Anyhow, the load data may be pertinent.
73 ELD-M over 22.5 of 8208 XBR lit by a CCI 450 (Fiocchi brass) got me 2850-ish FPS with the projectile seated ~.010 into the lands. Accuracy was difficult to determine because I was also breaking in a brand-new barrel, so I was stopping, cleaning, etc..., which means that the barrel was getting warm, cooling off, clean, moderately dirty, etc...
Anyhow, the load data may be pertinent.
RPR 7 twist 20 inch barrel
85 Nosler RDF
2.375 oal (.015 off)
Cci 450
24.5 gr H4895
2840 fps
Solid 1/2 moa load. Also took it to 996 yards today. BC seems higher than published.
.250 G7 lined up for me. Velocity measured with a LabRadar.
85 Nosler RDF
2.375 oal (.015 off)
Cci 450
24.5 gr H4895
2840 fps
Solid 1/2 moa load. Also took it to 996 yards today. BC seems higher than published.
.250 G7 lined up for me. Velocity measured with a LabRadar.
I have a couple of those and are stubby enough to work in my 1:8 at my elevation. I'll have to try that load.
Otherwise I have had success with
1:8 24" bolt gun
77SMK and 77 Nolser Custom Competition
26gr of Varget (crunching powder kernels)
CCI 450
Federal Commercial brass
2.290" OAL (at the lands in a Manson SAAMI .223Rem reamer)
Runs close to 3000fps and .5 MOA at 200yds.
*EDIT* The above load for Varget blanked a primer in the Summer heat and flame cut my firing pin tip. The bolt's firing pin hole is huge and contributed to the primer cup failure. I chose to reduce the load to 25.25gr Varget which groups about .6MOA@200yds with the 77 NCCs and runs ~2935fps. FWIW I do not believe there would be any issue in my rifle at 26gr Varget if the bolt were bushed to a .0625" FP diameter.
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m700 25" (cant remember brand) and chambered 223 wylde by MS Precision
Lapua Virgin Brass
25.4 Varget
75eld
Rem. 6-1/2 primer
OAL 2.417
2975fps
SD 7
Sub 1/2moa.
Lapua Virgin Brass
25.4 Varget
75eld
Rem. 6-1/2 primer
OAL 2.417
2975fps
SD 7
Sub 1/2moa.
Tikka T3x 223 @ 23"
Wolf primed Gold brass
24.5gr of 8208 XBR
80gr ELD-M
2840fps
Wolf primed Gold brass
24.5gr of 8208 XBR
80gr ELD-M
2840fps
Starting to think my rifle doesn’t shoot. Tried both Varget and 8208 and 80eldm. SDs are low single digits but accuracy only 3/4 MOA. Full custom build.
Any recommendations on another powder to try?
Any recommendations on another powder to try?
Mabie another bullet?
Sounds like you know how it likes this one.
Sounds like you know how it likes this one.
Try a different bullet.
I just loaded up some 80.5 Berger fullbore. I was really hoping to shoot the 80eldms because I have a bunch of them and they had been very flat shooting at distance with my last bolt gun.
If your velocity is that consistent but the load isn't grouping well, it maybe worth taking some time to play with seating depth.
I have already, didn’t make much of a difference.
Sorry to hear that. I've had good luck with the 75gr ELD, but haven't tried the 80s.
I may have to switch to the 75s. According to AB the 80s at 2850 beat out the 75s at 3000 in wind drift.
I guess I’ll have to try new bullets. Just shot some 80.5 bergers as well as my DMR load with 77 TMK. Both shot .3s.
Neither of them have the bc of the 80 ELDm unfortunately.
Neither of them have the bc of the 80 ELDm unfortunately.
I would take single digit sd with 3/4 groups all day. Wanna trade?
I also have a Tikka T3X in an Oryx chassis that I use a factory plastic AI mag for. I ended up with:
LC brass
24.7gr of H4895
Hornady 75gr ELD-M
CCI #41 primer (tried to use Federal Gold Metal Match but had one pierce as it was in the mid 90 degrees out)
2.43 COAL .010 off the lands
5 shot average was 3006 fps, SD of 5.4, ES of 15
Thanks for the good info it really helped me nail down a good load.
FYI this was suppressed with factory 24" barrel.
My son and I shot a Jim See based team match Saturday. One rifle had to be a 223 and they ran a bolt and AR class. Both shooters engaged 5 targets after starting a stopwatch. It took 2 impacts on each target to clear them, and then you stop the timer. We took 1st in the bolt class and 5th overall. My son shot my Tikka Varmint in a German Gun Stock Raptor, and he carried us on most of the stages.
We went out the evening before and shot out to 1000 yards to confirm dope. I went out to 1400 with my 22BR, so my son decided to try 1400 with the 223. I should have gotten it on video, cause he hit it on the first shot.
It was brutal a hot long day, but he was on fire with the 223.
Edit: The 223 load was new Nammo brass, 24.9 gr H4895, CCI450, 75gr ELDM, .020 off the lands, 3025 fps out of the factory barrel suppressed.
We went out the evening before and shot out to 1000 yards to confirm dope. I went out to 1400 with my 22BR, so my son decided to try 1400 with the 223. I should have gotten it on video, cause he hit it on the first shot.
It was brutal a hot long day, but he was on fire with the 223.
Edit: The 223 load was new Nammo brass, 24.9 gr H4895, CCI450, 75gr ELDM, .020 off the lands, 3025 fps out of the factory barrel suppressed.
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I'm running a semi-trued 700 action with a criterion remage that I had throated longer by a friend.
75gr eld-m
.030" off the lands at 1.970" BTO
2.500 COAL
24gr Xbr8208
Cci450
2018 Lakecity brass
Getting 2960fps
It's a hammer out to 700y. Havent had a chance to shoot much past that yet.
10 shot group at 100y
3 shot group at 420y
3 shot group at 540y
75gr eld-m
.030" off the lands at 1.970" BTO
2.500 COAL
24gr Xbr8208
Cci450
2018 Lakecity brass
Getting 2960fps
It's a hammer out to 700y. Havent had a chance to shoot much past that yet.
10 shot group at 100y
3 shot group at 420y
3 shot group at 540y
I know that varget is temp stable, but how are the other powders that are being used in this heavier class of bullets? I probably will end up with varget but just wondering if there are any other capable of more speed that won't change too much with temp?
Varget is too slow for the heavier bullets in my opinion.
Even loaded to longer OAL's? This is for a 1:7 twist bolt gun using MDT AICS 223 mags so I can seat to 2.425 with 75 eldm. Don't have any 80's yet to check with.
I went back and looked but I didn't keep the data, if I remember correctly is was over 200 fps slower than 8208 or 4895. I was using a Tikka and was loading to the lands also, just not enough room to put enough Varget in the case to keep up with the other 2 powders.
Rem 700 5R
77 - 80 gr SMK's
21.8 grains H322, wolf primers
Can run in a progressive and will shoot good in any Bolt or AR15 of your choice. Sub MOA in 10 guns.
PB
77 - 80 gr SMK's
21.8 grains H322, wolf primers
Can run in a progressive and will shoot good in any Bolt or AR15 of your choice. Sub MOA in 10 guns.
PB
yes, H322 with 21.8 gr and wolf or Russian primers if you can find them..Primers matters.
PB
80.5 Berger bullets
25.5 grns varget
cci benchrest small rifle primers
Norma brass
10 ths off lands
avg 2955 fps out of brux 26 in barrell
6.5 twist
25.5 grns varget
cci benchrest small rifle primers
Norma brass
10 ths off lands
avg 2955 fps out of brux 26 in barrell
6.5 twist
I'm starting to notice the Tikka. 223 is a good rifle. I may have to look further into getting one for "my wife " at least she'll think its it's her's
LOL, your statement is nonsense
Varget is one of the powders of choice for NRA highpower rifle competitors for bullets between 75 and 85 grains. Barrel lengths in that sport vary between 20 and 26 inches, both semi autos and bolt guns.
Some of you people think this place invented good loads for 223 heavies yesterday.
Highpower shooters developed those loads in the late 90s boy.
Varget works great for long-loaded heavies in a 223...but my personal experience says XBR will give you about 50fps more velocity.
.
80gr SMK
25.0gr Varget
Lapua Brass
CCI-200
2750fps from a 20" PVA/Rock Creek 1:7 Wylde Savage prefit
.
80gr SMK
25.0gr Varget
Lapua Brass
CCI-200
2750fps from a 20" PVA/Rock Creek 1:7 Wylde Savage prefit
Thank you!!!! I've had numerous lbs of cfe223 for years and never had any luck getting it to shoot. Always ran varget or xbr. Well, after having trouble getting both the speed I was wanting and a good sd, so I gave this a shot after seeing this and another post on this thread. Glad i did!! Had two great groups, 26.2gr and 26.7
Rem 700
Bartlien 7t 5r 25in
223 rem match w/ .092 GB
Loads are 1.940" bto
26.2 gr cfe223
2934 fps
Sd of 5,es of 13
26.7 gr cfe223
2980 fps
Sd of 8
24.5 varget
2839 fps
Sd of 9 in virgin brass
I'm excited about the cfe223 load because the stuff flows out of a powder dump like my money out of my old ladies purse!!! I tested 10 dumps on scale after I shot today, and all 10 were on the money! Time to get the dillon 650 going again
I am loading 24.5 grains of Varget in Lapua brass CCI primers and Berger 80.5 bullets. Running a Desert Tech with SAC conversion. Barrel length is at 22.5" and what I am getting is 2856 to 2875 FPS. So I would have to say that Varget powder is working just fine. But that is in my rifle mileage may very.
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